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 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 ligand polypeptides of the present invention have activity to regulate CRH secretion, and thus are useful as CRH secretion regulators for the relief, prevention or treatment of various diseases related to CRH secretion, such as hypoaldosteronism, hypocortisolemia, secondary and chronic adrenocorticism, Addison's disease (weakness, nausea, pigmentation, hypogonadism, alopecia, hypotension), adrenal dysfunction, and obesity, and also as analgesics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ligand polypeptide for the human pituitary- and mouse pancreas-derived G protein-coupled receptor proteins. The ligand polypeptide or the DNA which codes for the ligand polypeptide can be used for (1) development of medicines such as pituitary function modulators, central nervious system function modulators, and pancreatic function modulators, and (2) development of receptor binding assay systems using the expression of recombinant receptor proteins and screening of pharmaceutical candidate compounds. In particular, by the receptor binding assay systems utilizing the expression of recombinant G protein-coupled receptor proteins in accordance with the invention, agonists and antagonists of G protein-coupled receptors which are specific to human and other warm-blooded animals can be screened and the agonists or antagonists obtained can be used as therapeutic and prophylactic agents for various diseases.

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 intends to provide a method for analyzing gene expression, a novel use for a receptor protein and the like. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for analyzing gene expression, which is characterized by identifying genes, which are characteristically promoted or suppressed in certain cells or tissues by quantitatively analyzing the individual expressed amounts of a plural number of genes collectively, an assay kit employed in the method and the like. The present invention also provides a method of screening compounds or salts thereof which alter the binding properties of a novel G protein coupled receptor protein comprising an amino acid sequence identical or substantially identical to the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9 or a salt thereof with a ligand, characterized by the use of the protein or salt thereof and a protein (such as a lectin) showing an affinity for a sugar chain which is one of the ligands.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a method of determining a ligand to an orphan receptor. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of determining a ligand to a receptor protein, to which no ligand has been determined, which comprises using a fusion protein of the receptor protein and a fluorescent protein.

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: The present invention relates to the ligand polypeptide for the human pituitary- and mouse pancreas-derived G protein-coupled receptor proteins. The ligand polypeptide or the DNA which codes for the ligand polypeptide can be used for (1) development of medicines such as pituitary function modulators, central nervious system function modulators, and pancreatic function modulators, and (2) development of receptor binding assay systems using the expression of recombinant receptor proteins and screening of pharmaceutical candidate compounds. In particular, by the receptor binding assay systems utilizing the expression of recombinant G protein-coupled receptor proteins in accordance with the invention, agonists and antagonists of G protein-coupled receptors which are specific to human and other warm-blooded animals can be screened and the agonists or antagonists obtained can be used as therapeutic and prophylactic agents for various diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polypeptide or a salt thereof having an analgesic peptide-like structure. The protein (polypeptide) of the present invention, a partial peptide thereof, and a DNA encoding the same can be used for preparation of an antibody and an antiserum to the protein, construction of the expression system for the protein (polypeptide), screening of a pharmaceutical candidate compound using the expression system, etc.

Abstract: Using a G protein-coupled receptor protein (TGR4) or its salt containing the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and a phospholipid compound, a compound that alters the binding property between the receptor protein or its salt, and the phospholipids compound, or a salt thereof, can be efficiently screened.

Abstract: Using a G protein-coupled receptor protein (TGR4) 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 a phospholipid compound, a compound or its salt that alters the binding properties of the receptor protein or its salt to the phospholipid compound can be screened efficiently.

Abstract: Secretory proteins comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by, for example, SEQ ID NO: 23 are useful physiologically active substances binding to AQ27 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: 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 present invention relates to the ligand polypeptide for the human pituitary- and mouse pancreas-derived G protein-coupled receptor proteins. The ligand polypeptide or the DNA which codes for the ligand polypeptide can be used for (1) development of medicines such as pituitary function modulators, central nervious system function modulators, and pancreatic function modulators, and (2) development of receptor binding assay systems using the expression of recombinant receptor proteins and screening of pharmaceutical candidate compounds. In particular, by the receptor binding assay systems utilizing the expression of recombinant G protein-coupled receptor proteins in accordance with the invention, agonists and antagonists of G protein-coupled receptors which are specific to human and other warm-blooded animals can be screened and the agonists or antagonists obtained can be used as therapeutic and prophylactic agents for various diseases.

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: 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: The present invention relates to novel peptide derivatives, which are recognized as ligands to G-coupled protein receptor proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polypeptides having physiological activity related to anterior pituitary hormones (such as LH, FSH, and TSH), DNAs coding for such polypeptides, methods for screening compounds or their salts which promote or inhibit the activity of the polypeptides of the present invention, and the like.