Methods for identifying compounds for regulating muscle mass or function using corticotropin releasing factor receptors

A method for identifying candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function, comprising:

• a. contacting a test compound with a cell expressing a functional CRF2R,
• b. determining whether the test compound activates the CRF2R;
• c. selecting those compounds that activate CRF2R aid further determining whether the test compound increases muscle mass or function in a skeletal muscle atrophy model system;
• and
• d. identifying those test compounds that modulate muscle mass or function as candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function.

A method for identifying candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function comprising,

• a. contacting a test compound with a cell expressing a functional CRF2R, and determining a level of activation of CRF2R resulting from the interaction of the test compound with CRF1R;
• b. contacting the test compound with a cell expressing a functional CRF1R, and determining level of activation of CRF1R resulting from the interaction of the test compound with CRF1R;
• c. comparing the level of CRF2R activation and the level of CRF1R activation;
• d. selecting those test compounds that selectively activate CRF2R over the CRF1R,
• d. further determining whether the test compound increases muscle mass or function in a skeletal muscle atrophy model system;
• and
• c. identifying those test compounds that modulate muscle mass or function as candidate compounds for regulating skeletal muscle mass or function.