Forced expression of a natural protein reduces fat in mice by a third

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By Sally Robertson, B.Sc.Oct 29 2018Reviewed by Kate Anderton, B.Sc.

A protein being investigated for its potential role in cancer has emerged as a powerful regulator of metabolism, according to researchers at Georgetown University.

Image Credit: Victor Josan / Shutterstock

In a mouse model of obesity, forced expression of the protein FGFBP3 (BP3 for short) significantly reduced the animals’ fat mass.

We found that eight BP3 treatments over 18 days was enough to reduce the fat in obese mice by over a third.”
Anton Wellstein, Senior Investigator

The research suggests that BP3 may serve as a new therapy for the reversal of conditions associated with metabolic syndromes such as fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.

As recently reported in the journal Scientific Reports, the treatment also reduced obesity-related conditions such as hyperglycemia and fatty liver.

Furthermore, an examination of the mice showed that the treatment did not result in any adverse side effects.

BP3 is a member of the family of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) binding proteins (BP) which play a role in many biological processes such as wound healing, regulation of cell growth and response to injury.

BP3 is an example of a "chaperone" protein that latches on to FGFs to enhance their activity.

Wellstein and colleagues found that this chaperone binds to three FGFs that help regulate metabolism.

Two of the FGFs regulate the storage and use of carbohydrates and lipids and the third one regulates phosphate metabolism.

We found that BP3 exerts a striking contribution to metabolic control," says Wellstein. “With metabolism revved up, sugar in the blood, and fat processed in the liver are used for energy and is not stored.”
Anton Wellstein, Senior Investigator

Wellstein adds that although the findings are exciting, further research is needed before BP3 can be explored as a treatment for metabolic syndrome.

However, investigators say that because the protein occurs naturally and is not a synthetic drug, clinical trials testing its use as therapy could begin following a final round of preclinical studies.

Sources:

Obese mice lose a third of their fat using a natural protein.

Fibroblast Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 (FGFBP3) impacts carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Scientific Reports. 29 October 2018.