Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley have realised that a cartain enzyme-deficiency could prevent obesity despite enormous consumption of food. The enzyme in question is responsible for controlling the breakdown of fat.

The researchers said that in a study conducted by them, mice that had this enzyme disabled remained lean despite eating a high-fat diet, and losing a hormone that suppresses appetite.

"We have discovered a new enzyme within fat cells that is a key regulator of fat metabolism and body weight, making it a promising target in the search for a treatment for human obesity," Nature magazine quoted Hei Sook Sul, UC Berkeley professor of nutritional sciences and toxicology and principal investigator of the research, as saying.

The researchers revealed that the enzyme called adipose-specific phospholipase A2 (AdPLA) is found in abundance only in fat tissue.

According to them, it sets off a chain of events that increases levels of a signalling molecule called prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which suppresses the breakdown of fat.

During the study, the researchers observed that mice lacking AdPLA had lower PGE2 levels and a higher rate of fat metabolism.

"When levels of PGE2 are decreased because of the lack of AdPLA, fat breakdown proceeds unchecked, resulting in leanness even in animals that eat all day long," said post-doctoral fellow Robin Duncan, co-lead author of the study.

For their research, the research team compared mice that had had the gene for AdPLA expression knocked out with a control group of normal mice.