Mitochondrial fission is associated with increased levels of fatty acyl-CoA [332] and increased rates of fatty acid beta-oxidation in some cells, such as hepatocytes, pancreatic beta-cells, HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and B-cell lymphoma cells [333], which could contribute to the protection from obesity observed in nocturnin knockout mice. The gene discussed is NOCT; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.