Work

Studies on the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene and its impact on obesity-associated diseases

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Obesity has become a major health crisis in the past ∼50 years. The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene, identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), was first reported to be positively associated with obesity in humans. Mice with more copies of the FTO gene were observed to be obese, while loss of the gene in mice was found to protect from obesity. Later, FTO was found to encode an m 6 A RNA demethylase and has a profound effect on many biological and metabolic processes. In this review, we first summarize recent studies that demonstrate the critical roles and regulatory mechanisms of FTO in obesity and metabolic disease . Second, we discuss the ongoing debates concerning the association between FTO polymorphisms and obesity. Third, since several small molecule drugs and micronutrients have been found to regulate metabolic homeostasis through controlling the expression or activity of FTO, we highlight the broad potential of targeting FTO for obesity treatment. Improving our understanding of FTO and the underlying mechanisms may provide new approaches for treating obesity and metabolic diseases.

Source: Genes & Diseases

DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.04.014

Authors: Chaoqun Huang, Wei Chen, Xinxia Wang

Institutions: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University

Language: English

Topic: RNA modifications and cancer

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,500