JNK and obesity

A signaling kinase has been linked to obesity and insulin resistance.

| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

The molecular links between obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus have been poorly understood. In the November 21 Nature, Jiro Hirosumi and colleagues describe a role for the c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNKs) in obesity (Nature, 420:333-336, November 21, 2002).

JNK activity was elevated in both genetic and dietary murine models of obesity. Analysis of knockout mice showed that the jnk1 gene (but not the jnk2 gene) was essential for diet-induced obesity. The jnk1 knockout mice displayed reduced adipocyte size, decreased adiposity and adipose redistribution. The JNK1-deficiency also protected from obesity-induced insulin resistance, even when crossed with leptin-deficient obese mice.

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

  • Jonathan Weitzman

    This person does not yet have a bio.
Share
A greyscale image of cells dividing.
March 2025, Issue 1

How Do Embryos Know How Fast to Develop

In mammals, intracellular clocks begin to tick within days of fertilization.

View this Issue
Discover the history, mechanics, and potential of PCR.

Become a PCR Pro

Integra Logo
3D rendered cross section of influenza viruses, showing surface proteins on the outside and single stranded RNA inside the virus

Genetic Insights Break Infectious Pathogen Barriers

Thermo Fisher Logo
A photo of sample storage boxes in an ultra-low temperature freezer.

Navigating Cold Storage Solutions

PHCbi logo 
The Immunology of the Brain

The Immunology of the Brain

Products

Zymo Logo

Zymo Research Launches the Quick-16S™ Full-Length Library Prep Kit

BIOVECTRA

BIOVECTRA is Honored with 2025 CDMO Leadership Award for Biologics

Sino Logo

Gilead’s Capsid Revolution Meets Our Capsid Solutions: Sino Biological – Engineering the Tools to Outsmart HIV

Stirling Ultracold

Meet the Upright ULT Built for Faster Recovery - Stirling VAULT100™

Stirling Ultracold logo