Obesity-related genes and their proteins and uses thereof

1. A method of reducing fatty acid uptake in adipose tissue of a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 3 A6S, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, thereby reducing fatty acid uptake in adipose tissue of the subject.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is obese or is afflicted with an obesity-associated disorder.

3. A method of reducing food intake in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 3 A6S, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, thereby reducing food intake in the subject.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the subject is obese or is afflicted with an obesity-associated disorder.

5. A method of reducing fatty acid uptake in heart tissue or liver tissue of an obese subject or a subject afflicted with an obesity-associated disorder, the method A comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 3 A6S, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, thereby reducing fatty acid uptake in heart tissue or liver tissue of the subject.

6. A method of promoting satiety in an obese subject or a subject afflicted with an obesity-associated disorder, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 3 A6S, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, thereby promoting satiety in the subject.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the total amount of food consumed per day by the subject is reduced.

8. A method of treating obesity or an obesity-associated disorder in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 3 A6S, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, thereby treating obesity or an obesity-associated disorder in the subject.

9. A method of promoting weight loss in an obese subject or a subject afflicted with an obesity-associated disorder, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 3 A6S, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, thereby promoting weight loss in the subject.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the subject is a human or non-human animal.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the non-human animal is a mouse, rat, dog, or cat.

12. The method of any one of claims 2 - 9 and 4 , wherein the obesity-associated disorder comprises metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease, congestive heart failure, type II diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, or a combination thereof.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the subject has a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than about 25 kg/m 2 .

14. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the subject has a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than about 30 kg/m 2 .

15. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the subject has a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than about 35 kg/m 2 .

16. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the subject displays a decrease in adipose tissue mass after treatment with the polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 3 A6S.

17. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the amount administered results in at least about 1 ng/ml in the serum.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the amount administered results in at least about 3 ng/ml in the serum.

19. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the amount administered results in at least about 10 ng/ml in the serum.

20. The method of anyone of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the amount administered results in at least about 30 ng/ml in the serum.

21. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the amount administered results in at least about 100 ng/ml in the serum.

22. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the amount administered results in at least about 250 ng/ml in the serum.

23. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the amount administered results in at least about 500 ng/ml in the serum.

24. The method of anyone of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 3 A6S is administered at least once daily or at least twice daily.

25. The method of anyone of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 3 A6S is administered for at least 1 week, for at least 2 weeks, for at least 3 weeks, for at least 4 weeks, for at least 5 weeks, for at least 6 weeks, for at least 8 weeks, for at least 10 weeks, for at least 12 weeks, for at least 24 weeks, or for at least 48 weeks.

26. The method of any one of claims 1 - 9 and 4 , wherein the polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 3 A6S is administered for at least 1 year, for at least 1.5 years, for at least 2 years, for at least 2.5 years, or for at least 5 years.