FTO: Proteins and Enzymes

FTO is an approximately 60 kDa non-heme dioxygenase that is involved in the repair of methylated thymine and uracil in single stranded DNA and RNA. It is ubiquitously expressed with highest levels found in the brain. Loss of FTO function is causative of multiple malformations in the skeleton, heart, and nervous system. Polymorphisms of FTO are associated with early onset and severe adult obesity and risk of type 2 diabetes. FTO is upregulated in skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetics, and the decrease in its expression with age correlates with defects of glucose and fat metabolism.