Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of sweet taste receptors comprising two heterologous G-protein coupled receptor polypeptides from the T1R family of sensory G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of sweet taste receptors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having high-affinity choline transporter activity which is important physiologically, a gene encoding the protein, and a method of screening a material promoting the high-affinity choline transporter activity with the use of the same, and the like. By examining high-affinity choline uptake activity of Na+-dependent transporter cDNA deduced from the genomic sequence of a nematode (C. elegans) in a Xenopus oocyte expression system, the cDNA (cho-1) of nematode high-affinity choline transporter is identified. Then the cDNA (CHT1) of rat high-affinity choline transporter is cloned from rat spinal cord by using the homology of a base sequence to this cDNA as an index. Similarly, the cDNA of human high-affinity choline transporter is cloned from human genome.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of sensory cell specific G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of sensory cell specific G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: An isolated and substantially pure mammal polypeptide different from known adrenergic, serotonine and dopamine receptors, existing at least on mammalian muscle and eosinophils membranes, for instance in rat, guinea pig and humans. The invention also relates to plasmids containing the genes coding for said polypeptide, to host cells transformed by genes coding for the above mentioned polypeptide, to nucleotide probes capable of hybridizing with the genes coding for the above mentioned polypeptide, and to polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies directed against the above mentioned polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of sensory cell specific G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of sensory cell specific G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: The invention provides human high affinity choline transporter polynucleotides and polypeptides and compositions comprising human high affinity choline transporter polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lepidopteran octopamine/tyramine transporter. Nucleic acids encoding the transporter, and vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acids are provided. The invention further provides a recombinant octopamine/tyramine transporter, kits and compositions comprising the transporter, and methods of identifying agents that mediate the activity of the transporter.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular taste stimulus in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: Binding assays for identifying ligands that modulate human T1R3 polypeptide-associated taste are disclosed. These assays detect the specific binding of compounds to a human T1R3 polypeptide or the modulation of the specific binding of another compound that specifically binds human T1R3 polypeptide. The binding assays may include the use of detectable labels, e.g., radionuclides, enzymes, fluorophores, and the like. Compounds identified in these binding assays have potential application as T1R3 taste modulators and therefore potentially are useful additives in compositions for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating sepsis, including, septic shock and ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), comprising administering an effective amount of a HMG1 antagonist. There is further disclosed a diagnostic method for monitoring the severity or potential lethality of sepsis or septic shock, comprising measuring the serum concentration of HMG1 in a patient exhibiting or at risk or exhibit sepsis or septic shock symptoms. Lastly, there is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for effecting weight loss or treating obesity, comprising administering an effective amount of HMG1 or a therapeutically active HMG1 fragment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a human vanilloid receptor-like (VR-L) receptor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating sepsis, including septic shock and ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), comprising administering an effective amount of a HMG1 antagonist. There is further disclosed a diagnostic method for monitoring the severity or potential lethality of sepsis or septic shock, comprising measuring the serum concentration of HMG1 in a patient exhibiting or at risk or exhibit sepsis or septic shock symptoms. Lastly, there is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for effecting weight loss or treating obesity, comprising administering an effective amount of HMG1 or a therapeutically active HMG1 fragment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having homology to a polypeptide suppressor of the Drosophila melanogaster fused protein and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: It is shown here that hedgehog proteins possess novel activities beyond phenotype specification. Using cultures derived from the embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) rat ventral mesencephalon, we show that hedgehog is also trophic for dopaminergic neurons. Interestingly, hedgehog not only promotes dopaminergic neuron survival, but also promotes the survival of midbrain GABA-immunoreactive (GABA-ir) neurons.

Abstract: It is shown here that hedgehog proteins possess novel activities beyond phenotype specification. Using cultures derived from the embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) rat ventral mesencephalon, we show that hedgehog is also trophic for dopaminergic neurons. Interestingly, hedgehog not only promotes dopaminergic neuron survival, but also promotes the survival of midbrain GABA-immunoreactive (GABA-ir) neurons.

Abstract: Novel 4-1BB ligand (4-1BB-L) polypeptides and a human cell surface receptor designated 4-1BB that binds 4-1BB-L are provided. Isolated 4-1BB-L-encoding and human 4-1BB-encoding DNA sequences, recombinant expression vectors comprising the isolated DNA sequences, and host cells transformed with the recombinant expression vectors are disclosed, along with methods for producing the novel polypeptides by cultivating such transformed host cells. Soluble forms of the 4-1BB-L or 4-1BB polypeptides are derived from the extracellular domains thereof.

Abstract: A novel CC chemokine which is from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding said chemokine. A chemokine receptor is also provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.