Abstract: Antibodies or epitope-binding portions thereof raised to a synthetic polypeptide having an amino acid sequence that corresponds substantially to an amino acid residue sequence of at least a portion of a naturally occurring proteinoid and having a molecular weight equal to less than that of the proteinoid are diclosed. That proteinoid contains an amino acid residue sequence translated from a messenger RNA present substantially only in brain cells. Those antibodies or epitope-containing portions bind specifically when admixed with brain cell tissue that includes the naturally occurring proteinoid.

Abstract: An improved method for the simultaneous sequence-specific identification of mRNAs in a mRNA population allows the visualization of nearly every mRNA expressed by a tissue as a distinct band on a gel whose intensity corresponds roughly to the concentration of the mRNA. In general, the method comprises the formation of cDNA using anchor primers to fix a 3'-endpoint, producing cloned inserts from the cDNA in a vector containing a bacteriophage-specific promoter for subsequent RNA synthesis, generating linearized fragments of the cloned inserts, preparing cRNA, transcribing cDNA from the cRNA using a set of primers, and performing PCR using a 3'-primer whose sequence is derived from the vector and a set of 5'-primers that is derived from the primers used for transcription of cDNA from cRNA. The method can identify changes in expression of mRNA associated with the administration of drugs or with physiological or pathological conditions.

Abstract: An improved method for the simultaneous sequence-specific identification of mRNAs in a mRNA population allows the visualization of nearly every mRNA expressed by a tissue as a distinct band on a gel whose intensity corresponds roughly to the concentration of the mRNA. In general, the method comprises the formation of cDNA using anchor primers to fix a 3'-endpoint, producing cloned inserts from the cDNA in a vector containing a bacteriophage-specific promoter for subsequent RNA synthesis, generating linearized fragments of the cloned inserts, preparing cRNA, transcribing cDNA from the cRNA using a set of 5'-RT primers, and performing PCR using a 3'-PCR primer whose sequence is derived from the vector and a set of 5'-PCR primers that is derived from the 5'-RT primers used for transcription of cDNA from cRNA. The method can identify changes in expression of mRNA associated with the administration of drugs or with physiological or pathological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nucleic acids encoding a novel neuropeptide designated cortistatin. The cortistatin nucleic acids, proteins and polypeptides thereof along with anti-cortistatin antibodies are useful in both screening methods, diagnostic methods and therapeutic methods related to modulation of sleep and disorders thereof.

Abstract: An improved method for the simultaneous sequence-specific identification of mRNAs in a mRNA population allows the visualization of nearly every mRNA expressed by a tissue as a distinct band on a gel whose intensity corresponds roughly to the concentration of the mRNA. In general, the method comprises the formation of cDNA using anchor primers to fix a 3'-endpoint, producing cloned inserts from the cDNA in a vector containing a bacteriophage-specific promoter for subsequent RNA synthesis, generating linearized fragments of the cloned inserts, preparing cRNA, transcribing cDNA from the cRNA using a set of primers, and performing PCR using a 3'-primer whose sequence is derived from the vector and a set of 5'-primers that is derived from the primers used for transcription of cDNA from cRNA. The method can identify changes in expression of mRNA associated with the administration of drugs or with physiological or pathological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention describes nucleic acid molecules encoding human serotonin receptors, recombinant serotonin receptor proteins, cultured cells expressing recombinant serotonin receptor proteins, antibodies immunoreactive with serotonin receptor proteins, polypeptide serotonin receptor antagonists, oligonucleotide probes used for detecting nucleic acids which encode a human serotonin receptor, and nonhuman transgenic animals which express recombinant human serotonin receptor. Also disclosed are methods for screening for ligand binding to the described serotonin receptors and for serotonin receptor agonists and antagonists, for detection of serotonin receptors in tissues, and for therapeutic treatments involving the described human serotonin receptors.

Abstract: An improved method for the simultaneous sequence-specific identification of mRNAs in a mRNA population allows the visualization of nearly every mRNA expressed by a tissue as a distinct band on a gel whose intensity corresponds roughly to the concentration of the mRNA. In general, the method comprises the formation of cDNA using anchor primers to fix a 3'-endpoint, producing cloned inserts from the cDNA in a vector containing a bacteriophage-specific promoter for subsequent RNA synthesis, generating linearized fragments of the cloned inserts, preparing cRNA, transcribing cDNA from the cRNA using a set of primers, and performing PCR using a 3'-primer whose sequence is derived from the vector and a set of 5'-primers that is derived from the primers used for transcription of cDNA from cRNA. The method can identify changes in expression of mRNA associated with the administration of drugs or with physiological or pathological conditions.

Abstract: An improved method for the simultaneous sequence-specific identification of mRNAs in a mRNA population allows the visualization of nearly every mRNA expressed by a tissue as a distinct band on a gel whose intensity corresponds roughly to the concentration of the mRNA. In general, the method comprises the formation of cDNA using anchor primers to fix a 3'-endpoint, producing cloned inserts from the cDNA in a vector containing a bacteriophage-specific promoter for subsequent RNA synthesis, generating linearized fragments of the cloned inserts, preparing cRNA, transcribing cDNA from the cRNA using a set of primers, and performing PCR using a 3'-primer whose sequence is derived from the vector and a set of 5'-primers that is derived from the primers used for transcription of cDNA from cRNA. The method can identify changes in expression of mRNA associated with the administration of drugs or with physiological or pathological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of physiologic engineering by genetically altering second messenger levels in cells. This method allows the hyperactivation or inhibition of cell function within cells, tissues and animals by introducing a foreign gene that alters a second messenger system. The use of physiologically engineered animals as systems for determining the effectiveness of therapeutic compositions is also contemplated.

Abstract: Synthetic polypeptides whose sequences correspond substantially to amino acid residue sequences of at least portions of naturally occurring proteinoids translated from brain-specific mRNAs are disclosed as are receptors, methods and diagnostics that utilize those synthetic polypeptides. The synthetic polypeptides have molecular weights less than those of their corresponding proteinoids, and induce the production of antibodies that bind to the naturally occurring proteinoid, or a derivative thereof when bound to a carrier as a conjugate and are introduced into an animal.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of physiologic engineering by genetically altering second messenger levels in cells. This method allows the hyperactivation or inhibition of cell function within cells, tissues and animals by introducing a foreign gene that alters a second messenger system. The use of physiologically engineered animals as systems for determining the effectiveness of therapeutic compositions is also contemplated.

Abstract: Synthetic polypeptides whose sequences correspond substantially to amino acid residue sequences of at least portions of naturally occurring proteinoids translated from brain-specific mRNAs are disclosed as are receptors, methods and diagnostics that utilize those synthetic polypeptides. The synthetic polypeptides have molecular weights less than those of their corresponding proteinoids, and induce the production of antibodies that bind to the naturally occurring proteinoid, or a derivative thereof when bound to a carrier as a conjugate and are introduced into an animal.