Abstract: The present invention relates to citrate lyase polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules coding for such polypeptides. Citrate lyase is transcriptionally regulated in adipose tissue, suggesting involvement in a novel pathway in energy expenditure, downstream of fatty acid metabolism. This makes CitE an attractive drug target for treating and/or preventing diseases such as obesity. Accordingly, the invention refers to the novel mammalian CitE-polypeptide, as well as homologs and functionally equivalent variants thereof. Further, the invention refers to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the novel protein and to vectors for expressing the protein in various organisms. The invention also refers to methods for expressing the protein in said organisms and for purifying the protein upon overexpression. Moreover, the invention refers to a methods wherein CitE is used for screening for substances that affect the activity of CitE.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene encoding a G protein-coupled receptor termed nGPCR-1025; constructs and recombinant host cells incorporating the genes; the nGPCR-1025 polypeptides encoded by the gene; antibodies to the nGPCR-1025 polypeptides; and methods of making and using all of the foregoing.