DUSP1 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: Based on the functions of DUSP1 in innate immune function, inflammation, and apoptosis and its implication in various disorders and differential expression we have shown in VAT of MetS+ versus MetS− obese individuals [10], we postulated that DUSP1 gene variations may contribute to partially explain interindividual variability observed in obesity-related metabolic complication among obese individuals through the regulation of gene methylation and expression.