Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To identify mutations that can serve as indicators for predicting the effectiveness of drug treatments in cancers such as lung cancer; to provide a means for detecting said mutations; and to provide a means for identifying, based on said mutations, patients with cancer or subjects with a risk of cancer, in which drugs targeting genes having said mutations or proteins encoded by said genes show a therapeutic effect. [MEANS FOR SOLVING] A method for detecting a gene fusion serving as a responsible mutation (driver mutation) for cancer, the method comprising the step of detecting any one of an EZR-ERBB4 fusion polynucleotide, a KIAA1468-RET fusion polynucleotide, a TRIM24-a BRAF fusion polynucleotide, a CD74-NRG1 fusion polynucleotide, and an SLC3A2-NRG1 fusion polynucleotide, or a polypeptide encoded thereby, in an isolated sample from a subject with cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of testing for genetic susceptibility to type-2 diabetes in a subject that comprises detecting one or more polymorphisms present in the KCNQ1 gene and/or EIF2AK4 gene in a DNA-containing sample collected from the subject. The present invention permit a method of accurately, conveniently, and rapidly testing the genetic susceptibility of subjects to type-2 by targeting determinative genetic factors of genetic susceptibility to type-2 diabetes.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding opioid receptor polypeptides, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant opioid receptor polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression of at least three different opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with opioid receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding opioid receptor polypeptides, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant opioid receptor polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression of at least three different opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with opioid receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding opioid receptor polypeptides. More specifically, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding kappa opioid receptor polypeptides, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant opioid receptor polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression of at least three different opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with opioid receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for using polynucleotides encoding kappa opioid receptors. In addition to such polynucleotides themselves, the invention relates to expression vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding kappa opioid receptors, recombinant host cells comprising such polynucleotides, and processes for preparing kappa opioid receptor polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to the observed tight linkage between DNA polymorphisms in the glucokinase gene (GCK) on the short arm of chromosome 7, and NIDDM in a cohort of sixteen French families having MODY. It further relates to identification of mutations in GCK and their linkage with diabetes in particular families are disclosed. This invention provides the first evidence implicating specific mutations in a gene involved in glucose metabolism in the pathogenesis of NIDDM. The invention further discloses the isolation and characterization of human pancreatic .beta.-cell GCK and a method for searching for mutations that cause early-onset NIDDM. To assess the effect of these mutations on glucokinase activity, a method is disclosed for generating an .alpha.-carbon backbone model for human glucokinase based on the crystal structure of the structurally-related yeast hexokinase B.