A genetic mutation in PPAR gamma is associated with enhanced fat cell differentiation: Implications for human obesity

Human obesity may have genetic causes, but determining the specific genes i nvolved has been difficult. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) gene encodes a protein that plays an important role in t he differentiation of fat cells. A mutation has been discovered in this gen e which leads to a receptor that cannot be inactivated. This mutation, whil e probably rare, is associated with extreme obesity.