Both whole-body ablation11, as well as adipocyte-specific disruption (adiponectin-IRX3DN)12 of IRX3 were found to reduce adiposity and body weight, as well as increase thermogenesis and resistance to diet-induced weight gain11,12, confirming that these genes have a profound impact on adipocyte biology and obesity development. This evidence concerns the gene IRX3 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.