Advances in Genetics of Regeneration in Metabesity

Benoit Gauthier,Francisco Bermúdez-Silva

doi:10.3390/genes10050383

Abstract

‘Metabesity’ is a recent term comprising a wide range of diseases with underlying metabolic disarrangements at its root, and whose aetiology lies in complex relationships among genes and the obesogenic environment to which individuals are currently exposed in most countries. Of note, epigenetic changes are increasingly being reported to play an outstanding role in carrying deleterious information that, together with susceptibility genes, boost the development of metabesity in subsequent generations. In this context, it is noteworthy to mention that the transition from the pre-industrial era to the current high-technology society and global economy, even after suffering two world wars, has been very fast. By contrast, evolution-driven processes, such as biological ones, are slow. In fact, there is a general consensus that at the metabolic level, adipogenic processes and thrifty pathways prevail over those promoting energy expenditure in a way that currently leads to metabolic diseases by excessive energy storage. In such an imbalanced social–biological scenario, genes that were beneficial in the past have shifted to becoming detrimental, i.e., favouring metabesity, which is quickly growing to reach pandemic proportions.

Highlights

Metabesity includes but is not limited to obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome
We contribute to this Special Issue by reviewing current knowledge on the brain–islet crosstalk that regulates and fine-tunes glucose homeostasis, and how specific cell types in both organs, especially beta cells and astrocytes, are damaged during metabesity development [4]
Given HMG20A regulates gene expression of key genes such as the basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor NEUROD, glucokinase (GK), and glucose transporters (GLUTs), common to astrocytes and beta cells, we hypothesise that HMG20A is a master regulator of glucose homeostasis whose targeting in metabesity could potentially lead to a dual beneficial effect on both islets and CNS, though more research is needed [4]

Summary

Introduction

Metabesity includes but is not limited to obesity (currently not considered a disease in most countries), cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This Special Issue contains a series of new reviews and original research articles providing advances in this exciting field, highlighting some genes and processes that show potential in contributing to the development of new approaches for tackling metabesity.

Results

Conclusion