PEPCK-Cmus Mice

This is the cover image of the latest issue of The Journal of Biological Chemistry. It concerns the amazing research being conducted on genetically modified mice at Case Western Reserve University.

These transgenic mice over-express a gene responsible for the enzyme phosphoenolypyruvate carboxykinases (PEPCK-C). Researchers have found that the overexpression of PEPCK-C repatterns energy metabolism and leads to greater longevity. So these "Lance Armstrong" mice can eat twice as much as regular mice but weigh half as much. They can also run twice as far, live longer and can reproduce later in life. The BBC has the scoop here (along with video), and the JBC abstract is here. Wow, truly fascinating and exciting stuff!

Cheers,
Colin