Abstract: A cDNA fragment participating in the maintenance of smooth muscle differentiation was isolated using a culture system of chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells, the differential display method and the subtracted hybridization method. Using the obtained cDNA sequence as a query, cDNA sequences of Helix Research Institute (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-118776) were retrieved, and thus, a novel gene “C-NT2RP3001495” was obtained. The protein encoded by this gene has two WW domains that participate in protein interactions in the N-terminal domain. Evidence suggests that this protein binds to other proteins, and thus regulates the intracellular signal transduction, gene expression, and so on, thereby participating in the maintenance of the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. This protein and compounds regulating the expression thereof are markedly useful in developing drugs for various diseases associated with abnormality in the maintenance of smooth muscle cell differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody which specifically recognizes three-dimensional structure of an extracellular region of a polypeptide encoded by PERP (p53 apoptosis effector related to PMP-22) gene and binds to the extracellular region. The antibody of the present invention is useful for treatment of various diseases which highly expresses a polypeptide encoded by the PERP gene. Also, a polypeptide encoded by the PERP gene or a cell expressing the polypeptide can be specifically detected by an immunological method using the antibody, so that the antibody is useful for diagnosis of various diseases related to PERP.

Abstract: Using the proteins of the present invention, DNAs encoding the proteins, and antibodies recognizing the proteins, detection methods for diseases relating to the novel insulin-like growth factor binding proteins of the present invention, as well as diagnostic agents, preventive agents, and therapeutic agents for diseases relating to the proteins of the present invention can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides TLR9 agonists comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound represented by formula (I): (wherein a represents 0 or 1; n represents an integer of 0 to 2; m represents an integer of 0 to 5; X1 and X2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or hydroxy; Y represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; -Q1-represents —O— or the like; -Q2- represents —O— or the like; -Z- represents —O— or the like; R1, R3 and R4 each independently represent hydroxy or the like; R2 and R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, hydroxy or the like; and A represents 6-aminopurin-9-yl or the like) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody which specifically recognizes three-dimensional structure of an extracellular region of a polypeptide encoded by PERP (p53 apoptosis effector related to PMP-22) gene and binds to the extracellular region. The antibody of the present invention is useful for treatment of various diseases which highly expresses a polypeptide encoded by the PERP gene. Also, a polypeptide encoded by the PERP gene or a cell expressing the polypeptide can be specifically detected by an immunological method using the antibody, so that the antibody is useful for diagnosis of various diseases related to PERP.

Abstract: Using the proteins of the present invention, DNAs encoding the proteins, and antibodies recognizing the proteins, detection methods for diseases relating to the novel insulin-like growth factor binding proteins of the present invention, as well as diagnostic agents, preventive agents, and therapeutic agents for diseases relating to the proteins of the present invention can be provided.

Abstract: A cDNA fragment participating in the maintenance of smooth muscle differentiation was isolated using a culture system of chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells, the differential display method and the subtracted hybridization method. Using the obtained cDNA sequence as a query, cDNA sequences of Helix Research Institute (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-118776) were retrieved, and thus, a novel gene “C-NT2RP3001495” was obtained. The protein encoded by this gene has two WW domains that participate in protein interactions in the N-terminal domain. Evidence suggests that this protein binds to other proteins, and thus regulates the intracellular signal transduction, gene expression, and so on, thereby participating in the maintenance of the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. This protein and compounds regulating the expression thereof are markedly useful in developing drugs for various diseases associated with abnormality in the maintenance of smooth muscle cell differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel phospholipase A2 polypeptide, DNA encoding the polypeptide, a vector comprising the DNA, a transformant transformed with the vector, and a process for producing the phospholipase A2 polypeptide. The present invention also relates to a method of utilizing the polypeptide, e.g., a method of screening for a compound having agonist or antagonist activity by using the polypeptide or an antibody to the polypeptide, and a pharmaceutical comprising the polypeptide or an antibody to the polypeptide. The present invention further relates to a polypeptide inhibiting the phospholipase A2 activity of a phospholipase A2 polypeptide (hereinafter referred to as inhibitor polypeptide), DNA encoding the inhibitor polypeptide, a vector comprising the DNA encoding the inhibitor polypeptide, a transformant transformed with the vector, a pharmaceutical comprising the inhibitor polypeptide, and a process for producing the inhibitor polypeptide.

Abstract: Using the proteins of the present invention, DNAs encoding the proteins, and antibodies recognizing the proteins, detection methods for diseases relating to the novel insulin-like growth factor binding proteins of the present invention, as well as diagnostic agents, preventive agents, and therapeutic agents for diseases relating to the proteins of the present invention can be provided.

Abstract: A cDNA fragment participating in the maintenance of smooth muscle differentiation was isolated using a culture system of chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells, the differential display method and the subtracted hybridization method. Using the obtained cDNA sequence as a query, cDNA sequences of Helix Research Institute (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-118776) were retrieved, and thus, a novel gene “C-NT2RP3001495” was obtained. The protein encoded by this gene has two WW domains that participate in protein interactions in the N-terminal domain. Evidence suggests that this protein binds to other proteins, and thus regulates the intracellular signal transduction, gene expression, and so on, thereby participating in the maintenance of the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. This protein and compounds regulating the expression thereof are markedly useful in developing drugs for various diseases associated with abnormality in the maintenance of smooth muscle cell differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel phospholipase A2 polypeptide, DNA encoding the polypeptide, a vector comprising the DNA, a transformant transformed with the vector, and a process for producing the phospholipase A2 polypeptide. The present invention also relates to a method of utilizing the polypeptide, e.g., a method of screening for a compound having agonist or antagonist activity by using the polypeptide or an antibody to the polypeptide, and a pharmaceutical comprising the polypeptide or an antibody to the polypeptide. The present invention further relates to a polypeptide inhibiting the phospholipase A2 activity of a phospholipase A2 polypeptide (hereinafter referred to as inhibitor polypeptide), DNA encoding the inhibitor polypeptide, a vector comprising the DNA encoding the inhibitor polypeptide, a transformant transformed with the vector, a pharmaceutical comprising the inhibitor polypeptide, and a process for producing the inhibitor 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: Primers for synthesizing full-length cDNAs and their use are provided. 5602 cDNA encoding a human protein has been isolated and nucleotide sequences of 5?-, and 3?-ends of the cDNA have been determined. Furthermore, primers for synthesizing the full-length cDNA have been provided to clarify the function of the protein encoded by the cDNA. The full-length cDNA of the present invention containing the translation start site provides information useful for analyzing the functions of the protein.

Abstract: Novel human secretory proteins or membrane proteins, and full length cDNAs encoding the proteins are provided. 173 kinds of novel proteins and polynucleotides encoding these proteins have been isolated. The proteins of the present invention are useful as candidates for medicines or as target molecules for developing medicines. The polynucleotides of the present invention are used to produce these proteins.

Abstract: Human cDNA encoding a secretory or membrane protein useful as a candidate for developing medicine or as a target molecule for developing medicine. The expression level of the polynucleotide of the present invention increased in NT2 cells after retinoic acid-treatment. Accordingly, this cDNA is associated neurological disease.

Abstract: Using the proteins of the present invention, DNAs encoding the proteins, and antibodies recognizing the proteins, detection methods for diseases relating to the novel insulin-like growth factor binding proteins of the present invention, as well as diagnostic agents, preventive agents, and therapeutic agents for diseases relating to the proteins of the present invention can be provided.

Abstract: Using the proteins of the present invention, DNAs encoding the proteins, and antibodies recognizing the proteins, detection methods for diseases relating to the novel insulin-like growth factor binding proteins of the present invention, as well as diagnostic agents, preventive agents, and therapeutic agents for diseases relating to the proteins of the present invention can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides: proteins suppressing or promoting the aggregation or deposition of amyloid-? protein; polynucleotides encoding the proteins; a method for screening a compound suppressing or promoting the aggregation or deposition of amyloid-? protein; and therapeutic agents for treating or preventing Alzheimer's diseases comprising a compound that regulates the activity of a protein suppressing or promoting the aggregation or deposition of amyloid-? protein.

Abstract: Selection of clones having the kinase and/or phosphatase-like structure from clones which had been isolated and the structures thereof had been determined in the Helix Research Institute (helix clones; Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-183767) was conducted. Two novel genes were provided by carrying out homology search for all the helix clones by using the amino acid sequences of known kinases and phosphatases as queries. The genes are expected to be involved in intracellular signal transduction. The physiological functions of the inventive genes can be tested by using reporter gene assay systems capable of detecting signal transduction. The proteins of the present invention are useful as target molecules in drug discovery and in the development of new pharmaceuticals.