Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of modulating the functional activity of a serum amyloid A or derivative, homologue, analogue, equivalent or mimetic thereof and, more particularly, to a method of modulating the functional activity of a serum amyloid A by modulating intracellular levels of Tanis or derivative, homologue, analogue, chemical equivalent or mimetic thereof. The method of the present invention is particularly useful, inter alia, in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of conditions characterised by aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate serum amyloid A activity. The present invention is further directed to methods for identifying and/or designing agents capable of modulating Tanis mediated regulation of a serum amyloid A functional activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins associated with the modulation of obesity, diabetes and/or metabolic energy levels. More particularly, the present invention is directed to nucleic acid molecules and the recombinant and purified proteins encoded thereby and their use in therapeutic and diagnostic protocols for conditions such as obesity, diabetes and energy imbalance. The subject nucleic acid molecules and proteins and their derivatives, homologs, analogs, chemical equivalents and mimetics are proposed as therapeutic and diagnostic agents for obesity, diabetes and energy imbalance.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a ligand for a protein associated with modulating obesity, diabetes and metabolic energy levels in animals and humans and to genetic sequences encoding the ligand. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a ligand of the protein “beacon” and its homologues. The identification of the ligand molecule permits the development of a range of therapeutic and diagnostic protocols for obesity, diabetes and energy imbalance.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins associated with the modulation of obesity, diabetes and/or metabolic energy levels. More particularly, the present invention is directed to nucleic acid molecules and the recombinant and purified proteins encoded thereby and their use in therapeutic and diagnostic protocols for conditions such as obesity, diabetes and energy imbalance. The subject nucleic acid molecules and proteins and their derivatives, homologs, analogs, chemical equivalents and mimetics are proposed as therapeutic and diagnostic agents for obesity, diabetes and energy imbalance.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid molecule which is expressed in at least the stomach, hypothalamus or liver identified using differential display techniques under differing physiological conditions. It is proposed that the nucleic acid molecules encode expression products associated with the modulation of obesity, anorexia, weight maintenance, diabetes and/or metabolic energy levels. More particularly, the present invention is directed to nucleic acid molecules and expression products produced by recombinant means from the nucleic acid molecule or isolated from natural sources and their use in therapeutic and diagnostic protocols for conditions such as obesity, anorexia, weight maintenance, diabetes and/or energy imbalance.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nucleic acid molecules expressed at least in the hypothalamus, liver or pancreas identified using differential display techniques under differing physiological conditions. The nucleic acid molecules are associated with or act as markers for conditions of a healthy state, obesity, anorexia, weight maintenance, diabetes and/or metabolic energy levels. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a nucleic acid molecule and/or its expression product for use in therapeutic and diagnostic protocols for conditions such as obesity, anorexia, weight maintenance, diabetes and energy imbalance. The subject nucleic acid molecule and expression product and their derivatives, homologs, analogs and mimetics are proposed to be useful, therefore, as therapeutic and diagnostic agents for obesity, anorexia, weight maintenance, diabetes and energy imbalance or as targets for the design and/or identification of modulators of their activity and/or function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of assessing the propensity of a plant, if consumed, to contribute to the onset and/or progression of diabetes in a mammal and, more particularly, to a method of assessing the propensity of a tuberous vegetable, if consumed, to contribute to the onset and/or progression of diabetes in a mammal. The method of the present invention is useful, inter alia, for identifying mammals at risk of developing diabetes based on dietary intake. The present invention is further directed to methods of assessing the risk status of an individual for development of diabetes. The present invention still further provides methods for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a protein associated with the modulation of obesity, diabetes and metabolic energy levels. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a nucleic and a recombinant and purified naturally occurring protein encoded thereby and their uses in therapeutic and diagnostic protocols for conditions such as obesity, diabetes and energy imbalance. The subject nucleic acid molecule and protein and their derivatives, homologues, analogues and mimetics are proposed as therapeutic and diagnostic agents for obesity, diabetes and energy imbalance.

Abstract: A peptide of the formula (Xaa)n1-Xaa1-His-Thr-Asp(Xaa)n2, wherein Xaa is any amino acid; Xaa1 is a hydrophobic amino acid, preferably Gly or Val; n1 is 0-10; and n2 is 0-10; and use thereof in regulating in vivo blood glucose levels in a human or other mammal, particularly in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in a human. Preferably, the peptide is a tetrapeptide selected from Gly-His-Thr-Asp and Val-His-Thr-Asp. These hypoglycaemic peptides are isolated from human urine and they also have been chemically synthesized.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of modulating the functional activity of a serum amyloid A or derivative, homologue, analogue, equivalent or mimetic thereof and, more particularly, to a method of modulating the functional activity of a serum amyloid A by modulating intracellular levels of Tanis or derivative, homologue, analogue, chemical equivalent or mimetic thereof. The method of the present invention is particularly useful, inter alia, in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of conditions characterised by aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate serum amyloid A activity. The present invention is further directed to methods for identifying and/or designing agents capable of modulating Tanis mediated regulation of a serum amyloid A functional activity.