Abstract: Adenoviral serotypes differ in their natural tropism. The various serotypes of adenovirus have been found to differ in at least their capsid proteins (e.g., penton-base and hexon proteins), proteins responsible for cell binding (e.g, fiber proteins), and proteins involved in adenovirus replication. This difference in tropism and capsid proteins among serotypes has led to the many research efforts aimed at redirecting the adenovirus tropism by modification of the capsid proteins. The present invention bypasses such requirement for capsid protein modification as it presents a recombinant, replication-defective adenovirus of serotype 24, a rare adenoviral serotype, and methods for generating the alternative, recombinant adenovirus. Additionally, means of employing the recombinant adenovirus for the delivery and expression of exogenous genes are provided.

Abstract: Various methods for propagating and rescuing multiple serotypes of replication-defective adenovirus in a single adenoviral E1-complementing cell line are disclosed. Typically, replication-defective adenovirus vectors propagate only in cell lines which express E1 proteins of the same serotype or subgroup as the vector. The disclosed methods offer the ability to propagate vectors derived from multiple adenoviral serotypes in a single production cell line which expresses E1 proteins from a single serotype. Propagation in this manner is accomplished by providing all or a portion of an E4 region in cis within the genome of the replication-defective adenovirus. The added E4 region or portion thereof is cloned from a virus of the same or highly similar serotype as that of the E1 gene product(s) of the complementing cell line. Interaction between the expressed E1 of the cell line and the heterologous E4 of the replication-defective adenoviral vectors enables their propagation and rescue.

Abstract: Gene therapy can treat obesity in mammals. An obesity regulating gene is delivered to a mammal. Preferably, the gene encodes leptin or a leptin receptor. The protein which is delivered and expressed in vivo is more effective than protein which is injected into the animal.

Abstract: Gene therapy can treat obesity in mammals. An obesity regulating gene is delivered to a mammal. Preferably, the gene encodes leptin or a leptin receptor. The protein which is delivered and expressed in vivo is more effective than protein which is injected into the animal.

Abstract: Adenoviral vectors are used to transfer a promoter/reporter gene construct to mammalian cell cultures. The promoter/reporter gene construct is used to determine if a candidate inducing agent has promoter-inducing activity; or can be used to determine if a candidate promoter has activity in the presence of a known inducer.

Abstract: Gene therapy can treat obesity in mammals. An adenoviral vector encoding a leptin gene is delivered intravenously to a mammal with a deficiency in functional leptin to decrease weight, decrease serum insulin levels or decrease serum glucose levels.