Scientists discover a hidden switch that burns fat and blocks new fat cells

Scientists have discovered that switching off a protein called Mitch makes human cells burn more fat and prevents new fat cells from developing. The breakthrough builds on experiments in mice that showed remarkable resistance to obesity and improved muscular endurance, raising hopes for a new approach to weight-loss treatment. Scientists have identified a remarkable protein switch that influences whether cells burn fat or store it. Disabling this protein increases fat consumption and interferes with the formation of new fat cells, raising the possibility of a different approach to treating obesity. Subsequent research has strengthened the discovery, revealing that the same protein helps regulate how much energy the body burns.

What if one of the keys to fighting obesity lies not in suppressing appetite, but in changing how the body's cells use energy? Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a protein called MTCH2, nicknamed "Mitch," that plays an important role in controlling metabolism. When scientists disabled this protein in laboratory experiments, cells began consuming more fuel, including fats and carbohydrates. They also found that removing Mitch could interfere with the process through which immature cells develop into fat cells. The discovery builds on earlier experiments in mice, in which switching off Mitch in muscle tissue increased energy expenditure, improved