EPF receptor assays, compounds and therapeutic compositions

摘要

Disclosed is an assay to identify compounds that mimic or alter the biological effects of early pregnancy factor (EPF) or chaperonin 10, which assay comprises the steps of: a) contacting EPF or a peptide having at least 70% sequence identity with EPF with a human dorsal root receptor 4 (hDRR4) and/or human dorsal root receptor 7 (hDRR7) polypeptide; b) contacting a test compound with said hDRR4 and/or hDRR7 polypeptide; and c) determining the effect of said test compound on said hDRR4 and/or hDRR7 polypeptide in a competitive, non-competitive or comparative assay with said EPF or peptide having at least 70% sequence identity with EPF. Further disclosed are isolated and purified hDRR4 and/or hDRR7 binding fragments of EPF or of a peptide having at least 70% sequence identity with EPF.