Could Genetic Mutations Increase the Risk of an Eating Disorder?

A recent study shows that scientists have linked certain genes to various eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia. In fact, the study shows that these problems may often run in families--carrying genetic connections that may have previously gone unnoticed.

According to researchers at the University of Iowa and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, they found that two genes commonly interact in signaling the same pathway in the brain and may produce the same biological effects.The study authors hope that newly identified pathway might represent a new target for understanding and potentially treating 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, via a press release.

The study links the mutations that decrease the activity of a transcritption factor. In other words, a protein that turns on the expression of other genes via the estrogen-related receptor alpha (ESRRA) can increase the risk of eating disorders.

The study notes that the first gene, known as ESRRA, works as a transcription factor that turns on the expression of other genes. Yet the mutation that's associated with eating disorders decreases ESSRA activity.

The second gene noted via their findings, known as histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4), also turns into a transcription factor that includes ESRRA. As most mutations work to decrease or destroy a gene's activity, this particular mutation is rather unusual as it increase the gene's activity, according to researchers.

The study authors also found that the two affected proteins interacted with one another as HDAC4 binds to ESRRA and inhibits it.

While previous studies have shown that HDAC4 is known to regulate genes that form connections via brain cells, research shows that there is little known about ESRRA in the brain besides the fact that it is expressed in many brain regions of those suffering from anorexia.

Could this be a glimpse at new treatments for eating disorders?

More information regarding the study can be found via the Journal of Clinical Investigation.