Abstract: The invention relates to small edible portions (i.e., bite-sized snacks) comprising a soft nut butter inner core coated with a crunchy grain-based outer coating. The bite-sized snacks have an equivalent spherical diameter of about 1 to 3 cm. Texture analysis of the bite-sized snacks determines that the bite-sized snacks have a soft texture with an average peak force in the range of about 800-5,000 g and an average positive area in the range of about 2,000-15,000 g*sec. The bite-sized snacks unexpected have both a soft and crunchy texture and are surprisingly shelf stable.

Abstract: The invention relates to small edible portions (i.e., bite-sized snacks) comprising a soft nut butter inner core coated with a crunchy grain-based outer coating. The bite-sized snacks have an equivalent spherical diameter of about 1 to 3 cm. Texture analysis of the bite-sized snacks determines that the bite-sized snacks have a soft texture with an average peak force in the range of about 800-5,000 g and an average positive area in the range of about 2,000-15,000 g*sec. The bite-sized snacks unexpected have both a soft and crunchy texture and are surprisingly shelf stable.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing normal melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) activity, and to enhancing activity of an MC4R having a mutation which affects protein folding and/or processing of the MC4R. The invention provides a method of treating an individual having a condition in which increased activity of an MC4R at the cell surface would be beneficial, for example in obesity, by administering an effective amount of a pharmacological chaperone for the MC4R. The invention provides MC4R pharmacological chaperones which enhance the activity of MC4R. The invention further provides a method of screening to identify pharmacological chaperones which enhance folding of an MC4R in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in order to enhance the activity of the MC4R at the cell surface.

Abstract: There are provided herein transgenic non-human animals and cells comprising a transgene encoding either a mutated human melanocortin type-4 receptor (hMC4R) protein, wherein the mutated protein is misfolded and retained intracellularly, or a wild-type human melanocortin type-4 receptor (hMC4R) protein. Transgenes and targeting constructs used to produce such transgenic animals and cells are also provided, as well as methods for using the transgenic animals in pharmaceutical screening and as commercial research animals for modeling obesity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compound of Formula I: wherein X, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to allow the drug to penetrate the cell membrane; or a prodrug, or the compound is labeled with a detectable label or an affinity tag thereof. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition, a method of treating a disorder mediated by melanocortin-4 receptors, and a method of treating obesity using the compounds described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of Formula I: or a salt thereof, in which X, X1, X2, R1, R2, and R3 are described herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the compounds of Formula I to treat disorders mediated by melanocortin-4 receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing normal melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) activity, and to enhancing activity of an MC4R having a mutation which affects protein folding and/or processing of the MC4R. The invention provides a method of treating an individual having a condition in which increased activity of an MC4R at the cell surface would be beneficial, for example in obesity, by administering an effective amount of a pharmacological chaperone for the MC4R. The invention provides MC4R pharmacological chaperones which enhance the activity of MC4R. The invention further provides a method of screening to identify pharmacological chaperones which enhance folding of an MC4R in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in order to enhance the activity of the MC4R at the cell surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing normal melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) activity, and to enhancing activity of an MC4R having a mutation which affects protein folding and/or processing of the MC4R. The invention provides a method of treating an individual having a condition in which increased activity of an MC4R at the cell surface would be beneficial, for example in obesity, by administering an effective amount of a pharmacological chaperone for the MC4R. The invention provides MC4R pharmacological chaperones which enhance the activity of MC4R. The invention further provides a method of screening to identify pharmacological chaperones which enhance folding of an MC4R in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in order to enhance the activity of the MC4R at the cell surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compound of Formula I: wherein X, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to allow the drug to penetrate the cell membrane; or a prodrug, or the compound is labeled with a detectable label or an affinity tag thereof. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition, a method of treating a disorder mediated by melanocortin-4 receptors, and a method of treating obesity using the compounds described.

Abstract: There are provided herein transgenic non-human animals and cells comprising a transgene encoding either a mutated human melanocortin type-4 receptor (hMC4R) protein, wherein the mutated protein is misfolded and retained intracellularly, or a wild-type human melanocortin type-4 receptor (hMC4R) protein. Transgenes and targeting constructs used to produce such transgenic animals and cells are also provided, as well as methods for using the transgenic animals in pharmaceutical screening and as commercial research animals for modeling obesity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compound of Formula I: wherein X, R1, R2, and R3 are as defend herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to allow the drug to penetrate the cell membrane; or a prodrug, or the compound is labeled with a detectable label or an affinity tag thereof. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition, a method of treating a disorder mediated by melanocortin-4 receptors, and a method of treating obesity using the compounds described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compound of Formula I: wherein X, R1, R2, and R3 are as defend herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to allow the drug to penetrate the cell membrane; or a prodrug, or the compound is labeled with a detectable label or an affinity tag thereof. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition, a method of treating a disorder mediated by melanocortin-4 receptors, and a method of treating obesity using the compounds described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of Formula I or a salt thereof, in which X, X1, X2, R1, R2, and R3 are described herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the compounds of Formula I to treat disorders mediated by melanocortin-4 receptors.