Figure 1

Relative expression of FTO and feeding-related genes in the hypothalamus of mice. A. Mice were exposed for 48 h to palatable Intralipid or sucrose solutions in addition to chow (n = 8/group). B. Mice differed in body weight by ca. 2.6 g. Increased body weight was induced by 3-week exposure to the sucrose solution given in addition to chow (n = 8/group). C. Organotypic cultures of the hypothalamus were treated for 48 h with anorexigenic leucine versus untreated controls (n = 7/group). D. Mice differed in 5-day preference for fat (Intralipid) vs. sucrose (n = 7 per preference-based group). E. Mice differed in their propensity to ingest more calories during exposure to palatable diets ("big eaters", vs. "small eaters"; n = 11 and 10, respectively). A similar rat model was used as control of FTO expression in another species (FTO rat). F. Mice were deprived of food for 16 h preceding decapitation (n = 8/group). AGRP, Agouti-related protein; DYN, dynorphin; MC4R, melanocortin receptor-4; NPY, neuropeptide Y; ORX, orexin; POMC, proopiomelanocortin; KOR, kappa opioid receptor; MOR mu receptor; MCH, melanin concentrating hormone. * - P < 0.05; ** - P < 0.01.