New oligonucleotides that inhibit expression of the leptin receptor related protein, useful for treatment and prevention of e.g. osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, anorexia, hematopoiesis, and angiogenesis

摘要

Oligonucleotides (ON), optionally modified and comprising 8-50 nucleotides (nt), that hybridize specifically to a 648 base pair (bp) sequence (1), given in the specification, and that inhibit expression of the leptin receptor related protein (OB-RGRP), are new. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) interfering RNA (iRNA) of 15-25 nt that hybridize specifically with a 1114 bp sequence (21), reproduced, and inhibit expression of OB-RGRP; (2) vector that expresses ON or iRNA; (3) cell containing the vector of (2); (4) pharmaceutical composition containing ON, iRNA, the vector of (2) or the cell of (3); (5) fusion protein (FP) comprising a sequence with at least 65% identify with sequences (4) or (16), both of 131 amino acids (aa), or a substantial part of them, and a protein that is a donor or acceptor of energy, or a substantial part of it; (6) nucleic acid (I) that encodes FP; (7) nucleic acid with at least 65% identity with (I) or that hybridizes to it under stringent conditions; (8) cells that contain (I), or express FP, also their fragments, lysates and membranes; (9) methods for determining modified interaction between (4) or (13), or their homologs with at least 65% identity, and the leptin receptor; and (10) method for screening or detecting compounds that can be used to prevent or treat leptin-related disorders. ACTIVITY : Osteopathic; Anorectic; Antidiabetic; Cytostatic; Antiinflammatory; Immunomodulatory; Anabolic; Endocrine-Gen.; Antianemic; Antiangiogenic. MECHANISM OF ACTION : Inhibiting expression of OB-RGRP. HeLa cells were transformed with a vector that expressed the leptin receptor (OB-R) and a reporter gene (STAT3) and with an antisense agent, AS14, directed specifically against the OB-R related protein 3'-(triethylene glycol)-TGtAcAcGtGtAcGCcGtAa (AS14) (upper case indicates phosphorothioate; the five bases at each end are 2'-O-methylated). In absence of AS14, STAT3 activity was increased by 50% in presence of leptin, but in presence of AS14, leptin almost doubled STAT3 activity.