Explore the groundbreaking research uncovering the evolutionary roots of hunger regulation.
By studying the jellyfish Cladonema pacificum, the researchers identified a neuropeptide, GLWamide, that plays a crucial role in appetite suppression. Surprisingly, this peptide, originally discovered in insects, demonstrated similar functions in both jellyfish and fruit flies, suggesting a deeply conserved mechanism over millions of years of evolution. The findings provide insights into the ancient origins of neuropeptide-driven appetite control and open new avenues for understanding this fundamental aspect of biology.
Could unraveling the ancient secrets of hunger regulation in seemingly simple organisms like jellyfish pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries in human appetite control and potential therapeutic interventions?
Read more at: The Origins of Hunger Regulation | TS Digest | The Scientist
original article: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2221493120