Hormos Medical Oy Ltd.

The United States of America As Represented by the Department of Health

Oy Juvantia Pharma Ltd.

Markku Koulu

Ullamari Pesonen

Matti Karvonen

Matti Uusitupa

Jukka T Salonen

David Goldman

Markku I Linnoila

Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen

Mika Scheinin

Matti Virkkunen

Paula Heinonen

Amir Snapir

Kristiina Nyyss&ouml;nen

Timo A Lakka

Riitta Salonen

Jussi Kauhanen

Pia Alhopuro

Veli-Pekka Valkonen

The invention relates to a DNA sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a prepro-neuropeptide Y (preproNPY) where the leucine amino acid in position 7 of the signal peptide part of said preproNPY has been replaced by proline. The invention concerns further the mutant signal peptide or the mutant signal peptide associated with any other cleavage product of preproNPY, methods for the determination, in a biological sample, of the DNA sequence or the peptide. Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for diagnosing a predisposition for increased serum cholesterol or LDL cholesterol level in a human subject, and to methods for treating a human subject diagnosed for predisposition for increased serum cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. The present invention also relates to transgenic animals carrying either the mutant sequence or the normal sequence.

DNA molecule encoding a mutant prepro-neuropeptide Y, a mutant signal peptide, and uses thereof

This invention relates to a DNA sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a variant &agr; -adrenoceptor protein and to the variant &agr; -adrenoceptor protein as well as a method for screening a subject to determine if the subject is a carrier of a variant gene that encodes the variant &agr; -adrenoceptor protein. Further this invention relates to a method for treating a mammal suffering from vascular contraction of coronary arteries, the method comprising the step of administering a selective &agr; -adrenoceptor antagonist to the mammal and to transgenic animals comprising a human DNA molecule encoding human &agr; -adrenoceptor protein or the variant &agr; -adrenoceptor protein.

DNA molecule encoding a variant &agr;2B-adrenoceptor protein, and uses thereof

The invention relates to methods for diagnosing a person's susceptibility for having an increased risk for the development of atherosclerosis and a diabetic person's susceptibility for having an increased risk for the development of diabetic retinopathy. The invention relates further to methods for treating persons diagnosed for having increased risk for the development of said diseases, in order to prevent the development of said diseases. The invention also concerns methods to investigate or screen pharmaceuticals or genetic aims useful in the treatment of said diseases, by using an animal model including a transgenic animal.

Diagnosis of a person's risk of developing atherosclerosis or diabetic retinopathy based on leucine 7 to proline 7 polymorphism in the prepro-neuropeptide Y gene

The invention relates to a DNA sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a prepro-neuropeptide Y (PreproNPY) where the leucine amino acid in position 7 of the signal peptide part of said preproNPY has been replaced by proline. The invention concerns further the mutant signal peptide as such or associated with any other cleavage product of preproNPY, methods for the determination, in a biological sample, of said DNA sequence or said peptide. Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for diagnosing a predisposition for increased serum cholesterol or LDL cholesterol level in a human subject, and to methods for treating a human subject diagnosed for predisposition for increased serum cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. Transgenic animals carrying either the mutant sequence or the normal sequence are also within the scope of this invention.

DNA molecule encoding a mutant prepro-neuropeptide Y, a mutant signal

An allelic variant of the 5HT7 serotonin receptor was discovered. Family study data indicate that this variant can be correlated to alchoholic offerders. DNA encoding the variant protein, the protein itself, vectors containing the variant gene and cell lines carrying a vector with the variant gene are part of the invention.

Allelic variation of the serotonin 5HT7 receptor

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Piispanristi, Finland

Markku Koulu