Fat sensitive ⋅ Internal, from science to health
Seipin is a protein essential for our proper functioning fat cellsthe cells that compose it adipose tissue. The latter contributes to fat storage as well as to energy synthesis in these cells. When it is lacking, fatty tissue is disrupted… For example, in the case of obesity.
An article can be found in the next issue of Inserm
” The protein, the absence of which leads to the almost complete disappearance of the organ, is necessarily important! This protein evokes Xavier Prieur*, researcher atThorax Institutein Nantes, is cybin, encoded by a gene BSCL2. The work showed that patients with this gene mutated do not have adipose tissue: they are affected by a rare disease called congenital generalized lipodystrophy. In the absence of adipocytes, the fat is stored elsewhere in the body – the liver for example – which leads to health problems.
What is behind fat storage?
BSCL2 It was discovered in the early 2000s, thanks to genetic analysis of consanguineous families in Lebanon. Since then, its association with lipids has been demonstrated: we know, for example, that cybin plays a role in transporting lipids to and stored in lipid droplets in the cell core. But this does not explain the complete breakdown of adipose tissue in the absence of this protein. ” We have shown, thanks to mouse models, that we can turn off the expression of BSCL2 At any given time, this inhibition causes a quarter of the adipocytes to die in 15 days, and all or nearly all of them after three months. ‘, reports Xavier Breuer, who directed the work. And what his team found is that cybene not only plays a role in fat storage. It also has a vital cell function: Our observations indicate that its activity is dependent on food intakeThe researcher explains. Immediately after eating, when there is a large fat intake, sebin is located near the fat droplets, where it is involved in fat storage. Away from meals, it contributes to the transfer of calcium between meals Network ERa organelle A cell dedicated to protein synthesis and which is repaired, and mitochondriaCell strength. “The entry of calcium leads to the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).ATP) by mitochondria, which is essential for adipocyte function and survival. Using an electron microscope, the researchers, in collaboration with a Finnish team, were able to locate the sebin. They also performed functional analyzes: by removing sebin from fat cells, calcium exchange was significantly reduced.
Energy balance in cells
During these observations, the team observed that cybin settles into a very specific region of adipocytes, where mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum are very close: this is the MAM-region of the membrane-associated mitochondria. ” Currently, these MAMs are in the spotlightXavier Prior explains. More and more studies indicate that it contributes to the energy balance of cells. In light of our discoveries of cybin, we now wish to investigate its role in adipose tissue in general, and in the context of obesity in particular. In fact, the metabolic complications of obesity are the result of poorly functioning adipocytes, which cannot properly store fat. Malfunctions in these MAMs could contribute to this… and that’s what the team’s current research will determine.
Noticeable :
* Unit 1087 Inserm / CNRS / University of Nantes
source : whi compote et al. cell representative.Jan. 11, 2022; He should: 10.1016 / j.celrep.2021.110213
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