Abstract: The present invention is directed to the human and murine K203 protein and gene and to K203 binding compounds. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical and diagnostic composition for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer as well as to a method for the diagnosis of cancer and a method of treating same.

Abstract: Splice variants of a human “TUB” antisense gene have been discovered, which overlap with human TUB and murine “tub” in antisense orientation. The overlapping portions suggest a regulatory/attenuation effect, due to RNA-RNA-interaction. These findings demonstrate that these TUB antisense constructs can regulate weight disorders, such as obesity, and progressive sensorineural degeneration phenotypes of the central nervous system. Accordingly, the invention provides therapeutic methods utilizing these constructs, as well as methods for identifying compounds that can therapeutically treat weight disorders.