The BCAAs are primarily catabolized in skeletal muscle and increased rates of BCAA oxidation have been observed in a range of conditions associated with cachexia, including sepsis, trauma, and treatment with endotoxin or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (Holecek, 1996; Holecek et al., 1997, 2001). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is Cachexia.