Acylglycerol acyltransferase-like protein mgat-x1 and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a polynucleotide sequence of a novel acylglycerol acyltransferase-like protein MGAT-X1. The invention also provides the human MGAT-X1 associated with the dermatological diseases, urological diseases, muscle-skeleton disorders, hematological diseases, cancer, reproduction disorders, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases or gastroenterological diseases. The invention also provides assays for the identification of compounds useful for the modulation of dermatological diseases, urological diseases, muscle-skeleton disorders, hematological diseases, cancer, reproduction disorders, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases or gastroenterological diseases for treating of such diseases associated with expression of the MGAT-X1. The invention also features compounds which bind to and/or activate or inhibit the activity of MGAT-X1 as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.

1 . A preparation of purified antibodies which specifically bind to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         2 . The preparation of  claim 1 , wherein the antibodies are selected from the group consisting of intact immunoglobulin molecules, Fab fragments, F(ab′) 2  fragments, Fv fragments, monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antibodies, partially humanized antibodies, fully humanized antibodies, and single chain antibodies. 
     
     
         3 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 purified antibodies which specifically bind to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:2; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 3 , wherein the antibodies are selected from the group consisting of intact immunoglobulin molecules, Fab fragments, F(ab′) 2  fragments, Fv fragments, monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antibodies, partially humanized antibodies, fully humanized antibodies, and single chain antibodies. 
     
     
         5 . A method of reducing acylglycerol acetyltransferases activity in a cell, comprising contacting the cell with a purified antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cell is in vitro. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cell is in vivo.