Abstract
In genome-wide association studies (GWAS), polymorphisms in the first intron of FTO were shown to be associated with body fat mass. However, the functional properties
of FTO and its nearby gene FTM are largely unknown. We examined the expression of these genes in subcutaneous adipose
tissue and in isolated preadipocytes of lean and obese women. In in vitro differentiated primary human preadipocytes and in SGBS preadipocytes we found a decline
in FTO and FTM expression during adipogenic differentiation. When investigating the hormonal regulation
of FTO and FTM in adipocytes, insulin was identified as a key factor regulating FTM expression indicating a potential role of FTM in insulin regulated adipocyte metabolism.
Key words
fat cell - obesity - human adipose tissue - adipogenesis
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Correspondence
Prof. Dr. M. Wabitsch
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology
and Diabetes
Department of Pediatrics and
Adolescent Medicine
University of Ulm
Eythstraße 24
89075 Ulm
Germany
Phone: +49/731/500 57401
Fax: +49/731/500 57407
Email: martin.wabitsch@uniklinik-ulm.de