Twin Study Reveals Mitochondria's Role in Regulating Genes Linked to Obesity

Recent research involving Finnish twins has provided new insights into how mitochondria influence gene regulation underlying obesity. Led by scientists at the University of Helsinki and the Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, the study explores the complex relationship between mitochondrial activity, genetic factors, and obesity development.

Mitochondria are vital for energy production and maintaining overall metabolic health. In overweight and obese individuals, mitochondrial function is often compromised. However, it has been unclear whether mitochondrial impairment contributes directly to obesity or results from it. To clarify this, researchers studied nearly 90 twin pairs, exploiting the genetic similarity in twins to distinguish between hereditary and environmental effects.

The findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that a decrease in mitochondrial quantity within fat cells plays a significant role in the onset of obesity. By analyzing mitochondrial DNA alongside DNA methylation patterns—chemical modifications that regulate gene activity—they identified that individuals with higher body fat and reduced mitochondrial DNA exhibited increased activity of the gene SH3BP4, which is involved in cell growth and nutrient sensing.

Dr. Aino Heikkinen, the lead researcher, explained that when mitochondrial metabolism falters—potentially due to calorie surplus—a feedback loop promoting obesity is activated, which may further stimulate the activity of genes like SH3BP4. The study also emphasized that measures such as insulin sensitivity and body fat percentage are more closely linked to mitochondrial quantity and gene regulation than body weight alone.

These insights highlight the importance of mitochondrial health in obesity development and point toward potential avenues for personalized obesity therapies, targeting mitochondrial function and gene regulation pathways. The research advances our understanding of the biological mechanisms contributing to obesity and underscores the interconnectedness between energy metabolism and genetic regulation.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-twin-mitochondria-gene-obesity.html