Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that is expressed predominantly in the brain and placenta and nucleic acid molecules that encoded the GPCR, which is referred to herein as the hCAR protein and hCAR gene respectively (for human Constitutively Active Receptor). Based on this identification, the present invention provides: (1) isolated hCAR protein; (2) isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode an hCAR protein; (3) antibodies that selectively bind to the hCAR protein; (4) methods of isolating allelic variants of the hCAR protein and gene; (5) methods of identifying cells and tissues that express the hCAR protein/gene; (6) methods of identifying agents and cellular compounds that bind to the hCAR protein; (7) methods of identifying agents that modulate the expression of the hCAR gene; and (8) methods of modulating the activity of the hCAR protein in a cell or organism.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that is expressed predominantly in the brain and placenta and nucleic acid molecules that encoded the GPCR, which is referred to herein as the hCAR protein and hCAR gene respectively (for human Constitutively Active Receptor). Based on this identification, the present invention provides: (1) isolated hCAR protein; (2) isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode an hCAR protein; (3) antibodies that selectively bind to the hCAR protein; (4) methods of isolating allelic variants of the hCAR protein and gene; (5) methods of identifying cells and tissues that express the hCAR protein/gene; (6) methods of identifying agents and cellular compounds that bind to the hCAR protein; (7) methods of identifying agents that modulate the expression of the hCAR gene; and (8) methods of modulating the activity of the hCAR protein in a cell or organism.

Abstract: Novel mGluR5M polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length mGluR5M proteins, the invention further provides isolated mGluR5M fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-mGluR5M antibodies. The invention also provides mGluR5M nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a mGluR5M gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.