Mitochondrial Transporter Connects Body Clock and Diet to Fat Burning
Researchers found that SLC25A34, a little-studied protein in the mitochondria of fat cells, acts as a switch that connects the body clock, temperature, and diet to how fat cells store and spend energy. The post Mitochondrial Transporter Connects Body Clock and Diet to Fat Burning appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News .
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that SLC25A34, a previously understudied protein found in fat cells, acts as a regulatory switch linking the body's internal clock, temperature fluctuations, and diet to the fat cells' energy usage. This hormone-responsive transporter, which is most abundant in brown fat tissue, may offer new therapeutic targets for managing metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes.
The research, led by associate professor Zach Gerhart-Hines, reveals that SLC25A34 levels increase when the body experiences cold temperatures or a lack of food, demonstrating its ability to rapidly adapt to changing energy demands. By transporting a molecule called oxaloacetate into the mitochondria, SLC25A34 helps maintain a continuous cycle of fat building and burning, producing heat and clearing excess fat and sugar from the bloodstream.
The findings, published in Science, suggest that manipulating SLC25A34 levels or function could offer novel strategies for optimizing energy expenditure and metabolic health.
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