Submitted by aml95 on Thu, 06/03/2025 - 19:00
A study published in Science highlights the value of pet dogs as a model for understanding obesity in both humans and animals. This work was led by IMS-MRL and University of Cambridge Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN) researcher Dr Eleanor Raffan, along with PhD students Dr Natalie Wallis and Dr Alyce McClellan, and colleagues from across the IMS and University of Cambridge's Clinical School.
Each of the top five genes implicated in a genome-wide association study for obesity in pet Labrador dogs were also found to be relevant to human obesity. The lead variant was within the gene DENND1B, which the team went on to show affects signalling through melanocortin receptors, a critical nexus in the brain control of energy homeostasis.
The team also developed the first-ever polygenic risk score (PRS) for obesity in dogs and used it to show that high appetite mediates the increased genetic risk. Since owners largely control their dogs' activity and food intake, the results illustrated how genetic obesity risk renders some individuals particularly susceptible to weight gain in a conducive environment. Owners of high risk dogs need to be particularly diligent to keep their pets at a healthy weight, whereas low risk dogs tend to stay lean with even relaxed management.
These findings not only advance veterinary medicine but also demonstrate the benefits of studying complex disease in non-traditional animal models such as the dog, and have practical implications for improved management of canine obesity. Dr Raffan was recently awarded the 2025 Blaine Award for contributions to the advancement of small animal science from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
Media Coverage:
Article on University of Cambridge website
A nice summary in The Conversation
Discussion on The Naked Scientist
BBC Radio 4 Today Programme (starts 1:23:23)
Reference:
Natalie J. Wallis et al. Canine genome-wide association study identifies DENND1B as an obesity gene in dogs and humans.Science,eads2145 DOI:10.1126/science.ads2145
