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, the method comprising the steps of isolating 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, and; assaying the sample using the antibody to test for the presence of the adenovirus type 36p thus testing whether the person has been or is infected with adenovirus type 36p, which causes obesity and reduces cholesterol level in humans. 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1  wherein the substance 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 to adenovirus type 36p;    testing the sample, using the antibody diagnostic for adenovirus type 36p; and    detecting the presence of adenovirus type 36p to determine if the subject has viral induced obesity.    
     
     
       4. A method for predicting a predisposition to virally- induced obesity in a subject comprising the steps of:      obtaining a sample from the subject;        screening for the presence of the nucleic acid sequences specific to adenovirus type  36  in the sample; and        determining the presence of nucleic acid sequences specific to adenovirus type  36  in the subject such that the presence Ad -   36  nucleic acid sequences in the subject correlate with a predisposition of virally - induced obesity.     
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the nucleic acid sequences specific to adenovirus type  36  are one or more 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 . 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said step of determining the presence of nucleic acid sequences specific to adenovirus type-   36  is performed by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of direct DNA sequencing, RNase protection assays, PCR, RT PCR, and nucleic acid hybridization.   
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the nucleic acid in said determining step is DNA selected from the group consisting of cDNA, ssDNA, dsDNA, and genomic DNA. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the nucleic acid in said determining step is RNA selected from the group consisting of mRNA, dsRNA, and ssRNA. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the subject is a non- human animal.   
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the sample is a biological sample. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the biological sample is adipose tissue. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 4 , 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 that is greater than about  25   %  of the body weight of the subject.   
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the subject has a BMI less than about  27  kg/m 2    and has adipose tissue that is present in an amount that is greater than about  30   %  of the body weight of the subject.