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Protein that promotes breakdown of fat identified, may lead to new diabetes and obesity treatments

UT Southwestern researchers (l-r) Dr. Chaofeng Yang, Lisa Hahner, Dr. Perry Bickel, and Dr. Violetta Gallardo Montejano identified a new role for a protein as a promoter of fat breakdown. Credit: UT Southwestern Medical Center

UT Southwestern researchers (l-r) Dr. Chaofeng Yang, Lisa Hahner, Dr. Perry Bickel, and Dr. Violetta Gallardo Montejano identified a new role for a protein as a promoter of fat breakdown. Credit: UT Southwestern Medical Center

A protein often located on the surface of fat droplets within cells – and especially abundant in the muscles of endurance athletes – can kick-start the more efficient and healthful breakdown of fat. More than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and it is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Diabetes Association. Almost 26% of Americans age 65 and older have diabetes. The study reports a new role for the protein, Perilipin 5, in the cell nucleus as a regulator of fat metabolism...

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