Banyu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd

Merck Sharp + Dohme Corp.

Taiho Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Hiraku Itadani

Ken-ichi Tanaka

Takao Nakamura

Masahiko Kobayashi

Yusuke Hidaka

Tetsuo Takimura

Masataka Ohta

Kazuhiko Takahashi

Hidehito Kotani

Takaharu Maruyama

Akio Kanatani

Akane Ishihara

Satoshi Mashiko

Hiroaki Suwa

Hiromitsu Araki

Hiromits Araki

Nao Odagiri

Tsutomu Kobayashi

Tetsuya Abe

The present inventors conducted a similarity search of the amino acid sequence of known G protein-coupled receptor proteins in GenBank, and obtained a novel human GPCR gene 'BG37', cDNA containing the ORF of the gene was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Moreover, novel GPCR 'BG37' genes from mouse and rat were isolated. Use of the novel GPCR of the present invention enables screening of ligands, compounds inhibiting the binding to a ligand, and candidate compounds of pharmaceuticals which can regulate signal transduction from the &#x201c;BG37&#x201d; receptor.

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein-coupled receptor protein, BG37

In the examination of obesity or leanness, the examination is based on the expression level of the MCP-1 gene or the MCP-1 protein in a tissue or cell analyte, or on the polymorphism in the gene. In the evaluation of compounds, including screening for therapeutic agents for obesity or leanness, the properties of the MCP-1 gene or the MCP-1 protein are utilized to carry out the evaluation.

Method for examining obesity or leanness

Examination of obesity or emaciation is performed based on expression levels of LCE gene or protein in a test tissue or a test cell or a polymorphism of the gene. Evaluation of compounds including screening of therapeutic agents for obesity or emaciation is performed utilizing the nature of LCE gene or protein.

Method of evaluating compound efficacious in treating obesity

A full-length cDNA encoding a human-derived G protein-coupled receptor protein is isolated by screening a human hippocampus library. Also, a rat-derived cDNA corresponding to the human-derived cDNA is isolated. Proteins encoded by these cDNAs have an activity of lowering intracellular cAMP concentration under stimulation with histamine. These proteins are usable as tools in screening ligands thereof or in screening candidate compounds for drugs capable of regulating signal transduction from the above proteins.

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding protein-coupled receptor proteins that bind histamine and are expressed in the brain

The present inventors conducted a similarity search of the amino acid sequence of known G protein-coupled receptor proteins in GenBank, and obtained a novel human GPCR gene 'BG37'. cDNA containing the ORF of the gene was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Moreover, novel GPCR 'BG37' genes from mouse and rat were isolated. Use of the novel GPCR of the present invention enables screening of ligands, compounds inhibiting the binding to a ligand, and candidate compounds of pharmaceuticals which can regulate signal transduction from the &#x201c;BG37&#x201d; receptor.

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding protein-coupled receptor proteins

The present invention has provided a human-derived novel G protein-coupled receptor protein expressed in the brain, rat-derived protein corresponding to it, and their genes. Use of the receptors makes it possible to screen their ligands and compounds that are candidates for medicines. These ligands and candidate compounds would be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases arising from disorders of signal transduction pathway mediated by the G protein-coupled receptor of the invention.

Growing community of inventors

Ibaraki, Japan

Hiraku Itadani