Abstract: A convenient screening tool and a convenient screening method for obtaining an agent for treating diabetes, a pharmaceutical composition for treating diabetes, and a process for manufacturing the pharmaceutical composition are disclosed. The screening tool is a G protein-coupled receptor, a variation functionally equivalent thereto, or a homologous polypeptide thereof which promotes insulin secretion under a high glucose concentration by activation, or cells transformed with an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the above polypeptide and expressing the polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a convenient screening tool for identifying an agent for treating diabetes. The screening tool is a G protein-coupled receptor, a variant of the G protein-coupled receptor, or a homolog of the G protein-coupled receptor, which promotes insulin secretion under a high glucose concentration by activation. The invention also relates to cells transformed with an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding and expressing the screening tool. The invention provides a convenient screening method for identifying an agent for treating diabetes, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the agent, and a process for manufacturing the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic, therapeutic or ameliorative medicament for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension. More specifically, the present invention provides: (1) a prophylactic, therapeutic or ameliorative medicament for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), cystic fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension, having an NF-?B decoy as the active ingredient thereof; (2) the NF-?B decoy is an oligonucleotide containing the binding sequence GGGRHTYYC (where R represents either A or G; Y represents either C or T; and H represents either A, C or T); (3) an oligonucleotide wherein the NF-?B binding sequence is GGGATTTCCC or GGGACTTTCC; (4) an oligonucleotide wherein the NF-?B decoy is represented by SEQ ID NO:3; (5) the NF-?B decoy is a double-stranded oligonucleotide; (6) the NF-?B decoy is administered in the form of a fine powder; and (7) the NF-?B decoy fine powder is a dry powder.

Abstract: A screening tool for an antiplatelet agent wherein the tool is a human ADP receptor P2TAC protein, a variation functionally equivalent thereto, or a homologous protein thereof, and a screening tool for an antiplatelet agent wherein the tool is a transformant which is transformed with an expression vector comprising a DNA encoding the protein and is expressing the polypeptide are disclosed. Further, a method for detecting an ADP receptor P2TAC ligand, antagonist, or agonist by using the screening tool for an antiplatelet agent, and a method for screening an antiplatelet agent by the detecting method are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention belongs to the genetic engineering field, and provides novel G protein-coupled receptor family proteins SREB1, SREB2 and SREB3 expressed in the central nervous system, genes coding for these proteins, screening methods using these proteins and so on. As one of the methods for obtaining the G protein-coupled receptor proteins of the present invention, RT-PCR is carried out using mRNA extracted from human or rat brain tissue or brain-derived cells as the template and using two primers interposing the entire portion or a part of the G protein-coupled receptor protein translation region, thereby obtaining cDNA corresponding to the G protein-coupled receptor protein or a part thereof, and the cDNA is integrated into an appropriate expression vector and expressed in a host cell.

Abstract: A cDNA encoding a novel LTC4 receptor has been isolated. Provision of the novel protein, an LTC4 receptor, enabled binding experiments using the LTC4. By screening for compounds that modulate LTC4 receptor activity based on these binding experiments, development of drugs targeting the LTC4 receptor becomes possible.

Abstract: This invention provides a nucleic acid encoding a novel leukotriene B4 receptor, a vector containing this nucleic acid, a method for screening a substance capable of modifying the activity of the receptor by using a host cell containing the vector and the receptor, and pharmaceutical compositions for inflammatory diseases containing as the active ingredient a substance capable of modifying the activity of the receptor.

Abstract: A convenient screening tool and a convenient screening method for obtaining an agent for treating diabetes, a pharmaceutical composition for treating diabetes, and a process for manufacturing the pharmaceutical composition are disclosed. The screening tool is a G protein-coupled receptor, a variation functionally equivalent thereto, or a homologous polypeptide thereof which promotes insulin secretion under a high glucose concentration by activation, or cells transformed with an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the above polypeptide and expressing the polypeptide.

Abstract: A cDNA encoding a novel LTC4 receptor has been isolated. Provision of the novel protein, an LTC4 receptor, enabled binding experiments using the LTC4. By screening for compounds that modulate LTC4 receptor activity based on these binding experiments, development of drugs targeting the LTC4 receptor becomes possible.

Abstract: This invention belongs to the genetic engineering field, and provides novel G protein-coupled receptor family proteins SREB1, SREB2 and SREB3 expressed in the central nervous system, genes coding for these proteins, screening methods using these proteins and so on. As one of the methods for obtaining the G protein-coupled receptor proteins of the present invention, RT-PCR is carried out using mRNA extracted from human or rat brain tissue or brain-derived cells as the template and using two primers interposing the entire portion or a part of the G protein-coupled receptor protein translation region, thereby obtaining cDNA corresponding to the G protein-coupled receptor protein or a part thereof, and the cDNA is integrated into an appropriate expression vector and expressed in a host cell.

Abstract: A cDNA encoding a novel LTC4 receptor has been isolated. Provision of the novel protein, an LTC4 receptor, enabled binding experiments using the LTC4. By screening for compounds that modulate LTC4 receptor activity based on these binding experiments, development of drugs targeting the LTC4 receptor becomes possible.

Abstract: An endogenous receptor for human prokineticins 1 and 2, which do not affect gastrointestinal system contractive action and spermatogenesis action but exert influences upon central nervous system actions, particularly neuronal death inhibitory action, was identified. There is disclosed a method for conveniently screening a useful substance which can control central nervous system actions, for example, a substance useful as an agent for treating dementia and stroke known as neuronal death-accompanying diseases and/or hyperalgesia, by using the aforementioned receptor and/or a cell transformed with the aforementioned receptor.

Abstract: This invention belongs to the genetic engineering field, and provides novel G protein-coupled receptor family proteins SREB1, SREB2 and SREB3 expressed in the central nervous system, genes coding for these proteins, screening methods using these proteins and so on. As one of the methods for obtaining the G protein-coupled receptor proteins of the present invention, RT-PCR is carried out using mRNA extracted from human or rat brain tissue or brain-derived cells as the template and using two primers interposing the entire portion or a part of the G protein-coupled receptor protein translation region, thereby obtaining cDNA corresponding to the G protein-coupled receptor protein or a part thereof, and the cDNA is integrated into an appropriate expression vector and expressed in a host cell.

Abstract: A convenient screening tool and a convenient screening method for obtaining an agent for treating diabetes, a pharmaceutical composition for treating diabetes, and a process for manufacturing the pharmaceutical composition are disclosed.

Abstract: A screening tool for an antiplatelet agent wherein the tool is a human ADP receptor P2TAC protein, a variation functionally equivalent thereto, or a homologous protein thereof, and a screening tool for an antiplatelet agent wherein the tool is a transformant which is transformed with an expression vector comprising a DNA encoding the protein and is expressing the polypeptide are disclosed. Further, a method for detecting an ADP receptor P2TAC ligand, antagonist, or agonist by using the screening tool for an antiplatelet agent, and a method for screening an antiplatelet agent by the detecting method are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention belongs to the genetic engineering field, and provides the novel G protein-coupled receptor family protein SREB2 expressed in the central nervous system, genes coding for the protein, screening methods using the protein and so on. As one of the methods for obtaining the G protein-coupled receptor protein of the present invention, RT-PCR is carried out using mRNA extracted from human or rat brain tissue or brain-derived cells as the template and using two primers interposing the entire portion or a part of the G protein-coupled receptor protein translation region, thereby obtaining cDNA corresponding to the G protein-coupled receptor protein or a part thereof, and the cDNA is integrated into an appropriate expression vector and expressed in a host cell.

Abstract: This invention belongs to the genetic engineering field, and provides novel G protein-coupled receptor family proteins SREB1, SREB2 and SREB3 expressed in the central nervous system, genes coding for these proteins, screening methods using these proteins and so on.

Abstract: This invention provides a nucleic acid encoding a novel leukotriene B4 receptor, a vector containing this nucleic acid, a method for screening a substance capable of modifying the activity of the receptor by using a host cell containing the vector and the receptor, and pharmaceutical compositions for inflammatory diseases containing as the active ingredient a substance capable of modifying the activity of the receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide having a primary structure of amino acid sequence shown by Sequence List Sequence No. 1 and DNA encoding for the polypeptide. The polypeptide is obtainable by following steps (1)-(3):Step (1): extracting small granule fraction of homocytes of horseshoe crab with a buffer containing protein denaturing agent and chelating agent,Step (2): subjecting said extract to reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography,Step (3): eluting by concentration gradient elution with a hydrophobic organic solvent.Also, the polypeptide is produced by chemical synthesis. The polypeptide has similar chemical structure to defensin and is useful as gargles, disinfectants, antiseptics or antimicrobials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide having a primary structure of amino acid sequence shown by Sequence List Sequence No. 1 and DNA encoding for the polypeptide. The polypeptide is obtainable by following steps (1)-(3):Step (1): extracting small granule fraction of homocytes of horseshoe crab with a buffer containing protein denaturing agent and chelating agent,Step (2): subjecting said extract to reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography,Step (3): eluting by concentration gradient elution with a hydrophobic organic solvent.Also, the polypeptide is produced by chemical synthesis. The polypeptide has similar chemical structure to defensin and is useful as gargles, disinfectants, antiseptics or antimicrobials.