Abstract: Novel sodium-independent small neutral amino acid transporters which transport L- and D-amino acids. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or 4 or an amino acid derived therefrom by deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acids and being capable of sodium-independently transporting L- and D-small neutral amino acids and analogs thereof; a gene encoding the above protein; a method of screening substances inhibiting or promoting the function of the above protein; an antibody against the above protein; and a method of regulating cell function by using the above antibody, function inhibitors, function promoters, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides efficacious preparations for intravenous administration, preparations for external or topical application to skin, preparations for external or topical application to mucosa or cosmetics comprising ginsenosides, in particular, ginsenoside Rb1 or its derivatives which are useful as skin tissue regeneration/reconstruction promoters or wound healing promoters; and it provides fertilizer additives comprising ginsenosides, in particular, ginsenoside Rb1 or its derivatives which are useful as plant tissue regeneration/reconstruction promoters. These preparations for intravenous administration, preparations for external or topical application to skin, preparations for external or topical application to mucosa or cosmetics are useful particularly for promoting the tissue regeneration/reconstruction in cases of incised wounds, morsus, bite wounds and/or defect of skin or mucosa or for promoting would healing.

Abstract: A novel organic anion transporter gene participating in organic anion transport in the placenta; and an organic anion transporter which is a polypeptide encoded by the gene. A placental organic anion transporter OAT4, more particularly, a placental organic anion transporter OAT4 having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 or an amino acid sequence derived therefrom by deletion, substitution or addition of a part of the amino acids thereof. A nucleic acid (preferably DNA) having a base sequence encoding the placental organic anion transporter OAT4 or a base sequence hybridizable therewith under stringent conditions.