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Related Concept Videos

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
Lethal Alleles02:41

Lethal Alleles

Agouti: A Lethal Allele
Lucien Cuénot discovered lethal alleles in 1905 while studying the inheritance of coat color in mice. The agouti gene is responsible for the color of the coat in mice. This gene codes for an agouti-signaling protein, which is responsible for melanin distribution in mammals. The wild-type allele gives rise to gray-brown coat color in mice, while the mutant allele gives rise to yellow coat color. In addition to coat color, the agouti gene is associated with the yellow...
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Incomplete Dominance01:43

Incomplete Dominance

Gregor Mendel's work (1822 - 1884) was primarily focused on pea plants. Through his initial experiments, he determined that every gene in a diploid cell has two variants called alleles inherited from each parent. He suggested that amongst these two alleles, one allele is dominant in character and the other recessive. The combination of alleles determines the phenotype of a gene in an organism.

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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Segmentation and Measurement of Fat Volumes in Murine Obesity Models Using X-ray Computed Tomography
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Segmentation and Measurement of Fat Volumes in Murine Obesity Models Using X-ray Computed Tomography

Published on: April 4, 2012

Genetic obesity syndromes.

Anthony P Goldstone1, Philip L Beales

  • 1MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, UK.

Frontiers of Hormone Research
|January 31, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Genetic disorders can cause obesity through shared pathways. This review explores Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome, offering insights into obesity genetics and mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Obesity is frequently linked to multi-system genetic disorders.
  • Overlapping phenotypes suggest shared underlying mechanisms in genetic obesity syndromes.
  • Understanding these genetic causes provides insight into obesogenic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular genetics and cell biology of Bardet-Biedl syndrome.
  • To examine Prader-Willi syndrome as a common genetic obesity syndrome.
  • To discuss other genetic obesity syndromes and their genetic underpinnings.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on genetic obesity syndromes.
  • Analysis of molecular genetics and cell biology data for selected syndromes.

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Development and Validation of a Methodology for Establishing Obese Rat Models with Typical Fatty Pancreas
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Development and Validation of a Methodology for Establishing Obese Rat Models with Typical Fatty Pancreas

Published on: November 11, 2025

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Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Segmentation and Measurement of Fat Volumes in Murine Obesity Models Using X-ray Computed Tomography
13:09

Segmentation and Measurement of Fat Volumes in Murine Obesity Models Using X-ray Computed Tomography

Published on: April 4, 2012

Development and Validation of a Methodology for Establishing Obese Rat Models with Typical Fatty Pancreas
03:07

Development and Validation of a Methodology for Establishing Obese Rat Models with Typical Fatty Pancreas

Published on: November 11, 2025

  • Comparative discussion of genetic causes and affected pathways.

    • Main Results:

    • Bardet-Biedl syndrome's molecular genetics and cell biology are increasingly understood.
    • Prader-Willi syndrome, caused by 15q11-13 gene imprinting loss, is the most common genetic obesity syndrome.
    • Other syndromes like Alstrom, Cohen, and Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy involve distinct genetic perturbations.

    Conclusions:

    • Elucidating the genetic basis of these syndromes is crucial for understanding obesity.
    • Shared genetic pathways likely contribute to obesity in multiple genetic disorders.
    • Further research into genetic obesity syndromes can reveal novel therapeutic targets.