TESTICULAR CARNITINE TRANSPORTER AND ITS GENE

摘要

A novel protein (I) capable of transporting carnitine and its analogs comprising a fully defined 543 amino acid sequence (S2) given in the specification, or one based on (S2) but with some amino acids deleted, substituted or added, is new. Independent claims are also included for: (1) a gene (II) encoding (I); (2) a gene (III) made of a DNA comprising a fully defined 2048 base pair sequence given in the specification, or a DNA hybridizable with the DNA under stringent conditions and encoding a protein capable of sodium-dependent transport of carnitine or its analogs; (3) an expression vector (IV) integrated with any of the DNAs; (4) a host cell (V) transferred with (IV); (5) a nucleotide (VI) containing a partial sequence of not less than 14 consecutive bases in the sequence of (S1) or its complementary sequence; (6) a probe (VII) for detecting the gene containing (VII); (7) regulating (M1) expression of the gene by using (VI); (8) an antibody (VIII) against (I); (9) detecting (M2) ability of a test substance as substrate to effect sodium-dependent transport of carnitine or its analog by the protein using (I); (10) regulating (M3) the dynamic state of sodium-dependent transport of carnitine or its analogs in testis and the epididymis by the protein through control of the protein's transport ability of carnitine or its analog using the protein, its specific antibody, or substances promoting or inhibiting its function; (11) regulating (M4) the influence imparting on sperm cells by the protein through control of the protein's transport ability of carnitine or its analog using the protein, its specific antibody, or substances promoting or inhibiting its function; (12) regulating (M5) the influence imparting on fertility of sperm cells by the protein through control of the protein's transport ability of carnitine or its analog using the protein, its specific antibody, or substances promoting or inhibiting its function; and (13) detecting (M6), regulating or/and influence imparting on the fertility of sperm cells or fertility of an individual by the protein through control of the protein's transport ability of carnitine or its analog, with overexpression of the protein in specific cells or in the presence of such cells already, by using the protein, its specific antibody, or substances promoting or inhibiting its function. ACTIVITY : Antifertility. No biological data given. MECHANISM OF ACTION : None given.