University of California

Christopher J Evans

Robert H Edwards

Duane E Keith, Jr

Daniel L Kaufman

Arnaud Lacoste

Recombinant forms of isolated and purified delta opioid receptors and methods to screen for compounds interactive with delta opioid receptors are described.

DNA molecules encoding opioid receptors and methods of use thereof

The present invention provides methods and materials that can be used to detect, examine and exploit protease mediated protein expression. An illustrative embodiment of the invention is a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having a plurality of operatively linked elements comprising a polypeptide degradation signal that functions as a proteosome substrate; a polypeptide of interest having an observable activity; and a linker disposed between the polypeptide degradation signal and the polypeptide of interest. The linker comprises a protease recognition motif that is capable of being specifically recognized and cleaved by a protease. The activity of the polypeptide of interest is observed when the motif is specifically recognized and cleaved by the protease; and the activity of the polypeptide of interest is decreased or not observed when the motif is not specifically recognized and cleaved by the protease.

System for protease mediated protein expression

Genes encoding opioid receptors (including opioid-like receptor (ORL) proteins) can be retrieved from vertebrate libraries using the murine probe disclosed herein under low-stringency conditions. The DNA sequence shown inor its complement can be used to obtain the human delta, kappa and mu genes as well as the murine mu gene and human ORL-1. The probe provided encodes the murine delta opioid receptor.

Opioid receptors and methods of use

Genes encoding opioid receptors (including opioid-like receptor (ORL) proteins) can be retrieved from vertebrate libraries using the murine probe disclosed herein under low-stringency conditions. The DNA sequence shown in FIG. 5 or its complement can be used to obtain the human delta, kappa and mu genes as well as the murine mu gene and human ORL-1. The probe provided encodes the murine delta opioid receptor.

Methods of screening modulators of opioid receptor activity

Genes encoding opioid receptors can be retrieved from vertebrate libraries using the murine probe disclosed herein under low-stringency conditions. The DNA sequence shown in FIG.,or its complement can be used to obtain the human delta, kappa and mu genes as well as the murine mu gene. The probe provided encodes the murine delta opioid receptor.

Opioid receptor genes

Nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a mammalian delta opioid receptor are disclosed. The invention provides recombinant materials for the production of mammalian delta opioid receptors.

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Christopher J Evans