NOVEL SCREENING METHOD USING PROKINETICIN RECEPTOR

摘要

A screening tool for nerve cell death-inhibitory agents contains a polypeptide (II) with an amino acid sequence of 384 amino acids fully defined in the specification, or with an amino acid sequence based on it with 1-10 amino acids deleted, substituted and/or added and having an activity in raising the intracellular calcium concentration in the presence of prokinetin. Independent claims are also included for (1) a similar screening tool in which the polypeptide has not less than 90% homology with the amino acid sequence of (II) and with the defined biological activity; (2) a screening tool for nerve cell death-inhibitory agents useful in remedies for dementia, cerebral accident and/or hyperalgesia; (3) a tool for screening nerve-cell death inhibitors, or remedies for dementia, cerebral accident and/or hyperalgesia containing cells that express any of the polypeptides; (4) a method for detecting whether a test compound is an agonist or antagonist of prokinetin receptor comprising the contact between the cells, or their membrane, with the test compound in the presence of prokinetin, and analysis of changes in the polypeptide activity; (5) a method for screening nerve-cell death inhibitors, or remedies for dementia, cerebral accident and/or hyperalgesia, comprising the contact between the cells, or their membrane, with the test compound in the presence of prokinetin, and analysis of changes in the polypeptide activity; and (6) a process for producing drug compositions for use as nerve-cell death inhibitors, cerebral accident and/or hyperalgesia comprising the screening with methods as already specified, and formulating the thus screened substances.