| abstract |
The present invention relates to the high bone mass (HBM) gene, the corresponding wild-type gene (Zmax1), and mutants thereof. The genes identified in the present invention are implicated in regulation of physiological lipid levels, and thereby lipid-mediated diseases and conditions. The invention also provides nucleic acids, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, proteins, cloning vectors, expression vectors, transformed hosts, methods of developing pharmaceutical compositions, methods of identifying molecules involved in lipid level regulation in a subject. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for treating and preventing atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis cardiovascular disease, atherosclerotic and arteriosclerotic associated conditions. |