IRX3

Iroquois-class homeodomain protein IRX-3, also known as Iroquois homeobox protein 3, is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the IRX3 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
IRX3 is a member of the Iroquois homeobox gene family and plays a role in an early step of neural development. Members of this family appear to play multiple roles during pattern formation of vertebrate embryos.

Association with obesity
Obesity-associated noncoding sequences within FTO interact with the promoter of IRX3 and FTO in human, mouse, and zebrafish. Obesity-associated is_associated_with::single nucleotide polymorphisms are related to the expression of IRX3 (not FTO) in the human brain. A direct connection between the expression of IRX3 and body mass and composition was shown through the decrease in body weight of 25-30% in IRX3-deficient mice. This suggests that IRX3 influences obesity.