Abstract: A tissue culture screening system to monitor a transcriptional response treated by a chemical signal interacting with a plasma membrane receptor is provided. The tissue culture screening system includes a cell line containing a membrane receptor, a target gene and a specific receptor selected from the group consisting of a steroid receptor, a vitamin receptor and an orphan receptor. The specific receptor regulates transcription of the target gene. Any of the target gene membrane receptor or specific receptor can be introduced into the cell by an expression vector. In addition to the screening system there is also provided assays for identifying test compounds and chemical signals that regulate transcription or are potential agonist or antagonist neurotransmitters or which regulate indirectly by a membrane receptor binding or regulate transription in the absence of a steroid, vitamin or orphan ligand. There is further provided kits for the assays.

Abstract: A tissue culture screening system to monitor a transcriptional response treated by a chemical signal interacting with a plasma membrane receptor is provided. The tissue culture screening system includes a cell line containing a membrane receptor, a target gene and a specific receptor selected from the group consisting of a steroid receptor, a vitamin receptor and an orphan receptor. The specific receptor regulates transcription of the target gene. Any of the target gene membrane receptor or specific receptor can be introduced into the cell by an expression vector. In addition to the screening system there is also provided assays for identifying test compounds and chemical signals that regulate transcription or are potential agonist or antagonist neurotransmitters or which regulate indirectly by a membrane receptor binding or regulate transcription in the absence of a steroid, vitamin or orphan ligand. There is further provided kits for the assays.