The human gene SEC16B has been associated with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome in multiple GWAS and other studies. SEC16B encodes a conserved peripheral membrane protein localized to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit sites (ERES). There is a single orthologous gene in Drosophila, Sec16, for which a number of genetic reagents have been generated, including RNAi-targeting constructs. Dmel\Sec16 is also ortholgous to the human gene SEC16A.
The human SEC16B gene has not been introduced into flies.
Using RNAi reagents, it has been shown that global reduction of Dmel\Sec16 results in increased food intake and triglyceride levels. Sec16 acting in the nervous system, primarily in insulin-like peptide producing cells (IPCs), controls fat accumulation.
[updated Feb. 2023 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]
Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual's ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with increased risk of illness, disability, and death. (http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/obesity).
The development of obesity is recognized as having both genetic and environmental components (https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/203-obesity-genetic-or-environmental).
SEC16B has been strongly associated with obesity in multiple GWAS and other studies using different populations; it has also been associated with diabetes and metabolic syndrome (FBrf0255552 and references cited therein).
The protein encoded by SEC16B plays a role in the organization of the endoplasmic reticulum exit sites (ERES); it is required for secretory cargo traffic from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus and is involved in peroxisome biogenesis. [Gene Cards, SEC16B; 2023.02.25]
Many to one: 2 human genes to 1 Drosophila gene.
Moderate-scoring ortholog of human SEC16A and SEC16B (1 Drosophila gene to 2 human genes).
