abstract |
The present invention relates to the discovery of a gene and its sequence variation associated with preference for carbohydrates, other sweet compounds, or ethanol. The present invention also relates to the study of metabolic pathways to identify other genes, receptors, and relationships that contribute to differences in sensing of carbohydrates or ethanol. The present invention also relates to germline or somatic sequence variations and its use in the diagnosis and prognosis of predisposition to diabetes, other obesity related disorders, or ethanol consumption. The present invention also provided probes or primers specific for the detection and analysis of such sequence variation. The present invention also relates to method for screening drugs for inhibition or restoration of gene function as antidiabetic, antiobesity, or antialcohol consumption therapies. The present invention relates to other antidiabetic, antiobesity disorder, or antialcohol consumption therapies, such as gene therapy, protein replacement therapy, etc. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for identifying sweeteners or alcohols utilizing the gene and its variations. |