FTO
Fat mass and obesity-associated protein
Gene Number: 79068
Location: 16q12.2
Key Functions: Energy balance regulation, appetite control, fat mass accumulation, obesity susceptibility
FTO encodes fat mass and obesity-associated protein, an enzyme involved in regulating energy balance by influencing appetite and metabolic rate. It affects the expression of genes related to adipogenesis and energy storage.
Variants in FTO are strongly linked to increased body mass index (BMI) and obesity risk. Risk alleles are associated with heightened appetite, higher caloric intake, and a greater propensity for weight gain.
SNP ID | Your Genotype | Alternative Alleles | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
rs1421085 | No matching variant or no valid DNA data | C | No interpretation available |
rs9939609 | No matching variant or no valid DNA data | A | No interpretation available |
rs8050136 | No matching variant or no valid DNA data | A | No interpretation available |
rs1421085
TT – Common “risk-free” genotype; typical BMI and metabolic profile (R).
TC – Increased obesity risk and higher dietary fat intake (MUFA +2%, SAFA +1%) (R).
CC – Highest obesity risk; associated with lower thermogenic capacity in beige adipocytes, more meals/snacking, and elevated BMI/waist circumference (R).
Functional effect: The C allele disrupts a regulatory enhancer in intron 1, increasing expression of IRX3/IRX5 in adipocytes, shifting cell programming toward energy storage over thermogenesis and increasing hunger (R).
rs9939609
TT – Common genotype; baseline BMI and metabolic response (R).
TA – Each A allele adds ~0.26 kg/m² BMI (~750 g) and ~0.51 cm waist; increases hunger, fat intake, and meal frequency (R).
AA – Homozygous risk; strongest overall effect on adiposity and obesity risk (R).
Functional effect: The A allele increases food intake and snacking behaviors across populations, raising obesity risk substantially; physical activity can attenuate (~80% reduction) its BMI effect (R).
rs8050136
CC – Common genotype; baseline dietary and BMI traits (R).
CA – Associated with modestly higher fat intake; increased relative T2D risk independent of BMI (OR ~1.13 in East Asians) (R).
AA – Higher obesity and T2D risk; associated with dysregulated feeding behaviors (R).
Functional effect: The A allele disrupts a CUX1 binding site in an enhancer, lowering FTO and adjacent RPGRIP1L expression, dysregulating neuronal appetite control and lipid metabolism (R).
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