Thus, the convergence of Rspo3-positive hepatocytes, at either the mRNA or the protein level, toward the pericentral zone in response to feeding (i.e., spatiotemporal characteristics of Rspo3) appears to play an important role in regulating intra-hepatic metabolism under normal conditions, a phenomenon which is dysregulated in pathophysiological states such as obesity. The gene discussed is RSPO3; the disease is obesity disorder.