Abstract: DNA encoding an endothelin receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 in the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A)+ RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.

Abstract: DNA encoding an endothelin receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 in the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A)+RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a medicinal substance capable of enhancing or disinhibiting the actions of acetylcholine, and provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating drug dependence comprising said substance as an active ingredient, and a method of treating drug dependence using the same.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is not to delete certain nerve cell by irreversible cell death, but to provide a very effective tool for analyzing the network of the cerebral nervous system by controlling reversibly the expression of a protein having a synaptic transmission-controlling activity in certain nerve cell. The present invention provides a DNA which comprises a DNA encoding a protein having a synaptic transmission-controlling activity and has a construct capable of controlling reversibly the expression of the protein having a synaptic transmission-controlling activity in certain nerve cell.

Abstract: DNA encoding an endothelin receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 in the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A)+RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.

Abstract: SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 in the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A) +RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.

Abstract: DNA encoding an endothelin receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 4. In the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A)+RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.

Abstract: A method for producing high level expression of neuropeptide receptors and stable cell lines useful therein. This method involves culturing a cell line containing amplified copies of a cDNA sequence encoding a neuropeptide receptor containing an expression control sequence taken from the .beta.-actin transcriptional control element.

Abstract: Provided herein are a DNA fragment which contains a base sequence coding for a non-A non-B hepatitis-specific antigenic protein occurring in cells of the liver affected with non-A non-B hepatitis, an expression vector in which said DNA fragment is inserted into a cloning site present downstream from a promoter thereof, a transformant obtained by introducing said expression vector into a host, and a process for producing said antigenic protein which comprises providing said expression vector, transforming a host with said expression vector, culturing the transforming host and collecting the protein produced therein.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA vector containing a DNA sequence which encodes a peptide having the physiological properties of cardionatrin ad cardiodilatin.