Genomics in the Scientific Literature [23] - Obesity

Genomics in the Scientific Literature
Topics in the Scientific Literature

Obesity
1. The genetics of obesity: FTO leads the way
Fawcett KA & Barroso I
Trends Genet 2010 Apr

Trends Genet. 2010 Apr 8. [Epub ahead of print]

The genetics of obesity: FTO leads the way.
Fawcett KA, Barroso I.

Metabolic Disease Group, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK.

Abstract
In 2007, an association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene region with body mass index (BMI) and risk of obesity was identified in multiple populations, making FTO the first locus unequivocally associated with adiposity. At the time, FTO was a gene of unknown function and it was not known whether these SNPs exerted their effect on adiposity by affecting FTO or neighboring genes. Therefore, this breakthrough association inspired a wealth of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analyses in model organisms and humans to improve knowledge of FTO function. These studies suggested that FTO plays a role in controlling feeding behavior and energy expenditure. Here, we review the approaches taken that provide a blueprint for the study of other obesity-associated genes in the hope that this strategy will result in increased understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying body weight regulation. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PMID: 20381893 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20381893?dopt=Abstract