Two new studies by University of Utah researchers provide clues on how to unlock these hibernating abilities, opening the door to someday developing treatments that could reverse neurodegeneration and diabetes.
Studying the evolution of hibernators like some hedgehogs, bats, ground squirrels, and lemurs could reveal the secrets of their remarkable resilience. A gene cluster called the fat mass and obesity (FTO) locus plays an important role in hibernators’ abilities. Intriguingly, humans have these genes too.
“What’s striking about this region is that it is the strongest genetic risk factor for human obesity,” said University of Utah’s Professor Chris Gregg, senior author on both studies.
They speculate that adjusting the activity of neighboring genes, including those in or near the FTO locus, allows hibernators to pack on the pounds before settling in for the winter, then slowly use their fat reserves for energy throughout hibernation.
Source:
https://www.sci.news/biology/hibernating-animal-genes-14111.html
