Interestingly, qRT-PCR studies showed that BARR2 transcript levels were significantly increased in subcutaneous adipose tissue isolated from obese individuals, as compared to the corresponding BARR2 mRNA levels obtained with samples from age-, race-, and sex-matched individuals who did not suffer from obesity and insulin resistance (Supplementary Fig. 12). This evidence concerns the gene ARRB2 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.