METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING COMPOUNDS FOR REGULATING MUSCLE MASSOR FUNCTION USING DOPAMINE RECEPTORS

摘要

Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate (D1 or D5 dopamine receptors individually or in combination) or regulate or potentiall y regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of D1 or D5 dopamine receptors or of D1 or D5 dopamine receptor signal transduction pathways and increase D1 or D5 dopamine receptor expression. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising D1 or D5 dopamine recepto r agonists, antibodies to D1 or D5 dopamine receptors and methods for increasi ng skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using D1 or D5 dopamine receptors as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.