Regulation of FTO and FTM expression during human preadipocyte differentiation

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.