Abstract: It is intended to clarify a transportation system participating in the uric acid uptake in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and provide a novel remedy, a preventive or a treating agent for vascular disorders, hypertension and renal disorders with the use of a drug participating in this transportation system. It is also intended to provide a novel screening system for a remedy, a preventive or a treating agent for vascular disorders, hypertension and renal disorders with the use of such a transportation system.

Abstract: It is intended to clarify a transportation system participating in the uric acid uptake in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and provide a novel remedy, a preventive or a treating agent for vascular disorders, hypertension and renal disorders with the use of a drug participating in this transportation system. It is also intended to provide a novel screening system for a remedy, a preventive or a treating agent for vascular disorders, hypertension and renal disorders with the use of such a transportation system.

Abstract: It is intended to identify and provide a novel carnitine transporter gene participating in carnitine transport in the testis and epididymis and carnitine transporter which is a protein encoded by the gene. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 or an amino acid sequence derived therefrom by deletion, substitution or addition of one to several amino acids and being capable of transporting carnitine or its analog; and a gene encoding this protein.

Abstract: It is intended to provide amino acid transporters which act as a single molecule and transport neutral amino acids typified by branched amino acids, and genes thereof. A protein consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6 or 8 or an amino acid sequence derived from an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6 or 8 by deletion, substitution or addition of one to several amino acids, and being capable of sodium-independently transporting neutral amino acids typified by branched amino acids and analogs thereof as a single molecule. A gene which is a DNA consisting of a base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5 or 7 or a DNA hybridizable with it and encodes a protein capable of sodium-independently transporting branched amino acids as a single molecule.

Abstract: To provide highly safe therapeutic or preventive agents for hyperuricemia, more specifically uricosuric agents, which have potent uricosuric effect and do not cause grave hepatic disorder. Medicinal compositions for the treatment or prevention of hyperuricemia or diseases caused by hyperuricemia, which contain 6-hydroxybenzbromarone or salts thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers; uricosuric agents, xanthine oxidase inhibitors, and inhibitors against the uptake of uric acid in kidney, which contain 6-hydroxybenzbromarone or salts thereof; and a process for the production of 6-hydroxybenzbromarone.

Abstract: It is intended to identify and provide a novel urate transporter gene participating in the urate transport in the kidney and a urate transporter which is a polypeptide encoded by the above gene. Namely, a protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or an amino acid sequence derived therefrom by deletion, substitution or addition of one to several amino acids and being capable of transporting uric acid and its analogs; and a gene encoding this protein.

Abstract: It is intended to identify and provide a novel carnitine transporter gene participating in carnitine transport in the testis and epididymis and carnitine transporter which is a protein encoded by the gene. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or an amino acid sequence derived therefrom by deletion, substitution or addition of one to several amino acids and being capable of transporting carnitine or its analog; and a gene encoding this protein.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide highly safe therapeutic or preventive agents for hyperuricemia, more specifically uricosuric agents, which have potent uricosuric effect and do not cause grave hepatic disorder. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] Medicinal compositions for the treatment or prevention of hyperuricemia or diseases caused by hyperuricemia, which contain 6-hydroxybenzbromarone or salts thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers; uricosuric agents, xanthine oxidase inhibitors, and inhibitors against the uptake of uric acid in kidney, which contain 6-hydroxybenzbromarone or salts thereof; and a process for the production of 6-hydroxybenzbromarone.

Abstract: It is intended to identify and provide a novel carnitine transporter gene participating in carnitine transport in the testis and epididymis and carnitine transporter which is a protein encoded by the gene. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 or an amino acid sequence derived therefrom by deletion, substitution or addition of one to several amino acids and being capable of transporting carnitine or its analog; and a gene encoding this protein.

Abstract: It is intended to identify and provide a novel urate transporter gene participating in the urate transport in the kidney and a urate transporter which is a polypeptide encoded by the above gene. Namely, a protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or an amino acid sequence derived therefrom by deletion, substitution or addition of one to several amino acids and being capable of transporting uric acid and its analogs; and a gene encoding this protein.