Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein Q, X, Y, Z, and R1 R9, and R12-R19 are defined herein. These compounds are selective modulators of MCH 1 receptors that are, therefore, useful in the treatment of a variety of metabolic, feeding, and sexual disorders. Methods of treatment of such disorders and well as packaged pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Melanin concentrating hormone receptor ligands (especially 1-benzyl-4-aryl-piperazines, 1-benzyl-4-aryl-piperidines and related compounds), capable of modulating MCH receptor activity, are provided. Such ligands may be used to modulate MCH binding to MCH receptors in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of metabolic, feeding and sexual disorders in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for detecting MCH receptors (e.g., receptor localization studies).

Abstract: Melanin concentrating hormone receptor ligands (especially substituted 2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1H-benzoimidazole analogues), capable of modulating MCH receptor activity, are provided. Such ligands may be used to modulate MCH binding to MCH receptors in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of metabolic, feeding and sexual disorders in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for detecting MCH receptors (e.g., receptor localization studies).

Abstract: Substituted biaryl amides of Formula I are provided. Such compounds are ligands that may be used to modulate C5a receptor activity in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of conditions associated with pathological C5a receptor activation in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding monkey and canine Melanin Concentrating Hormone (MCH) Type 2 receptors and chimeric polypeptides are provided. Vectors and cells for recombinant expression of such MCH receptor polypeptides, and isolated MCH receptor polypeptides are also provided. MCH receptor polynucleotides and polypeptides may be used, for example, to identify agents that specifically interact with MCH receptor. Such agents find use within therapies for humans and animals afflicted with conditions associated with MCH receptor activation.

Abstract: The invention provides imidazol-1-ylmethyl pyridazine derivatives of the formula: that bind to GABAA receptors. In the above formula, R1, R2 R3, R4, R5, R6 and Ar are defined herein. Such compounds may be used to modulate ligand binding to GABAA receptors in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of central nervous system (CNS) disorders in humans, domesticated companion animals, and livestock animals. Compounds provided herein may be administered alone or in combination with one or more other CNS agents to potentiate the effects of the other CNS agent(s). Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for detecting GABAA receptors (e.g., receptor localization studies).

Abstract: Melanin concentrating hormone receptor ligands (especially 1-benzyl-4-aryl-piperazines, 1-benzyl-4-aryl-piperidines and related compounds), capable of modulating MCH receptor activity, are provided. Such ligands may be used to modulate MCH binding to MCH receptors in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of metabolic, feeding and sexual disorders in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for detecting MCH receptors (e.g., receptor localization studies).

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding monkey Melanin Concentrating Hormone (MCH) Type 1 receptors and chimeric polypeptides are provided. Vectors and cells for recombinant expression of such MCH1R polypeptides, and isolated MCH1R polypeptides are also provided. MCH1R polynucleotides and polypeptides may be used, for example, to identify compounds that specifically interact with MCH receptor. Such compounds find use within therapies for humans and animals afflicted with conditions associated with MCH receptor activation.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding monkey Melanin Concentrating Hormone (MCH) Type 1 receptors and chimeric polypeptides are provided. Vectors and cells for recombinant expression of such MCH1R polypeptides, and isolated MCH1R polypeptides are also provided. MCH1R polynucleotides and polypeptides may be used, for example, to identify compounds that specifically interact with MCH receptor. Such compounds find use within therapies for humans and animals afflicted with conditions associated with MCH receptor activation.

Abstract: The invention provides 4-imidazol-1-ylmethyl pyrimidine of the formula that bind to GABAA receptors. In the above formula, R1, R2 R3, R4, R5, R6 and Ar are defined herein. Such compounds may be used to modulate ligand binding to GABAA receptors in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of central nervous system (CNS) disorders in humans, domesticated companion animals, and livestock animals. Compounds provided herein may be administered alone or in combination with one or more other CNS agents to potentiate the effects of the other CNS agent(s). Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for detecting GABAA receptors (e.g., receptor localization studies).

Abstract: Substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines and related compounds are provided. Such compounds are ligands that may be used to modulate C5a receptor activity in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of conditions associated with pathological C5a receptor activation in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals.

Abstract: Melanin concentrating hormone receptor ligands (especially substituted benzoimidazole analogues), capable of modulating MCH receptor activity, are provided. Such ligands may be used to modulate MCH binding to MCH receptors in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of metabolic, feeding and sexual disorders in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for detecting MCH receptors (e.g., receptor localization studies).

Abstract: Substituted biaryl amides of Formula I are provided. Such compounds are ligands that may be used to modulate C5a receptor activity in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of conditions associated with pathological C5a receptor activation in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using them to treat such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for receptor localization studies.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein Q, X, Y, Z, and R1 R9, and R12-R19 are defined herein. These compounds are selective modulators of MCH 1 receptors that are, therefore, useful in the treatment of a variety of metabolic, feeding, and sexual disorders. Methods of treatment of such disorders and well as packaged pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein Q, X, Y, Z, and R1 R9, and R12-R19 are defined herein. These compounds are selective modulators of MCH 1 receptors that are, therefore, useful in the treatment of a variety of metabolic, feeding, and sexual disorders. Methods of treatment of such disorders and well as packaged pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides novel human capsaicin receptors and the nucleotide sequences encoding these receptors. Also provided are vectors encoding these receptors and mammalian and non-mammalian cells expressing these vectors. Further provided are assays for identifying compounds that modulate capsaicin receptors and diagnostic assays for capsaicin receptor polymorphisms and aberrant capsaicin receptor expression.