SLIT3 Protein Activates Brown Fat

Researchers, led by Farnaz Shamsi of New York University, have discovered a key biological system that activates brown fat to burn calories. The study, published in Tata Communications, reveals how the protein SLIT3 splits into two fragments, with each guiding the growth of blood vessels and nerves within brown fat. These networks are crucial for brown fat's ability to convert glucose and lipids into heat, a process called thermogenesis, which prevents energy from being stored as white fat. The enzyme BMP1 is responsible for cleaving SLIT3, and the receptor PLXNA1 binds to one of the SLIT3 fragments to control nerve development. Experiments in mice showed that removing SLIT3 or PLXNA1 made them sensitive to cold and unable to maintain body temperature due to underdeveloped brown fat infrastructure. Human tissue analysis linked SLIT3 gene expression to metabolic health, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity in people with obesity. This breakthrough suggests a new strategy for treating obesity by enhancing the body's energy expenditure, offering an alternative to current appetite-suppressing drugs like GLP-1s. The research was supported by the United States — National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and other institutions.