Fig. (1).

The biochemical reaction catalyzed by 2-oxoglutarate oxygenase encoded by the FTO gene is responsible for demethylating certain nucleic acid bases (1-methyladenine, 3-methylthymine, and 3-methylcytosine) when associated with single-stranded RNA or DNA. Studies indicate that FTO gene variants interact with the diet by increasing preference for a specific nutrient (fat) and decreasing satiety to promote weight gain.