Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay method for identifying an agent that modulates arginine transport in a chondrocyte comprising the steps of: (a) identifying an agent that modulates the activity and/or expression of CAT-2; and (b) measuring arginine transport in the chondrocyte in the presence or absence of said agent, wherein a difference between: (a) arginine transport in the absence of the agent; and (b) arginine transport in the presence of the agent is indicative that the agent can modulate arginine transport in a chondrocyte. Therapeutic agents that modulate the expression or activity of CAT-2B could be beneficial for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, particularly osteoarthritis. For example, a CAT-2B antagonist may be useful for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Abstract: The invention provides novel yeast promoters useful for controlling the expression of homologous and heterologous nucleic acid molecules in yeast cells. The yeast promoters are induced by a fermentable carbon source, such as glucose, or a non-fermentable carbon source, such as ethanol, or both. Therefore, expression of nucleic acid molecules encoding a polypeptide under the control of the novel yeast promoters may be regulated by varying the level of a fermentable carbon source, or a non-fermentable carbon source, or both.

Abstract: The invention provides novel yeast promoters useful for controlling the expression of homologous and heterologous nucleic acid molecules in yeast cells. The yeast promoters are induced by a fermentable carbon source, such as glucose, or a non-fermentable carbon source, such as ethanol, or both. Therefore, expression of nucleic acid molecules encoding a polypeptide under the control of the novel yeast promoters may be regulated by varying the level of a fermentable carbon source, or a non-fermentable carbon source, or both.