Ahdc1 is a potent regulator of obesity and energy metabolism.

AT-hook DNA-binding motif-containing protein 1 (AHDC1) is a causal gene of intellectual disability/developmental delay in humans. The biological role of AHDC1 is unclear. Recently, some clues from AHDC1 mutation carriers hinted that AHDC1 may participate in body-weight regulation. In this first metabolic phenotype study of Ahdc1 deficiency, we generated a Ahdc1-deficienct mouse line and found that Ahdc1 deficiency in both male and female mice led to adiposity from weaning and obesity characterized by reduced energy expenditure and respiratory quotient, with progressive development of hyperleptinemia, insulin resistance, abnormal glycolipid metabolism, and fatty liver. Our findings show that Ahdc1 is a novel key regulator of obesity and energy metabolism, which provides new insight into the physiological mechanisms of obesity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this first metabolic phenotype study of Ahdc1 deficiency, we generated a survivable Ahdc1-deficient mouse line. We found that Ahdc1 deficiency in both male and female mice resulted in adiposity from weaning and obesity characterized by reduced energy expenditure and respiratory quotient. Additionally, there was a progressive development of hyperleptinemia, insulin resistance, abnormal glycolipid metabolism, and fatty liver. These findings demonstrate that Ahdc1 is a novel key regulator of obesity and energy metabolism.