| abstract |
Disclosed herein are peptides comprising a leptin sequence and methods for their use in preventing ObR signaling in a leptin-responsive cell. A leptin peptide of the present invention binds to but does not activate ObR signaling in a leptin-responsive cell, thereby inhibiting the up-regulatory effects of leptin on ObR signaling in the leptin-responsive cell. Administration of the peptide effectively prevents embryo implantation in a mammal to which the peptide has been administered. Also disclosed herein is a method for identifying a peptide antagonist of ObR, wherein the peptide comprises a leptin sequence. |