Viral obesity methods and compositions

Abstract

A source of viral induced obesity has been discovered. A virus known as AD-36Padenovirus type 36 has been found to be associated with obesity in both animals and humans. Diagnostic DNA sequences are presented so that DNA based tests for the presence of the obesity associated virus can be conducted.

1. A method of determining whether an obese person is suffering from viral obesity caused by adenovirus type 36p   36 , the method comprising the steps of:
 isolating a sample from the person a sample selected from the group consisting of a body fluid, feces, a sample of tissue and a sample of an organ from the person ,  
 obtaining an antibody specific to an  adenovirus type 36p   36 , and;  
 assaying the sample using the antibody  the adenovirus type  36  to test for the presence of the  an antibody reactive with adenovirus type 36p   36  thus testing whether the person has been or is infected with adenovirus type 36p   36 , which causes obesity and reduces cholesterol level in humans.  
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1  wherein the substance  sample analyzed is blood. 
     
     
       3. A method for the detection of virally caused obesity in an obese subject comprising the steps of
 isolating a sample of biological tissue or fluid  from the subject;  
 providing an antibody specific  an to  adenovirus type 36p   36  stock solution;  
 testing the sample, using the antibody diagnostic for adenovirus type 36p  adenovirus type 36p   36  stock solution; and  
 detecting the presence of antibodies specific to adenovirus type 36p   36  to determine if the subject has viral induced obesity.  
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of obtaining adenovirus type  36  comprises obtaining a purified form of adenovirus type  36  ( adenovirus type  36 p )  and said assaying step comprises assaying the sample using adenovirus type  36 p.   
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of providing adenovirus  36  stock solution comprises providing a purified adenovirus type  36  ( adenovirus type  36 p )  stock solution and said testing step comprises testing the sample using the adenovirus type  36 p stock solution.   
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is reactive with one or more peptides encoded by the nucleic acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID. NO.: 1 , SEQ ID. NO.: 2 , SEQ ID. NO.: 3 , and SEQ ID. NO.: 4 . 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said assaying step is performed by using a method selected from the group consisting of a serum neutralization assay and ELISA. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of a biological sample, a body fluid, a tissue sample, an organ sample, feces, blood, salvia, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the person has a body mass index ( BMI )  less than about  27  kg/m   2    and has adipose tissue that is present in an amount greater than about  25   %  of the body weight of the person.   
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the person has a body mass index ( BMI )  less than about  27  kg/m   2    and has adipose tissue that is present in an amount greater than about  30   %  of the body weight of the person.   
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 3 , the antibody is specific to one or more peptides encoded by the nucleic acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID. NO.: 1 , SEQ ID. NO.: 2 , SEQ ID. NO.: 3 , and SEQ ID. NO.: 4 . 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said testing step is performed by using a method selected from the group consisting of a serum neutralization assay and ELISA. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of a biological sample, body fluid, a tissue sample, an organ sample, feces, blood, salvia, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the subject has a body mass index ( BMI )  less than about  27  kg/m   2    and has adipose tissue that is present in an amount greater than about  25   %  of the body weight of the subject.   
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the subject has a body mass index ( BMI )  less than about  27  kg/m   2    and has adipose tissue that is present in an amount greater than about  30   %  of the body weight of the subject.   
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the subject is an animal. 
     
     
       18. A method for the detection of virally caused obesity in an obese subject, said method comprising the steps of:
   obtaining a sample from the subject; and        determining the presence of antibodies specific to adenovirus  36  in the subject.     
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein said step of determining the presence of the antibodies comprises the steps of:
   screening for the presence of antibodies specific to adenovirus  36  in the sample; and        determining the presence of antibodies specific to adenovirus  36  in the sample.     
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the antibodies in said determining step are specific to one or more peptide encoded by the nucleic acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO.: 1 , SEQ ID NO.: 2 , SEQ ID NO.: 3 , and SEQ ID NO.: 4 . 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the subject is an animal. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 19 , wherein said screening step is performed by using a method selected from the group consisting of serum neutralization assay and ELISA. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of a biological sample, body fluid, a tissue sample, an organ sample, feces, blood, salvia, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the subject has a body mass index ( BMI )  less than about  27  kg/m   2    and has adipose tissue that is present in an amount greater than about  25   %  of the body weight of the subject.   
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the subject has a body mass index ( BMI )  less than about  27  kg/m   2    and has adipose tissue that is present in an amount greater than about  30   %  of the body weight of the subject.