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Study Links SLIT3 to Brown Fat Activation and Obesity

3/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study published in Nature Communications identifies a wiring system in brown fat in which SLIT3 activates brown fat by promoting blood vessel and nerve growth, increasing energy expenditure.
Experiments show that mice lacking SLIT3 or its receptor PLXNA1 struggle to maintain body temperature.
Analysis of fat tissue from more than 15,000 individuals links SLIT3 gene activity to obesity and insulin resistance, suggesting new obesity treatments.

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Story summary

A study published in Nature Communications identifies a wiring system in brown fat in which SLIT3 activates brown fat by promoting blood vessel and nerve growth, increasing energy expenditure.
Experiments show that mice lacking SLIT3 or its receptor PLXNA1 struggle to maintain body temperature.
Analysis of fat tissue from more than 15,000 individuals links SLIT3 gene activity to obesity and insulin resistance, suggesting new obesity treatments.