abstract |
The present invention relates, in general, to a protein linked to cell respiration, thermogenesis, obesity and hyperinsulinemia and, in particular, to a protein designated uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) and to nucleic acid sequences encoding same. The invention also relates to diagnostic methodologies based, for example, on a determination of levels of UCP2 expression. Further, the invention relates to therapies involving modulating UCP2 expression and/or activity. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of screening compounds for their suitability for use in such therapies. |