Inhibiting adipocyte RALA for obesity

Inhibiting adipocyte expression of the GTP-binding protein RALA could help treat obesity by inhibiting the dephosphorylation of the mitochondrial fission protein DRP1, and subsequent mitochondrial fragmentation, thus increasing mitochondrial activity and fatty acid oxidation.

RNA sequencing of mature adipocytes isolated from epididymal and inguinal white adipose tissue (WAT) identified higher RALA expression in mice fed a high-fat diet than mice fed a normal diet. In mature adipocytes isolated from inguinal WAT, RALA protein expression was higher in mice fed a high-fat diet than mice fed a normal diet. ...