Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions that relate to increasing or decreasing the weight (including, for example, by increasing or decreasing the adipose mass) in individuals in need thereof. Such methods and compositions, in particular embodiments, concern providing an effective amount of the hormone asprosin to increase adipose mass in an individual with insufficient adipose mass and providing an antibody or inhibitor of asprosin in an individual with obesity or diabetes, for example, to reduce adipose mass.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions that relate to increasing or decreasing the weight (including, for example, by increasing or decreasing the adipose mass) in individuals in need thereof. Such methods and compositions, in particular embodiments, concern providing an effective amount of the hormone asprosin to increase adipose mass in an individual with insufficient adipose mass and providing an antibody or inhibitor of asprosin in an individual with obesity or diabetes, for example, to reduce adipose mass.

Abstract: An energy storage system may include an internal battery. Further, the energy storage system may include a motor electrically coupled to the internal battery. Further, the energy storage system may include an alternator rotatably coupled with the motor. Further, the energy storage system may include a primary battery electrically coupled to the alternator. Further, the energy storage system may include a voltage sensor configured for sensing a voltage level of the primary battery. Further, the energy storage system may include a switching device electrically coupled to each of the internal battery and the motor; and, may be configured for controlling electrical connectivity between the internal battery and the motor based on the voltage level of the primary battery. Further, the energy storage system may include an electrical interconnect electrically coupled to one or more of the internal battery, the alternator and the primary battery.

Abstract: An energy storage system may include an internal battery. Further, the energy storage system may include a motor electrically coupled to the internal battery. Further, the energy storage system may include an alternator rotatably coupled with the motor. Further, the energy storage system may include a primary battery electrically coupled to the alternator. Further, the energy storage system may include a voltage sensor configured for sensing a voltage level of the primary battery. Further, the energy storage system may include a switching device electrically coupled to each of the internal battery and the motor; and, may be configured for controlling electrical connectivity between the internal battery and the motor based on the voltage level of the primary battery. Further, the energy storage system may include an electrical interconnect electrically coupled to one or more of the internal battery, the alternator and the primary battery.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions that relate to increasing or decreasing the weight (including, for example, by increasing or decreasing the adipose mass) in individuals in need thereof. Such methods and compositions, in particular embodiments, concern providing an effective amount of the hormone asprosin to increase adipose mass in an individual with insufficient adipose mass and providing an antibody or inhibitor of asprosin in an individual with obesity or diabetes, for example, to reduce adipose mass.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions that relate to increasing or decreasing the weight (including, for example, by increasing or decreasing the adipose mass) in individuals in need thereof. Such methods and compositions, in particular embodiments, concern providing an effective amount of the hormone asprosin to increase adipose mass in an individual with insufficient adipose mass and providing an antibody or inhibitor of asprosin in an individual with obesity or diabetes, for example, to reduce adipose mass.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions that relate to increasing or decreasing the weight (including, for example, by increasing or decreasing the adipose mass) in individuals in need thereof. Such methods and compositions, in particular embodiments, concern providing an effective amount of the hormone asprosin to increase adipose mass in an individual with insufficient adipose mass and providing an antibody or inhibitor of asprosin in an individual with obesity or diabetes, for example, to reduce adipose mass.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions that relate to increasing or decreasing the weight (including, for example, by increasing or decreasing the adipose mass) in individuals in need thereof. Such methods and compositions, in particular embodiments, concern providing an effective amount of the hormone asprosin to increase adipose mass in an individual with insufficient adipose mass and providing an antibody or inhibitor of asprosin in an individual with obesity or diabetes, for example, to reduce adipose mass.

Abstract: We have discovered that phospholipids diundecanoyl (C11:0-C11:0) and dilauroyl (C12:0-C12:0) phosphatidylcholine (PC) act as agonists of the LRH-1 receptor. We have also shown that administration of these lipids to diabetic mice reduces blood glucose levels. On the basis of these discoveries, the present invention features compositions that include these lipids and structurally related lipids. Also featured are methods of treating metabolic disorders and inflammatory bowel disease, lowering blood glucose levels, and increasing LRH-1 receptor activity in a subject by administration of these lipids.

Abstract: We have discovered that phospholipids diundecanoyl (C11:0-C11:0) and dilauroyl (C12:0-C12:0) phosphatidylcholine (PC) act as agonists of the LRH-1 receptor. We have also shown that administration of these lipids to diabetic mice reduces blood glucose levels. On the basis of these discoveries, the present invention features compositions that include these lipids and structurally related lipids. Also featured are methods of treating metabolic disorders and inflammatory bowel disease, lowering blood glucose levels, and increasing LRH-1 receptor activity in a subject by administration of these lipids.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice having reduced CAR receptor activity and mice expressing a human CAR receptor. These mice are useful in screening methods to identify compounds that modulate CAR receptor activity, compounds likely to have CAR-mediated toxicity, and analogs of these compounds with less potential toxicity.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice having reduced CAR receptor activity and mice expressing a human CAR receptor. These mice are useful in screening methods to identify CAR ligands, including compounds that modulate CAR receptor activity, compounds likely to have CAR-mediated toxicity, and analogs of these compounds with less potential toxicity.

Abstract: Purified DNA encoding CAR receptors and the recombinant proteins expressed from such DNA are disclosed. The recombinant receptor polypeptides are used to identify CAR ligands and CAR receptor binding sites and are also used to produce therapeutics. Antibodies specific for CAR receptor polypeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice having reduced CAR receptor activity and mice expressing a human CAR receptor. These mice are useful in screening methods to identify compounds that modulate CAR receptor activity, compounds likely to have CAR-mediated toxicity, and analogs of these compounds with less potential toxicity.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice having reduced CAR receptor activity and mice expressing a human CAR receptor. These mice are useful in screening methods to identify CAR ligands, including compounds that modulate CAR receptor activity, compounds likely to have CAR-mediated toxicity, and analogs of these compounds with less potential toxicity.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice having reduced CAR receptor activity and mice expressing a human CAR receptor. These mice are useful in screening methods to identify compounds that modulate CAR receptor activity, compounds likely to have CAR-mediated toxicity, and analogs of these compounds with less potential toxicity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining whether a test protein is capable of interacting with a nuclear hormone receptor protein. The method involves: (a) providing a host cell which contains (i) a reporter gene operably linked to a protein binding site; (ii) a first fusion gene which expresses a first fusion protein, the first fusion protein including a nuclear hormone receptor protein covalently bonded to a binding moiety which is capable of specifically binding to the protein binding site; and (iii) a second fusion gene which expresses a second fusion protein, the second fusion protein including the test protein covalently bonded to a weak gene activating moiety; and (b) determining whether the test protein increases expression of the reporter gene as an indication of its ability to interact with the nuclear hormone receptor protein. Such an interaction may be hormone dependent, hormone independnet, or hormone sensitive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining whether a test protein is capable of interacting with a nuclear hormone receptor protein. The method involves: (a) providing a host cell which contains (i) a reporter gene operably linked to a protein binding site; (ii) a first fusion gene which expresses a first fusion protein, the first fusion protein including a nuclear hormone receptor protein covalently bonded to a binding moiety which is capable of specifically binding to the protein binding site; and (iii) a second fusion gene which expresses a second fusion protein, the second fusion protein including the test protein covalently bonded to a weak gene activating moiety; and (b) determining whether the test protein increases expression of the reporter gene as an indication of its ability to interact with the nuclear hormone receptor protein. Such an interaction may be hormone dependent, hormone independent, or hormone sensitive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining whether a test protein is capable of interacting with a nuclear hormone receptor protein. The method involves: (a) providing a host cell which contains (i) a reporter gene operably linked to a protein binding site; (ii) a first fusion gene which expresses a first fusion protein, the first fusion protein including a nuclear hormone receptor protein covalently bonded to a binding moiety which is capable of specifically binding to the protein binding site; and (iii) a second fusion gene which expresses a second fusion protein, the second fusion protein including the test protein covalently bonded to a weak gene activating moiety; and (b) determining whether the test protein increases expression of the reporter gene as an indication of its ability to interact with the nuclear hormone receptor protein. Such an interaction may be hormone dependent, hormone independent, or hormone sensitive.

Abstract: Purified DNA encoding a Constitutive Activator of Retinoid acid response (CAR) receptors and the recombinant proteins expressed from such DNA are disclosed. The recombinant receptor polypeptides are members of the nuclear hormone receptor super family and are used to identify CAR ligands and CAR receptor binding sites and are also used to produce therapeutics. Antibodies specific for CAR receptor polypeptides are also disclosed.