METHODS OF MODULATING FAM46A
An agent capable of decreasing the activity of FAM46A for use in supporting weight maintenance and/or treating or preventing obesity.
1 . A method for use in supporting weight maintenance and/or treating or preventing obesity comprising administering an agent capable of decreasing the activity of FAM46A to an individual in need of same.
2 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the agent is administered to a subject during or after a weight loss intervention.
3 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the agent increases leptin levels in a subject.
4 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the agent increases leptin levels in a subject.
5 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the agent decreases the level of FAM46A in a subject.
6 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the agent is selected from the agents listed in Table 1.
7 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of an siRNA, shRNA, miRNA, antisense RNA, polynucleotide, polypeptide and small molecules.
8 . A method of identifying an agent capable of supporting weight maintenance and/or treating or preventing obesity in a subject comprising the steps:
(a) contacting a preparation comprising a FAM46A polypeptide or polynucleotide with a candidate agent; and
(b) detecting whether the candidate agent affects the activity of the FAM46A polypeptide or polynucleotide.
9 . A method of identifying an agent that decreases the activity of FAM46A comprising the steps:
(a) contacting a preparation comprising a FAM46A polypeptide or polynucleotide with a candidate agent; and
(b) detecting whether the candidate agent affects the activity of the FAM46A polypeptide or polynucleotide.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the preparation comprising the FAM46A polypeptide or polynucleotide comprises a cell comprising the FAM46A polypeptide or polynucleotide.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the cell is an adipocyte.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the method is for identifying an agent that decreases the expression of FAM46A.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises detecting whether the candidate agent affects the levels of leptin produced by the cell.
14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the candidate agent is a natural product.
15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the preparation comprising the FAM46A polypeptide or polynucleotide comprises a cell comprising the FAM46A polypeptide or polynucleotide.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the cell is an adipocyte.
17 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the method is for identifying an agent that decreases the expression of FAM46A.
18 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises detecting whether the candidate agent affects the levels of leptin produced by the cell.
19 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the candidate agent is a natural product.