Claims for Patent: 6,492,365

Summary for Patent: 6,492,365

Title:	Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein
Abstract:	Nucleic acid sequences, particularly DNA sequences, coding for all or part of the high molecular weight subunit of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, expression vectors containing the DNA sequences, host cells containing the expression vectors, and methods utilizing these materials. The invention also concerns polypeptide molecules comprising all or part of the high molecular weight subunit of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and methods for producing these polypeptide molecules. The invention additionally concerns novel methods for preventing, stabilizing or causing regression of atherosclerosis and therapeutic agents having such activity. The invention concerns further novel methods for lowering serum liquid levels and therapeutic agents having such activity.
Inventor(s):	II John R. Wetterau, Daru Young Sharp, Richard E. Gregg
Assignee:	University of Pennsylvania Penn
Application Number:	US08/486,929
Patent Claims:	1. A method for treating atherosclerosis in a mammalian species comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which decreases the amount or activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, wherein said agent is not a polynucleotide compound. 2. A method for decreasing serum lipid levels in a mammalian species, which comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which decreases the amount or activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, wherein said agent is not a polynucleotide compound. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the agent is a compound of the formula or a compound of the formula or a compound of the formula wherein: R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl (all optionally substituted through available carbon atoms with 1, 2, or 3 groups selected from halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylmercapto, arylmercapto, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl); R2, R3, R4 are independently hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylmercapto, arylmercapto, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl; R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl (all optionally substituted through available carbon atoms with 1, 2, or 3 groups selected from halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylmercapto, arylmercapto, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl; with the proviso that when R5 is CH3, R6 is not hydrogen, R7 is alkyl (optionally substituted with oxo), aryl, or arylalkyl (wherein the alkyl portion is optionally substituted with oxo). 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the agent is a compound of the formula or a compound of the formula wherein: R1 is —Rv—Rw or Rv and Rx are each independently alkylene or cis-alkenylene of up to 6 carbon atoms; Rw is aryl or heteroaryl; and Ry and Rz are each independently alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein Ry and Rz are each independently aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroarylalkyl. 6. A method for treating hyperglycemia in a mammalian species comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which decreases the amount or activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, wherein said agent is not a polynucleotide compound. 7. A method for treating hypertriglyceridemia in a mammalian species comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which decreases the amount or activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, wherein said agent is not a polynucleotide compound. 8. A method for treating hypercholesterolemia in a mammalian species comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which decreases the amount or activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, wherein said agent is not a polynucleotide compound. 9. A method for treating hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia in a mammalin species comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which decreases the amount or activity of microsomal triglyceride protein, wherein said agent is not a polynucleotide compound. 10. A method of reducing gastrointestinal triglyceride, fatty acid cholesterol absorption in a mammalian species comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which decreases the amount or activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, wherein said agent is not a polynucleotide compound.