Two gene mutations may raise eating disorder risk

(Xinhua) 10:33, October 10, 2013

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U.S. researchers said Tuesday they have found two gene mutations associated withincreased risk of developing eating disorders.

By studying the genetics of two families severely affected by eating disorders, researchersfrom the University of Iowa and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centeridentified mutations in two genes which interact in the same signaling pathway in the brain.

The findings suggest that this pathway might represent a new target for understandingand potentially treating eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, theresearchers said.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are fairly common, especially among women. Theyaffect between 1 and 3 percent of women. They also are among the most lethal of allpsychiatric diseases; about 1 in 1,000 women will die from anorexia.

In the study, the researchers analyzed 20 members from three generations of one family,including 10 affected individuals and 10 unaffected by eating disorders, and eight membersof a second family, including six affected and two unaffected.

In the larger family, they discovered a mutation in a gene called estrogen-related receptoralpha (ESRRA). In the second family, they found a mutation in a gene known as histonedeacetylase 4 (HDAC4).

Both mutations decreased the activity of ESRRA protein, thus increasing the risk of eatingdisorders, the researchers said.

The researchers said they plan to study the role of these genes in mice and in culturedneurons to find out exactly what they are doing in the brain. They will also look for ways tomodify the genes' activity, with the long-term goal of finding small molecules that might bedeveloped into therapies for eating disorders.

（Editor：DuMingming、Yao Chun）

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