OBG3 globular head and uses thereof for decreasing body mass

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of obesity research. Obesity is a public health problem that is serious and widespread. A compound, globular OBG3, has been identified that reduces weight gain in animals. This compound should be effective for reducing body mass and for treating obesity-related diseases and disorders. These obesity-related diseases and disorders include hyperlipidemias, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of lowering circulating free fatty acid levels in an individual comprising administering to said individual a composition comprising a carrier and a polypeptide sequence consisting of consecutive amino acids 101 to 244 of SEQ ID NO:6.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method further reduces body mass.  
     
     
         3 . An isolated polypeptide fragment of a full length OBG3 polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide fragment sequence consists of consecutive amino acids 101 to 244 of SEQ ID NO:6.  
     
     
         4 . A composition comprising a carrier and a polypeptide fragment sequence consisting of consecutive amino acids 101 to 244 of SEQ ID NO:6.  
     
     
         5 . An isolated polynucleotide, or complement thereof, encoding consecutive amino acids 101 to 244 of SEQ ID NO:6.  
     
     
         6 . A composition comprising a carrier and an isolated polynucleotide according to claim5.  
     
     
         7 . A vector comprising an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding consecutive amino acids 101 to 244 of SEQ ID NO:6.  
     
     
         8 . A composition comprising a carrier and a vector of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         9 . A transformed host cell comprising the vector according to claim  7 .