Screening methods for compounds useful in the regulation of body weight

Abstract

The present invention relates to drug screening assays, and diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the treatment of body weight disorders, such as obesity, anorexia and cachexia, utilizing the melanocortin 4-receptor (MC4-R) as the target for intervention. The invention also relates to compounds that modulate the activity or expression of the MC4-R, and the use of such compounds in the treatment of body weight disorders.

1 . A method for the treatment of a body weight disorder, comprising administering to an individual in need of treatment an effective amount of a compound that agonizes or antagonizes the activity of the melanocortin 4-receptor, so that the body weight disorder is treated.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  in which the compound is an agonist that activates the melanocortin 4-receptor and induces weight loss.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  in which the compound is an antibody that binds to and activates the melanocortin 4-receptor.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  in which the compound is an antagonist that inhibits activation of the melanocortin 4-receptor and induces weight gain.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  in which the compound is an antibody or a soluble peptide comprising an extracellular domain of the melanocortin 4-receptor.  
     
     
         6 . A method for the treatment of a body weight disorder, comprising administering to an individual in need of treatment an effective amount of a compound that modulates the activity of the melanocortin 4-receptor gene, so that the body weight disorder is treated.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the method comprises administering to an individual in need of treatment an effective amount of a compound that decreases expression of the melanocortin 4-receptor and induces weight gain, so that the body weight disorder is treated.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  in which the compound is an oligonucleotide comprising an antisense or ribozyme molecule that targets melanocortin 4-receptor transcripts and inhibits translation.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  in which the compound is an oligonucleotide that forms a triple helix with the promoter of the melanocortin 4-receptor gene and inhibits transcription.