中國(guó)科學(xué)院遺傳與發(fā)育生物學(xué)研究所李巍課題組日前發(fā)現(xiàn)，位于人類(lèi)6號(hào)染色體長(zhǎng)臂D6S1009位點(diǎn)旁側(cè)的SLC35D3基因是人類(lèi)肥胖癥和代謝綜合征的致病基因。

流行病學(xué)調(diào)查顯示，約三分之一的美國(guó)人和10%至25%的歐洲人患有肥胖癥。肥胖癥發(fā)生率在我國(guó)也呈逐年上升的趨勢(shì)，已超過(guò)10%。肥胖癥的發(fā)生一般認(rèn)為是遺傳與環(huán)境的相互作用所引起，主要因飲食攝取和運(yùn)動(dòng)消耗熱量的平衡被打破所導(dǎo)致，其中遺傳因素的貢獻(xiàn)約占三分之二。

此前有研究表明，位于人類(lèi)6號(hào)染色體長(zhǎng)臂的D6S1009位點(diǎn)與體重指數(shù)BMI緊密相關(guān)。李巍課題組通過(guò)對(duì)位于該位點(diǎn)旁側(cè)的SLC35D3基因缺陷的小鼠進(jìn)行觀察，發(fā)現(xiàn)該小鼠從2月鼠齡(與人成年期相當(dāng))開(kāi)始表現(xiàn)出進(jìn)行性肥胖和代謝綜合征的特征。課題組進(jìn)一步研究發(fā)現(xiàn)，該基因所編碼蛋白的缺陷，可導(dǎo)致運(yùn)動(dòng)量減少和能量消耗少，從而引發(fā)肥胖癥的發(fā)生。研究結(jié)果表明，SLC35D3基因是人類(lèi)肥胖癥和代謝綜合征的致病基因。

長(zhǎng)期以來(lái)，對(duì)于肥胖癥的治療或緩解措施強(qiáng)調(diào)“管住嘴、邁開(kāi)腿”。但這項(xiàng)研究發(fā)現(xiàn)提示了遺傳因素在“懶得運(yùn)動(dòng)”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(shí)，這一發(fā)現(xiàn)也可在今后用于肥胖癥人群該基因突變的篩查，對(duì)于個(gè)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.