Mice lacking key genes of the inflammasome, such as ASC, NLRP3, and caspase-1, are defective in maturation and secretion of IL1β and IL1811, and are protected from adipocyte hypertrophy, hyperinsulinemia, high-fat diet weight gain, and obesity-induced insulin resistance4, 6, 7. The gene discussed is NLRP3; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.