The present invention relates generally to nucleic acid molecules
expressed at least in the hypothalamus, liver or pancreas identified
using differential display techniques under differing physiological
conditions. The nucleic acid molecules are associated with or act as
markers for conditions of a healthy state, obesity, anorexia, weight
maintenance, diabetes and/or metabolic energy levels. More particularly,
the present invention is directed to a nucleic acid molecule and/or its
expression product for use in therapeutic and diagnostic protocols for
conditions such as obesity, anorexia, weight maintenance, diabetes and
energy imbalance. The subject nucleic acid molecule and expression
product and their derivatives, homologs, analogs and mimetics are
proposed to be useful, therefore, as therapeutic and diagnostic agents
for obesity, anorexia, weight maintenance, diabetes and energy imbalance
or as targets for the design and/or identification of modulators of their
activity and/or function.
