Target Identification of Proteins and Peptides Capable of Recruitment of Brown Ad

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and plays a major role in the development of type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. While most weight loss agents rely on suppressing appetite toreduce caloric intake, strategies that can safely enhance metabolic rate, a previously unrealized approach to weight loss or weight maintenance, have potential to effectively treat obesity. Brown adipocytes have an extremely high metabolic rate because they express mitochondrial uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1). This protein dissipates the electrochemical gradient in the mitochondria of brown adipocytes as heat. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis is increased upon exposure to low temperatures, and plays animportant role in the maintenance of body temperature and energy balance in rodents. BAT is also a flexible tissue that normally enlarges or atrophies over time depending on environmental temperature. In many different rodent models, enhancement of B