Abstract: The present invention provides methods and therapeutic agents for lowering or increasing serum serotonin levels in a patient in order to increase or decrease bone mass, respectively. In preferred embodiments, the patient is known to have, or to be at risk for, a low bone mass disease such as osteoporosis and the agents are TPH1 inhibitors or serotonin receptor antagonists.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and therapeutic agents for lowering or increasing serum serotonin levels in a patient in order to increase or decrease bone mass, respectively. In preferred embodiments, the patient is known to have, or to be at risk for, a low bone mass disease such as osteoporosis and the agents are TPH1 inhibitors or serotonin receptor antagonists.

Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing diseases associated with low bone mass in a mammal in need of such treatment or prevention comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that increases tryptophan hydroxylase 2 activity or of an agonist of the brain serotonin HT2C receptor. Diseases associated with low bone mass include osteoporosis, osteopenia, Paget's disease, osteomalacia, and renal osteodystrophy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating and diagnosing disorders related to energy metabolism and the OST-PTP signaling pathway involving gamma-carboxylase, osteocalcin and adiponectin. Such disorders include, but are not limited to, metabolic syndrome, glucose intolerance, diabetes types 1 and 2, atherosclerosis and obesity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cell-based and non-cell based methods of drug screening to identify agents, or assay agents, that reduce OST-PTP or gamma-carboxylase activity or expression, or increase the level of undercarboxylated osteocalcin or adiponectin activity or expression. Such agents find use in treating or preventing a disorder related to the OST-PTP signaling pathway. Such disorders include, metabolic syndrome, glucose intolerance, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, or obesity. Such agents may be used to treat disorders characterized by decreased insulin production, deceased insulin sensitivity, and decreased glucose tolerance or increased fat mass.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to compositions and methods for treating or preventing bone diseases. In certain aspects, the invention provides compositions comprising a ?-adrenergic antagonist or agonist associated to a bone-targeted molecule, as well as methods of modulating bone mass and/or growth in a mammal by administering a composition of the present invention. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of modulating bone mass and/or growth in a mammal by administering a composition comprising a ?2-selective antagonist or agonist.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for treatment, diagnosis and prevention of bone disease and comprises methods including measurement and modulation of sympathetic tone and leptin activity. Alteration of sympathetic tone in bone disease can be accomplished by decreasing or increasing leptin synthesis, leptin receptor synthesis, leptin binding to the leptin receptor, and leptin receptor activity. Alteration of sympathetic tone in bone disease can also be accomplished in the foregoing manner, in combination with traditional sympathetic nervous system agonists and/or antagonists, such as, but not limited to, a dopamine ? hydroxylase antagonist or a ? adrenergic antagonist for treatment or prevention of osteoporosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method for treatment, diagnosis and prevention of bone disease and comprises methods including inhibiting or increasing leptin synthesis, leptin receptor synthesis, leptin binding to the leptin receptor, and leptin receptor activity. The invention also relates to screening assays to identify compounds that modulate leptin and/or leptin receptor activity. The invention further relates to gene therapy methods utilizing leptin and leptin-related sequences for the treatment and prevention of bone disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method for treatment, diagnosis and prevention of bone disease and comprises methods including inhibiting or increasing neuropeptide Y synthesis, neuropeptide Y receptor synthesis, neuropeptide Y binding to the neuropeptide Y receptor, and neuropeptide Y receptor activity. The invention also relates to screening assays to identify compounds that modulate neuropeptide Y and/or neuropeptide Y receptor activity. The invention further relates to gene therapy methods utilizing neuropeptide Y and neuropeptide Y-related sequences for the treatment and prevention of bone disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method for treatment, diagnosis and prevention of bone disease and comprises methods including inhibiting or increasing neuropeptide Y synthesis, neuropeptide Y receptor synthesis, neuropeptide Y binding to the neuropeptide Y receptor, and neuropeptide Y receptor activity. The invention also relates to screening assays to identify compounds that modulate neuropeptide Y and/or neuropeptide Y receptor activity. The invention further relates to gene therapy methods utilizing neuropeptide Y and neuropeptide Y-related sequences for the treatment and prevention of bone disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions comprising a novel osteoblast-specific transcription factor designated Osf2/Cbfa1. Also disclosed are nucleic acid segments encoding this polypeptide derived from human cell lines, and the use of these polynucleotides in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Methods, compositions, kits, and devices are also provided for identifying compounds which are inhibitors of osteoblast differentiation, and identifying Osf2/Cbfa1 polynucleotides and polypeptides in a sample. Also disclosed are nucleic acid compositions comprising an Osf2 promoter, and the use of the promoter in heterologous and homologous gene transcription and protein production.