Abstract: This invention relates to the use of nucleic acid sequences of the MAP kinase-interacting kinase (Mnk) gene family and amino acid sequences encoded thereby, and to using these sequences or effectors of Mnk nucleic acids or polypeptides, particularly Mnk kinase inhibitors and activators, in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders related to body-weight regulation and thermogenesis. One aspect of the disclosure encompasses methods of identifying an animal or human having an elevated probability of having or developing a pancreatic malfunction, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a biological sample from an animal or human subject; and (b) determining from the biological sample whether the subject has a genetic variant of an Mnk2 and/or Mnk1 gene or a homolog thereof, or an expression product of said Mnk2 and/or Mnk1 gene or homolog thereof, wherein said genetic variant is associated with an elevated probability of having or developing a pancreatic malfunction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses Mnk homologous proteins regulating the energy homeostasis, the metabolism of triglycerides, and/or is contributing to membrane stability and/or function of organelles, and polynucleotides, which identify and encode the proteins disclosed in this invention. The invention also relates to the use of these sequences in the diagnosis, study, prevention, and treatment of diseases and disorders related to body-weight regulation and thermogenesis, for example, but not limited to, metabolic diseases such as obesity, as well as related disorders such as eating disorder, cachexia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, gallstones, and sleep apnea, and disorders related to ROS defence, such as diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer, e.g. cancers of the reproductive organs, and others.

Abstract: The present invention discloses three novel proteins regulating the energy homeostasis and the metabolism of triglycerides, and polynucleotides, which identify and encode the proteins disclosed in this invention. The invention also relates to vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention. The invention also relates to the use of these sequences in the diagnosis, study, prevention, and treatment of diseases and disorders related to body-weight regulation, for example, but not limited to, metabolic diseases such as obesity, as well as related disorders such as adipositas, eating disorders, wasting syndromes (cachexia), pancreatic dysfunctions (such as diabetes mellitus), hypertension, pancreatic dysfunctions, arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, gallstones, cancer, e.g. cancers of the reproductive organs, sleep apnea, and others.