Millennium Pharmaceuticals Limited

Patrick W Kleyn

Karen J Moore

Carlos J Gimeno

Rosana Kapeller

The present invention relates to the identification of novel nucleic acid molecules and proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules or degenerate variants thereof, that participate in the control of mammalian body weight. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention represent the genes corresponding to the mammalian tub gene, a gene that is involved in the regulation of body weight.

Screening methods for compounds useful for the treatment of body weight disorders, including obesity

The present invention, which is based on the discovery of novel genes encoding rp polypeptides, features therapeutics, diagnostics and screening assays.

RP compositions and therapeutic and diagnostic uses therefor

The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated retinitis pigmentosa (&ldquo;rp&rdquo;) nucleic acid molecules, which encode polypeptides involved in the regulation of sensory functions, e.g., retinal functions, e.g., functions of the rod and cone photoreceptor cells of the retina, body weight, and/or metabolic functions. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors containing rp nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which an rp gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated rp polypeptides, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-rp antibodies. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

RP compositions and diagnostic uses therefor

Compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of body weight disorders, including obesity

The present invention relates to antibodies which specifically bind to mammalian tub gene products, tub peptide fragments and tub peptides produced by genetically engineered cells.

Compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of body weight disorders,

Methods for identifying compounds that bind to a mammalian tub protein

Methods for detecting mammalian tub protein and RNA

The present invention relates to the identification of novel nucleic acid molecules and proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules or degenerate variants thereof, that participate in the control of mammalian body weight. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention represent the gene corresponding to the mammalian tub gene, a gene that is involved in the regulation of body weight. The present invention also relates to methods for identifying compounds that modulate tub protein activity.

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Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Patrick W Kleyn