Neurotransmitter transporter

Abstract

Disclosed is a neurotransmitter transporter protein and DNA (RNA) encoding such protein. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques. The procedure for producing antagonists/inhibitors against such polypeptide is also provided. Such antagonists/inhibitors may be used to inhibit the action of neurotransmitter transporter protein for treatment of depression, anxiety of epilepsy.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a polynucleotide encoding an NTT polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence of FIG. 1 or a fragment, analog or derivative of said polypeptide;    (b) a polynucleotide encoding an NTT polypeptide having the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA contained in ATCC Deposit No. 75713 or a fragment, analog or derivative of said polypeptide.    
     
     
         2 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is DNA.  
     
     
         3 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is RNA.  
     
     
         4 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is genomic DNA.  
     
     
         5 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  wherein said polynucleotide encodes an NTT having the deduced amino acid sequence of FIG. 1.  
     
     
         6 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  wherein said polynucleotide encodes an NTT polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of ATCC Deposit No. 75713.  
     
     
         7 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  having the coding sequence for NTT as shown in FIG. 1.  
     
     
         8 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  having the coding sequence for NTT deposited as ATCC Deposit No. 75713.  
     
     
         9 . A vector containing the DNA of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         10 . A host cell genetically engineered with the vector of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         11 . A process for producing a polypeptide comprising: 
 expressing from the host cell of  claim 10  the polypeptide encoded by said DNA.    
     
     
         12 . A process for producing cells capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising genetically engineering cells with the vector of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         13 . An isolated DNA hybridizable to the DNA of  claim 2  and encoding a polypeptide having NTT activity.  
     
     
         14 . A polypeptide selected from the group consisting of (i) an NTT polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence of FIG. 1 and fragments, analogs and derivatives thereof and (ii) an NTT polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of ATCC Deposit No. 75713 and fragments, analogs and derivatives of said polypeptide.  
     
     
         15 . The polypeptide of  claim 14  wherein the polypeptide is NTT having the deduced amino acid sequence of FIG. 1.  
     
     
         16 . An antibody against the polypeptide of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         17 . An antagonist/inhibitor against the polypeptide of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         18 . An agonist for the polypeptide of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         19 . A method for the treatment of a patient having need of an agonist to NTT comprising: 
 administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the agonist of  claim 18 .    
     
     
         20 . A method for the treatment of a patient having need to inhibit NTT comprising: 
 administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the antagonist/inhibitor of  claim 17 .    
     
     
         21 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the polypeptide of  claim 14  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         22 . A method of administering a therapeutically effective amount of the NTT polypeptide comprising providing to a patient DNA encoding said polypeptide and expressing said polypeptide in vivo.  
     
     
         23 . A method of screening compounds to identify compounds which interact with NTT which comprises: 
 transforming mammalian cells with a vector containing a polynucleotide encoding NTT;    labelling the natural neurotransmitter of NTT; incubating the cells, the labelled NTT and a compound; determining the effectiveness of translocation of the neurotransmitter into the cells by NTT; and    identifying the compound as being either an antagonist or an agonist to NTT.