43239, a novel GPCR-like molecule and uses thereof

Abstract

Novel GPCR-like polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length GPCR-like proteins, the invention further provides isolated GPCR-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-GPCR-like antibodies. The invention also provides GPCR-like nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a GPCR-like gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

1 . An isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a fragment of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or an amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, wherein the fragment comprises at least 15 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, or an amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______;    b) a naturally occurring allelic variant of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or an amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, wherein the polypeptide is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule comprising SEQ ID NO:1, or a complement thereof under stringent conditions; and    c) a polypeptide which is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence which is at least 65% identical to a nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or a complement thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 1  comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or an amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______.  
     
     
         3 . The polypeptide of  claim 1  further comprising heterologous amino acid sequences.  
     
     
         4 . An antibody which selectively binds to a polypeptide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . A method for detecting the presence of a polypeptide of  claim 1  in a sample, comprising: 
 a) contacting the sample with a compound which selectively binds to a polypeptide of  claim 1;  and    b) determining whether the compound binds to the polypeptide in the sample.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the compound which binds to the polypeptide is an antibody.  
     
     
         7 . A kit comprising a compound which selectively binds to a polypeptide of  claim 1  and instructions for use.  
     
     
         8 . A method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid molecule in a sample, comprising the steps of: 
 a) contacting the sample with a nucleic acid probe or primer which selectively hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule; and    b) determining whether the nucleic acid probe or primer binds to a nucleic acid molecule in the sample.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sample comprises mRNA molecules and is contacted with a nucleic acid probe.  
     
     
         10 . A method for identifying a compound which binds to a polypeptide of  claim 1  comprising the steps of: 
 a) contacting a polypeptide, or a cell expressing a polypeptide of  claim 1  with a test compound; and    b) determining whether the polypeptide binds to the test compound.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the binding of the test compound to the polypeptide is detected by a method selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) detection of binding by direct detecting of test compound/polypeptide binding;    b) detection of binding using a competition binding assay;    c) detection of binding using an assay for GPCR-like-mediated signal transduction.    
     
     
         12 . A method for modulating the activity of a polypeptide comprising contacting a polypeptide or a cell expressing a polypeptide of  claim 1  with a compound which binds to the polypeptide in a sufficient concentration to modulate the activity of the polypeptide.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said modulation is in a subject having or predisposed to a disorder involving pain.  
     
     
         14 . A method of modulating pain in a subject comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a polypeptide of  claim 1  in a therapeutically effective amount.  
     
     
         15 . A method for identifying a compound which modulates the activity of a polypeptide of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 a) contacting a polypeptide of  claim 1  with a test compound; and    b) determining the effect of the test compound on the activity of the polypeptide to thereby identify a compound which modulates the activity of the polypeptide.