Abstract: The present invention provides a novel protein and its use. The protein or its salt, the partial protein, its amide or ester, or salts, and DNA encoding the same can be employed for obtaining antibodies and antisera, constructing the expression system of the protein of the present invention, for constructing the assay system for the GABA transporter activity and screen medicament candidate compounds using the expression system, for making drug design based on the steric structure of GABA transporters, as agents for producing probes or PCR primers in gene diagnosis, for preparing transgenic animals or as pharmaceuticals for the prevention/treatment of genetic disorders.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a process for efficiently producing a recombinant protein free from the N-terminal methionine. In culturing a host transformed by an expression vector for expressing a gene-modified protein, the dissolved oxygen concentration in the liquid culture medium is controlled to about 1 ppm or lower. Thus, the ratio of the expression of a recombinant protein free from the N-terminal methionine is elevated compared with the case wherein no such control is performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein having a Na+—HCO3− cotransporter activity and a DNA encoding it. The present protein and the present DNA can be used as or for [1] obtaining an antibody and antiserum, [2] constructing an expression system for the present protein, [3] development of a system for measuring the activity of a Na+—HCO3− cotransporter and screening of a drug candidate compound using the same expression system, [4] performing drug design based on the steric structure of a Na+—HCO3− cotransporter protein, [5] a reagent for making a probe or a PCR primer in gene diagnosis, [6] making a transgenic animal, or [7] a composition for gene prevention and/or treatment.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition for antagonizing CCR5 which comprises a compound of the formula: wherein R1 is an optionally substituted 5- to 6-membered ring; W is a divalent group of the formula: wherein the ring A is an optionally substituted 5- to 6-membered aromatic ring, X is an optionally substituted C, N or O atom, and the ring B is an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring; Z is a chemical bond or a divalent group; R2 is (1) an optionally substituted amino group in which a nitrogen atom may form a quaternary ammonium, etc., or a salt thereof.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition for antagonizing CCR5 which comprises a compound of the formula: wherein R1 is an optionally substituted 5- to 6-membered ring; W is a divalent group of the formula: wherein the ring A is an optionally substituted 5- to 6-membered aromatic ring, X is an optionally substituted C, N or O atom, and the ring B is an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring; Z is a chemical bond or a divalent group; R2 is (1) an optionally substituted amino group in which a nitrogen atom may form a quaternary ammonium, etc., or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are CHO cells which are capable of continued production of human LH-RH receptor proteins, or cell membrane fractions thereof; recombinant human LH-RH receptor proteins or partial peptides thereof; methods for screening compounds which have affinity for an LH-RH receptor by contacting the compound with the CHO cells or the cell membrane fractions thereof, or the recombinant human LH-RH receptor proteins or the partial peptides thereof; kits for screening them; the compounds which have affinity for the LH-RH receptor obtained by methods for the screening or kits for the screening; and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound, thereby being able to early provide prophylactic or therapeutic compositions, for example, for prostate cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, a pituitary tumor, endometriosis, hysteromyoma or precocious puberty. They are also useful as a pregnancy controlling composition such as contraceptive or a menstrual cycle controlling composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a hybridoma carrying a vector for expressing a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) protein gene; (2) a method for producing the hybridoma of (1) which comprises transforming a hybridoma with the vector for expressing the FGF protein gene; and (3) a method for producing a biologically active substance which comprises cultivating in a culture medium the hybridoma obtained by the method of (2) using a hybridoma producing a biologically active substance other than the FGF protein, producing the FGF protein and producing and accumulating the biologically active substance in a culture, and recovering the biologically active substance, whereby the biologically active substance can be efficiently produced and recovered using the serum-free medium, which is advantageous for industrial production and very useful for an improvement in the breeding of the hybridoma.

Abstract: Yield of lankacidin antibiotics is enhanced by incorporating cyclodextrin into a culture medium where a microorganism capable of producing lankacidin is cultivated.

Abstract: A method for producing mildiomycin in a commercial quantity and at low cost by cultivating a mildiomycin-producing microorganism belonging to Actinomycetes in a culture medium containing an N-methyl compound in an amount of at least 3 mM to have mildiomycin elaborated and accumulated in the culture broth.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1##wherein R is hydrogen, a halogen atom or a lower alkyl group, or an acid salt thereof, possesses a superior fungicidal and acaricidal activity suitable for plant uses.