Variations within the gene and its expression are hypothesized to play a key role in the phenotype of individuals with metabolic disease, alongside leptin-deficiency induced hyperphagia. While the exact mechanism is unclear, it is believed that KSR2 variations result in a disruption of the MAPK/ERK pathway, which can in turn lower the body's BMR. Since this normally accounts for about 70% of the total energy expenditure, a decrease results in excess energy storage, compared to an individual with a normal BMR on an isocaloric diet.[6]
Besides human metabolism, KSR2 is also crucial for ovarian development in the cabbage beetle Colaphellus bowringi.[7]
^ a b cGRCh38: Ensembl release 89: ENSG00000171435 – Ensembl, May 2017
^ a b cGRCm38: Ensembl release 89: ENSMUSG00000061578 – Ensembl, May 2017
^"Human PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
^"Mouse PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
^"KSR2". Entrez Gene.
^Pearce LR, Atanassova N, Banton MC, Bottomley B, van der Klaauw AA, Revelli JP, et al. (November 2013). "KSR2 mutations are associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and impaired cellular fuel oxidation". Cell. 155 (4): 765–777. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2013.09.058. PMC3898740. PMID 24209692.
^Huang Z, Tian Z, Zhao Y, Zhu F, Liu W, Wang X (May 2022). "MAPK Signaling Pathway Is Essential for Female Reproductive Regulation in the Cabbage Beetle, Colaphellus bowringi". Cells. 11 (10): 1602. doi:10.3390/cells11101602. PMC9140119. PMID 35626638.