MicroRNA, including one of or a combination of the following components: (a) a pri-miRNA of miR-149-3p; (b) a pre-miRNA of miR-149-3p; (c) a mature miRNA of miR-149-3p; (d) a miR-149-3p derivative; (e) a 18-26 nucleotides miRNA having a sequence of 5-AGGGAGG-3; and (f) a derivative of the 18-26 nucleotides miRNA of (e). Also provided is a method for treating a metabolic disease. The method includes employing a DNA sequence encoding miR-149-3p as a target gene, constructing an overexpression vector of the miR-149-3p, preparing a pharmaceutical composition including the overexpression vector of the miR-149-3p, and administering the pharmaceutical composition to a patient in need thereof.

Non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals comprising a mutated Slc30a8 locus and methods of making and using such non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals are provided. The non-human animals can have increased insulin secretory capacity.

A nucleic acid for the controlled expression of a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein in an individual, including: a regulatory polynucleotide including a minimal promoter and at least one AARE (amino acid response element) nucleic acid, the regulatory polynucleotide being activated in an individual upon consumption of a diet deficient in at least one essential amino acid; and a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, which is placed under the control of the regulatory polynucleotide.

A method for treating or preventing osteoarthritis includes promoting the expression of STAMP2 in chondrocyte. Osteoarthritis is diagnosed by measuring an expression level of STAMP2 or an amount of STAMP2 protein in chondrocyte, and comparing the measured results with that in a control sample. A therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis is screened by treating chondrocyte with a candidate agent, measuring an expression level of STAMP2 or an amount of STAMP2 protein in the chondrocyte, and identifying a candidate agent as the therapeutic agent when the measured expression level of STAMP2 or the measured amount of STAMP2 protein is increased in the chondrocyte as compared to the chondrocyte before treatment with the candidate agent. Measuring the expression level of STAMP2 or the amount of extracellularly secreted STAMP2 protein is highly useful for diagnosing osteoarthritis in a rapid and convenient manner using a biological sample such as blood.

The present disclosure provides non-human animal models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Also provided are methods for producing the non-human animal models and uses of the non-human animal models to screen and evaluate agents for treating or preventing NAFLD.

The application provides, among others, methods for constructing animal obesity models, methods for screening microorganism or composition of microorganisms that may cause obesity, methods for screening therapeutic targets for treating metabolic disorders, and methods for screening or evaluating microorganisms, compounds, food, recipes, formulations, drugs, nutritional supplements, healthcare products, beverages and other items for preventing and treating metabolic diseases.

An isogenic murine animal model for liver disease resulting from a Western (high fat, high sugar) diet is provided. This phenotypically and genotypically stable model sequentially develops steatosis (4-8 weeks), steatohepatitis (12-16 weeks), progressive fibrosis (16 week onwards) and spontaneous HCC (32-52 weeks), but only when fed a diet high in fat and sugar. The mice also develop obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, and the mouse hepatic transcriptome is concordant with the human NASH transcriptome at early and late time points, including activation of lipogenic, inflammatory and apoptotic signaling. The mouse HCC gene signature resembles S1 and S2 human HCC subclasses. This simple model of NASH and HCC that mirrors the development of human disease in terms of its triggers, serology, phenotype, histology, transcriptome and outcomes has utility in new target discovery, biomarker discovery, diagnostic test development, and screening and development of drugs for the corresponding liver conditions.

Described herein are compositions comprising microRNAs that can increase insulin sensitivity, reduce obesity, and reduce inflammatory responses associated with obesity.

It is intended to provide a novel peptide. The present invention provides a peptide which comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 30 and inhibits protease activity.

A method for changing a condition of an eyelid of a hairless animal, a model animal for evaluating a therapeutic or prophylactic effect against an eyelid disease obtained by the method, a method for producing the model animal, a method of screening using the model animal and a substance having a therapeutic or prophylactic effect against an eyelid disease selected by the method of screening, and a therapeutic or prophylactic agent against an eyelid disease containing the substance as an active ingredient.