Polynucleotide and polypeptide fat metabolism regulators and uses thereof

Abstract

In general, this invention relates to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences involved in fat metabolism regulation and the use of these sequences as targets for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases. In addition, the invention relates to screening methods for identifying modulators of body fat metabolism and the development of treatments for obesity and obesity-related diseases.

1 . A microarray consisting of at least two fat metabolism regulator nucleic acids or a fragment thereof, wherein inactivation of each of said fat metabolism regulator nucleic acids results in an alteration in fat content of an organism compared to a control organism.  
     
     
         2 . The microarray of  claim 1 , wherein said alteration is a decrease in fat content.  
     
     
         3 . The microarray of  claim 1 , wherein said fat metabolism regulator nucleic acids are mammalian fat metabolism regulator nucleic acids.  
     
     
         4 . The microarray of  claim 1 , wherein said fat metabolism regulator nucleic acids are nematode fat metabolism regulator nucleic acids.  
     
     
         5 . The microarray of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment encodes at least 30 contiguous amino acids of a fat metabolism regulator polypeptide.  
     
     
         6 . The microarray of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment encodes at least 50 contiguous amino acids of a fat metabolism regulator polypeptide.  
     
     
         7 . The microarray of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment encodes at least 60 contiguous amino acids of a fat metabolism regulator polypeptide.  
     
     
         8 . The microarray of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment encodes at least 80 contiguous amino acids of a fat metabolism regulator polypeptide.