FTO is expressed ubiquitously in human and animal tissues,140 which is consistent with multiple organ systems being affected in FTO deficiency. Its highest expression is seen in the brain, including the hypothalamus, where control of food intake is centred140. As touched on above, within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC), FTO is bi-directionally regulated as a function of nutritional status; decreasing following a 48hr fast140 and increasing after 10 weeks of exposure to a high fat diet, while modulating FTO levels specifically in the ARC can influence food intake.162
