METHOD FOR DETECTION OF A COMPOUND THAT MIMICS, POTENTIATES OR INHIBITS THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF LEPTIN

摘要

A method for detection of a compound that mimics, potentiates or inhibits the physiological effect of leptin, which method comprises: (a) for a compound which mimics the physiological effect of the leptin, assessing the effect of the compound upon a leptin activated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) DNA response element coupled to a reporter gene; or (b) for a compound which potentiates or inhibits the physiological effect of leptin, assessing the effect of the compound upon the response provided by leptin upon a leptin activated STAT DNA response element coupled to a reporter gene; wherein, the response element and the reporter are expressed in the human Caucasian colon epithelial cell line (CACO-2) or the response element and the reporter are expressed in CACO-2 cells, which cell line (the engineered cell line) is also transfected with a polypeptide which is capable of mediating or enhancing the stimulation by leptin of a leptin activated STAT DNA response element and contains the appropriate STAT proteins.