In conclusion, our results indicate that zinc finger protein ZPR9 positively regulates redox‐sensitive ASK1, TGF‐β, and p53 signaling pathways involved in obesity-associated metabolic functions by the stabilization of MPK38 and that this effect of ZPR9 is strictly dependent on MPK38-mediated phosphorylation. This evidence concerns the gene ZNF146 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.