Using the Human ″Heater″ to Burn Fat

Mammals have several mechanisms to maintain homeostasis with respect to body temperature. One such mechanism is brown adipose tissue (BAT), which when activated by cold, functions as a “heater” by converting chemical energy into heat. This reaction is fueled by lipids from both BAT and white adipose tissue, and has the potential to cause significant weight loss. BAT is found in the upper back, neck, between the collarbone and shoulder, and along the spine. Estrogen related receptor gamma (ERRg) is a protein that binds to DNA and regulates genes important for heat production in BAT. The structure of ERRg consists of multiple domains, including a DNA binding domain (DBD) and a regulatory ligand binding domain (LBD). The activity of ERRg is regulated by proteins binding to the LBD; these proteins can either activate gene expression or repress it. It was recently discovered that a cold-induced protein, Gadd45g, activates ERRg. However, it is unknown how these two proteins interact. Using 3D printing technolog...