Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleotide sequence which encodes an ADP-glucose receptor, and isolated polynucleotides therefrom. Also provided is an isolated ADP-glucose receptor polypeptide, an isolated immunogenic peptide therefrom, and antibodies specific therefor. The invention also provides a method of identifying an ADP-glucose receptor agonist or antagonist, by contacting an ADP-glucose receptor with one or more candidate compounds under conditions suitable for detection of a G-protein coupled signal in response to ADP-glucose, and identifying a candidate compound that alters production of the signal. Further provided is a method of identifying an ADP-glucose receptor ligand, by contacting an ADP-glucose receptor with one or more candidate compounds under conditions suitable for detecting selective binding of ADP-glucose to ADP-glucose receptor, and identifying a candidate compound that selectively binds the ADP-glucose receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of screening for a therapeutically useful compound which comprises testing an LC132 receptor agonist in a screening assay for psychiatric and/or neurological disorders. More particularly, the screening method is based on contacting an LC132 receptor with an agent suspected of being an agonist of the LC132 receptor function, followed by the detection of the binding and/or the agonist activity of the compound and then testing of an agent with LC132 agonist activity in an antiepileptic, anticonvulsant or anxiolytic screening assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mammalian opioid receptor protein and ligands that bind to such proteins. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of an endogenous ligand that specifically binds to a novel mammalian opioid receptor protein heterologously expressed in mammalian cells. The invention specifically provides the isolated peptide ligand and analogues, derivatives and variants thereof. The invention specifically provides tyrosine substitution variants of the peptide ligand that specifically bind to the opioid receptor and can be radioiodinated. Also provided are methods of making such peptide ligands and methods of using the ligands for diagnostic and therapeutic uses and for the identification of other naturally-occurring or synthetic opioid receptor ligands.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleotide sequence which encodes an ADP-glucose receptor, and isolated polynucleotides therefrom. Also provided is an isolated ADP-glucose receptor polypeptide, an isolated immunogenic peptide therefrom, and antibodies specific therefor. The invention also provides a method of identifying an ADP-glucose receptor agonist or antagonist, by contacting an ADP-glucose receptor with one or more candidate compounds under conditions suitable for detection of a G-protein coupled signal in response to ADP-glucose, and identifying a candidate compound that alters production of the signal. Further provided is a method of identifying an ADP-glucose receptor ligand, by contacting an ADP-glucose receptor with one or more candidate compounds under conditions suitable for detecting selective binding of ADP-glucose to ADP-glucose receptor, and identifying a candidate compound that selectively binds the ADP-glucose receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of screening for a therapeutically useful compound which comprises testing an LC132 receptor agonist in a screening assay for psychiatric and/or neurological disorders. More particularly, the screening method is based on contacting an LC132 receptor with an agent suspected of being an agonist of the LC132 receptor function, followed by the detection of the binding and/or the agonist activity of the compound and then testing of an agent with LC132 agonist activity in an antiepileptic, anticonvulsant or anxiolytic screening assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mammalian anti-opioid receptor protein (OFQR), peptide ligands (such as OFQ) that bind to OFQR, and methods of using the OFQ peptide and analogues to reverse the physiologic effects of opiates such as morphine. The isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the endogenous peptide ligand is described. A particular embodiment of the OFQ peptide is a heptadecapeptide having an FGGF aminoterminal motif. The peptide specifically binds to an OFQ receptor protein heterologously expressed in mammalian cells. The peptide does not bind with high affinity to &mgr;, &dgr; or &kgr; receptors, but it antagonizes opioid mediated effects (such as analgesia and hypothermia) without increasing nociceptive sensitivity. Tyrosine substitution variants of the peptide ligand specifically bind to the opioid receptor and can be radioiodinated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mammalian opioid receptor protein and ligands that bind to such proteins. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of an endogenous ligand that specifically binds to a novel mammalian opioid receptor protein heterologously expressed in mammalian cells. The invention specifically provides the isolated peptide ligand and analogues, derivatives and variants thereof. The invention specifically provides tyrosine substitution variants of the peptide ligand that specifically bind to the opioid receptor and can be radioiodinated. Also provided are methods of making such peptide ligands and methods of using the ligands for diagnostic and therapeutic uses and for the identification of other naturally-occurring or synthetic opioid receptor ligands.