FTO in health and disease

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Metabolic Research

Background:

• Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) protein is a crucial enzyme regulating epitranscriptomic modifications.
• FTO influences key RNA lifecycle processes such as splicing, export, decay, and translation.
• Alterations in the FTO-mediated epitranscriptome are implicated in various physiological and pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of FTO's role in health and disease.
• To emphasize FTO's involvement in obesity and associated non-communicable diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer).
• To summarize known FTO-inhibiting molecules.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on FTO.
• Analysis of FTO's impact on RNA modifications and cellular processes.
• Consolidation of data on FTO's association with metabolic and oncological diseases.

Main Results:

• FTO significantly impacts RNA biology and epitranscriptomic regulation.
• FTO plays a critical role in the development and progression of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
• Several molecules with FTO-inhibiting activity have been identified.

Conclusions:

• Understanding FTO's function in human diseases offers potential for novel therapeutic strategies.
• Targeting FTO may provide new avenues for treating metabolic disorders and malignancies.
• Further research into FTO's regulatory mechanisms promises advancements in disease treatment and prevention.