Abstract: Concerning intracellular signal transduction mechanism, there has been drawn a novel hypothesis that, even in the case where phosphorylation does not occur in the intracellular C-terminal domain of a receptor, an unknown molecule associates with the Pro-C terminal domain of a G protein-coupled receptor for each chemokine and thus leukocyte chemotaxis depending on the receptor is controlled. To examine this hypothesis and clarify therapeutic targets in inflammatory diseases as well as other various diseases, attempts are made to search for a CCR2-binding protein. As a result, a novel cytoplasmic protein associating directly and specifically with the Pro-12-C-terminal domain of CCR2 is found out and it is clarified that this protein forms clusters with CCR2 after stimulation with CCL2. Thus, it is confirmed that there is a novel signal transduction system in the G protein relating signal transduction in the CCL2-CCR2 pathway.

Abstract: A microsample treatment apparatus and an apparatus for detecting chemotaxis of cells and separating chemotactic cells includes a number of wells that are connected to each other via a part having resistance to fluids. The wells are each provided with tubes for injecting/sucking a sample and, if necessary, tubes for relieving pressure changes at the injection/suction. The tubes have a space in common at the top ends thereof in which a liquid can be held.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a well unit to be used in fabricating an apparatus whereby movements of cells based on their own actions can be accurately and easily detected, in detecting the chemotaxis of cells due to a chemotactic factor or the inhibition of the chemotaxis of cells by an inhibitor. Accordingly, the present invention provides a well unit to be used in an apparatus for detecting chemotaxis of cells and separating cells characterized in that a plural number of wells, in which a liquid sample can be held in a resting state, are connected to each other via a channel, the channel is provided with a bank, and, in the upper part of the bank, barriers constituting one or more grooves having a width and/or a depth fit for the diameter or deformability of cells are provided or a plane is provided so as to give a gap having a depth fit for the diameter or deformability of cells between the plane and the glass substrate.