Members of the capsaicin/vanilloid receptor family of proteins and uses thereof
View Patent ↗The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel members of the Capsaicin/Vanilloid receptor family. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which an hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated hVR-1, hVR-2, and rVR-2 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-hVR-1, anti-hVR-2, and anti-rVR-2 antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
1. A method for identifying a compound which binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, the method comprising:
a) contacting a cell expressing the polypeptide with a test compound under conditions suitable for binding; and
b) determining whether the test compound binds to the polypeptide, thereby identifying a compound which binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5.
2. A method for identifying a compound which binds to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, the method comprising:
a) contacting a cell expressing the polypeptide with a test compound under conditions suitable for binding; and
b) determining whether the test compound binds to the polypeptide, thereby identifying a compound which binds to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5.
3. The method of any one of claim 1 or 2 , wherein binding of the test compound to the polypeptide is detected by the use of an assay for a hVR-2 activity.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said hVR-2 activity is modulation of membrane depolarization.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said hVR-2 activity is modulation of intracellular calcium levels.
6. The method of any one of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said cell expressing said polypeptide is a neuronal cell.
7. The method of any one of claim 1 or 2 , wherein said compound modulates the activity of said polypeptide.
8. A method for identifying a compound which binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, the method comprising:
a) contacting a sample comprising the polypeptide with a test compound under conditions suitable for binding; and
b) determining whether the test compound binds to the polypeptide, thereby identifying a compound which binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5.
9. A method for identifying a compound which binds to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, the method comprising:
a) contacting a sample comprising the polypeptide with a test compound under conditions suitable for binding; and
b) determining whether the test compound binds to the polypeptide, thereby identifying a compound which binds to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5.
10. The method of any one of claim 8 or 9 , wherein binding of said test compound to said polypeptide is detected by the use of a direct binding assay.
11. The method of any one of claim 8 or 9 , wherein binding of said test compound to said polypeptide is detected by the use of a competition binding assay.
12. The method of any one of claim 8 or 9 , wherein said test compound modulates the activity of said polypeptide.