Researchers have identified specific regions of DNA that regulate hibernation by adjusting metabolism. This discovery may lead to new treatments for metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes in humans.
When animals wake from hibernation, they reverse the negative health effects seen in these conditions, such as muscle atrophy and Alzheimer’s disease. The goal is to apply this knowledge to develop treatments for fatal health conditions by regulating human genes more like hibernators do.
Studies pinpointed DNA regions near a gene cluster called “fat mass and obesity” (FTO) locus, which play a crucial role in the ability to hibernate. While these regions also exist in humans, hibernating animals use them differently.
The World Health Organization reports that 1 in 8 people worldwide lived with obesity in 2022. Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues, making it crucial to prevent and treat the condition.
Researchers used whole-genome technologies to compare mammals that hibernate and don’t, identifying “cis-regulatory elements” (CREs) near the FTO locus as key to regulating metabolism. When mutated in mice, these CREs affected weight and metabolism.
The studies suggest that mutating one CRE can have far-reaching effects on hundreds of genes, which may help regulate human metabolism. This discovery offers a potential avenue for developing new treatments for disorders like type 2 diabetes.
While the research is promising, it highlights the importance of exploring hibernation-linked mechanisms in the genome to find strategies to intervene and improve age-related diseases. By learning from hibernators, humans may be able to unlock new health benefits.
Source: https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/hibernation-genetics-disease