Genes, enzymes and metabolism
A map of human metabolism has been compiled
NanoNewsNet based on WCMC materials: of Human Body CreatedScientists of the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) have compiled a map of the metabolism of the human body, revealing the work of metabolism as a system and possible ways to change it for the treatment of diseases.
Demonstrating various pathways linking genes, enzymes and metabolites, this map published in the journal Nature Genetics (Shin et al., An atlas of genetic influences on human blood metabolites) shows that a particular drug targeted by one gene can have several different effects on other pathways.
One genetic difference in how an enzyme behaves can have a positive or negative effect. It can make a person predisposed to the development of certain diseases or, conversely, protect him from certain ailments.
This atlas shows that in terms of metabolism, every person is unique. Now we can really understand the genetic part of human metabolism as a whole," says Karsten Suhre, PhD, professor of physiology and biophysics at WCMC–Q, who worked on the creation of this map with his colleagues from European institutes.
"If you want to change the levels of a certain metabolite in the treatment of a particular disease, for example, diabetes or cancer, this map will tell you which enzyme should be targeted. But it will also tell you which other metabolites and enzymes surrounding this target will be affected, and in order to achieve the desired effect, you will be able to choose the right combination of drugs," Professor Zure comments on the possibilities of the new atlas.
This study involved 7824 people, each of whom scientists identified 2.1 million genetic variants. With the help of statistical analysis, it was found that 145 genes are able to significantly influence the functional activity of metabolism.
"Many of the 145 genes we have identified encode enzymes. Enzymes are needed for the formation of various metabolites – sugars, fats and amino acids, which are the building blocks necessary for the body," Dr. Zure continues. – Every person has these enzymes, but as far as the genetic code is concerned, all people are unique. Thus, by creating a complete picture of more than 400 metabolites for each blood sample we studied, we are looking for differences in what a person's enzymes can do."
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