Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel chromoprotein derived from Cnidopus japonicus. The present invention provides a chromoprotein derived from Cnidopus japonicus having the following properties: (1) the absorption maximum wavelength is 559 nm and the fluorescence maximum wavelength is of 578 nm; (2) the molar absorption coefficient is 61,150 at 559 nm; (3) the quantum yield is less than 0.01; and (4) the pH sensitivity of light-absorbing properties is stable at between pH 4 and pH 10.

Abstract: A mast cell surface antigen, DNA thereof and an antibody against the antigen are provided. The amino acid sequence of this mast cell surface antigen is the translation of the coding region of its DNA. The base sequence of this DNA has been clarified in the following manner. Namely, mast cells obtained by incubating cord blood monocular cells are co-incubated with primary culture of fibroblasts to give connective tissue type mast cells (MC-TC). Then mRNA is extracted from this MC-TC cell extraction and a cDNA library is constructed therefrom. Immunological screening is carried out with the use of anti-MC-TC antiserum and the base sequence of the positive clone thus obtained is identified. Owing to the clarification of the amino acid sequence of this mast cell antigen, it becomes possible to reveal the role of mast cells in the pathology of allergic diseases and thus an antibody against mast cells can be easily obtained.

Abstract: A method for simply and conveniently detecting acetyltransferase and deacetylase activities of proteins by executing an acetylation reaction of a peptide substrate with an acetyltransferase, or a deacetylation reaction of an acetylated peptide substrate with a deacetylase, and after the completion of these reactions, detecting the acetyl group bound to the peptide substrate by using an anti-acetylated peptide antibody. This system for detecting acetyltransferase and deacetylase activities using the anti-acetylated peptide antibody enables screening inhibitors or enhancers of acetyltransferase and deacetylase. A system for screening deacetylase inhibitors or acetyltransferase enhancers using cultured cells is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for measuring the phosphorylation activity of Cdc7-ASK kinase complex by using as an indicator the level of phosphorylation at a phosphorylation site of MCM, which is a substrate of Cdc7-ASK kinase complex. The effects of test compounds on the phosphorylation activity of Cdc7-ASK kinase complex can also be evaluated based on these measurement methods. Compounds that inhibit this phosphorylation activity are useful as anti-cancer agents having superior specificity for cancer.

Abstract: A method for simply and conveniently detecting acetyltransferase and deacetylase activities of proteins by executing an acetylation reaction of a peptide substrate with an acetyltransferase, or a deacetylation reaction of an acetylated peptide substrate with a deacetylase, and after the completion of these reactions, detecting the acetyl group bound to the peptide substrate by using an anti-acetylated peptide antibody. This system for detecting acetyltransferase and deacetylase activities using the anti-acetylated peptide antibody enables screening inhibitors or enhancers of acetyltransferase and deacetylase. A system for screening deacetylase inhibitors or acetyltransferase enhancers using cultured cells is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides new applications for surface acoustic waves. A heating apparatus with a surface acoustic wave generator is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a heating apparatus comprise a surface acoustic wave generator having a piezoelectric substrate and inter-digital transducers (IDT) formed on the piezoelectric substrate, and a thermal reaction part is formed at the part of the piezoelectric substrate.

Abstract: A novel monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) but does not cross-react with structurally similar phospholipid antigens is advantageous for PIP3-specific immunoassay. The gene in the variable regions of the monoclonal antibody has been identified, which enables producing recombinant antibodies.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an antibody efficacious in diagnosing, preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease, DNA encoding the antibody, a method of screening a drug and drugs. The amino acid sequence and the gene sequence of the variable region of an antibody, which specifically recognizes a GM1 ganglioside-bound amyloid &bgr;-protein occurring in the early stage of &bgr;-amyloid fibril formation, are determined. Based on the data of the amino acid sequence and the gene sequence thus obtained, an antibody is designed.

Abstract: A novel monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes phosphatidylinositol-3,4-biphosphate (PI-3,4-P2) but does not cross-react with structurally similar phospholipid antigens is advantageous for PI-3,4-P2-specific immunoassay. The gene in the variable regions of the monoclonal antibody has been identified, which enables producing recombinant antibodies.

Abstract: A method for determining a soluble human ST2 in a sample conveniently at a high sensitivity and an assay kit are provided. By an immunological method comprising a step for bringing a sample into contact with an immobilized antibody formed by binding to an insoluble support a first anti-human ST2 antibody which binds specifically to a non-denatured human ST2, a step for labelling a first reaction product generated in the previous step by reacting said first reaction product with a second anti-human ST2 antibody which binds specifically to a non-denatured human ST2 by recognizing a site different from the site on ST2 where said first anti-human ST2 antibody binds and which is labelled with a label, and a step for determining the amount of the label on said first reaction product which has been labelled, a soluble human ST2 in a sample is determined. In addition, a recombinant ST2 is employed as a standard to prepare a calibration curve, based on which the ST2 in a sample is quantified.

Abstract: A novel monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) but does not cross-react with structurally similar phospholipid antigens is advantageous for PIP3-specific immunoassay. The gene in the variable regions of the monoclonal antibody has been identified, which enables producing recombinant antibodies.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) but does not cross-react with structurally similar phospholipid antigens is advantageous for PIP3-specific immunoassay. The gene in the variable regions of the monoclonal antibody has been identified, which enables producing recombinant antibodies.

Abstract: An antibody reacting specifically with human LECT2. This antibody is produced by hybridoma clones G2A5D7 (Accession No. FERM P-15638), A1G1C6 (Accession No. FERM P-15639), 5C5 (Accession No. FERM P-15640), H12D10D6 (Accession No. FERM P-15641), etc. Human LECT2 can be assayed by reacting human LECT2 successively with an immobilized antibody which has been formed by binding the above-mentioned antibody to an insoluble support and a labeled antibody which has been formed by labeling another antibody reacting with human LECT2 with a labeling agent, and then determining the amount of label in the reaction product.

Abstract: The invention is related to antibodies which specifically react with connective tissue type-human mast cells, a production method of the antibodies, hybridomas which produce the antibodies, a production method of the hybridomas and antigen proteins recognized by the antibodies. After cord blood cells were cultured in the presence of SCF and IL-6, they were further cocultured with primary culture of human skin fibroblasts, and connective tissue type-human mast cells were thus obtained. A rat was immunized using the cells, hybridomas were prepared and selected by an ordinary method, and novel monoclonal antibodies were harvested from the culture supernatant of the selected hybridomas. The monoclonal antibodies specifically reacted with connective tissue type-human mast cells.

Abstract: The invention is related to antibodies which specifically react with connective tissue type-human mast cells, a production method of the antibodies, hybridomas which produce the antibodies, a production method of the hybridomas and antigen proteins recognized by the antibodies. After cord blood cells were cultured in the presence of SCF and IL-6, they were further cocultured with primary culture of human skin fibroblasts, and connective tissue type-human mast cells were thus obtained. A rat was immunized using the cells, hybridomas were prepared and selected by an ordinary method, and novel monoclonal antibodies were harvested from the culture supernatant of the selected hybridomas. The monoclonal antibodies specifically reacted with connective tissue type-human mast cells.