Method for identifying modifiers of the leptin: leptin receptor interaction

摘要

The present invention refers to a method which allows the selection of molecules capable of mimicking, inhibiting or potentiating the effects of interaction between leptin and cells which display on the membrane the receptor thereof. The selection is consequent to the detection of the variation of neuropeptide Y production, or choline acetyltransferase enzymatic activity, following the bond of a molecule of interest with the leptin receptor displayed on target cells, optionally engineered, which can be neuronal but also cells of any type. This method allows the pre-selection of molecules potentially suitable in medical treatment of diseases such as obesity, anorexia, diabetes, cachexia and certain cases of sterility.