Abstract: A range imaging apparatus includes a light source unit; a light receiving unit including a pixel having a photoelectric conversion device and charge storages, and a pixel driver circuit that distributes and stores the charge into the charge storages; and a range image processing unit that calculates a distance to a subject in the measurement space are included. Subframes are provided per frame, and the range image processing unit stores the charge by controlling the storage timing such that the storage timing relative to the emission timing is relatively different in each of the subframes, and selects a subframe for calculating the distance from the subframes based on the amounts of charge stored per unit integration count in each of the subframes.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photoconductor including a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer in this order on a cylindrical electrically-conductive support including the steps of: (i) immersing the support in a charge generating layer coating liquid, (ii) pulling the support out of the coating liquid, (iii) heat drying the support coated with the coating liquid to form the charge generating layer, (iv) cooling the charge generating layer, and (v) immersing the support on which the charge generating layer has been formed in a charge transport layer coating liquid while retaining gas inside of the support. The charge transport layer coating liquid contains a solvent having a boiling point of 34° C. or more and 85° C. or less, and the step (v) satisfies two specific conditions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photoconductor including a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer in this order on a cylindrical electrically-conductive support including the steps of: (i) immersing the support in a charge generating layer coating liquid, (ii) pulling the support out of the coating liquid, (iii) heat drying the support coated with the coating liquid to form the charge generating layer, (iv) cooling the charge generating layer, and (v) immersing the support on which the charge generating layer has been formed in a charge transport layer coating liquid while retaining gas inside of the support. The charge transport layer coating liquid contains a solvent having a boiling point of 34° C. or more and 85° C. or less, and the step (v) satisfies two specific conditions.

Abstract: Problem to be Solved: The present invention is intended to provide a polynucleotide encoding the light-chain variable region and the heavy-chain variable region of an anti-dog IgE antibody; and an anti-dog IgE antibody containing these variable regions. Solution: The present invention is DNA encoding a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 or 6 and DNA encoding a light-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 4 or 8, and an anti-dog IgE monoclonal antibody which binds to dog IgE, containing these variable regions or a functional fragment thereof which binds to dog IgE.

Abstract: Problem to be Solved: The present invention is intended to provide a polynucleotide encoding the light-chain variable region and the heavy-chain variable region of an anti-dog IgE antibody; and an anti-dog IgE antibody containing these variable regions. Solution: The present invention is DNA encoding a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 or 6 and DNA encoding a light-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 4 or 8, and an anti-dog IgE monoclonal antibody which binds to dog IgE, containing these variable regions or a functional fragment thereof which binds to dog IgE.

Abstract: A gene encoding a novel protein that works as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for a Rho family protein being one group of small GTP-binding proteins, namely, a polynucleotide shown by the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 5, or the complementary strand, the equivalents of the polynucleotide, a protein encoded by the polynucleotide, a vector containing the polynucleotide, a transformant containing the vector, an antibody against the protein encoded by the polynucleotide, a method of identifying a compound that inhibits the function of the protein encoded by the polynucleotide and/or the expression of the polynucleotide, a method of determining a disease, a pharmaceutical composition, and a reagent kit are provided.

Abstract: Singar is identified as a novel molecule, whose expression is varied before and after the polarization of a nerve cell, and occurs in the tip of an elongating axon, called a growth cone, which is important for the formation or elongation of an axon. Singar is expressed specifically in the brain and the amount of Singar expression is largely increased in an individual during periods where the formation of axons is increased. It is observed that Singar is highly enriched in the growth cone at the tip of an axon. When the expression of Singar is inhibited in nerve cells in culture, the formation of multiple axons is induced. Thus, the inhibition of Singar can induce axon formation. Therefore, by inhibiting the expression or activity of Singar, it becomes possible to induce or promote the formation or elongation of an axon in a nerve cell.

Abstract: The present invention, the objects of which are to find out a gene encoding a protein having functions equivalent to those of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and the protein, and to provide a method for identifying a compound that regulates functions and/or expression of the protein, and to provide a useful mean for preventing and/or treating diseases related to the gene and the protein, provides a DNA comprising base sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1 or complementary strand thereof, complementary strand of the DNA, a protein encoded by the DNA, a vector containing the DNA, a transformant containing the vector, an antibody against the protein, a method for identifying a compound that regulates functions and/or expression of the protein using aforementioned members, an agent for improving and a method for improving depression state, a pharmaceutical composition, and a reagent kit.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2. The DNA according to the present invention is highly expressed in prostatic adenocarcinoma and ovarian carcinoma, and is a cancer-associated gene, so that it is possible to inhibit cancer by blocking the binding of the present protein to its ligand. Accordingly, the present antibody is used not only in the detection of the present protein, but also as an agent for the treatment or prevention of cancers such as prostatic adenocarcinoma and ovarian carcinoma.

Abstract: DNA encoding a cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfated form (CCK-8S) G-protein coupled receptor, a complementary strand thereof, a vector containing the DNA, a transformant containing the vector, a pharmaceutical composition, and a reagent kit are provided. Such DNA and constructs are useful in identifying a compound that inhibits or promotes a function of the protein and/or expression of a DNA encoding the protein. Such DNA and constructs are also useful for identifying an anti-depressant drug or a compound that has an anti-depressant action.

Abstract: A novel gene apparently encoding a transmembrane glycoprotein has been successfully isolated by constructing a cDNA library of 4 kb or above in size from mRNA expressed in human adult brain and analyzing the structures of the cDNAs contained within said library by the shotgun method. The novel gene shows brain-specific expression and the protein encoded by said gene has a typical PDZ binding motif.

Abstract: Singar is identified as a novel molecule, whose expression is varied before and after the polarization of a nerve cell, and occurs in the tip of an elongating axon, called a growth cone, which is important for the formation or elongation of an axon. Singar is expressed specifically in the brain and the amount of Singar expression is largely increased in an individual during periods where the formation of axons is increased. It is observed that Singar is highly enriched in the growth cone at the tip of an axon. When the expression of Singar is inhibited in nerve cells in culture, the formation of multiple axons is induced. Thus, the inhibition of Singar can induce axon formation. Therefore, by inhibiting the expression or activity of Singar, it becomes possible to induce or promote the formation or elongation of an axon in a nerve cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a novel DNA, a carcinoma-associated gene comprising the DNA, a recombinant protein encoded by the DNA, an antibody binding to the protein, an anti-carcinoma agent comprising the antibody, a low-molecular-weight compound binding to the protein, and a screening system. An example of such a novel DNA is a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the following polypeptide (a) or (b): (a) a polypeptide, consisting of an amino acid sequence identical to or substantially identical to the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2; or (b) a polypeptide, consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 by deletion, substitution, or addition of one or a plurality of amino acids and having biological activity substantially equivalent to the functions of the polypeptide (a).

Abstract: A gene encoding a novel protein that works as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for a Rho family protein being one group of small GTP-binding proteins, namely, a polynucleotide shown by the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 5, or the complementary strand, the equivalents of the polynucleotide, a protein encoded by the polynucleotide, a vector containing the polynucleotide, a transformant containing the vector, an antibody against the protein encoded by the polynucleotide, a method of identifying a compound that inhibits the function of the protein encoded by the polynucleotide and/or the expression of the polynucleotide, a method of determining a disease, a pharmaceutical composition, and a reagent kit are provided.

Abstract: A gene encoding a novel protein that works as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for a Rho family protein being one group of small GTP-binding proteins, namely, a polynucleotide shown by the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 5, or the complementary strand, the equivalents of the polynucleotide, a protein encoded by the polynucleotide, a vector containing the polynucleotide, a transformant containing the vector, an antibody against the protein encoded by the polynucleotide, a method of identifying a compound that inhibits the function of the protein encoded by the polynucleotide and/or the expression of the polynucleotide, a method of determining a disease, a pharmaceutical composition, and a reagent kit are provided.

Abstract: There are provided a method for identifying a compound having an anti-anxiety effect, an inhibitor of a function of a protein having a function as a G-protein coupled receptor, characterized by finding the protein and a gene encoding the protein and using at least one of a DNA represented by the nucleotide sequence of this gene or a complementary strand thereof, a homologue of the DNA, a protein encoded by the DNA, and a cell expressing the protein encoded by the DNA, an agent and a method for improving an anxiety condition, a method and an agent for prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of an anxiety disorder, and a measurement method for diagnosis and a diagnostic method of an anxiety disorder.

Abstract: A novel gene apparently encoding a transmembrane glycoprotein has been successfully isolated by constructing a cDNA library of 4 kb or above in size from mRNA expressed in human adult brain and analyzing the structures of the cDNAs contained within said library by the shotgun method. The novel gene shows brain-specific expression and the protein encoded by said gene has a typical PDZ binding motif.

Abstract: The present invention, the objects of which are to find out a gene encoding a protein having functions equivalent to those of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and the protein, and to provide a method for identifying a compound that regulates functions and/or expression of the protein, and to provide a useful mean for preventing and/or treating diseases related to the gene and the protein, provides a DNA comprising base sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1 or complementary strand thereof, complementary strand of the DNA, a protein encoded by the DNA, a vector containing the DNA, a transformant containing the vector, an antibody against the protein, a method for identifying a compound that regulates functions and/or expression of the protein using aforementioned members, an agent for improving and a method for improving depression state, a pharmaceutical composition, and a reagent kit.

Abstract: Methods of providing a protein having a function as a G-protein coupled receptor and methods of identifying a compound that inhibits or promotes a function of the protein and/or expression of a DNA encoding the protein are provided. Methods for identifying an anti-depressant drug or a compound That has an anti-depressant action and methods for diagnosing depression are also provided.

Abstract: A gene encoding a novel protein having a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity for a Rho family protein being one group of small GTP binding proteins, namely, a polynucleotide shown by the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 5, or the complementary strand, the equivalents of the polynucleotide, a protein encoded by the polynucleotide, a vector containing the polynucleotide, a transformant containing the vector, an antibody against the protein encoded by the polynucleotide, a method of identifying a compound that inhibits the function of the protein encoded by the polynucleotide and/or the expression of the polynucleotide, a method of determining a disease, a pharmaceutical composition, and a reagent kit are provided.