Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polypeptide involving in the modulation of central nervous system function, circulatory function, immune function, gastrointestinal function, metabolic function, reproductive function, etc., it can be used as a drug for treating or preventing a variety of diseases, e.g. HIV infection or AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or the like.

Abstract: Galanin receptor proteins, production and use thereof including screening of galanin receptor agonists and antagonists are provided. Galanin receptor proteins, etc. or salts thereof, partial peptides thereof, DNAs coding for the above galanin receptor protein, processes for producing the above receptor protein, methods of screening for a galanin receptor agonist and/or antagonist or screening kits therefor, agonist and/or antagonist compounds or salts thereof obtained by the above screening method or the screening kit, pharmaceutical compositions containing the above compound or its salt, and antibodies against the above receptor protein are provided. It is allowable to efficiently screen a galanin receptor agonist or antagonist by using the galanin receptor protein, the partial peptide thereof, the galanin receptor protein-encoding DNA, the receptor protein-containing cell or its membrane fraction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polypeptide involving in the modulation of central nervous system function, circulatory function, immune function, gastrointestinal function, metabolic function, reproductive function, etc., it can be used as a drug for treating or preventing a variety of diseases, e.g. HIV infection or AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to a human amygdaloid nucleus-derived G protein coupled receptor protein or a salt thereof, a partial peptide of the G protein coupled receptor protein, DNA encoding the G protein coupled receptor protein, a method of producing the G protein coupled receptor protein, a method of identifying a ligand to the G protein coupled receptor protein, a method or kit for screening out compounds capable of changing the binding activity of a ligand to the G protein coupled receptor protein, a compound or a salt thereof obtained by the screening method or by using the screening kit, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound or a salt thereof, and an antibody against the G protein coupled receptor protein or a partial peptide.

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: Galanin receptor proteins, production and use thereof including screening of galanin receptor agonists and antagonists are provided. Galanin receptor proteins, etc. or salts thereof, partial peptides thereof, DNAs coding for the above galanin receptor protein, processes for producing the above receptor protein, methods of screening for a galanin receptor agonist and/or antagonist or screening kits therefor, agonist and/or antagonist compounds or salts thereof obtained by the above screening method or the screening kit, pharmaceutical compositions containing the above compound or its salt, and antibodies against the above receptor protein are provided. It is allowable to efficiently screen a galanin receptor agonist or antagonist by using the galanin receptor protein, the partial peptide thereof, the galanin receptor protein-encoding DNA, the receptor protein-containing cell or its membrane fraction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a human amygdaloid nucleus-derived G protein coupled receptor protein or a salt thereof, a partial peptide of the G protein coupled receptor protein, DNA encoding the G protein coupled receptor protein, a method of producing the G protein coupled receptor protein, a method of identifying a ligand to the G protein coupled receptor protein, a method or kit for screening out compounds capable of changing the binding activity of a ligand to the G protein coupled receptor protein, a compound or a salt thereof obtained by the screening method or by using the screening kit, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound or a salt thereof, and an antibody against the G protein coupled receptor protein or a partial peptide.

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: DNA primers effective in screening G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNA fragments are provided. The primers which are complementary to nucleotide sequences that are in community with (homologous to) the nucleotide sequences encoding amino acid sequences corresponding to or near the first membrane-spanning domain or the sixth membrane-spanning domain each of known various G protein coupled receptor proteins were designed and synthesized. Methods of amplifying G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNAs using the above DNA primers, and novel target G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNAs are also provided. Screening of DNA libraries can be efficiently carried out. Human pituitary gland or amygdala-derived and mouse pancreas-derived G protein coupled receptor proteins, etc.

Abstract: A method for coating food pieces with powder material. The apparatus includes a drum having a pair of opposing side openings, and engaging members mounted on a cylindrical inner surface thereof. Powder material is sifted by the engaging members as the drum is rotated. An inlet member extends through one of the openings and deposits food pieces into the drum such that one food piece is deposited onto the powder material located between each adjacent pair of engaging members at a bottom portion of the drum. Rotation of the drum causes the food piece to roll on the powder material, thereby completely coating the food piece, and causes the engaging members to lift the coated food pieces to an upper portion of the drum until the coated food pieces roll or slide off of the engaging members. An outlet member is positioned to receive the coated food pieces as they roll or slide from the engaging members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sprinkling food pieces with powder material. The apparatus includes a drum having a pair of opposing side openings, and engaging members mounted on a cylindrical inner surface thereof. Powder material is sifted by the engaging members as the drum is rotated. An inlet member extends through one of the openings and deposits food pieces into the drum such that one food piece is deposited onto the powder material located between each adjacent pair of engaging members at a bottom portion of the drum. Rotation of the drum causes the food piece to roll on the powder material, thereby completely coating the food piece, and causes the engaging members to lift the coated food pieces to an upper portion of the drum until the coated food pieces roll or slide off of the engaging members. An outlet member is positioned to receive the coated food pieces as they roll or slide from the engaging members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for an efficient elucidation of the function of a protein or peptide encoded coded by cDNA, in which only a partial sequence of the protein or peptide is elucidated and the function is unknown. The method adding an antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the partial sequence of the cDNA to an evaluating system for the biological function, whereby the protein or the peptide encoded by said cDNA can be expressed. Accordingly, the function of the protein/peptide encoded by a cDNA can be efficiently elucidated even in a stage where only a partial sequence of said cDNA is analyzed.

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: A human receptor protein capable of binding TRH, a DNA coding for said protein, use of the proetein and DNA, a method for preparing said protein, and antibodies to the protein are described.The human TRH receptor protein and the DNA coding for the protein of the present invention are useful as (1) a diagnostic composition for neuropathy (particularly, dementia), (2) a pharmaceutical composition for neuropathy and (3) a material used for screening a TRH receptor agonist or antagonist.

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. The PACAP receptor proteins and the DNAs coding for the proteins of the present invention can be used for (1) acquisition of antibodies and antisera, (2) construction of expression systems of recombinant receptor proteins, (3) development of receptor binding assay systems using said expression systems and screening of potential compounds for drugs, (4) execution of drug design based on the comparison of ligands and receptors which are structurally similar to each other, (5) preparation of probes and PCR primers in gene diagnosis, and the like.

Abstract: DNA primers each having a nucleotide sequence substantially complementary to a nucleotide sequence which codes for Gly-Lys-Arg, Gly-Lys-Lys or Gly-Arg-Arg; methods for amplifying a polynucleotide which codes for a peptide or a precursor protein thereof using said DNA primer; screening methods for a polynucleotide which codes for a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of Gly-Lys-Arg, Gly-Lys-Lys or Gly-Arg-Arg or a precursor protein thereof from a DNA library, etc. using said DNA; the polynucleotide obtained by said screening method; and the peptide or its precursor protein encoded by said polynucleotide, or a salt thereof. When the DNA primer of the present invention is used, the DNA which codes for a peptide having a useful physiological activity or a precursor protein thereof can be efficiently cloned.