FTO

FTO is an acronym that can refer to several distinct topics depending on the context. In international security and law, FTO commonly stands for Foreign Terrorist Organization, a designation used by the United States Department of State to identify groups believed to engage in or promote international terrorism.

Designation as an FTO is a formal process conducted by the Secretary of State. Once designated, the organization is subject to sanctions that may include restrictions on travel, freezes on its assets, and criminal penalties for individuals who provide material support or resources to the designated group. The list of FTOs is periodically updated and published by the government.

In genetics and biomedical research, FTO refers to the FTO gene, also known as fat mass and obesity-associated protein. This gene is located on chromosome 16 and encodes an enzyme that demethylates RNA, influencing RNA metabolism and gene expression. Variants in FTO, particularly certain single-nucleotide polymorphisms, have been associated with obesity, body mass index, and metabolic traits in multiple populations. However, the effect sizes are typically moderate, and the precise biological mechanisms remain an area of active study.

Beyond these uses, FTO may appear in other organizational names or technical contexts. Because the meaning depends heavily on field and region, it is important to rely on surrounding context to determine which FTO is being referenced.