Genetic Mutations and Eating Disorder Risk Linked to One Another

Scientists have linked certain types of genes to various types of eating disorders, specifically, anorexia nervosa and bulimia, according to a study released Wednesday.

The researchers at the University of Iowa and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that two genes typically interact in signaling similar pathways in the brain that may produce the same biological effects. Study authors hope that these newly-identified pathways which pose a new target for understanding and treating different types of eating disorders.

"If you're considering two randomly discovered genes, the chance that they will interact is small. But, what really sealed the deal for us that the association was real was that the mutations have the same effect," senior study author Michael Lutter, M.D., Ph.D., UI assistant professor of psychiatry said. The study associates the mutations that help decrease the activity of a transcription factor - a protein that turns on the expression of other genes via alpha (ESRRA), an estrogen-related receptor that can increase the risk of eating disorders.

It was noted in the study that the first gene, ESRRA, works as a transcription factor that turns on the expression of other genes. However, the mutation that is directly associated with eating disorders decreases ESRRA's activity.

Study authors noted a second type of gene known as histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) which also turns into a transcription factor that includes ESRRA. They claimed that this particular mutation is rather unusual because it increased the gene's activity when most mutations usually work to decrease or destroy a gene's activity. They also found that the two affected proteins interacted with one another wherein HDAC4 binds to ESRRA and inhibits it.