Abstract: This invention discloses a PACAP receptor protein or a salt thereof, a DNA comprising a DNA fragment coding for the protein, a method for preparing the protein, antibody against the protein and use of the protein, DNA and antibodies.

Abstract: This invention discloses a PACAP receptor protein or a salt thereof, a DNA comprising a DNA fragment coding for the protein, a method for preparing the protein, antibody against the protein, and use of the protein, DNA, and antibodies. A PACAP receptor protein was purified from the bovine cerebrum. DNAs coding for PACAP receptor proteins were isolated from bovine, rat and human cDNA libraries, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Further, amino acid sequences deduced from the nucleotide sequences were determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ligand polypeptide for the human pituitary- and mouse pancreas-derived G protein-coupled receptor proteins. The ligand polypeptide or the DNA which codes for the ligand polypeptide can be used for (1) development of medicines such as pituitary function modulators, central nervous system function modulators, and pancreatic function modulators, and (2) development of recombinant receptor proteins and screening of pharmaceutical candidate compounds. In particular, by the receptor binding assay systems utilizing the expression of recombinant G protein-coupled receptor proteins in accordance with the invention, agonists and antagonists of G protein-coupled receptors which are specific to human and other warm-blooded animals can be screened and the agonists or antagonists obtained can be used as therapeutic and prophylactic agents for various diseases.

Abstract: Compounds having antagonistic activity on endothelin receptors can be effectively used for prophylaxis and/or treatment of hypofunction of organs which occurs in their surgery or transplant.

Abstract: The LH-RH receptor antagonists containing cyclic pentapeptides or salts thereof and novel cyclic pentapeptide or salts thereof are provided.The LH-RH receptor antagonists of the present invention are effective as medicines for preventing and curing sex hormone-dependent cancers (e.g., prostatic cancer, uterine cancer, mammary cancer, pituitary tumor, etc.), prostatomegaly, endometriosis, hysteromyoma, puberty precox, amenorrheal syndromes, multilocular ovarian syndromes, comedo, etc. and are also effective as pregnancy controlling agents (e.g., contraceptives, etc.) and menstrual cycle controlling agents. Moreover, these are also useful in the livestock industry for the control of the estrus of animals and also for the improvement in the quality of meat and for the control of the growth of animals, as well as in the marine products industry as spawning promoters for fishes.

Abstract: This invention discloses a PACAP receptor protein or a salt thereof, a DNA comprising a DNA fragment coding for the protein, a method for preparing the protein, antibody against the protein and use of the protein, DNA and antibodies.

Abstract: According to this invention, antibodies which are useful and novel in that they have binding specificity to .beta.-amyloids or derivatives thereof, namely recognize the N-terminal, the C-terminal or central portions of the .beta.-amyloids, respectively, were obtained. By combining these antibodies, determination methods by which the .beta.-amyloids could be determined sensitively and specifically are provided. These determination methods are useful for diagnosis of diseases to which the .beta.-amyloids or their derivatives are related (for example, Alzheimer's disease), and the antibodies of this invention are useful for the development of preventive-therapeutic compositions for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The peptide derivatives having endothelin receptor-antagonistic action or a salt thereof and medicinal compositions containing them are provided.Since peptide derivatives or a salt thereof of this invention exhibit remarkable endothelin receptor-antagonistic action with low toxicity, they are effective as medicines for prophylaxis and therapy of, for example, cardio- or cerebro-circulatory diseases hepatic diseases and/or renal diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptor protein or a salt thereof which is capable of binding PACAP and a method for preparing said receptor protein or salt thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a polypeptide represented by formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable amide, ester or salt thereof:His-Ser-Asp-Gly-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asp-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Arg-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Gln-NH-CHX-CO-A la-Val-Lys-Lys-Tyr-Y SEQ ID NO:13 (I)wherein X is hydrogen atom; or a lower alkyl group which may be substituted with a member selected from the group consisting of hydroxy group, substituted or unsubstituted amino group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, and substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group; and Y is one of amino acids or peptides consisting of 1 to 16 amino acid residues counted from the N-terminal side of Leu-Ala-Ala-Val-Leu-Gly-Lys-Arg-Tyr-Lys-Gln-Arg-Val-Lys-Asn-Lys SEQ ID NO:20, and (2) a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide represented by formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable amide, ester or salt thereof, which has remarkable c-AMP activity and is useful as a nerve activating agent.

Abstract: According to this invention, antibodies which are useful and novel in that they have binding specificity to .beta.-amyloids or derivatives thereof, namely recognize the N-terminal, the C-terminal or central portions of the .beta.-amyloids, respectively, were obtained. By combining these antibodies, determination methods by which the .beta.-amyloids could be determined sensitively and specifically are provided. These determination methods are useful for diagnosis of diseases to which the .beta.-amyloids or their derivatives are related (for example, Alzheimer's disease), and the antibodies of this invention are useful for the development of preventive-therapeutic compositions for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a polypeptide represented by formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable amide, ester or salt thereof:His-Ser-Asp-Gly-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asp-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Arg-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Gln-NH-CHX-CO-A la-Val-Lys-Lys-Tyr-Y SEQ ID NO: 13 (I)wherein X is hydrogen atom; or a lower alkyl group which may be substituted with a member selected from the group consisting of hydroxy group, substituted or unsubstituted amino group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, and substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group; and Y is one of amino acids or peptides consisting of 1 to 16 amino acid residues counted from the N-terminal side of Leu-Ala-Ala-Val-Leu-Gly-Lys-Arg-Tyr-Lys-Gln-Arg-Val-Lys-Asn-Lys SEQ ID NO: 20, and (2) a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide represented by formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable amide, ester or salt thereof, which has remarkable c-AMP activity and is useful as a nerve activating agent.

Abstract: A peptide represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents an oil-soluble group; R.sub.2 and R.sub.5 represent a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sub.3 represents an aliphatic group which may have O or S; R.sub.4 represents a heterocyclic-substituted lower alkyl group; R.sub.6 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aromatic cyclic group; X represents a group having an aromatic ring; n represents an integer of 0 or more and m represents an integer of 2 or more, or a salt thereof exhibits a marked endothelin receptor-antagonistic action, and the peptide [I] is pharmaceutically useful as a therapeutic agent for hypertension, cardiovascular disease and renal disease, for instance.

Abstract: Disclosed are a monoclonal antibody having affinity for PACAP, a partial peptide thereof, a precursor thereof or VIP; a hybridoma cell which produces the above monoclonal antibody; and an immunoassay for assaying PACAP by a competitive method or a sandwich method using the above antibody, whereby PACAP can be specifically detected with high sensitivity.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a DNA containing a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (2) a precursor protein of PACAP38; (3) a transformant containing a DNA having a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (4) a method for preparing mature PACAP38 comprising cultivating the transformant described in the above (3), producing and accumulating a protein in a culture, and collecting the resulting protein; and (5) a method for preparing the above polypeptide comprising condensing a partial amino acid or a peptide which can constitute the mature PACAP38, with a residual portion, and removing a protective group if a product has the protective group. The DNA is applied to experimental animals to understand their brain functions, which serves to elucidate human brain functions. PACAP38 provides information about growth and maintenance of rat and human brain nerves, and can also be utilized as therapeutic agents for various neuropathy.

Abstract: A polypeptide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof having c-AMP-producing activity is disclosed, the polypeptide being represented by the following general formula:X-Ser-Asp-Gly-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asp-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Arg-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Gln-Met-Ala-Val-L ys-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Y (X-SEQ ID NO:2-Y)wherein X represents any amino acid residue or an acyl group, and Y represents NH.sub.2, OH, Ala-NH.sub.2, Ala-OH, Ala-Ala-NH.sub.2, Ala-Ala-OH, Ala-Ala-Val-NH.sub.2 or Ala-Ala-Val-OH.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a DNA containing a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (2) a precursor protein of PACAP38; (3) a transformant containing a DNA having a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (4) a method of preparing mature PACAP38 comprising cultivating the transformant described in the above (3), producing and accumulating a protein in a culture, and collecting the resulting protein; and (5) a method for preparing the above polypeptide comprising condensing a partial amino acid or a peptide which can constitute the mature PACAP38, with a residual portion, and removing a protective group if a product has the protective group. The DNA is applied to experimental animals to understand their brain functions, which serves to elucidate human brain functions. PACAP38 provides information about growth and maintenance of rat and human brain nerves, and can also be utilized as therapeutic agents for various neuropathy.

Abstract: Novel polypeptide-diesters, inclusive of salts thereof, which have the formula: ##STR1## wherein A.sub.1 is arginine or lysine or a di- or tripeptide residue having arginine or lysine at its N-terminal; A.sub.2 is an aromatic amino acid residue; A.sub.3 is a neutral amino acid or aromatic amino acid residue; each of the amino acid residues mentioned may be optionally L-configured or D-configured; and n is 0, 1 or 2. These compounds are useful as analgesics.

Abstract: Novel polypeptide of the formula:H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-Lys-Pro-Tyr-Thr-Lys-Gln-Ser-His-Lys-Pro-Leu-Ile-Thr-L eu-Leu-Lys-His-Ile-Thr-Leu-Lys-Asn-Glu-Gln-OH is useful as an analgesic agent. Methods of its preparation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel polyprenylpeptides of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is peptide chain of H-Tyr-Pro-Glu-Ile-Ser-Trp-Thr-Arg-Asn-Gly- or H-Glu-His-Asp-Pro-Ser-Ala-Pro-Gly-Asn-Gly-Tyr-; Y is carboxyl which may be amidated or esterified with C.sub.1-3 alkyl; and n is integer of 3,4 or 5,have the stimulating effect on the mating tube formation of yeast.