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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A cDNA library in which sense strand cDNAs are immobilized at the 5′-side is provided. A known nucleotide sequence is artificially added to the 3′-side of an antisense strand cDNA (the first strand) and the 5′-side of the second strand is immobilized by using a primer complementary to the above nucleotide sequence. Thus, a cDNA library with excellent qualities, which contain the full-length cDNA at a high possibility, can be obtained.

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 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: The culture supernatant of COS cells expressing the PSEC56 gene was found to have a neurite extension effect. The main substance of the activity contained in this culture supernatant was revealed to be NGF. It was shown that PSEC56 can be utilized as a neurotrophic factor expression-inducing agent, and that the NGF induction system can be utilized for drug development against diseases of the nervous system.

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: 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. Twelve 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.

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.