Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a novel biomarker for detecting arteriosclerosis-related disease or for evaluating the stage of progression of arteriosclerosis, and specifically, the present invention relates to a marker for detecting arteriosclerosis-related disease or for evaluating the stage of progression of arteriosclerosis, comprising an NPC2 (Niemann-Pick disease type C2) protein and/or an IGFBP7 (Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7) protein.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a novel biomarker capable of detecting aortic aneurysm with high sensitivity, and specifically, the present invention relates to a detection marker of aortic aneurysm, comprising an NPC2 (Niemann-Pick disease type C2) protein and/or an IGFBP7 (Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7) protein.

Abstract: The present invent ion provides a new method and kit tor determining the overload or atrium or ventricle in a subject, comprising at least a step of measuring levels of proBNP-108 in a sample from the subject. The disclosed methods and kits are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of cardiac diseases, particularly heart failure, aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, and atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method and kit for determining the overload of atrium or ventricle in a subject comprising at least a step of measuring levels of proBNP-108 in a sample from the subject. The disclosed methods and kits are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of cardiac diseases, particularly heat failure, aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, and atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel peptides with circulation-modulating activity. These peptides are useful as circulation-modulating agents and vasopressors because of their circulation-modulating activity, and can be used for treating diseases of the circulatory system such as myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, cerebral infarction, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel peptides with energy-modulating activity or circulatory function-modulating activity. The peptides of the present invention have energy-modulating activity or circulatory function-modulating activity and thus are useful for treating food consumption disorders and diseases of the circulatory system.

Abstract: A physiologically active polypeptide derived from human brain and a DNA fragment comprising the base sequence encoding the polypeptide are disclosed. The polypeptide possesses excellent smooth muscle relaxation activity, diuretic or natriuretic activity, and vasodepressor activity, and is thus useful as a medicine for curing circulation diseases, e.g. cardiac edema, nephric edema, hepatic edema, pulmonary edema, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and acute and chronic renal failure.

Abstract: A physiologically active polypeptide derived from human brain and a DNA fragment comprising the base sequence encoding the polypeptide are disclosed. The polypeptide possesses excellent smooth muscle relaxation activity, diuretic or natriuretic activity, and vasodepressor activity, and is thus useful as a medicine for curing circulation diseases, e.g. cardiac edema, nephric edema, hepatic edema, pulmonary edema, hypertension, congestive heat failure, and acute and chronic renal failure.

Abstract: It is intended to provide novel and useful proteins which are expressed in the central nerve system and act on a calcitonin receptor, genes thereof and medicinal compositions containing the same.

Abstract: A physiologically active polypeptide derived from human brain and a DNA fragment comprising the base sequence encoding the polypeptide are disclosed. The polypeptide possesses excellent smooth muscle relaxation activity, diuretic or natriuretic activity, and vasodepressor activity, and is thus useful as a medicine for curing circulation diseases, e.g. cardiac edema, nephric edema, hepatic edema, pulmonary edema, hypertension, congestive heat failure, and acute and chronic renal failure.

Abstract: A physiologically active polypeptide derived from human brain and a DNA fragment comprising the base sequence encoding the polypeptide are disclosed. The polypeptide possesses excellent smooth muscle relaxation activity, diuretic or natriuretic activity, and vasodepressor activity, and is thus useful as a medicine for curing circulation diseases, e.g. cardiac edema, nephric edema, hepatic edema, pulmonary edema, hypertension, congestive heat failure, and acute and chronic renal failure.

Abstract: The gene of a human CNP (human C-type natriuretic peptide), as well as the hCNP precursor protein that is encoded by said gene. The hCNP precursor is represented by the following amino acid sequence.Met His Leu Ser Gln Leu Leu Ala Cys Ala - Leu Leu Leu Thr Leu Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro - Ser Glu Ala Lys Pro Gly Ala Pro Pro Lys - Val Pro Arg Thr Pro Pro Ala Glu Glu Leu - Ala Glu Pro Gln Ala Ala Gly Gly Gly Gln - Lys Lys Gly Asp Lys Ala Pro Gly Gly Gly - Gly Ala Asn Leu Lys Gly Asp Arg Ser Arg - Leu Leu Arg Asp Leu Arg Val Asp Thr Lys - Ser Arg Ala Ala Trp Ala Arg Leu Leu Gln - Glu His Pro Asn Ala Arg Lys Tyr Lys Gly - Ala Asn Lys Lys Gly Leu Ser Lys Gly Cys - Phe Gly Leu Lys Leu Asp Arg Ile Gly Ser - Met Ser Gly Leu Gly Cys.The hCNP precursor and its derivatives are novel and have natriuretic and hypotensive activities.

Abstract: The gene and cDNA of a procine derived CNP (C-type natriuretic peptide), and a procine derived CNP precursor protein and derivatives thereof are disclosed. The proceine derivative CNP precursor is represented by the following amino acid sequence:Met His Leu Ser Gln Leu Leu Ala Cys Ala - Leu Leu Leu Thr Leu Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro - Ser Glu Ala Lys Pro Gly Ala Pro Pro Lys - Val Pro Arg Thr Pro Pro Gly Glu Glu Val - Ala Glu Pro Gln Ala Ala Gly Gly Gly Gln - Lys Lys Gly Asp Lys Thr Pro Gly Gly Gly - Gly Ala Asn Leu Lys Gly Asp Arg Ser Arg - Leu Leu Arg Asp Leu Arg Val Asp Thr Lys - Ser Arg Ala Ala Trp Ala Arg Leu Leu His - Glu His Pro Asn Ala Arg Lys Tyr Lys Gly - Gly Asn Lys Lys Gly Leu Ser Lys Gly Cys - Phe Gly Leu Lys Leu Asp Arg Ile Gly SerThese derivatives are novel and have natriuretic and hypotensive activities.

Abstract: A peptide composed of 53 amino acid residues represented by the following amino acid sequence: (see SEQ ID NO: 1) ##STR1## and derivatives thereof represented by the following amino acid sequence: (see SEQ ID NO: 2) ##STR2## wherein X is as shown in the specification, are disclosed. These polypeptides are novel and have natriuretic and hypotensive actions.

Abstract: A novel peptide that exhibits a natriuretic action and a vasodepressor activity, and hence, that is applicable as a diagnostic reagent. The novel peptide is manufactured by the procedure of genetic engineering as well as by the methods of purification from chicken brains or by chemical synthesis.

Abstract: A novel peptide that exhibits a natriuretic action and a vasodepressor activity, and hence, that is applicable for a diagnostic reagent. The novel peptide is manufactured by tile procedure of genetic engineering as well as by the methods of purification from frog brains or by chemical synthesis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a physiologically-active peptide represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X means H or H-Asp-Ser-Gly- and Y denotes -Asn-Val-Leu-Arg-Arg-Tyr-OH, -Asn-Val-Leu-Arg-Arg-OH, -Asn-Val-Leu-Arg-Tyr-OH, -Asn-Val-Leu-Arg-OH, -Asn-Val-Leu-OH or -Asn-Ser-Phe-Arg-Tyr-OH, or a salt thereof.