A gene linked to obesity and over-eating may also increase the risk of the most deadly form of skin cancer, research has shown.

People with a particular DNA modification within the FTO gene may be more likely to develop malignant melanoma.

Previous research has shown that variations in a different part of the gene are a major risk factor for obesity.

Until now there has been no evidence that obesity and melanoma are linked.

The new findings, published in the journal Nature Genetics, suggest that FTO has more wide-ranging functions than previously thought.

Lead scientist Dr Mark Iles, from the University of Leeds, said: "This is the first time to our knowledge that this major obesity gene, already linked to multiple illnesses, has been linked to melanoma. This raises the question whether future research will reveal that the gene has a role in even more diseases.

"When scientists have tried to understand how the FTO gene behaves, so far they've only examined its role in metabolism and appetite. But it's now clear we don't know enough about what this intriguing gene does.

"This reveals a hot new lead for research into both obesity-related illnesses and skin cancer."

See original here:
Obesity gene 'linked to melanoma'

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