Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 28: Scientists have identified a previously unknown enzyme that acts as a biological “switch” controlling how the body makes and stores fat, a discovery that could open new pathways to tackle obesity, high cholesterol and liver disease.

The breakthrough study, published in Science Signaling on December 23, revealed that an enzyme called SCoR2 plays a central role in fat synthesis and storage. Researchers found that the body’s cells require this enzyme to activate key processes involved in producing fat and cholesterol.

Titled ‘The protein denitrosylase SCoR2 regulates lipogenesis and fat storage’, the study explains that SCoR2 functions by removing nitric oxide from specific proteins linked to fat and cholesterol production. When the enzyme is active, it effectively switches on the body’s fat-building machinery.

However, when scientists blocked SCoR2 in animal models, the results were striking. Even animals fed a high-fat diet gained significantly less weight, showed lower levels of harmful cholesterol and were protected from liver damage. The findings suggest that fat storage is influenced not only by calorie intake but also by complex biological signalling pathways within cells.

Researchers say the discovery challenges traditional views on obesity, which often focus solely on diet and exercise. With obesity linked globally to heart disease, diabetes and fatty liver disease, identifying a specific metabolic control point could mark a major shift in treatment strategies.

Beyond weight management, the study found that inhibiting SCoR2 also reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and helped prevent liver damage, pointing to a potential multi-pronged approach to improving metabolic health.

Scientists caution that the research is still in its early stages and that human clinical trials are needed before any new therapies become available. Nevertheless, the findings add to growing evidence that metabolic health is deeply rooted in biology and cellular regulation.

The discovery does not replace the need for healthy eating and physical activity, but it reframes the understanding of obesity and related diseases — from a matter of willpower to one of molecular control — offering hope for more precise and effective treatments in the future.