Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant receptor, comprising a ligand-binding domain and a signaling domain that comprises a heterologous bait polypeptide, which receptor is inactivated by binding of a prey polypeptide to the heterologous bait peptide, either in presence or absence of a ligand binding to the ligand-binding domain. The receptor is activated by addition of a compound that disrupts the bait-prey interaction. The invention also relates to a method of screening compounds that disrupt compound-compound binding using the recombinant receptor.

Abstract: Described is a recombinant receptor comprising an extracellular ligand-binding domain and a cytoplasmic domain that comprises a heterologous bait polypeptide. The recombinant receptor is activated by binding of a ligand to the ligand-binding domain and by binding of a prey polypeptide to the heterologous bait peptide. The invention also discloses a method for detecting compound-compound binding using the recombinant receptor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a recombinant receptor comprising an extracellular ligand-binding domain and a cytoplasmic domain that comprises a heterologous bait polypeptide. The recombinant receptor is activated by binding of a ligand to the ligand binding domain and by binding of a prey polypeptide to the heterologous bait peptide. The present invention also discloses a method for detecting compound-compound binding using the recombinant receptor.

Abstract: Described is a recombinant receptor comprising an extracellular ligand-binding domain and a cytoplasmic domain that comprises a heterologous bait polypeptide. The recombinant receptor is activated by binding of a ligand to the ligand-binding domain and by binding of a prey polypeptide to the heterologous bait peptide. The invention also discloses a method for detecting compound-compound binding using the recombinant receptor.

Abstract: Methods of activating a signaling cascade comprising, introducing leptin and/or a cytokine to a receptor complex comprising gp 130, optionally in combination with a compound acting on adenylate cyclase or acting on one or more downstream targets of adenylate cyclase, thereby inducing genes in neuro-endocrine cells or cells of neuro-endocrine origin. Two distinct gene-sets are induced, immediate early response genes (STAT-3, SOCS-3, Metallothionein-II, the serine/threonine kinase Fnk and the rat homologue of MRF-1), and late induced target genes (Pancreatitis Associated Protein I, Squalene Epoxidase, Uridinediphosphate Glucuronyl Transferase and Annexin VIII). Strong co-stimulation with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin was shown with respect to late induced target genes. Transcripts encoding Leptin Induced Protein I (LIP-I) and Leptin Induced Protein II (LIP-II) were identified; however, no forskolin co-stimulatory effect was observed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a recombinant receptor comprising an extracellular ligand-binding domain and a cytoplasmic domain that comprises a heterologous bait polypeptide. The recombinant receptor is activated by binding of a ligand to the ligand binding domain and by binding of a prey polypeptide to the heterologous bait peptide. The present invention also discloses a method for detecting compound-compound binding using the recombinant receptor.

Abstract: Methods of activating a signaling cascade comprising, introducing leptin and/or a cytokine to a receptor complex comprising gp 130, optionally in combination with a compound acting on adenylate cyclase or acting on one or more downstream targets of adenylate cyclase, thereby inducing genes in neuro-endocrine cells or cells of neuro-endocrine origin. Two distinct gene-sets are induced, immediate early response genes (STAT-3, SOCS-3, Metallothionein-II, the serine/threonine kinase Fnk and the rat homologue of MRF-1), and late induced target genes (Pancreatitis Associated Protein I, Squalene Epoxidase, Uridinediphosphate Glucuronyl Transferase and Annexin VIII). Strong co-stimulation with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin was shown with respect to late induced target genes. Transcripts encoding Leptin Induced Protein I (LIP-I) and Leptin Induced Protein II (LIP-II) were identified; however, no forskolin co-stimulatory effect was observed.

Abstract: A method for screening compounds for their ability to bind a receptor and/or the screening of compounds that antagonize the binding of a ligand to a receptor. The invention provides an easy and powerful screening method in eukaryotic cells (other than yeast cells), such as insect cells, plant cells or mammalian cells, for ligands of orphan receptors, preferably of the multimerizing receptor type, for unknown ligands of known receptors, preferably multimerizing receptors, and for the genes encoding these ligands.

Abstract: A seed-specific promoter is described which is obtained from an Arabidopsis seed storage protein gene encoding 2S albumin.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a polypeptide by cultivating a plant whose genome contains a recombinant DNA. The recombinant DNA includes:a) a first DNA sequence which encodes a precursor of a 2S albumin; andb) a heterologous second DNA sequence that encodes the polypeptide and that is inserted into, or replaces at least in part, a hypervariable region of the first DNA between codons which code for fourth and fifth cysteine residues of the large subunit of the 2S albumin. The ends of the second DNA sequence are each linked to one or more codons that encode one or more amino acid residues, to define first selectively cleavable border sites surrounding the polypeptide for separating the polypeptide from surrounding parts of the 2S albumin; and the hypervariable region, containing the second DNA sequence, encodes no more than approximately the same number of amino acids as are encoded by the hypervariable region without the second DNA sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for the transfer and immobilization of proteins onto a free surface formed on a chemically inert support, preferably porous glass, from a medium likely to contain them which is brought into contact with this surface. The said surface is composed of a film of a vinylpyridine polymer in which the nitrogen atom of the pyridyl moiety is substituted by an alkyl group, in particular by a methyl group; the proteins and/or the nucleic acids are brought into contact with the said surface in solution in the presence of a detergent bearing a negative charge, in particular SDS. The invention also relates more particularly to the supports coated with the said films, in particular as a monomolecular layer.