Abstract: The present invention provides a neural stem cell having increased passage ability and a method for manufacturing a neural stem cell having increased passage ability. A neural stem cell in which the N-type calcium channel gene is knocked out or the influx of Ca2+ via the N-type calcium channel is substantially absent can be passaged for at least 4 generations and maintains the differentiation potential into a nerve cell even after passage for 4 generations.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a neural stem cell having increased passage ability, a method for manufacturing a neural stem cell having said increased passage ability, and others. The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a neural stem cell having increased passage ability having the following characteristics: (a) the N-type calcium channel gene is knocked out or knocked down in said cell, (b) the influx of Ca2+ via the N-type calcium channel is substantially absent or suppressed in said cell, (c) said cell can be passaged for at least 4 generations (more preferably 15 generations) or more, and (d) said cell maintains the differentiation potential into a nerve cell even after passage for 4 generations (more preferably 15 generations).

Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR120 mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR120, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to a screening method of the present invention, the method can screen substances such as CCK and GLP-1 which are involved in the secretion of hormones in gastrointestinal tracts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR40-mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR40, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to the present invention, substances involved in insulin secretion can be screened. In addition, according to the present invention, substance useful for the prevention or treatment of diabetes, diabetic complications and degenerative diseases, hyperglycemia, polyuria, ketonemia, acidosis, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, neurodegenerative diseases, insulinoma, cancers, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglyceridemia, fatty liver, hypoglycemia due to insulin hypersecretion, arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, cerebral stroke, obesity, various diseases induced by diabetes or obesity, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR120 mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR120, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to a screening method of the present invention, the method can screen substances such as CCK and GLP-1 which are involved in the secretion of hormones in gastrointestinal tracts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR40-mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR40, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to the present invention, substances involved in insulin secretion can be screened. In addition, according to the present invention, substance useful for the prevention or treatment of diabetes, diabetic complications and degenerative diseases, hyperglycemia, polyuria, ketonemia, acidosis, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, neurodegenerative diseases, insulinoma, cancers, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglyceridemia, fatty liver, hypoglycemia due to insulin hypersecretion, arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, cerebral stroke, obesity, various diseases induced by diabetes or obesity, and the like.

Abstract: A non-human animal in which a gene coding for the N-type calcium channel is disrupted to lack functional N-type calcium channel, and a method for screening for a substance having a pharmacological action on blood pressure control, transmission of pain, blood sugar level control and so forth by using the animal.

Abstract: An appetite-stimulating agent and a therapeutic agent for anorexia, each comprising, as an active ingredient, a sulfonamide derivative or sulfonic acid ester derivative represented by the following general formula (I): wherein the ring A represents a monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic ring which may be substituted, the ring B represents a 6-membered unsaturated hydrocarbon ring or a 6-membered unsaturated heterocyclic ring containing one nitrogen atom as a heteroatom, each of which may be substituted, the ring C represents a 5-membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two nitrogen atoms, which may be substituted, W represents a single bond or —CH?CH—, X represents —N(R1)— or an oxygen atom, Y represents a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, Z represents —N(R2)— or a nitrogen atom, and R1 and R2 may be identical or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof.

Abstract: An appetite-stimulating agent and a therapeutic agent for anorexia, each comprising, as an active ingredient, a sulfonamide derivative or sulfonic acid ester derivative represented by the following general formula (I): 1

Abstract: A lymphocyte activation inhibitor and a therapeutic agent for an autoimmune disease, each comprising, as an active ingredient, a sulfonamide derivative or sulfonic acid ester derivative represented by the following general formula (I): 1

Abstract: To provide novel compounds relating to retinoid which can substitute for retinoic acid used for preventing and treating several diseases and having antagonism against retinoid. Heterocyclic compounds represented by the general formula (1-I) or physiologically acceptable salts thereof: Z—(CR3═CR2)n—COOR1  (1-I) Compounds represented by the general formula (2-I) or physiologically acceptable salts thereof: The compounds according to the present invention exhibit extremely high ability to bind RARs and are effective for treating various kind of diseases such as abnormality in cornification and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Mono- or polyenic carboxylic acid derived compounds of the formula (1-I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof: Z—(CR3═CR2)n—COOR1  (1-I) wherein R1 is hydrogen or a carboxyl-protecting group; R2 and R3 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, linear lower alkyl, branched lower alkyl linear lower alkoxy, branched lower alkoxy or aryl, m is 1 to 3 and Z is a group or their salts have the potent ability to bind to retinoic acid receptors thus useful in treating psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: To provide novel compounds relating to retinoid which can substitute for retinoic acid used for preventing and treating several diseases and having antagonism against retinoid. Heterocyclic compounds represented by the general formula (1-I) or physiologically acceptable salts thereof:Z--(CR.sup.3 .dbd.CR.sup.2).sub.n --COOR.sup.1-- (1-I)Compounds represented by the general formula (2-I) or physiologically acceptable salts thereof: ##STR1## The compounds according to the present invention exhibit extremely high ability to bind RARs and are effective for treating various kind of diseases such as abnormality in cornification and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula and compounds of the formula ##STR1## or their salts have the potent ability to bind to retinoic acid receptors thus useful in treating psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## and compounds of the formula ##STR2## or their salts have the potent ability to bind to retinoic acid receptors thus useful in treating psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A heterocycle-containing carbonic acid derivative represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof which exhibits an excellent preventive and therapeutic effect against various diseases, and an intermediate which is useful for the production of the heterocycle-containing carbonic acid derivative.