A team at the University of Sheffield says its research, published in the 'Structure' journal, could pave the way for new treatments for the complications of obesity and anorexia and will enhance the ability to generate drugs which can both block and stimulate the receptor for obesity hormone leptin.
This could have life-changing effects on people suffering from the complications of obesity and malnutrition, according to the scientists.
In fact, they have solved the challenging crystal structure of the leptin-binding domain of the obesity receptor using state of the art X-ray crystallography, helping them to work out how to block or stimulate the receptor.
Leptin, the obesity hormone, is produced by fat and excess leptin predisposes overweight people to conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and heart disease whilst a deficiency in leptin, as occurs in malnutrition, results in infertility and immunodeficiency.
Blocking the receptor, and therefore the excessive actions of leptin, could prevent the complications of obesity and stimulating the receptor may improve fertility and the immune response.
"This pioneering research gives us the potential to generate new drugs that could treat conditions and diseases associated with obesity such as Multiple Sclerosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.