Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method/screening kit for an IL-13 production inhibitor, which comprises using (a) a protein comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or its partial peptide, or a salt thereof; and (b) a ligand capable of specifically binding to the protein; an IL-13 production inhibitor which is obtainable by said screening, and the like. The IL-13 production inhibitor which can be obtained by the screening of the present invention is useful as a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for, e.g., respiratory disease, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a GPR receptor function regulator comprising the compound represented by the formula: [wherein ring A is an optionally substituted isocyclic or heterocyclic ring, P is a bond or spacer, ring D is an optionally substituted monocyclic aromatic ring which may be condensed with a 5- to 7-membered ring, V is a bond or the group represented by the formula —CR14?CR15— or —N?CR16— (wherein R14, R15 and R16 each represents a hydrogen atom or optionally substituted hydrocarbon group), Q is a bond or spacer, and W is a carboxyl or a group biologically equivalent to a carboxyl] or its salt or a prodrug thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method/screening kit for a mast cell degranulation inhibitor which is characterized by using (a) a protein comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, its partial peptide, or a salt thereof and (b) a ligand capable of specifically binding to the protein; a mast cell degranulation inhibitor obtained by the screening; and so on.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method/screening kit for an IL-13 production inhibitor, which comprises using (a) a protein comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or its partial peptide, or a salt thereof; and (b) a ligand capable of specifically binding to the protein; an IL-13 production inhibitor which is obtainable by said screening, and the like. The IL-13 production inhibitor which can be obtained by the screening of the present invention is useful as a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for, e.g., respiratory disease, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies that bind to the A chain N-terminal peptide. The present invention also relates to (1) a polypeptide containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:7 (A chain), (2) a polypeptide containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:8 (B chain), (3) a polypeptide wherein the A and B chains are bonded to each other via disulfide bonds (2 chains) or its salt., (4) DNAs encoding the same, etc. These polypeptides and DNAs encoding the same can be used for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, etc. for diseases, including abnormalities (e.g., diabetes mellitus, etc.) in metabolic regulation (sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, etc.) of energy sources such as carbohydrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence identical to or substantially identical to an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 35 and having an ability of binding to a receptor protein comprising an amino acid sequence identical to or substantially identical to an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 3, or a precursor thereof, its amide or ester, or a salt thereof. An inventive peptide-encoding DNA or equivalent can be employed in (1) a development of a receptor binding assay system using an expression system of a recombinant receptor protein and a screening for a pharmaceutical candidate compound, and (2) a development of a pharmaceutical having a reduced side effect such as a memory function improving agent, an appetite improving agent, an uterine, renal, prostatic, testicular or skeletal muscle function regulating agent.

Abstract: By using (1) a G protein-coupled receptor protein having the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or its salt and (2) a fatty acid or an eicosanoid, a compound or its salt that can change the binding properties of the receptor protein or its salt to the fatty acid or the eicosanoid can be screened efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence identical to or substantially identical to an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 35 and having an ability of binding to a receptor protein comprising an amino acid sequence identical to or substantially identical to an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 3, or a precursor thereof, its amide or ester, or a salt thereof. An inventive peptide-encoding DNA or equivalent can be employed in (1) a development of a receptor binding assay system using an expression system of a recombinant receptor protein and a screening for a pharmaceutical candidate compound, and (2) a development of a pharmaceutical having a reduced side effect such as a memory function improving agent, an appetite improving agent, an uterine, renal, prostatic, testicular or skeletal muscle function regulating agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence identical to or substantially identical to an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 35 and having an ability of binding to a receptor protein comprising an amino acid sequence identical to or substantially identical to an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 3, or a precursor thereof, its amide or ester, or a salt thereof. An inventive peptide-encoding DNA or equivalent can be employed in (1) a development of a receptor binding assay system using an expression system of a recombinant receptor protein and a screening for a pharmaceutical candidate compound, and (2) a development of a pharmaceutical having a reduced side effect such as a memory function improving agent, a appetite improving agent, an uterine, renal, prostatic, testicular or skeletal muscle function regulating agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (1) a polypeptide containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:7 (A chain), (2) a polypeptide containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:8 (B chain), (3) a polypeptide wherein the A and B chains are bonded to each other via disulfide bonds (2 chains) or its salt, (4) DNAs encoding the same, etc. These polypeptides and DNAs encoding the same can be used for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, etc. for diseases, including abnormalities (e.g., diabetes mellitus, etc.) in metabolic regulation (sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, etc.) of energy sources such as carbohydrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (1) a polypeptide containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:7 (A chain), (2) a polypeptide containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:8 (B chain), (3) a polypeptide wherein the A and B chains are bonded to each other via disulfide bonds (2 chains) or its salt, (4) DNAs encoding the same, etc. These polypeptides and DNAs encoding the same can be used for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, etc. for diseases, including abnormalities (e.g., diabetes mellitus, etc.) in metabolic regulation (sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, etc.) of energy sources such as carbohydrates.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a method for analyzing gene expression, a novel use for a receptor protein and the like. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for analyzing gene expression, which is characterized by identifying genes, which are characteristically promoted or suppressed in certain cells or tissues by quantitatively analyzing the individual expressed amounts of a plural number of genes collectively, an assay kit employed in the method and the like. The present invention also provides a method of screening compounds or salts thereof which alter the binding properties of a novel G protein coupled receptor protein comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9 or a salt thereof with a ligand, characterized by the use of the protein or salt thereof and a protein (such as a lectin) showing an affinity for a sugar chain which is one of the ligands.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a method of determining a ligand to an orphan receptor. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of determining a ligand to a receptor protein, to which no ligand has been determined, which comprises using a fusion protein of the receptor protein and a fluorescent protein.

Abstract: By using (1) a G protein-coupled receptor protein having the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or its salt and (2) a fatty acid or an eicosanoid, a compound or its salt that can change the binding properties of the receptor protein or its salt to the fatty acid or the eicosanoid can be screened efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel secretory polypeptides and precursor proteins thereof, which show a high homology to MIA (melanoma inhibitor activity)/CD-RAP (bovine cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein); are specifically expressed in the cartilage tissue; and have an effect on the cartilage differentiation. The polypeptides and the DNAs encoding the same can be used for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of bone and joint diseases or pathological angiogenesis. As well, the polypeptides are useful as a reagent for screening a compound that promotes or inhibits the activity of the polypeptides. The antibody to the polypeptides can be used for the detection, quantification, or neutralization of the polypeptide in a test sample fluid. Further by using the promoter of the present invention, a therapeutic protein can be expressed predominantly in the cartilage tissue for a gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a novel, tissue-specific secretory polypeptide and a DNA encoding the same.

Abstract: The invention provides an ependymin-like protein derived a mammal, or its partial peptide or its precursor protein, or a salt thereof; a signal peptide; a DNA coding for the protein, etc. a recombinant vector; a transformant; a method of producing the protein; a pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein, etc. or DNA, an antibody against the protein, etc.; and a method for screening and a screening kit for compounds promoting the function of the protein. The protein, its partial peptide or a salt thereof has physiological activities such as a nerve-extending or nerve-regenerating activity, a gliacyte stimulating activity, and so on. The protein, etc. or the DNA is useful as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), dementia or cerebellar degeneration. The antibody against the protein, etc. can be used in the assay of the protein, etc. in a test sample. Furthermore, the protein, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides an ependymin-like protein derived from a mammal, or its partial peptide or its precursor protein, or a salt thereof; a signal peptide; a DNA coding for the protein, etc. a recombinant vector; a transformant; a method of producing the protein; a pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein, etc. or DNA, an antibody against the protein, etc.; and a method for screening and a screening kit for compounds promoting the function of the protein. The protein, its partial peptide or a salt thereof has physiological activities such as a nerve-extending or nerve-regenerating activity, a gliacyte stimulating activity, and so on. The protein, etc. or the DNA is useful as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), dementia or cerebellar degeneration. The antibody against the protein, etc. can be used in the assay of the protein, etc. in a test sample. Furthermore, the protein, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (1) a polypeptide containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:7 (A chain), (2) a polypeptide containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:8 (B chain), (3) a polypeptide wherein the A and B chains are bonded to each other via disulfide bonds (2 chains) or its salt, (4) DNAs encoding the same, etc.

Abstract: This invention discloses a PACAP receptor protein or a salt thereof, a DNA comprising a DNA fragment coding for the protein, a method for preparing the protein, antibody against the protein and use of the protein, DNA and antibodies.