Sp1 transcription factor upregulates the promoter of the human fat mass and obesity-associated gene

Abstract

Objective: Genome-wide studies have evaluated the association of fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene polymorphism on obesity and diabetes. Data from multiple human studies suggest a link between FTO risk alleles and body mass index (BMI). However, there is no available data about the functional properties of FTO. Furthermore, which factors would affect the expression of FTO was not clear. As such, it is increasingly important to understand the basal mechanism of expression regulation of human FTO gene.