Abstract: The invention is provides compositions and methods for monitoring subcellular compartments such as organelles by energy transfer techniques that do not require specific intermolecular affinity binding events between energy transfer donor and energy transfer acceptor molecules. Provided are methods for assaying cellular membrane potential, including mitochondrial membrane potential, by energy transfer methodologies including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Diagnostic and drug screening assays are also provided.

Abstract: Automated drug screening method and a method of studying receptor and ion-channel activity are provided.

Abstract: Automated assays for detecting and measuring ion channel and cell surface receptor activity and for identifying compounds that modulate or potentiate such activity are provided. Among the assays are fluorescent indicator-based assays that use cells containing effective levels of a fluorescent indicator that is responsive to changes in ion concentration. Activation of the ion channels or receptors is initiated in the automated measurement apparatus by injection into one or more predetermined cell-containing wells of a reagent which is a known or possible activator or inhibitor of the ion channels or receptors of interest. The resulting activity of the ion channels or receptors, which causes changes in ion concentration in the cytoplasm, is determined by measurement of fluorescence intensity changes of the indicator in response to an excitation wavelength.

Abstract: Human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits are described, as are methods for producing cells containing functional receptors employing such subunits. Also described are assay methods for determining the presence of functional HnAChRs in transfected cells, and for determining the agonist or antagonist activity of compounds with respect to such cells.

Abstract: Automated measurement apparatus and methods for automated drug screening and for studying ion channel and cell surface receptor activity are provided. The apparatus is designed to initiate and measure rapid or transient events, such as cell receptor and/or ion channel activity. The apparatus can effect measurements of transient reactions in or more samples in a multi-well container, initiate the reaction with reagent addition and measure a resulting attribute of the sample for a period of time. The apparatus is capable of substantially continuously measuring and recording data corresponding to the measured attribute before, during and after initiation of the reaction so that a time course of the rapid or transient event is determined. Automated drug screening methods and methods for studying receptor and ion channel activity using the apparatus are also provided. The drug screening assays identify compounds that activate, inhibit or potentiate cellular ion channel or receptor activity.

Abstract: Novel, biologically active, 28-amino acid analogs of human vasoactive intestinal peptide are provided.

Abstract: Human pancreatic GRF and the hypothalamic GRFs for the human and several other mammalian species were earlier characterized and synthesized. The invention provides synthetic peptides which are potent stimulators of the release of pituitary GH in animals, including humans, and which have the formula: R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 R.sub.3 -Ala-R.sub.5 -R.sub.6 -R.sub.7 -R.sub.8 -R.sub.9 -R.sub.10 -R.sub.11 -R.sub.12 -R.sub.13 -Leu-R.sub.15 -Gln-Leu-R.sub.18 -R.sub.19 -R.sub.20 -R.sub.21 -Leu-Leu-Gln-Glu-R.sub.26 -R.sub.27 -R.sub.28 -Arg-Y wherein R.sub.1 is Tyr, D-Tyr, Met, Phe, D-Phe, Leu, His or D-His, which has either a C.sup.a Me or N.sup.a Me substitution or is unsubstituted; R.sub.2 is Ala or D-Ala; R.sub.3 is Asp or D-Asp; R.sub.5 is Ile or Leu; R.sub.6 is Phe or Tyr; R.sub.7 is Ser or Thr; R.sub.8 is Ser, Asn, Thr or Gln; R.sub.9 is Ala or Ser; R.sub.10 is Tyr, Phe or Leu; R.sub.11 in Arg, Orn or Lys; R.sub.12 is Arg, Orn or Lys; R.sub.13 is Ile, Leu, Phe or Val; R.sub. 15 is Gly or Ala; R.sub.18 is Ala or Ser; R.