Abstract: A GPR7 ligand containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 wherein the N-terminal amino acid residue may optionally be brominated, is useful in developing a receptor-binding assay system with the use of the GPR7 expression system, in screening a candidate compound for a drug such as an antiobestic, etc.

Abstract: The polypeptides in the present invention possess the effects of promoting and inhibiting the secretion of prolactin, and are thus useful as drugs for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, in terms of prolactin secretion stimulants, which are associated with the secretion of prolactin, such as hypoovarianism, spermatic underdevelopment, menopausal symptoms, hypothyroidism, etc. The polypeptides are useful as drugs for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, in terms of prolactin secretion inhibitors, which are associated with the secretion of prolactin, such as pituitary tumor, diencephalon tumor, menstrual disorder, autoimmune diseases, prolactinoma, sterility, impotence, amenorrhea, lactorrhea, acromegaly, Chiari-Frommel syndrome, Argonz-del Castilo syndrome, Forbes-Albright syndrome, lymphoma, Sheehan's syndrome, spermatogenesis disorder, etc.

Abstract: An agent for modulating the function of an RFRP receptor, characterized by containing either a compound represented by the formula (I) [wherein ring A represents an optionally substituted aromatic ring; ring B represents an optionally substituted benzene ring; X represents oxygen, S(O)n (n is an integer of 0 to 2), or NR3 (R3 represents hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group); and R1 and R2 each represents hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group] or a salt of the compound.

Abstract: A compound represented by the formula (I): wherein ring A represents an aromatic ring; X represents a bond, oxygen, NR4 (R4 represents hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group, or a heterocyclic group), or alkylene; R1 represents a hydrocarbon group, or a heterocyclic group; R2 represents —COYR5 (Y represents a bond, alkylene, oxygen, sulfur, or NR6 (R6 represents hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group, or a heterocyclic group), and R5 represents a hydrocarbon group, or a heterocyclic group), a hydrocarbon group, or a heterocyclic group; and R3 represents a hydrocarbon group, a heterocyclic group, optionally substituted hydroxy, optionally substituted amino, or —S(O)nR7 (R7 represents a hydrocarbon group, or a heterocyclic group, and n is 0 to 2), a salt of the compound, or a prodrug or either is useful as an agent for modulating the function of an RFRP receptor.

Abstract: The RFRP-3 peptide of the present invention which is an agent for promoting prolactin secretion is useful as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for various diseases associated with prolactin secretion, such as hypoovarianism, seminal vesicle hypoplasia, menopausal syndrome and hypothyroidism.

Abstract: By using (1) a G protein-coupled receptor protein having the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or its salt and (2) a fatty acid or an eicosanoid, a compound or its salt that can change the binding properties of the receptor protein or its salt to the fatty acid or the eicosanoid can be screened efficiently.

Abstract: By using FPRL1 ligand, which comprises the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 17 or SEQ ID NO: 21, and FPRL1, an efficient screening for FPRL1 agonist or FPRL1 antagonist can be performed.

Abstract: The polypeptides in the present invention possess the effects of promoting and inhibiting the secretion of prolactin, and are thus useful as drugs for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, in terms of prolactin secretion stimulants, which are associated with the secretion of prolactin, such as hypoovarianism, spermatic underdevelopment, menopausal symptoms, hypothyroidism, etc. The polypeptides are useful as drugs for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, in terms of prolactin secretion inhibitors, which are associated with the secretion of prolactin, such as pituitary tumor, diencephalon tumor, menstrual disorder, autoimmune diseases, prolactinoma, sterility, impotence, amenorrhea, lactorrhea, acromegaly, Chiari-Frommel syndrome, Argonz-del Castilo syndrome, Forbes-Albright syndrome, lymphoma, Sheehan's syndrome, spermatogenesis disorder, etc.

Abstract: By using a G protein-coupled receptor protein containing an amino acid sequence, which is the same or the substantially the same as an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12 or SEQ ID NO:14, or its salt together with humanin, a compound or its salt capable of changing the binding properties of the above receptor protein or its salt to humanin can be efficiently screened.

Abstract: The use of a G-protein coupled receptor protein comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or a salt thereof and a ligand peptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by any of SEQ ID NO: 3 to 7, or a salt thereof, enables efficient screening of an agonist or antagonist for the above receptor protein or a salt thereof.

Abstract: By using a G protein-coupled receptor protein containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 5 or SEQ ID NO: 9 (EDG-2 receptor, EDG-3 receptor or EDG-5 receptor) or a salt thereof, prophylactic/therapeutic agents for diabetic nephropathy, etc. can be efficiently screened.

Abstract: The screening method for a compound or a salt thereof that alters the binding property between Neuromedin U or a salt thereof and TGR-1 or a salt thereof, characterized by using Neuromedin U, a derivative thereof or a salt thereof and TGR-1 or a salt thereof, can be useful for screening a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for hypertension and stress-related diseases, etc. A TGR-1 antagonist can be useful as a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for hypertension and stress-related diseases, etc.

Abstract: A compound having a partial structure represented by the formula (A) (wherein ring Xa represents a nitrogen-containing ring and R represents optionally substituted amino) or a salt thereof. The compound or salt is highly effective in regulating neuromedin U receptors and is useful as a preventive/therapeutic agent for hypertension, etc.

Abstract: By using a G protein-coupled receptor protein comprising an amino acid sequence, which is the same or substantially the same as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or a salt thereof, and an ionizable metal element or a salt thereof, an agonist for or an antagonist to the above receptor protein or a salt thereof can be efficiently screened.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TGR5 receptor agonist comprising a fused ring compound represented by the formula wherein ring A is an optionally substituted aromatic ring; and ring B? is a 5- to 8-membered ring having one or more substituents or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof, which is useful for the treatment of various diseases.

Abstract: The peptides and precursors thereof, inclusive salts thereof, of the present invention are useful as a pharmaceutical composition, for example as therapeutic or prophylactic agents for hormone-producing tumors, acromegaly, gigantism, dementia, gastric ulcer and the like, hormone secretion inhibitors, tumor growth inhibitors, neural activity or sleep modulators, etc. The DNAs coding for the peptides or precursors of the invention are useful as a pharmaceutical composition, for example as agents for the gene therapy or prevention of hormone-producing tumors, acromegaly, gigantism, dementia, gastric ulcer and the like, hormone secretion inhibitors, tumor growth inhibitors, neural activity or sleep modulators, etc. Furthermore, the DNAs coding for the peptides or precursors of the invention are useful as agents for the gene diagnosis of various diseases, for example, hormone-producing tumors, acromegaly, gigantism, dementia, gastric ulcer, etc.

Abstract: The anti-19P2 ligand monoclonal antibodies of the invention (in particular P2L-1Ca) have very high binding ability and can neutralize the arachidonic acid metabolite releasing activity of the 19P2 ligand. Therefore, they can be used, among others, as diagnostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents for various diseases caused by some or other abnormality in the pituitary function modulating activity (e.g. prolactin secretion promoting activity), central nervous system modulating activity and pancreatic function modulating activity, among others, supposedly possessed by the 19P2 ligand. The immunoassay method using the monoclonal antibodies of the invention by the sandwich technique (in particular the sandwich technique using the monoclonal antibody and an antibody recognizing an intermediate portion of the 19P2 ligand) can assay the 19P2 ligand or a derivative thereof specifically and with high sensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of peptide to which G-protein coupled receptor protein recognizes as a ligand. Since the ligand polypeptide of the present invention has a stimulating action on oxytocin secretion, it is useful as a drug for ameliorating, preserving or treating various diseases related to oxytocin secretion such as uterine inertia, atonic hemorrhage, placental expulsion, subinvolution and the like.

Abstract: The RFRP-3 peptide of the present invention which is an agent for promoting prolactin secretion is useful as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for various diseases associated with prolactin secretion, such as hypoovarianism, seminal vesicle hypoplasia, menopausal syndrome and hypothyroidism.

Abstract: Using a novel G protein-coupled receptor protein having an amino acid sequence which is the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 or its salt together with ?-alanine or L-carnosine, an agonist or an antagonist to the receptor protein or its salt can be efficiently screened.