Gene linked to muscle strength also controls metabolic health
Researchers identified GBE1, a gene that regulates both handgrip strength and how muscle cells process energy. The finding could unlock new targets for treating muscle weakness and metabolic disorders—conditions that drive healthcare costs and productivity losses. Understanding this genetic link opens pathways for drug development and personalized fitness interventions.
Originaltitel: Colocalization and functional analyses identify <i>GBE1</i> as a gene linking muscle strength and cardiometabolic fitness
Colocalization of genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci with quantitative trait loci (QTL) in skeletal muscle tissue identified GBE1 as a candidate for handgrip strength. Cellular phenotypes with GBE1 knockdown in immortalized human skeletal muscle cells include decreased glycogen content, accumulation of polyglucosan bodies, changes in mitochondrial function and morphology, and increased expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers. Transcriptomic changes suggest a role for GBE1 in muscle contraction and oxidative stress-mediated responses.