A LEPTIN BINDING PROTEIN AND ITS USE IN METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING AND TREATING ABNORMALITIES OF THE ENDOGENOUS LEPTIN PATHWAY

摘要

The present invention discloses a leptin binding protein that plays a novel role in the regulation of adiposity and fat content of animals, particularly in mammals. The leptin binding protein binds to leptin in vivo, forming a leptin-leptin binding protein complex that functions to provide a means for regulating body weight and adiposity. The present invention exploits this novel role of the leptin binding protein by providing means for diagnosing, monitoring, treating and curing abnormalities of the endogenous leptin pathway. Apolipoprotein J serves as an example of this new class of leptin binding protein.