Scientists at the University of Pretoria (UP) may have uncovered a crucial piece in the puzzle of obesity, identifying a gene that plays a major role in diet-related weight gain. The discovery of the gene Slc7a8 could pave the way for the development of more effective, long-term treatments for obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Led by Professor Melvin Ambele from UP’s Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, the research focused on how the Slc7a8 gene affects fat accumulation in the body. The study marks a significant advancement in understanding the cellular mechanisms behind obesity, which remains one of South Africa’s most pressing public health issues.
“Obesity doesn’t affect everyone in the same way,” says Prof Ambele. “Its impact on organs can be seen early in the weight gain process, which may later lead to some of the chronic conditions we associate with obesity.”
Gene Deletion Yields Promising Results
The UP team used laboratory mice with the Slc7a8 gene either deactivated (knockout mice) or left intact (wild type) and monitored their response to a high-fat diet over 14 weeks. While mice on a regular diet showed little difference regardless of the gene, those on a high-fat diet presented striking results.
Wild type mice showed significant weight gain and increased calorie consumption. However, knockout mice on the same high-fat diet gained noticeably less weight, had smaller fat deposits, and exhibited reduced fat accumulation in critical organs including the liver, lungs, heart, and kidneys.
“These findings suggest that removing the Slc7a8 gene offers a protective effect against diet-induced obesity,” Prof Ambele explained. “It also improves glucose metabolism and reduces inflammation in fat tissue, which positions the gene as a strong candidate for therapeutic targeting.”
A New Hope for Obesity Treatment
Current treatments for obesity often yield only short-term results and come with side effects. The Slc7a8 breakthrough offers an opportunity to develop more sustainable solutions by directly addressing the genetic and cellular root causes of fat storage.
The study also challenged the longstanding bias in obesity research that favours male test subjects. By including both male and female mice, researchers found meaningful sex-based differences in how obesity develops, shaped by hormonal and physiological factors. The inclusion of females, Prof Ambele notes, will allow future interventions to be better tailored across the population.
Obesity: A National and Global Concern
The findings come amid alarming obesity rates in South Africa. According to the Human Sciences Research Council, half of the country’s adults are either overweight or obese. Globally, one in eight people are affected, with Africa experiencing rapidly rising rates – one in five adults on the continent lives with obesity, and in South Africa, that figure is one in four.
“Obesity is not just a health issue; it has far-reaching economic implications too,” says Prof Ambele. “Yet, the encouraging part is that it is preventable.”
Toward a Healthier Future
While researchers continue to investigate potential treatments, they advocate for immediate steps to curb obesity through both personal and policy-driven actions:
For individuals and communities:
-
Reduce intake of high-fat and high-sugar foods.
-
Increase consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and wholegrains.
-
Maintain regular physical activity.
For governments:
-
Implement policies across sectors including health, agriculture, and urban development.
-
Make healthy food accessible and affordable.
-
Limit advertising of unhealthy foods, especially to children.
-
Introduce sugar taxes and reduce salt content in processed foods.
-
Create more recreational spaces to encourage physical activity.
This promising research from the University of Pretoria underscores the growing role of genetics in tackling public health challenges and brings hope for more effective, long-term solutions in the fight against obesity.
