Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR120 mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR120, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to a screening method of the present invention, the method can screen substances such as CCK and GLP-1 which are involved in the secretion of hormones in gastrointestinal tracts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR40-mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR40, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to the present invention, substances involved in insulin secretion can be screened. In addition, according to the present invention, substance useful for the prevention or treatment of diabetes, diabetic complications and degenerative diseases, hyperglycemia, polyuria, ketonemia, acidosis, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, neurodegenerative diseases, insulinoma, cancers, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglyceridemia, fatty liver, hypoglycemia due to insulin hypersecretion, arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, cerebral stroke, obesity, various diseases induced by diabetes or obesity, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR120 mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR120, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to a screening method of the present invention, the method can screen substances such as CCK and GLP-1 which are involved in the secretion of hormones in gastrointestinal tracts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR40-mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR40, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to the present invention, substances involved in insulin secretion can be screened. In addition, according to the present invention, substance useful for the prevention or treatment of diabetes, diabetic complications and degenerative diseases, hyperglycemia, polyuria, ketonemia, acidosis, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, neurodegenerative diseases, insulinoma, cancers, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglyceridemia, fatty liver, hypoglycemia due to insulin hypersecretion, arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, cerebral stroke, obesity, various diseases induced by diabetes or obesity, and the like.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that relaxin-3 has a feeding-stimulating activity, a body weight increasing activity, and fat weight increasing activity by intracerebroventricularly administering relaxin-3 to rats and observing the amount of feeding, body weight and fat weight, and so on after the administration. According to the present invention, a polypeptide having useful effects in stimulating feeding, increasing body weight, and fattening; a therapeutic agent containing said polypeptide; a method of screening for a compound, a substance, or a salt thereof which activates or suppresses a receptor of said polypeptide; a kit for said screening; and an agent which comprises a substance which inhibits expression of said polypeptide, such as a feeding-surpressing agent, a therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity, and a therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: Relaxin-3 is found to have feeding-stimulating activity, body weight increasing activity, and fat weight increasing activity when intracerebroventricularly administered to rats through observation of amount of feeding, body weight and fat weight after administration of relaxin-3. This invention includes: a polypeptide having useful effects in stimulating feeding, increasing body weight, and fattening; a therapeutic agent containing the polypeptide; a method of screening for a compound, a substance, or a salt thereof which activates or suppresses a receptor of the polypeptide; a kit for screening; and an agent with a substance which inhibits expression of the polypeptide, such as a feeding-suppressing agent, a therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity, and a therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to provide a polypeptide having an antianxiety activity; a therapeutic agent containing the polypeptide; a method for treating anxiety using the polypeptide; a method of screening for a compound capable of activating or suppressing a receptor for the polypeptide and involved in the regulation of anxiety, a salt thereof, or a hydrate of them; and a kit for the screening. There is provided an antianxiety agent containing relaxin-3.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that relaxin-3 has a feeding-stimulating activity, a body weight increasing activity, and fat weight increasing activity by intracerebroventricularly administering relaxin-3 to rats and observing the amount of feeding, body weight and fat weight, and so on after the administration. According to the present invention, a polypeptide having useful effects in stimulating feeding, increasing body weight, and fattening; a therapeutic agent containing said polypeptide; a method of screening for a compound, a substance, or a salt thereof which activates or suppresses a receptor of said polypeptide; a kit for said screening; and an agent which comprises a substance which inhibits expression of said polypeptide, such as a feeding-surpressing agent, a therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity, and a therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetes.