The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 10, 1997
Filed:
Feb. 16, 1995
Gregory J Kaczorowski, Edison, NJ (US);
Maria L Garcia, Edison, NJ (US);
Reid J Leonard, Westfield, NJ (US);
Owen B McManus, North Plainfield, NJ (US);
Richard J Swanson, Lansdale, PA (US);
Kimberly L Folander, Bethlehem, PA (US);
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ (US);
Abstract
Disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the .beta. subunit of the mammalian large-conductance ('maxi-K') potassium channel, cells transformed with such nucleic acids, and .beta. subunit proteins produced by the transformed cells. Within the invention are recombinant host cells expressing .alpha..beta. heteromultimers. Such cells or preparations made from them may be used to screen for pharmacologically active modulators of maxi-K channel activity. Such modulators are potentially useful in treating asthma, pregnant human myometrium, hypertension and angina, cerebral ischemia, and conditions where stimulation of neurotransmitter release is desired, such as in Alzheimer's disease and stimulation of damaged nerves.