我國科學家發現致胖基因對個體化治療有重要意義

中國科學院遺傳與發育生物學研究所李巍課題組日前發現，位于人類6號染色體長臂D6S1009位點旁側的SLC35D3基因是人類肥胖癥和代謝綜合征的致病基因。

流行病學調查顯示，約三分之一的美國人和10%至25%的歐洲人患有肥胖癥。肥胖癥發生率在我國也呈逐年上升的趨勢，已超過10%。肥胖癥的發生一般認為是遺傳與環境的相互作用所引起，主要因飲食攝取和運動消耗熱量的平衡被打破所導致，其中遺傳因素的貢獻約占三分之二。

此前有研究表明，位于人類6號染色體長臂的D6S1009位點與體重指數BMI緊密相關。李巍課題組通過對位于該位點旁側的SLC35D3基因缺陷的小鼠進行觀察，發現該小鼠從2月鼠齡(與人成年期相當)開始表現出進行性肥胖和代謝綜合征的特征。課題組進一步研究發現，該基因所編碼蛋白的缺陷，可導致運動量減少和能量消耗少，從而引發肥胖癥的發生。研究結果表明，SLC35D3基因是人類肥胖癥和代謝綜合征的致病基因。

長期以來，對于肥胖癥的治療或緩解措施強調“管住嘴、邁開腿”。但這項研究發現提示了遺傳因素在“懶得運動”這一不良行為中的作用，表明藥物可在一定程度糾正這種行為異常。同時，這一發現也可在今后用于肥胖癥人群該基因突變的篩查，對于個體化治療具有重要意義。

The Research and Development to Glasses to See the Cancer Cells

Cancer cells are notoriously difficult to see, even under high-powered magnification（放大）. The glasses are designed to make it easier for surgeons to distinguish cancer cells from healthy cells, helping to ensure that no stray tumor cells are left behind during surgery."We're in the early stages of this technology, and more development and testing will be done, but we're certainly encouraged by the potential benefits to patients," said breast surgeon Julie Margenthaler, MD, an associate professor of surgery at Washington University, who performed today's operation. "Imagine what it would mean if these glasses eliminated the need for follow-up surgery and the associated pain, inconvenience and anxiety."Current standard of care requires surgeons to remove the tumor and some neighboring tissue that may or may not include cancer cells. The samples are sent to a pathology lab and viewed under a microscope. If cancer cells are found in neighboring tissue, a second surgery often is recommended to remove additional tissue that also is checked for the presence of cancer.The glasses could reduce the need for additional surgical procedures and subsequent stress on patients, as well as time and expense.