Activation of 5-HT2C by selective agonist BVT.X resulted in decreased acute food intake in both genetic and diet-induced models of obesity in mice, and this appetite-suppressing effect is upstream of the melanocortin pathway, as mice deficient in the melanocortin 3 (MC3)/MC4 receptors do not exhibit food intake reduction effects induced by 5-HT2C agonism (Lam et al., 2008). This evidence concerns the gene HTR2C and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.