Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying a candidate agent for use in a medicament for diabetes or obesity said method comprising (i) providing a candidate inhibitor of PPM phosphatase, (ii) providing a first and a second sample comprising PPM phosphatase, (iii) contacting said candidate inhibitor with said first sample comprising PPM phosphatase, and (iv) assaying said first and second samples for PPM phosphatase activity, wherein said PPM phosphatase is selected from the group consisting of PPM1E, PPM1F, PPM1J, PPM1K, PPM1L and PPM1M, wherein if the PPM phosphatase activity is lower in said first sample than in said second sample then said candidate inhibitor is identified as a candidate agent for use in a medicament for diabetes or obesity, preferably type II diabetes. The invention also relates to the use of metformin and phenformin as inhibitors of PPM phosphatases.

Abstract: A method of identifying a compound which modulates the interaction between a PP1c and a regulatory subunit thereof, the method comprising determining whether a compound enhances or disrupts the interaction between (a) a PP1c or a fragment, variant, derivative or fusion thereof or a fusion of a fragment, variant or derivative and (b) a regulatory subunit which is able to bind to PP1c or a PP1c-binding fragment, variant, derivative or fusion of the subunit or a fusion of the fragment, variant or derivative. A method of affecting cellular metabolism or function, the method comprising administering to a cell (a) a compound which modulates the interaction between a PP1c and a regulatory subunit thereof or (b) a compound which mimics the effect of a regulatory subunit of PP1c or (c) a peptide capable of binding a PP1c and which affects the ability of PP1c to bind to a particular target and/or affects the regulation of PP1c activity, or a functional equivalent thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds useful for treating disorders associated with abnormal blood glucose levels in mammals, such as Type I and Type II diabetes. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such compounds.