Abstract: An antiobesity agent, an antidiabetic agent, and/or a hypolipidemic agent comprising an angiopoietin-related growth factor (AGF) or a polynucleotide encoding the same as an active ingredient a polypeptide are disclosed. Further, a functional food or a health food for alleviating obesity, diabetes, and/or hyperlipemia, comprising the AGF as an active ingredient is disclosed. Furthermore, a method for treating or preventing obesity, diabetes, and/or hyperlipemia, comprising administering to a subject the AGF or a polynucleotide encoding the same is disclosed. Furthermore, use of the AGF or a polynucleotide encoding the same in the manufacture of an antiobesity agent, an antidiabetic agent, and/or a hypolipidemic agent is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of screening for an antiobesity agent, an antidiabetic agent, and/or a hypolipidemic agent, comprising the step of analyzing whether or not a substance to be tested promotes an expression and/or a function of an angiopoietin-related growth factor. The present invention relates to a method of screening for an agent for promoting an expression and/or a function of an angiopoietin-related growth factor.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding this polypeptide, an expression vector comprising this polynucleotide, a cell transfected with the expression vector, and a pharmaceutical composition for promoting type II collagen production, a pharmaceutical composition for promoting aggrecan production, and a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing osteoarthritis comprising the above polypeptide as an active ingredient are disclosed. The polypeptide exhibits an activity of promoting type II collagen production and/or an activity of promoting aggrecan production.

Abstract: A promoter for an angiopoietin-related growth factor (AGF), a vector comprising the promoter, a transformant comprising the promoter, and a method for screening an antiobesity agent, an antidiabetic agent, and/or a hypolipidemic agent by using the transformant, are disclosed. Further, an AGF knockout animal useful as an animal model for obesity, diabetes, and/or hyperlipemia is disclosed. Furthermore, an AGF transgenic animal useful for identification of a target molecule in a new drug development and/or a therapeutic agent for obesity, diabetes, and/or hyperlipemia is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding this polypeptide, a expression vector comprising this polynucleotide, a cell transfected with the expression vector, and a pharmaceutical composition for promoting type II collagen production, a pharmaceutical composition for promoting aggrecan production, and a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing osteoarthritis comprising the above polypeptide as an active ingredient are disclosed.