City of Hope researchers believe they’ve found a gene that links obesity, cancer and diabetes back to a single human gene. The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that RLIP76, a gene that removes toxic agents from cells, may play a significant role in weight gain and may also be related to cancer and diabetes.

The researchers tested mice that did not have the protein and found that they didn't gain any weight, despite a high-fat diet. The mice were also unable to get cancer, diabetes or high cholesterol. City of Hope plans to start clinical trials with patients before the year’s end. Could the removal of this gene really stop people from gaining weight without dieting or exercising? 

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Dr. Sanjay Awasthi, M.D., professor of diabetes, endocrinology, metabolism, and medical oncology at City of Hope, also helped author the study