Abstract: Drosophila melanogaster and C. elegans that have been genetically modified to express or mis-express proteins involved in the sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) pathway are described. These genetically modified animal models have identifiable phenotypes that make them useful in assays for studying lipid metabolism, other genes implicated in lipid metabolism, and compounds capable of modulating lipid metabolism pathways. Methods for studying lipid metabolism in living nematodes using fluorescently-labelled fatty acid conjugates, such BODITY™ fatty acid conjugates, are also described. Novel SREBP pathway nucleic acid and protein sequences are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Drosophila genes and methods for their use. The invention provides nucleotide sequences of Drosophila genes, amino acid sequences of the encoded proteins, and derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof. The invention further relates to fragments (and derivatives and analogs thereof) of proteins which comprise one or more domains of a Drosophila protein. Antibodies to Drosophila proteins, and derivatives and analogs thereof, are also provided. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acids. Methods of production of a Drosophila protein (e.g., by recombinant means), and derivatives and analogs thereof, are provided. Chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising polypeptides of the invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences are provided. Methods to identify the biological function of a Drosophila gene are provided, including various methods for the functional modification (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to C. elegans insulin-like genes and methods for identifying insulin-like genes. The methods provide nucleotide sequences of C. elegans insulin-like genes, amino acid sequences of their encoded proteins, and derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof. The invention further relates to fragments (and derivatives and analogs thereof) of insulin-like proteins which comprise one or more domains of an insulin-like protein. Antibodies to an insulin-like protein, and derivatives and analogs thereof, are provided. Methods of production of an insulin-like protein (e.g., by recombinant means), and derivatives and analogs thereof, are provided. Further, methods to identify the biological function of a C. elegans insulin-like gene are provided, including various methods for the functional modification (e.g., overexpression, underexpression, mutation, knock-out) of one or more genes simultaneously. Still further, methods to identify a C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to C. elegans insulin-like genes and methods for identifying insulin-like genes. The methods provide nucleotide sequences of C. elegans insulin-like genes, amino acid sequences of their encoded proteins, and derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof. The invention further relates to fragments (and derivatives and analogs thereof) of insulin-like proteins which comprise one or more domains of an insulin-like protein. Antibodies to an insulin-like protein, and derivatives and analogs thereof, are provided. Methods of production of an insulin-like protein (e.g., by recombinant means), and derivatives and analogs thereof, are provided. Further, methods to identify the biological function of a C. elegans insulin-like gene are provided, including various methods for the functional modification (e.g., overexpression, underexpression, mutation, knock-out) of one or more genes simultaneously. Still further, methods to identify a C.