Methods for characterizing agonists and partial agonists of target molecules

摘要

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of determining whether an agent is more like a partial agonist of a target molecule than a full agonist of the same target molecule. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods to select a candidate compound that may reduce blood plasma glucose concentration in a mammal. Populations of genes are provided that are useful in the practice of the present invention.

主权项

1. A method to screen compounds to identify a candidate compound that may reduce blood plasma glucose concentration in a mammal, the method comprising the step of contacting a cell of a cell type with a compound and determining whether the compound causes a significant increase in the level of expression of a population of 29 genes that each hybridize under stringent conditions to a different member of the group of nucleic acid molecules consisting of SEQ ID NOS:1-29, wherein if the compound causes a significant increase in the level of expression of the population of 29 genes then the compound is selected as a candidate compound that may reduce blood plasma glucose concentration in a mammal.