British researchers have found a gene they say is linked to Type 2 diabetes and cholesterol levels and serves as  themaster switch that controls the behavior of other genes found within body fat. The discovery could lead to obesity-related treatments in the future.

In a study published in the journal Nature Genetics, the scientists highlight the key role fat plays in metabolic illnesses such as obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes. If they can gain a better understanding of how it all works, they may be able to develop better drugs to treat these conditions.

Scientists may have discovered a master gene that controls obesity, which could lead to obesity-related health treatment in the future.

In the United States, obesity-related diseases account for nearly 10 percent of medical spending; an estimated $147 billion a year. As rates of obesity rise, Type 2 diabetes has also approached epidemic levels worldwide.

Lead researcher Tim Spector, Ph.D. of King’s College in London notes that there are a myriad of genetic factors associated with metabolic illnesses but the gene known as KLF14 is special because it acts as a regulator for many other genes. “Obesity is caused by a large number of genes acting together to increase susceptibility. Although all of them are of small effect on their own, by acting in concert in different ways they can have a significant effect,” he comments.

A copy of KLF14 is inherited from both parents as is the case with all genes but only the mother’s is active — a process called imprinting. That doesn’t mean your mother can be blamed exclusively for your flabby arms and jiggly thighs since so many other causes influence health and weight. Some genes are even passed down from grandparents. And lifestyle habits such as how much you eat and how little you move place much of the responsibility for weight and size on the individual.

This is the first major study to show how small changes in one master regulator gene can cause a cascade of other metabolic effects in other genes. Spector says his team is working hard to understand fully how this information can be used to improve treatment of obesity-related health issues. It’s possible scientists may be able to switch the gene on and off but the answer to whether that is possible is at least a decade off.

Source: ABC News: Health