Abstract: This invention relates to a protein including a mammalian K+ channel with two pore domains, designated TREK2, that produces currents whose current-voltage relationship is weakly inward rectifying in high symmetrical K+ conditions. This invention further relates to the isolation and characterization of such protein, as well as a method using TREK2 to identify bioactive compounds having anesthetic properties.

Abstract: A purified protein comprising a mechanosensitive potassium channel activated by at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid and riluzole and the use of such channels in drug screening.

Abstract: The present invention concerns DNA and peptide sequence encoding a mammalian secreted group III sPLA2 and more particularly a human secreted group III (hGIII) sPLA2. The invention also concerns the use of this secreted group III sPLA2 in methods for screening various chemical compounds.

Abstract: DNA and peptide sequences encoding a novel mammalian secreted group IIF phospholipase A2 wherein said enzyme is Ca2+-dependent, maximally active at pH 7-8, and hydrolyzes phosphatidylglycerol versus phosphatidylcholine with a 15-fold preference and more particularly, a novel human group IIF phospholipase A2. The invention also concerns the use of this enzyme in methods for screening various chemical compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protein including a mammalian K+ channel with two pore domains, designated TREK2, that produces currents whose current-voltage relationship is weakly inward rectifying in high symmetrical K+ conditions. This invention further relates to the isolation and characterization of such protein, as well as a method using TREK2 to identify bioactive compounds having anesthetic properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns DNA and peptide sequences encoding a novel mammalian secreted group IIF phospholipase A2 wherein said enzyme is Ca2+-dependent, maximally active at pH 7-8, and hydrolyzes phosphatidylglycerol versus phosphatidylcholine with a 15-fold preference and more particularly, a novel human group IIF phospholipase A2. The invention also concerns the use of this enzyme in methods for screening various chemical compounds.

Abstract: A mechanosensitive human potassium channel, referred to as “hTRAAK” for human TWICK-Related AA-Activated K+ channel, which is activated by polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as by the neuroprotective agent riluzole. The properties of the channels of the TRAAK family as well as their tissue distribution give these channels a primordial role in the transport of potassium in a large number of cell types.

Abstract: This invention concerns DNA and peptide sequences encoding a novel mammalian secreted group XII phospholipase A2 wherein said enzyme contains a potential Ca2+ binding segment GCGSP and more particularly, a novel human group XII phospholipase A2. The invention also concerns the use of this enzyme in methods for screening various chemical compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new member of a recently recognized TWIK potassium + channel family, herein identified as TASK. For TWIK-related acid-sensitive K + channel. This is the first cloned mammalian channel that produces K+ currents that possesses all the characteristics of background conductances. The inventions also relates to various constructs including the TASK or related human potassium channel family, and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention concerns DNA and peptide sequence encoding a mammalian secreted group III sPLA2 and more particularly a human secreted group III (hGIII) sPLA2. The invention also concerns the use of this secreted group III sPLA2 in methods for screening various chemical compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new member of a recently recognized TWIK potassium+ channel family, herein identified as TASK. For TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+ channel. This is the first cloned mammalian channel that produces K+ currents that possesses all the characteristics of background conductances The inventions also relates to various constructs including the TASK or related human potassium channel family, and their uses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new member of a recently recognized TWIK potassium+channel family, herein identified as TASK, for TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+ channel. This is the first cloned mammalian channel that produces K+ currents that possesses all the characteristics of background conductances. The invention also relates to various constructs including the TASK or related human potassium channel family, and their uses.

Abstract: Non inactivating or slowly inactivating proton-gated cation channels are thought to play an important role in the perception of pain that accompanies tissue acidosis. We have identified a novel human proton-gated cation channel subunit that has biphasic desensitisation kinetics with both a rapidly inactivating Na+-selective and a sustained component. The protein shares 84% sequence identity with the proton-gated cation channel rASIC3 (rDRASIC) from rat sensory neurones. The biphasic desensitisation kinetics and the sequence homology suggest that this novel clone (hASIC3) is the human orthologue of rASIC3 (rDRASIC). While rASIC3 (rDRASIC) requires very acidic pH (<pH 4.5) for activation of the sustained current, the non-inactivating hASIC3 current starts to be activated when the pH decreases to below pH 6. hASIC3 is ant acid sensor and might play an important role in the detection of lasting pH changes in human. We localized the hASIC3 gene to the human chromosome 7q35, 6.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for the reduction of glutamate neurotoxicity in pathophysiology of spinal cord injury induced by aortic cross-clamping. The reduction is achieved by the administration of riluzole to a patient, in an amount effective to reduce glutamate neurotoxicity, contemporaneously with aortic cross-clamping. Preferably, the riluzole is administered both prior to and following the aortic cross-clamping. The method is also applicable to reduce the spinal cord injury resulting from ischemia, and for reducing the effects of ischemia on neuronal tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cloning of a member of a new potassium channel named TWIK-1. More specifically, it relates to an isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule coding for a protein constituting a potassium channel exhibiting the properties and structure of the TWIK-1 type channel, as well as the protein coded by this nucleic acid molecule.The invention also relates to the use of this nucleic acid molecule to transform cells, and the use of these cells expressing the potassium channels exhibiting the properties and structure of the TWIK-1 type channel for the screening of drugs.