Adiponectin expression-inducing agents and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides adiponectin expression-inducing agents, and therapeutic agents using the same for obesity and obesity-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases or metabolic diseases, as well as methods of searching for adiponectin expression-inducing agents. KLF9, which can bind to the 32-bp fragment of position −188 to position −157 from the adiponectin expression start site, was demonstrated to enhance adiponectin promoter activity. Therefore, the present invention uses KLF9 as an adiponectin expression-inducing agent, and suggests that KLF9 replenishment therapy is useful for preventing and/or treating obesity or obesity-related diseases including metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance and type II diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising
 (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2; or   (b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 80% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.   
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 12 , wherein said identity is at least 95%. 
     
     
         14 . A method for inducing expression of adiponectin comprising administering the composition of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         15 . A method for inducing expression of adiponectin comprising administering the composition of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating or preventing a metabolic disease comprising administering the composition of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating or preventing a metabolic disease comprising administering the composition of  claim 13 .