Hedgehog Signaling, Aging

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Via Forbes, news of an interesting advance in our understanding of biochemistry: "The finding suggests that drugs that target this hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway -- a set of genes involved in determining the destiny of many cell types -- may prove effective in treating obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and lipodystrophy, a disease characterized by an absence of fat. The new insight into the Hh pathway may also help explain common traits associated with aging, the study authors said. ... As we age, two striking things tend to happen almost across the board - our bones become thinner and we gain fat ... Our findings are consistent with the idea that hedgehog signaling may diminish as we get older. Drugs that stimulate the pathway could possibly help to reverse or prevent this trend, building stronger bones while reducing fat."

Link: http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2006/01/10/hscout530105.html