NOVEL MELANOCORTIN -4 RECEPTOR SEQUENCES AND SCREENING ASSAYS TO IDENTIFY COMPOUNDS USEFUL IN REGULATING ANIMAL APPETITE AND METABOLIC RATE

摘要

The present invention relates to novel nucleic acids encoding canine andfelinemelanocortin 4 receptors and their gene products. Furthermore, the presentinvention relatesto screening assays to identify compounds that modulate the activity orexpression of themelanocortin 4 receptors of the invention. In addition, the present inventionrelates tomethods and therapeutic compositions for the treatment of appetite-related,metabolic andreproductive disorders related to inadequate food intake and energymetabolism, comprisingadministering to animals compounds that modulate the activity or expression ofmelanocortinreceptors. In one aspect, the invention relates to methods and compositionsthat antagonizethe activity or expression of melanocortin 4 receptors in order to enhance theappetite ofdiseased, stressed or injured companion animals, livestock or poultrycomprisingadministering compounds that antagonize the activity or expression of thenovel melanocortin4 receptors of the present invention. In another aspect, the invention relatesto methods andcompositions that agonize the activity or expression of melanocortin 4receptors in order totreat, e.g., obesity of companion animals, such as cats and dogs comprisingadministeringcompounds that agonize the activity or expression of the novel melanocortin 4receptors ofthe present invention.