Adeno-associated viral vectors encoding either mouse AGT or des(Ang I)-AGT (ie, without Ang I-generating amino acids) with a liver-specific promoter were developed.59 Repopulation of either AGT or des(Ang I)-AGT in hepatocyte-specific AGT−/− mice restored Western diet–induced obesity and liver steatosis, but only repopulation of AGT restored blood pressure and atherosclerosis comparable to wild-type mice.59 These data support that des(Ang I)-AGT contributes to obesity and liver steatosis in mice. This evidence concerns the gene AGT and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.