Research reveals why our cells make more cholesterol and fat after a big meal
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute News Sep 19, 2017
While cholesterol and fat are well known dietary risk factors, they are actually produced by every cell in the body and are essential for growth and metabolism.
New research led by Dr. Xiaohui Zha reveals how two proteins called mTORC1 and SREBP-2 control this process together. SREBP-2 senses fat and cholesterol in the cell and turns on their production when they are low. mTORC1, on the other hand, boosts their production when it senses that the cell has a lot of energy, like after a big meal.
Dr. Zha discovered that mTORC1 does this by hiding fat and cholesterol from the SREBP-2 sensor, thereby Âtricking the cell into making cholesterol and fat unnecessarily.
This study, published in the journal PNAS, could lead to new treatments for people with obesity and diabetes, for example by targeting an overactive mTORC1 to prevent excess production of fat and cholesterol.
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New research led by Dr. Xiaohui Zha reveals how two proteins called mTORC1 and SREBP-2 control this process together. SREBP-2 senses fat and cholesterol in the cell and turns on their production when they are low. mTORC1, on the other hand, boosts their production when it senses that the cell has a lot of energy, like after a big meal.
Dr. Zha discovered that mTORC1 does this by hiding fat and cholesterol from the SREBP-2 sensor, thereby Âtricking the cell into making cholesterol and fat unnecessarily.
This study, published in the journal PNAS, could lead to new treatments for people with obesity and diabetes, for example by targeting an overactive mTORC1 to prevent excess production of fat and cholesterol.
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