In contrast, mean mRNA levels of SIRT7 are higher in adipose tissues obtained from obese individuals than in those of normal-weight controls (Kurylowicz A., unpublished) Knowledge about the role of SIRT7 in the pathogenesis of human obesity is still unclear and its expression in human adipose tissue has not been previously documented. The gene discussed is SIRT7; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.