A Purdue University study shows that Notch signaling, a key
biological pathway tied to development and cell communication, also plays an
important role in the onset of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, a discovery that
offers new targets for treatment.
A research team led by Shihuan Kuang, associate professor of
animal sciences, found that blocking Notch signaling in the fat tissue of mice
caused white fat cells to transform into a "leaner" type of fat known
as beige fat. The finding suggests that suppressing Notch signaling in fat
cells could reduce the risk of obesity and related health problems, Kuang said.