Product name
A novel marker in the response to dietary fat, obesity and diabetes from the German Institute of Human NutritionSummary
Mutant NOB1 determine the capacity of gaining weight in response to a given caloric inputOrganization name
Ascenion GmbHProfile
Challenge
An estimated 61% of US adults are either overweight or obese. The proportion of children and adolescents in the US who are overweight has more than doubled since the early 1970s, with about 13% being seriously overweight. Obesity is associated with serious co-morbidities such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, making it a public health epidemic. Dietary fat intake is considered a major factor in the development of obesity and insulin resistance.
Technology
The present invention relates to the gene NOB1 and its use as a genetic marker in the response to dietary fat, obesity and diabetes. A certain mutation within the gene was identified by the inventors.
This mutated NOB1 however has impact on the protein activity, which appears to determine the capacity of gaining weight in response to a given caloric input. Animals with a high activity/high amount of wildtype NOB1 gene product gain more weight than animals with low activity/low amount of wildtype NOB1 in response to a caloric input.
Molecular studies demonstrate that NOB1 regulates fatty-acid combustion and energy dissipation mainly in skeletal muscle. In humans, SNPs in NOB1 were found significantly associated with the body mass index and the risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Thus, NOB1 provides a valuable tool not only for diagnostic, but also for therapeutic approaches.
Commercial Opportunity
NOB1 provides a valuable tool for diagnostic as well as therapeutic approaches, in order to treat or prevent obesity or diabetes, in particular in response to dietary fat.
- inlicensing and collaboration opportunity
Developmental Status
Proof of concept in mice
Patent Situation
A European Patent Application is pending.
Contact
Ascenion GmbH
Dr. Anja Zimmermann
zimmermann(at)ascenion.de
About Ascenion
Ascenion is the exclusive partner of 12 life-science institutes in the Helmholtz and Leibniz Associations and of one Medical School, and coordinates technology transfer for the German National Genome Research Network. They currently market around 600 technologies, together with a varied range of research materials, e.g. antibodies, animal models and vectors.
Description File
A_novel_marker_in_the_response_to_dietary_fat__obesity_and_diabetes.pdf
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