Experiments have verified that the complex of SUV39H1, JMJD2C, and SRC-1 is recruited to the promotor of p66Shc and that JMJD2C and SRC-1 cannot influence the activity of SUV39H1, indicating that targeting SUV39H1 but not JMJD2C or SRC-1 will delay the development of obesity-induced atherogenesis. The gene discussed is SUV39H1; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.