Scientists discover a protein switch that burns fat and blocks new fat cells

A protein called “Mitch” may hold the key to a new generation of obesity treatments. Researchers found that disabling it in human cells boosts fat burning, increases energy use, and makes it harder for new fat cells to develop. The findings help explain why mice lacking Mitch were leaner, more athletic, and resistant to obesity. Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a protein called MTCH2, nicknamed "Mitch," that appears to play a major role in how cells manage energy and store fat. In a recent study published in the EMBO Journal, the team found tha... [6571 chars]