title: Leucing weight with a futile cycle.
abstract: The essential amino acid leucine serves as a signal that activates protein synthesis. A new study by She et al. (2007) in this issue of Cell Metabolism shows that raising circulating leucine by blocking leucine breakdown drives a futile cycle of protein synthesis and degradation that contributes to higher-energy expenditure, resistance to dietary obesity, and improved insulin sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine and GRECC, Baltimore VA Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. sfried@medicine.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Susan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism*; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015219:Substrate Cycling; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D007930:Leucine