Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; methods of reducing the incidence of complications associated with HCV and cirrhosis of the liver; and methods of reducing viral load, or reducing the time to viral clearance, or reducing morbidity or mortality in the clinical outcomes, in patients suffering from HCV infection. Also provided are methods of treating liver steatosis and liver fibrosis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or a combination of these conditions. The methods include selecting a subject with obesity, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes and administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a compound that specifically inhibits hepatic protein kinase C (PKC)-?, thereby treating the obesity, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes in the subject. In some embodiments the compound that specifically inhibits hepatic PKC-? includes a thio-gold compound (such as aurothiomalate, aurothioglucose, and auranofin) or a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In other embodiments, the compound that specifically inhibits hepatic PKC-? includes 1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide, 5-amino-1-[2,3-dihydroxy-4-[(phosphonooxy)methyl]cyclopentyl]-[1R-(1?,2?,3?,4?)] (ICAPP) or a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of a set of genes that are involved in lipid-droplet formation and regulation. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods of increasing or decreasing lipid concentrations in eukaryotic cells by decreasing or increasing expression of one of these genes. Increased lipid concentrations may be useful, for example, in the generation of biofuels. Decreased lipid concentration may be useful in the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive lipid storage. In addition, the invention provides methods of identifying markers of diseases characterized by excessive lipid storage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or a combination of these conditions. The methods include selecting a subject with obesity, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes and administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a compound that specifically inhibits hepatic protein kinase C (PKC)-?, thereby treating the obesity, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes in the subject. In some embodiments the compound that specifically inhibits hepatic PKC-? includes a thio-gold compound (such as aurothiomalate, aurothioglucose, and auranofin) or a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In other embodiments, the compound that specifically inhibits hepatic PKC-? includes 1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide, 5-amino-1-[2,3-dihydroxy-4-[(phosphonooxy)methyl]cyclopentyl]-[1R-(1?,2?,3?,4?)] (ICAPP) or a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; methods of reducing the incidence of complications associated with HCV and cirrhosis of the liver; and methods of reducing viral load, or reducing the time to viral clearance, or reducing morbidity or mortality in the clinical outcomes, in patients suffering from HCV infection. Also provided are methods of treating liver steatosis and liver fibrosis.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding mammalian DGAT2? polypeptide products with diglyceride acyltransferase activity, as well as the mammalian DGAT2? polypeptide products encoded thereby and methods for producing the same, are provided. The subject DGAT2? polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including research, diagnostic, and therapeutic agent screening applications, as well as in treatment therapies and in the production of triacylglycerols.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating carbohydrate metabolism in a host are provided. In the subject methods, diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) activity (specifically DGAT1 activity) is modulated, e.g., reduced or enhanced, to achieve a desired insulin and/or leptin sensitivity, thereby modulating carbohydrate metabolism, e.g., increasing or decreasing blood glucose levels, glucose uptake into cells and assimilation into glycogen. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications, including the treatment of hosts suffering conditions associated with abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, such as obesity or diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of a set of genes that are involved in lipid-droplet formation and regulation. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods of increasing or decreasing lipid concentrations in eukaryotic cells by decreasing or increasing expression of one of these genes. Increased lipid concentrations may be useful, for example, in the generation of biofuels. Decreased lipid concentration may be useful in the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive lipid storage. In addition, the invention provides methods of identifying markers of diseases characterized by excessive lipid storage.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding novel ACAT proteins, as well as the novel ACAT-2 proteins, (ACAT-2) are provided. Also provided are methods of producing the subject nucleic acid and protein compositions. The subject polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including diagnostic and therapeutic agent screening applications, as well as in treatment therapies for disease conditions associated with ACAT-2 activity, e.g., in the treatment of gall stones.

Abstract: The invention provides gene-targeted non-human animals comprising a genetically modified apoE gene encodes a recombinant apoE polypeptide displaying domain interaction. The invention further provides cells isolated from the gene-targeted animals, which cells produce a recombinant apoE polypeptide displaying domain interaction. The invention further provides methods of identifying agents that reduce apoE4 domain interaction, and which are useful to treat apoE4-related neurological and cardiovascular disorders.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding polypeptide products with diglyceride acyltransferase and/or monoacylglycerol acyltransferase activity, as well as the polypeptide products encoded thereby, i.e., mammalian DGAT2? and MGAT1 polypeptide products, and methods for producing the same, are provided. Also provided are: methods and compositions for modulating DGAT2? and MGAT1 activity; DGAT2? and MGAT1 transgenic cells, animals and plants, as well as methods for their preparation; and methods for making diglyceride, diglyceride compositions, triglycerides and triglyceride compositions, as well as the compositions produced by these methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including research, medicine, agriculture and industry applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated an polynucleotide comprising a polymorphic nucleotide sequence from a diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) gene, wherein at least one a polymorphism is associated with a condition relating to DGAT activity. The invention further provides diagnostic assays for detecting the presence in a nucleic acid sample of a polymorphism in a DGAT gene that is associated with a condition relating to DGAT activity, and for detecting a propensity to develop a condition associated with DGAT activity. The invention further provides treatment methods.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding novel ACAT proteins, as well as the novel ACAT-2 proteins, (ACAT-2) are provided. Also provided are methods of producing the subject nucleic acid and protein compositions. The subject polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including diagnostic and therapeutic agent screening applications, as well as in treatment therapies for disease conditions associated with ACAT-2 activity, e.g., in the treatment of gall stones.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding novel ACAT proteins, as well as the novel ACAT-2 proteins, (ACAT-2) are provided. Also provided are methods of producing the subject nucleic acid and protein compositions. The subject polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including diagnostic and therapeutic agent screening applications, as well as in treatment therapies for disease conditions associated with ACAT-2 activity, e.g., in the treatment of gall stones.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding polypeptide products with diglyceride acyltransferase activity, as well as the polypeptide products encoded thereby and methods for producing the same, are provided. The subject polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including research, diagnostic, and therapeutic agent screening applications, as well as in treatment therapies and in the production of triacylglycerols.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding mammalian DGAT2&agr; polypeptide products with diglyceride acyltransferase activity, as well as the mammalian DGAT2&agr; polypeptide products encoded thereby and methods for producing the same, are provided. The subject DGAT2&agr; polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including research, diagnostic, and therapeutic agent screening applications, as well as in treatment therapies and in the production of triacylglycerols.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding polypeptide products with diglyceride acyltransferase activity, as well as the polypeptide products encoded thereby and methods for producing the same, are provided. The subject polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of applications, including research, diagnostic, and therapeutic agent screening applications, as well as in treatment therapies and in the production of triacylglycerols.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding polypeptide products with diglyceride acyltransferase and/or monoacylglycerol acyltransferase activity, as well as the polypeptide products encoded thereby, i.e., mammalian DGAT2&agr;, MGAT1, or MGAT2 polypeptide products, and methods for producing the same, are provided. Also provided are: methods and compositions for modulating DGAT2&agr;, MGAT1, or MGAT2 activity; DGAT2&agr;, MGAT1, or MGAT2 transgenic cells, animals and plants, as well as methods for their preparation; and methods for making diglyceride, diglyceride compositions, triglycerides and triglyceride compositions, as well as the compositions produced by these methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including research, medicine, agriculture and industry applications.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating carbohydrate metabolism in a host are provided. In the subject methods, diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) activity (specifically DGAT1 activity) is modulated, e.g., reduced or enhanced, to achieve a desired insulin and/or leptin sensitivity, thereby modulating carbohydrate metabolism, e.g., increasing or decreasing blood glucose levels, glucose uptake into cells and assimilation into glycogen. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications, including the treatment of hosts suffering conditions associated with abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, such as obesity or diabetes.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding polypeptide products with diglyceride acyltransferase and/or monoacylglycerol acyltransferase activity, as well as the polypeptide products encoded thereby, i.e., mammalian DGAT2&agr; and MGAT1 polypeptide products, and methods for producing the same, are provided. Also provided are: methods and compositions for modulating DGAT2&agr; and MGAT1 activity; DGAT2&agr; and MGAT1 transgenic cells, animals and plants, as well as methods for their preparation; and methods for making diglyceride, diglyceride compositions, triglycerides and triglyceride compositions, as well as the compositions produced by these methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including research, medicine, agriculture and industry applications.