A Gene's Double-Edged Sword: Balancing Liver Fat and Heart Health

A scientist from Dallas has made a big discovery about how a gene can affect both the liver and heart health. Zhao Zhang found that a gene called HELZ2 can cause fat to build up in the liver while also protecting arteries from dangerous plaque. This discovery could be a game-changer for people with metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects millions of Americans and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Zhang received the Jack Sarver Prize in Basic Science from the American Heart Association for his work. This award was created to honor families affected by heart disease and supports scientists whose research advances cardiovascular science. Zhang was given $25, 000 to continue his research, which focuses on understanding and treating metabolic syndrome. To study this condition, Zhang and his team induced random genetic mutations in mice and observed the effects on their metabolism. They found that a mutation in the HELZ2 gene caused the enzyme it encodes to become overactive. This enzyme breaks down mRNA, the molecule that carries genetic instructions for making proteins. In this case, the overactive enzyme destroyed the mRNA needed to produce apolipoprotein B, a protein that transports fat and cholesterol in the body. As a result, fat accumulated in the livers of the mice, leading to fatty liver disease. However, the mice did not show signs of atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in blood vessels that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Zhang believes a similar genetic mutation may occur in humans, but more research is needed to confirm this and understand its effects. Zhang's work could lead to new treatments for conditions like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and atherosclerosis. One potential therapy involves reducing the activity of the HELZ2 gene to prevent fat buildup in the liver. However, the gene's double-edged effect means that future research must find a balance. The goal is to treat fatty liver disease without worsening artery plaque or vice versa. This discovery highlights the complex relationship between genes, metabolism, and overall health. It also underscores the importance of ongoing research in finding effective treatments for metabolic syndrome and its related conditions.