Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing cancer (such as ovarian, breast, or colon cancer) or a predisposition thereto in a subject, for monitoring the efficacy of treatment of a subject suffering from cancer, or for determining the likelihood of survival of a subject suffering from cancer, comprising detecting modified chromatin (such as DNA methylation) within a locus of the LOC134466 gene in a sample taken from the subject. The invention further provides kits for use in these methods, and methods of treating subjects based on a diagnosis performed using the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and novel types of agents for modulating appetite and/or body weight in a subject. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of screening for agents which interact and modulate the activity of the receptor complex for macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cell-based and animal-based assays for determining antagonists of PKC? and uses of the isolated antagonist compounds for modulating insulin clearance and secretion. The invention also provides novel animals and cells such as animals and cells suitable for use in the assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a subject having or at risk of a diabetes-related disorder. In a preferred embodiment, the method involves increasing the level or activity of Hypoxia Induced Factor 1 (HIF-1?) in pancreatic-?-cells or insulin-sensitive tissues in the subject by administering to the subject an inhibitor of a protein that decreases the level or activity of HIF-1?. The present invention also relates to a method of transplanting pancreatic islet cells in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a subject having or at risk of a diabetes-related disorder. In a preferred embodiment, the method involves increasing the level or activity of Hypoxia Induced Factor 1 (HIF-1 ?) in pancreatic-?-cells or insulin-sensitive tissues in the subject by administering to the subject an inhibitor of a protein that decreases the level or activity of HIF-1?. The present invention also relates to a method of transplanting pancreatic islet cells in a subject.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing an abnormality of glucose metabolism in a subject, the method comprising administering an antagonist of Inhibitor of Differentiation 1 (Id1) to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic animals having a reduced level of expression of peptide YY (PYY) and drug screening platforms using the transgenic animals for identifying agonists and antagonists of PYY. The present invention further provides monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically to full-length PYY[1-36] or the processed form thereof i.e., PYY[3-36] and to diagnostic and drug screening platforms using the monoclonal antibodies. The invention has particular utility for the diagnosis of a predisposition or risk of a subject becoming obese, developing one or more pathologies associated with obesity, or developing a disease/disorder of bone tissue.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a medical use of cucurbitane triterpenoids represented by the following formula and isolated from Momordica charantia L. of Cucurbitaceae family in the preparation of medications for prevention and treatment of diabetes and obesity. The above cucurbitane triterpenoids may be acted as a glucose uptake stimulator, an agonist for the translocation of glucose transporter 4(GLUT4) to the cell membrane, and an activator of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). They may have potential for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a subject having or at risk of a diabetes-related disorder. In a preferred embodiment, the method involves increasing the level or activity of Hypoxia Induced Factor 1 (HIF-1 ?) in pancreatic-?-cells or insulin-sensitive tissues in the subject by administering to the subject an inhibitor of a protein that decreases the level or activity of HIF-1?. The present invention also relates to a method of transplanting pancreatic islet cells in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic animals having a reduced level of expression of peptide YY (PYY) and drug screening platforms using the transgenic animals for identifying agonists and antagonists of PYY. The present invention further provides monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically to full-length PYY[1-36] or the processed form thereof i.e., PYY[3-36] and to diagnostic and drug screening platforms using the monoclonal antibodies. The invention has particular utility for the diagnosis of a predisposition or risk of a subject becoming obese, developing one or more pathologies associated with obesity, or developing a disease/disorder of bone tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosis and monitoring the efficacy of treatment of a cancer. More particularly, the methods of the invention comprise detecting an enhanced degree of chromatin modification within Chromosome 2 of the human genome from about map position 2q14.1 to about map position 2q14.3 in a sample derived from a subject. The methods include detecting an enhanced level of methylation, or detecting an enhanced level of modification of a histone positioned within the chromatin within the region of about 2q14.1 to 2q14.3 of Chromosome 2. The methods also include detecting a modulated level of expression of a gene within the region of about 2q14.1 to 2q14.3 of Chromosome 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel cell-based and animal-based assays for determining antagonists of PKC? and uses of the isolated antagonist compounds for modulating insulin clearance and secretion. The invention also provides novel animals and cells such as animals and cells suitable for use in the assays.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules which encode novel isoforms of the human Vitamin D receptor (hVDR) or variant transcripts for hVDR. These isolated polynucleotide molecules may be utilized in, for example, methods of screening compounds for VDR agonist and/or antagonist activities.

Abstract: The present invention provides several assay formats for determining the effect of compounds on one or more metabolism-associated phenotypes in a cell, tissue or animal. The assay formats are based upon the finding that the proto-oncogene Cbl is involved in modulating basal glucose uptake, metabolic rate, adipogenesis, muscle thermogenesis, mitochondrial structure and function, the ratio of lean muscle mass to body fat and feeding behavior.

Abstract: A novel human progestin-regulated gene designated EDD (E3 isolated by Differential Display) is disclosed which encodes a product exhibiting significant amino acid sequence identity with the HYD protein (hyperplastic discs) from Drosophila melanogaster and the 100 kDa HECT (homologous to E6-AP carboxyl terminus) domain protein from rat. The EDD gene appears to represent a tumour suppressor gene and the detection of a polymorphism or alteration in the gene from a subject may be useful for the diagnosis or determination of a predisposition to hyperproliferative disease such as a cancer. An assay for assessing progestin-responsiveness in a subject is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules which encode novel isoforms of the human Vitamin D receptor (hVDR) or variant transcripts for hVDR. These isolated polynucleotide molecules may be utilized in, for example, methods of screening compounds for VDR agonist and/or antagonist activities.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules encoding a novel neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor (designated NPY-Y7). These isolated polynucleotide molecules can be used to express the receptor in cells which can then be used to screen compounds for agonist and antagonist activity.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules encoding a novel neuropeptide GABA-B receptor (designated GABA-B). These isolated polynucleotide molecules can be used to express the receptor in cells which can then be used to screen compounds for agonist and antagonist activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides GPR56 genes and polypeptides encoded therefor. The GPR56 genes of the invention are expressed highly in malignant tissues and the invention also provides diagnostic processes for detecting cancer or malignant tumors in human subjects The diagnostic and prognostic test of the present invention is particularly useful for the early detection of ovarian cancer or metastases thereof and for monitoring the progress of disease, such as, for example, during remission or following surgery or chemotherapy. The GPR56 gene of the invention is also expressed in effector memory T cells, and the invention therefor provides methods of identifying and/or quantifying effector memory T cells, which methods are useful for determining the immune status of a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding novel PY peptides, and to isolated PY peptides and functionally equivalent fragments thereof. The PY peptides of the present invention may be useful in regulating central and peripheral nervous and endocrine systems.