Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating obesity, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa comprising administering a compound of the invention. The present invention further relates to the treatment of metabolic syndrome comprising administering a compound of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating obesity, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa comprising administering a compound of the invention. The present invention further relates to the treatment of metabolic syndrome comprising administering a compound of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating obesity, eating disorders, and sexual dysfunction. The methods comprise administering to a mammalian host suffering from obesity, an eating disorder, or sexual dysfunction an effective dose of a compound of the invention. Also provided are methods of potentiating the effect of an MC4 receptor agonist in a mammalian host. In some cases the methods comprise administering to the host a compound that lowers the EC50 of the agonist. In other cases the methods comprise administering to the host a compound that increases the maximum effect of the agonist.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for making ligand upregulatable G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Ligand upregulatable GPCRs contain a modified TM5-IC3-TM6 segment, which provides for increased levels of the ligand upregulatable GPCR in a host cell in the presence of a ligand as compared to the absence of the ligand. The subject invention also provides assays for screening test compounds for a ligand of a GPCR using a ligand upregulatable GPCR. In these assays, a ligand upregulatable GPCR is contacted with a test compound, and an increase in the detectable amount of the ligand upregulatable GPCR in the host cell indicates that the test compound is a ligand of the GPCR. Said indicated ligands encompass modulators of the GPCR. Said modulators of the GPCR are particularly useful in treating GPCR-related conditions.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for detecting a GPCR-binding partner complex. In general, the methods involve co-producing two polypeptides, one of which being a GPCR, isolating one of the polypeptides using a substrate with affinity for that polypeptide, and directly detecting the presence of the other polypeptide on the substrate. In some embodiments, the affinity substrate is addressable. The two polypeptides may be the same or different GPCRs, or a GPCR and a non-GPCR polypeptide. The subject invention further provides methods for identifying whether a polypeptide is a binding partner for a GPCR. In addition, the subject invention provides methods of screening for agents that modulate the binding of a GPCR to a binding partner for that GPCR. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of research and therapeutic applications, particularly in methods to identify agents for treating GPCR-binding partner complex-related disorders.