| 摘要 |
Six genes whose expression is induced by leptin are disclosed (LIG46; LIG56; Tgtp, encoding a T cell-specific GTP-binding protein; LRG-47, encoding an interferon (IFN) inducible protein; RC10-II, encoding a subunit of a 20S brain proteasome; and Stra13, encoding a retinoic acid inducible protein). These six leptin-inducible genes and the proteins they encode represent targets for the development of therapeutic agents for use in modulating body weight. For example, agents that alter the expression or activity of one or more of the leptin-induced proteins can be used to modulate body weight. Such agents can be identified using cellular, in vitro, or in vivo assays which monitor the expression or activity of one or more of the six leptin-induced proteins. Potentially useful therapeutic agents can also be identified through the use of assays designed to identify agents that bind to one of the leptin-induced proteins. The leptin-induced genes of the invention and the proteins they encode may themselves be useful therapeutically and diagnostically.
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