Genes associated with obesity and methods for using the same
AssigneesGenentech, Inc., CuraGen Corporation
InventorsDavid Lewin, Timothy Stewart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The instant invention is concerned with genes associated with obesity. Additionally, the invention provides methods of using the differential expression of these genes associated with obesity to diagnose and treat obesity, as well as to screen for compounds useful for treating obesity.
Claims51
A method of assessing the efficacy of an obesity treatment in a subject, the method comprising:
- a) providing from the subject a test cell population comprising cells capable of expressing one or more nucleic acid sequences selected from the group consisting of OB1-6;
- b) detecting expression of one or more of the nucleic acid sequences in said test cell population;
- c) comparing the expression of the nucleic acid sequences in the test cell population to the expression of the nucleic acid sequences in a reference cell population comprising at least one cell whose obesity stage is known;
- and
- d) identifying a difference in expression levels of the OB1-6 sequences, if present, in the test cell population and the reference cell population,
- thereby assessing the efficacy of an obesity treatment in the subject.
A method of identifying a test therapeutic agent for treating obesity in a subject, the method comprising:
- a) providing from the subject a test cell population comprising cells capable of expressing one or more nucleic acid sequences selected from the group consisting of OB1-6;
- b) contacting said test cell population with the test therapeutic agent;
- c) detecting the expression of one or more of the nucleic acid sequences in said test cell population;
- d) comparing the expression of the nucleic acid sequences in the test cell population to the expression of the nucleic acid sequences in a reference cell population comprising at least one cell whose obesity stage is known;
- and
- e) identifying a difference in expression levels of the OB1-6 sequences, if present, in the test cell population and the reference cell population,
- thereby identifying a test therapeutic agent for treating obesity in a subject.
A method of identifying leptin-induced nucleic acid sequences, the method comprising:
- a) providing a test cell population from a subject whose obesity stage is known;
- b) measuring the expression of one or more nucleic acid sequences expressed by the test cell population;
- c) comparing the expression of the nucleic acid sequences in the test cell population to the expression of the nucleic acid sequences in a reference cell population comprising at least one cell from a subject with the opposite obesity stage;
- d) determining which nucleic acid sequences, if any, are differentially expressed in the test cell population and the reference cell population;
- e) adding leptin to the test cell population and the reference cell population;
- f) comparing the expression of the nucleic acid sequences in the test cell population after leptin treatment with the expression of the nucleic acid sequences in the reference cell population after leptin treatment;
- and
- g) identifying a difference in expression levels, if present, in the test cell population and the reference cell population,
- thereby identifying leptin-induced nucleic acid sequences.
A method of diagnosing or determining the susceptibility to obesity in a subject, the method comprising:
- a) providing from the subject a test cell population comprising cells capable of expressing one or more nucleic acid sequences selected from the group consisting of OBs:1-6;
- b) measuring expression of one or more of the nucleic acid sequences in the test cell population;
- c) comparing the expression of the nucleic acid sequences in the test cell population to the expression of the nucleic acid sequences in a reference cell population comprising at least one cell from a subject not suffering from obesity;
- and
- d) identifying a difference in expression levels of the nucleic acid sequences, if present, in the test cell population and reference cell population,
- thereby diagnosing or determining the susceptibility to obesity in the subject.
A method of treating obesity, the method comprising administering to a patient suffering from or at risk for developing obesity, an agent that modulates the expression or activity of one or more nucleic acid sequences selected from the group consisting of OBs:1-6.
A kit comprising one or more reagents for detecting two or more nucleic acid sequences selected from the group consisting of OBs:1-6.
An array of probe nucleic acids, wherein said probe nucleic acids detect two or more nucleic acid sequences selected from the group consisting of OBs:1-6.
An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence that is least 75% identical to SEQ ID NO:1, or the complement of the nucleic acid sequence.
An isolated polypeptide at least 80% identical to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
- a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1;
- b) a fragment of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the fragment comprises at least 6 contiguous amino acids;
- c) a derivative of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1;
- d) an analog of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1;
- and
- e) a homolog of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.
An isolated polypeptide used to treat obesity in a subject, wherein the polypeptide is at least 80% identical to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
- a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of OBs:1-6;
- b) a fragment of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of OBs:1-6, wherein the fragment comprises at least 6 contiguous amino acids of OBs:1-6;
- c) a derivative of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of OBs:1-6;
- d) an analog of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of OBs:1-6;
- and
- e) a homolog of a polyeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of OBs:1-6.
An isolated nucleic acid molecule used to treat obesity in a subject, wherein the nucleic acid is least 75% identical to the nucleic acid sequence any one of OBs:1-6 or the complement of the nucleic acid sequence.
A composition which is secreted by the pituitary gland, is associated with obesity, and whose expression status is modulated by leptin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.