A rare human variant that disrupts GPR10 signalling causes weight gain in mice

Disruption of brain-expressed G protein-coupled receptor-10 (GPR10) causes obesity in animals. Here, we identify multiple rare variants in GPR10 in people with severe obesity and in normal weight controls. These variants impair ligand binding and G protein-dependent signalling in cells. Transgenic mice harbouring a loss of function GPR10 variant found in an individual with obesity, gain excessive weight due to decreased energy expenditure rather than increased food intake. This evidence supports a role for GPR10 in human energy homeostasis. Therapeutic targeting of GPR10 may represent an effective weight-loss strategy. The brain-expressed receptor GPR10 is involved in energy homeostasis in mice. Here the authors identify rare loss of function variants in GPR10 in people with severe obesity and showed that one of these variants causes obesity when modelled in mice, suggesting that future studies could explore GPR10 as a potential target for weight-loss therapy.

Automated summary

Loss of function variants in the GPR10 gene are found in people with severe obesity, impairing ligand binding and G protein-dependent signaling. Transgenic mice with one of these variants gain excessive weight due to decreased energy expenditure. Targeting GPR10 may be a potential weight-loss therapy.