METHOD FOR MODULATING PROOPIOMELANOCORTIN SYNTHESIS IN A MAMMAL

摘要

This invention provides a novel method for decreasing proopiomelanocortin (P OMC) synthesis in a mammal such as a human comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a molecu le capable of binding to a mammalian POMC mRNA stem loop structure. The invention further provides a method for increa sing POMC synthesis in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of an mRNA POMC stem-loop st ructure. A method of identifying compounds capable of modulating POMC synthesis in a mammal is also provided. The metho d comprises identifying compounds which bind to a proopiomelanocortin mRNA stem-loop structure.