Adipokines, which are biologically active molecules secreted from adipose tissues or adipocytes, play major roles in the regulation of food intake, insulin sensitivity, energy metabolism, and the vascular microenvironment; they are involved in the obesity-induced chronic inflammatory response that plays a crucial role in the development of obesity-related pathologies such as type II diabetes and atherosclerosis. The gene discussed is INS; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.