Abstract: A method for identifying modulators of the Keap1-NrG-ARE pathway is described. In particular, an assay is described that identifies molecules that inhibit the binding of a labeled Nrf2 peptide with the kelch domain of the Keap1 protein. Molecules that inhibit the binding are activators of the Keap 1-Nrf2-ARE pathway. Activation of the Keap 1-Nrf2-ARE pathway may result in an increased accumulation of Nrf2 and the subsequent induction of protective enzymes, for example, the phase 2 detoxification enzymes. Activators of the Keap1-NrG-ARE pathway are useful for combating oxidative stress-related disorders, such as those associated with cancer, emphysema, Huntington's disease, light-induced retinal damage, and stroke.

Abstract: Non-human transgenic animals, such as transgenic mice, are generated which incorporate the a non-native form of the bradykinin B1 receptor gene against a null phenotype for the native form of the bradykinin B1 receptor. An exemplified portion of the invention disclosed a transgenic mouse wherein a targeting construct containing a transgene encoding the human B1 bradykinin receptor gene is inserted downstream of and operatively linked to the native mice bradykinin B1 promoter. This targeting construct also contains a fluxed neomycin resistance gene. The resulting transgenic animals are “humanized” for the bradykinin B1 receptor and are effectively on a null background for native, functional B1 receptor activity. These animals may be crossed with a Cre-deleter strain to generate transgenic offspring which absent of the floxed marker gene.

Abstract: A novel receptor, “LDL-receptor-related protein-5” (“LRP-5”), is provided, along with encoding nucleic acid. The gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and experimental evidence provides indication that it is the IDDM susceptibility gene IDDM4. In various aspects the invention provides nucleic acid, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of diagnosis or prognosis, and other methods relating to and based on the gene, including methods of treatment of diseases in which the gene may be implicated, including autoimmune diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, diseases and disorders involving disruption of endocytosis and/or antigen presentation, diseases and disorders involving cytokine clearance and/or inflammation, viral infection, elevation of free fatty acids or hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

Abstract: Transgenic rats are generated which incorporate a primate B1 bradykinin receptor transgene(s) into their genome. This B1 bradykinin receptor gene is expressed in these transgenic rats, which results in binding of compounds which are selective for the primate form (such as the human form) of the receptor and not the rat form of the receptor. Therefore, the expressed transgenes within these transgenic lines mimic antagonist and agonist selectivity of the wild type primate B1 bradykinin receptor. These transgenic animals are useful as a specific receptor occupancy model for modulators of the B1 bradykinin receptor from the human or closely related species, as well as providing for an animal model system for assessment of the pharmacodynamic properties of such a B1 bradykinin modulator(s).

Abstract: A novel receptor, “LDL-receptor-related protein-3” (“LRP-3”), is provided, along with encoding nucleic acid. The gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and experimental evidence provides indication that it is the IDDM susceptibility gene IDDM4. In various aspects the invention provides nucleic acid, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of diagnosis or prognosis, and other methods relating to and based on the gene, including methods of treatment of diseases in which the gene may be implicated, including autoimmune diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, diseases and disorders involving disruption of endocytosis and/or antigen presentation, diseases and disorders involving cytokine clearance and/or inflammation, viral infection, elevation of free fatty acids or hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

Abstract: A novel receptor, “LDL-receptor related protein-3” (“LRP-3”), is provided, along with encoding nucleic acid. The gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and experimental evidence provides indication that it is the IDDM susceptibility gene IDDM4. In various aspects the invention provides nucleic acid, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of diagnosis or prognosis, and other methods relating to and based on the gene, including methods of treatment of diseases in which the gene may be implicated, including autoimmune diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, diseases and disorders involving disruption of endocytosis and/or antigen presentation, diseases and disorders involving cytokine clearance and/or inflammation, viral infection, elevation of free fatty acids or hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

Abstract: A novel receptor, “LDL-receptor related protein-3” (“LRP-3”), is provided, along with encoding nucleic acid. The gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and experimental evidence provides indication that it is the IDDM susceptibility gene IDDM4. In various aspects the invention provides nucleic acid, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of diagnosis or prognosis, and other methods relating to and based on the gene, including methods of treatment of diseases in which the gene may be implicated, including autoimmune diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, diseases and disorders involving disruption of endocytosis and/or antigen presentation, diseases and disorders involving cytokine clearance and/or inflammation, viral infection, elevation of free fatty acids or hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

Abstract: DNAs encoding bradykinin B1 receptors from mammalian cells have been cloned and characterized. The recombinant receptor is capable of forming receptors which bind des-Arg10 kallidin and other B1-specific ligands. The DNA has been expressed in recombinant host cells which produce active recombinant protein. In addition, the recombinant host cells are utilized to establish a method for identifying modulators of the receptor activity, and receptor modulators are identified.

Abstract: The present invention is a cloned human BK-2 bradykinin receptor cloned from a human lung fibroblast cell line. A cDNA clone, also part of the instant invention, encodes a novel 364 amino acid protein (the BK-2 receptor) that has the characteristics of a seven transmembrane domain G-protein coupled receptor. The invention is used to express a BK-2 bradykinin receptor in a host mammalian cell to screen for pharmaceutical antagonists or agonists which bind to or interact with the BK-2 bradykinin receptor protein.

Abstract: DNAs encoding bradykinin B1 receptors from mammalian cells have been cloned and characterized. The recombinant receptor is capable of forming receptors which bind desArg10 kallidin and other B1-specific ligands. The DNA has been expressed in recombinant host cells which produce active recombinant protein. In addition, the recombinant host cells are utilized to establish a method for identifying modulators of the receptor activity, and receptor modulators are identified.

Abstract: The rat ob receptor gene has been isolated and cloned. Two different alleles have been identified: the wild-type, and the fa-allele which differs from the wild type by only one base pair. The base pair change, however introduces an MspI restriction site into the DNA sequence, and also results in an amino acid change. Also part of the invention are the receptors, vectors containing the nucleic acid encoding the receptors, host cells transformed with this gene, and assays which use the gene or protein and identify new ligands.

Abstract: The ob receptor has numerous isoforms resulting from alternative splicaing; three novel isoforms, designated c′, f, and g are disclosed. The nucleic acids encoding these isoforms are taught. Also part of the invention are vectors containing the nucleic acid encoding the receptors, host cells transformed with these genes, and assays which use the genes or protein isoforms.

Abstract: A trans-activation assay for leptin is described. Leptin response elements are located proximal to a promoter, and the promoter region is operatively linked to a reporter gene. When leptin binds with the receptor, the reporter gene is transcribed.

Abstract: DNAs encoding bradykinin B.sub.1 receptors from mammalian cells have been cloned and characterized. The recombinant receptor is capable of forming receptors which bind des-Arg.sup.10 kallidin and other B.sub.1 -specific ligands. The DNA has been expressed in recombinant host cells which produce active recombinant protein. In addition, the recombinant host cells are utilized to establish a method for identifying modulators of the receptor activity, and receptor modulators are identified.

Abstract: A transgenic non-human animal with alterations in a bradykinin B2 receptor gene is prepared by introduction of a gene encoding an altered bradykinin B2 receptor into a host non-human animal.

Abstract: DNAs encoding bradykinin B.sub.1 receptors from mammalian cells have been cloned and characterized. The recombinant receptor is capable of forming receptors which bind des-Arg.sup.10 kallidin and other B.sub.1 -specific ligands. The DNA has been expressed in recombinant host cells which produce active recombinant protein. In addition, the recombinant host cells are utilized to establish a method for identifying modulators of the receptor activity, and receptor modulators are identified.