Nucleic acids and polypeptides of invertebrate g-protein coupled receptors and methods of use

摘要

Nucleic acid molecules encoding a homologue of melatonin-like G protein coupled receptor has been isolated from Drosophila melanogaster and is referred to as "dmMLR". The dmMLR nucleic acid and protein can be used to genetically modify metazoan invertebrate organisms, such as insects and worms, or cultured cells, resulting in dmMLR expression or mis-expression. Because the dmMLR gene is lethal if knocked-out, genetically modified organisms or cells can be used in screening assays to identify candidate compounds which are potential pesticidal agents or therapeutics that interact with dmMLR protein. They can also be used in methods for studying dmMLR activity and identifying other genes that modulate the function of, or interact with, the dmMLR gene.