Adrenergic receptor

Abstract

A human adrenergic receptor polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are agonists for the adrenergic receptor polypeptide which may be used therapeutically to stimulate the adrenergic receptor and antagonist inhibitors against such adrenergic receptor polypeptides and their use therapeutically to antagonize the adrenergic receptor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to newly identified polynucleotides, polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides, as well as the production of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. More particularly, the polypeptide of the present invention is a human 7-transmembrane receptor. The transmembrane receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor. More particularly, the 7-transmembrane receptor has been putatively identified as an adrenergic receptor. The invention also relates to inhibiting the action of such polypeptides.

[0003] It is well established that many medically significant biological processes are mediated by proteins participating in signal transduction pathways that involve G-proteins and/or second messengers, e.g., cAMP (Lefkowitz, Nature, 351:353-354 (1991)). Herein these proteins are referred to as proteins participating in pathways with G-proteins or PPG proteins. Some examples of these proteins include the GPC receptors, such as those for adrenergic agents and dopamine (Kobilka, B. K., et al., Pnas, 84:46-50 (1987); Kobilka, B. K., et al., Science, 238:650-656 (1987); Bunzow, J. R., et al., Nature, 336:783-787 (1988)), G-proteins themselves, effector proteins, e.g., phospholipase C, adenyl cyclase, and phosphodiesterase, and actuator proteins, e.g., protein kinase A and protein kinase C (Simon, M. I., et al., Science, 252:802-8 (1991)).

[0004] For example, in one form of signal transductions, the effect of hormone binding is activation of an enzyme, adenylate cyclase, inside the cell. Enzyme activation by hormones is dependent on the presence of the nucleotide GTP, and GTP also influences hormone binding. A G-protein connects the hormone receptors to adenylate cyclase. G-protein was shown to exchange GTP for bound GDP when activated by hormone receptors. The GTP-carrying form then binds to an activated adenylate cyclase. Hydrolysis of GTP to GDP, catalyzed by the G-protein itself, returns the G-protein to its basal, inactive form. Thus, the G-protein serves a dual role, as an intermediate that relays the signal from receptor to effector, and as a clock that controls the duration of the signal.

[0005] The adrenergic receptors comprise one of the largest and most extensively characterized families within the G-protein coupled receptor “superfamily”. This superfamily includes not only adrenergic receptors, but also muscarinic, cholinergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and histaminergic receptors. Numerous peptide receptors include glucagon, somatostatin, and vasopressin receptors, as well as sensory receptors for vision (rhodopsin), taste, and olfaction, also belong to this growing family. Despite the diversity of signalling molecules, G-protein coupled receptors all possess a similar overall primary structure, characterized by 7 putative membrane-spanning a helices (Probst et al., 1992). In the most basic sense, the adrenergic receptors are the physiological sites of action of the catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Adrenergic receptors were initially classified as either α or β by Ahlquist, who demonstrated that the order of potency for a series of agonists to evoke a physiological response was distinctly different at the 2 receptor subtypes (Ahlquist, 1948). Functionally, α adrenergic receptors were shown to control vasoconstriction, pupil dilation and uterine inhibition, while β adrenergic receptors were implicated in vasorelaxation, myocardial stimulation and bronchodilation (Regan et al., 1990). Eventually, pharmacologists realized that these responses resulted from activation of several distinct adrenergic receptor subtypes. β adrenergic receptors in the heart were defined as β1, while those in the lung and vasculature were termed β2 (Lands et al., 1967).

[0006] α Adrenergic receptors, meanwhile, were first classified based on their anatomical location, as either pre or post-synaptic (α2 and α1, respectively) (Langer et al., 1974). This classification scheme was confounded, however, by the presence of α2 receptors in distinctly non-synaptic locations, such as platelets (Berthelsen and Pettinger, 1977). With the development of radioligand binding techniques, α adrenergic receptors could be distinguished pharmacologically based on their affinities for the antagonists prazosin or yohimbine (Stark, 1981). Definitive evidence for adrenergic receptor subtypes, however, awaited purification and molecular cloning of adrenergic receptor subtypes. In 1986, the genes for the hamster β2 (Dickson et al., 1986) and turkey β1 adrenergic receptors (Yarden et al., 1986) were cloned and sequenced. Hydropathy analysis revealed that these proteins contain 7 hydrophobic domains similar to rhodopsin, the receptor for light. Since that time the adrenergic receptor family has expanded to include 3 subtypes of β receptors (Emorine et al., 1989), 3 subtypes of α1 receptors (Schwinn et al., 1990), and 3 distinct types of α2 receptors (Lomasney et al., 1990).

[0007] The α2 receptors appear to have diverged rather early from either β or α1 receptors. The α2 receptors have been broken down into 3 molecularly distinct subtypes termed α2C2, α2C4, and α2C10 based on their chromosomal location. These subtypes appear to correspond to the pharmacologically defined α2B, α2C, and α2A subtypes, respectively (Bylund et al., 1992). While all the receptors of the adrenergic type are recognized by epinephrine, they are pharmacologically distinct and are encoded by separate genes. These receptors are generally coupled to different second messenger pathways that are linked through G-proteins. Among the adrenergic receptors, β1 and β2 receptors activate the adenylate cyclase, α2 receptors inhibit adenylate cyclase and α1 receptors activate phospholipase C pathways, stimulating breakdown of polyphosphoinositides (Chung, F. Z. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 263:4052 (1988)). α1 and α2 adrenergic receptors differ in their cell activity for drugs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there are provided novel polypeptides which have been putatively identified as adrenergic receptors, as well as fragments, analogs and derivatives thereof. The polypeptides of the present invention are of human origin.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there are provided polynucleotides (DNA or RNA) which encode such polypeptides.

[0010] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques.

[0011] In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention, there are provided antibodies against such polypeptides.

[0012] In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a process for using the receptor to screen for receptor antagonists and/or agonists and/or receptor ligands.

[0013] In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a process of using such agonists for therapeutic purposes, for example, to treat upper respiratory conditions.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process of using such antagonists for treating hypertension.

[0015] These and other aspects of the present invention should be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The following drawings are illustrative of embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as encompassed by the claims.

[0017] FIGS. 1A-E show the cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) and the corresponding deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) of the G-protein coupled receptor of the present invention. The standard one-letter abbreviation for amino acids is used.

[0018] FIGS. 2A1-2A3, 2B1-2B3 and 2C1-2C3 illustrate an amino acid alignment of the G-protein coupled receptor of the present invention and adrenergic receptors from various species of animals. Faded areas are those areas which match with the other amino acid sequences in the figure. The comparative polypeptide sequences are represented by one-letter amino acid codes and each comparative row has five sets of lines representing the five amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS: 9-13, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] It should be pointed out that sequencing inaccuracies are a common problem which occurs in polynucleotide sequences. Accordingly, the sequence of the drawing is based on several sequencing runs and the sequencing accuracy is considered to be at least 97%.

[0020] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an isolated nucleic acid (polynucleotide) which encodes for the mature polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence of FIGS. 1A-E or for the mature polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of the clone deposited as ATCC Deposit No. 75822 on Jun. 24, 1994.

[0021] The ATCC number referred to above is directed to a biological deposit with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The strain is being maintained under the terms of the Budapest Treaty and will be made available to a patent office signatory to the Budapest Treaty.

[0022] A polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of the present invention may be found in the brain, lung, pancreas and kidney. The polynucleotide of this invention was discovered in a cDNA library derived from a human infant brain. It is structurally related to the al adrenergic receptor family. It contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of 529 amino acid residues. The protein exhibits the highest degree of homology to α1C at the nucleotide sequence level and α1B at the amino acid level with 30% identity and 47% similarity over a 500 amino acid stretch.

[0023] The polynucleotide of the present invention may be in the form of RNA or in the form of DNA, which DNA includes cDNA, genomic DNA, and synthetic DNA. The DNA may be double-stranded or single-stranded, and if single stranded may be the coding strand or non-coding (anti-sense) strand. The coding sequence which encodes the mature polypeptide may be identical to the coding sequence shown in FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:1) or that of the deposited clone or may be a different coding sequence which coding sequence, as a result of the redundancy or degeneracy of the genetic code, encodes the same mature polypeptide as the DNA of FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:1) or the deposited cDNA.

[0024] The polynucleotide which encodes for the mature polypeptide of FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:2) or for the mature polypeptide encoded by the deposited cDNA may include: only the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide; the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide and additional coding sequence such as a leader or secretory sequence or a proprotein sequence; the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide (and optionally additional coding sequence) and non-coding sequence, such as introns or non-coding sequence 5′ and/or 3′ of the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide.

[0025] Thus, the term “polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide” encompasses a polynucleotide which includes only coding sequence for the polypeptide as well as a polynucleotide which includes additional coding and/or non-coding sequence.

[0026] The present invention further relates to variants of the hereinabove described polynucleotides which encode for fragments, analogs and derivatives of the polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence of FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:2) or the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of the deposited clone. The variant of the polynucleotide may be a naturally occurring allelic variant of the polynucleotide or a non-naturally occurring variant of the polynucleotide.

[0027] Thus, the present invention includes polynucleotides encoding the same mature polypeptide as shown in FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:2) or the same mature polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of the deposited clone as well as variants of such polynucleotides which variants encode for a fragment, derivative or analog of the polypeptide of FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:2) or the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of the deposited clone. Such nucleotide variants include deletion variants, substitution variants and addition or insertion variants.

[0028] As hereinabove indicated, the polynucleotide may have a coding sequence which is a naturally occurring allelic variant of the coding sequence shown in FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:1) or of the coding sequence of the deposited clone. As known in the art, an allelic variant is an alternate form of a polynucleotide sequence which may have a substitution, deletion or addition of one or more nucleotides, which does not substantially alter the function of the encoded polypeptide.

[0029] The polynucleotides may also encode for a soluble form of the receptor polypeptide which is the extracellular portion of the polypeptide which has been cleaved from the TM and intracellular domain of the full-length polypeptide of the present invention.

[0030] The polynucleotides of the present invention may also have the coding sequence fused in frame to a marker sequence which allows for purification of the polypeptide of the present invention. The marker sequence may be a hexa-histidine tag supplied by a pQE-9 vector to provide for purification of the mature polypeptide fused to the marker in the case of a bacterial host, or, for example, the marker sequence may be a hemagglutinin (HA) tag when a mammalian host, e.g. COS-7 cells, is used. The HA tag corresponds to an epitope derived from the influenza hemagglutinin protein (Wilson, I., et al., Cell, 37:767 (1984)).

[0031] The term “gene” means the segment of DNA involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it includes regions preceding and following the coding region (leader and trailer) as well as intervening sequences (introns) between individual coding segments (exons).

[0032] Fragments of the full length gene of the present invention may be used as a hybridization probe for a cDNA library to isolate the full length cDNA and to isolate other cDNAs which have as high sequence similarity to the gene or similar biological activity. Probes of this type preferably have at least 30 bases and may contain, for example, 50 or more bases. The probe may also be used to identify a cDNA clone corresponding to a full length transcript and a genomic clone or clones that contain the complete gene including regulatory and promotor regions, exons, and introns. An example of a screen comprises isolating the coding region of the gene by using the known DNA sequence to synthesize an oligonucleotide probe. Labeled oligonucleotides having a sequence complementary to that of the gene of the present invention are used to screen a library of human cDNA, genomic DNA or mRNA to determine which members of the library the probe hybridizes to.

[0033] The present invention further relates to polynucleotides which hybridize to the hereinabove-described sequences if there is at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, and more preferably at least 95% identity between the sequences. The present invention particularly relates to polynucleotides which hybridize under stringent conditions to the hereinabove-described polynucleotides. As herein used, the term “stringent conditions” means hybridization will occur only if there is at least 95% and preferably at least 97% identity between the sequences. The polynucleotides which hybridize to the hereinabove described polynucleotides in a preferred embodiment encode polypeptides which either retain substantially the same biological function or activity as the mature polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:1) or the deposited cDNA(s).

[0034] Alternatively, the polynucleotide may have at least 20 bases, preferably 30 bases, and more preferably at least 50 bases which hybridize to a polynucleotide of the present invention and which has an identity thereto, as hereinabove described, and which may or may not retain activity. For example, such polynucleotides may be employed as probes for the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:1, for example, for recovery of the polynucleotide or as a diagnostic probe or as a PCR primer.

[0035] Thus, the present invention is directed to polynucleotides having at least a 70% identity, preferably at least 90% and more preferably at least a 95% identity to a polynucleotide which encodes the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 as well as fragments thereof, which fragments have at least 30 bases and preferably at least 50 bases and to polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides.

[0036] The deposit(s) referred to herein will be maintained under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Micro-organisms for purposes of Patent Procedure. These deposits are provided merely as convenience to those of skill in the art and are not an admission that a deposit is required under 35 U.S.C. §112. The sequence of the polynucleotides contained in the deposited materials, as well as the amino acid sequence of the polypeptides encoded thereby, are incorporated herein by reference and are controlling in the event of any conflict with any description of sequences herein. A license may be required to make, use or sell the deposited materials, and no such license is hereby granted.

[0037] The present invention further relates to a receptor polypeptide which has the deduced amino acid sequence of FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:2) or which has the amino acid sequence encoded by the deposited cDNA, as well as fragments, analogs and derivatives of such polypeptide.

[0038] The terms “fragment,” “derivative” and “analog” when referring to the polypeptide of FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:2) or that encoded by the deposited cDNA, means a polypeptide which either retains substantially the same biological function or activity as such polypeptide, i.e. functions as a receptor, or retains the ability to bind the ligand for the receptor even though the polypeptide does not function as a G-protein coupled receptor, for example, a soluble form of the receptor.

[0039] The polypeptide of the present invention may be a recombinant polypeptide, a natural polypeptide or a synthetic polypeptide, preferably a recombinant polypeptide.

[0040] The fragment, derivative or analog of the polypeptide of FIGS. 1A-E (SEQ ID NO:2) or that encoded by the deposited cDNA may be (i) one in which one or more of the amino acid residues are substituted with a conserved or non-conserved amino acid residue (preferably a conserved amino acid residue) and such substituted amino acid residue may or may not be one encoded by the genetic code, or (ii) one in which one or more of the amino acid residues includes a substituent group, or (iii) one in which the mature polypeptide is fused with another compound, such as a compound to increase the half-life of the polypeptide (for example, polyethylene glycol), or (iv) one in which the additional amino acids are fused to the mature polypeptide which are employed for purification of the mature polypeptide or a proprotein sequence or (v) one in which a fragment of the polypeptide is soluble, i.e., not membrane bound, yet still binds ligands to the membrane bound receptor. Such fragments, derivatives and analogs are deemed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

[0041] The polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention are preferably provided in an isolated form, and preferably are purified to homogeneity.

[0042] The term “gene” means the segment of DNA involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it includes regions preceding and following the coding region “leader and trailer” as well as intervening sequences (introns) between individual coding segments (exons).

[0043] The term “isolated” means that the material is removed from its original environment (e.g., the natural environment if it is naturally occurring). For example, a naturally-occurring polynucleotide or polypeptide present in a living animal is not isolated, but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide, separated from some or all of the coexisting materials in the natural system, is isolated. Such polynucleotides could be part of a vector and/or such polynucleotides or polypeptides could be part of a composition, and still be isolated in that such vector or composition is not part of its natural environment.

[0044] The polypeptides of the present invention include the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 (in particular the mature polypeptide) as well as polypeptides which have at least 70% similarity (preferably at least 70% identity) to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 and more preferably at least 90% similarity (preferably at least 90% identity) to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 and still more preferably at least 95% similarity (preferably at least 95% identity) to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 and also include portions of such polypeptides with such portion of the polypeptide generally containing at least 30 amino acids and more preferably at least 50 amino acids.

[0045] As known in the art “similarity” between two polypeptides is determined by comparing the amino acid sequence and its conserved amino acid substitutes of one polypeptide to the sequence of a second polypeptide

[0046] Fragments or portions of the polypeptide of the present invention may be employed for producing the corresponding full-length polypeptide by peptide synthesis; therefore, the fragments may be employed as intermediates for producing the full-length polypeptides. Fragments or portions of the polynucleotides of the present invention may be used to synthesize full-length polynucleotides of the present invention.

[0047] The present invention also relates to vectors which include polynucleotides of the present invention, host cells which are genetically engineered with vectors of the invention and the production of polypeptides of the invention by recombinant techniques.

[0048] Host cells are genetically engineered (transduced or transformed or transfected) with the vectors of this invention which may be, for example, a cloning vector or an expression vector. The vector may be, for example, in the form of a plasmid, a viral particle, a phage, etc. The engineered host cells can be cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for activating promoters, selecting transformants or amplifying the genes of the present invention. The culture conditions, such as temperature, pH and the like, are those previously used with the host cell selected for expression, and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan.

[0049] The polynucleotides of the present invention may be employed for producing polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Thus, for example, the polynucleotide may be included in any one of a variety of expression vectors for expressing a polypeptide. Such vectors include chromosomal, nonchromosomal and synthetic DNA sequences, e.g., derivatives of SV40; bacterial plasmids; phage DNA; baculovirus; yeast plasmids; vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage DNA, viral DNA such as vaccinia, adenovirus, fowl pox virus, and pseudorabies. However, any other vector may be used as long as it is replicable and viable in the host.

[0050] The appropriate DNA sequence may be inserted into the vector by a variety of procedures. In general, the DNA sequence is inserted into an appropriate restriction endonuclease site(s) by procedures known in the art. Such procedures and others are deemed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art.

[0051] The DNA sequence in the expression vector is operatively linked to an appropriate expression control sequence(s) (promoter) to direct mRNA synthesis. As representative examples of such promoters, there may be mentioned: LTR or SV40 promoter, the E. coli. lac or trp, the phage lambda PL promoter and other promoters known to control expression of genes in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells or their viruses. The expression vector also contains a ribosome binding site for translation initiation and a transcription terminator. The vector may also include appropriate sequences for amplifying expression.

[0052] In addition, the expression vectors preferably contain one or more selectable marker genes to provide a phenotypic trait for selection of transformed host cells such as dihydrofolate reductase or neomycin resistance for eukaryotic cell culture, or such as tetracycline or ampicillin resistance in E. coli.

[0053] The vector containing the appropriate DNA sequence as hereinabove described, as well as an appropriate promoter or control sequence, may be employed to transform an appropriate host to permit the host to express the protein.

[0054] As representative examples of appropriate hosts, there may be mentioned: bacterial cells, such as E. coli, Streptomyces, Salmonella typhimurium; fungal cells, such as yeast; insect cells such as Drosophila and Sf9; animal cells such as CHO, COS or Bowes melanoma; plant cells, etc. The selection of an appropriate host is deemed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

[0055] More particularly, the present invention also includes recombinant constructs comprising one or more of the sequences as broadly described above. The constructs comprise a vector, such as a plasmid or viral vector, into which a sequence of the invention has been inserted, in a forward or reverse orientation. In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the construct further comprises regulatory sequences, including, for example, a promoter, operably linked to the sequence. Large numbers of suitable vectors and promoters are known to those of skill in the art, and are commercially available. The following vectors are provided by way of example. Bacterial: pQE70, pQE60, pQE-9 (Qiagen), pbs, pD10, phagescript, psiX174, pbluescript SK, pbsks, pNH8A, pNH16a, pNH18A, pNH46A (Stratagene); ptrc99a, pKK223-3, pKK233-3, pDR540, pRIT5 (Pharmacia). Eukaryotic: pWLNEO, pSV2CAT, pOG44, pXT1, pSG (Stratagene) pSVK3, pBPV, pMSG, pSVL (Pharmacia). However, any other plasmid or vector may be used as long as they are replicable and viable in the host.

[0056] Promoter regions can be selected from any desired gene using CAT (chloramphenicol transferase) vectors or other vectors with selectable markers. Two appropriate vectors are PKK232-8 and PCM7. Particular named bacterial promoters include lacI, lacZ, T3, T7, gpt, lambda PR, PL and trp. Eukaryotic promoters include CMV immediate early, HSV thymidine kinase, early and late SV40, LTRs from retrovirus, and mouse metallothionein-I. Selection of the appropriate vector and promoter is well within the level of ordinary skill in the art.

[0057] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to host cells containing the above-described constructs. The host cell can be a higher eukaryotic cell, such as a mammalian cell, or a lower eukaryotic cell, such as a yeast cell, or the host cell can be a prokaryotic cell, such as a bacterial cell. Introduction of the construct into the host cell can be effected by calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-Dextran mediated transfection, or electroporation. (Davis, L., Dibner, M., Battey, I., Basic Methods in Molecular Biology, (1986)).

[0058] The constructs in host cells can be used in a conventional manner to produce the gene product encoded by the recombinant sequence. Alternatively, the polypeptides of the invention can be synthetically produced by conventional peptide synthesizers.

[0059] Mature proteins can be expressed in mammalian cells, yeast, bacteria, or other cells under the control of appropriate promoters. Cell-free translation systems can also be employed to produce such proteins using RNAs derived from the DNA constructs of the present invention. Appropriate cloning and expression vectors for use with prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts are described by Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., (1989), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0060] Transcription of the DNA encoding the polypeptides of the present invention by higher eukaryotes is increased by inserting an enhancer sequence into the vector. Enhancers are cis-acting elements of DNA, usually about from 10 to 300 bp that act on a promoter to increase its transcription. Examples including the SV40 enhancer on the late side of the replication origin bp 100 to 270, a cytomegalovirus early promoter enhancer, the polyoma enhancer on the late side of the replication origin, and adenovirus enhancers.

[0061] Generally, recombinant expression vectors will include origins of replication and selectable markers permitting transformation of the host cell, e.g., the ampicillin resistance gene of E. coli and S. cerevisiae TRP1 gene, and a promoter derived from a highly-expressed gene to direct transcription of a downstream structural sequence. Such promoters can be derived from operons encoding glycolytic enzymes such as 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), α-factor, acid phosphatase, or heat shock proteins, among others. The heterologous structural sequence is assembled in appropriate phase with translation initiation and termination sequences, and preferably, a leader sequence capable of directing secretion of translated protein into the periplasmic space or extracellular medium. Optionally, the heterologous sequence can encode a fusion protein including an N-terminal identification peptide imparting desired characteristics, e.g., stabilization or simplified purification of expressed recombinant product.

[0062] Useful expression vectors for bacterial use are constructed by inserting a structural DNA sequence encoding a desired protein together with suitable translation initiation and termination signals in operable reading phase with a functional promoter. The vector will comprise one or more phenotypic selectable markers and an origin of replication to ensure maintenance of the vector and to, if desirable, provide amplification within the host. Suitable prokaryotic hosts for transformation include E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium and various species within the genera Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, and Staphylococcus, although others may also be employed as a matter of choice.

[0063] As a representative but nonlimiting example, useful expression vectors for bacterial use can comprise a selectable marker and bacterial origin of replication derived from commercially available plasmids comprising genetic elements of the well known cloning vector pBR322 (ATCC 37017). Such commercial vectors include, for example, pKK223-3 (Pharmacia Fine Chemicals, Uppsala, Sweden) and GEM1 (Promega Biotec, Madison, Wis., USA). These pBR322 “backbone” sections are combined with an appropriate promoter and the structural sequence to be expressed.

[0064] Following transformation of a suitable host strain and growth of the host strain to an appropriate cell density, the selected promoter is induced by appropriate means (e.g., temperature shift or chemical induction) and cells are cultured for an additional period.

[0065] Cells are typically harvested by centrifugation, disrupted by physical or chemical means, and the resulting crude extract retained for further purification.

[0066] Microbial cells employed in expression of proteins can be disrupted by any convenient method, including freeze-thaw cycling, sonication, mechanical disruption, or use of cell lysing agents, such methods are well know to those skilled in the art.

[0067] Various mammalian cell culture systems can also be employed to express recombinant protein. Examples of mammalian expression systems include the COS-7 lines of monkey kidney fibroblasts, described by Gluzman, Cell, 23:175 (1981), and other cell lines capable of expressing a compatible vector, for example, the C127, 3T3, CHO, HeLa and BHK cell lines. Mammalian expression vectors will comprise an origin of replication, a suitable promoter and enhancer, and also any necessary ribosome binding sites, polyadenylation site, splice donor and acceptor sites, transcriptional termination sequences, and 5′ flanking nontranscribed sequences. DNA sequences derived from the SV40 splice, and polyadenylation sites may be used to provide the required nontranscribed genetic elements.

[0068] The receptor polypeptides can be recovered and purified from recombinant cell cultures by methods including ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography hydroxylapatite chromatography and lectin chromatography. Protein refolding steps can be used, as necessary, in completing configuration of the mature protein. Finally, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be employed for final purification steps.

[0069] The polypeptides of the present invention may be a naturally purified product, or a product of chemical synthetic procedures, or produced by recombinant techniques from a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host (for example, by bacterial, yeast, higher plant, insect and mammalian cells in culture). Depending upon the host employed in a recombinant production procedure, the polypeptides of the present invention may be glycosylated or may be non-glycosylated. Polypeptides of the invention may also include an initial methionine amino acid residue.

[0070] The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention may be employed as research reagents and materials for discovery of treatments and diagnostics to human disease.

[0071] The G-protein coupled receptor of the present invention may be employed in a process for screening for antagonists and/or agonists for the receptor.

[0072] In general, such screening procedures involve providing appropriate cells which express the receptor on the surface thereof. In particular, a polynucleotide encoding the receptor of the present invention is employed to transfect cells to thereby express the G-protein coupled receptor. Such transfection may be accomplished by procedures as hereinabove described.

[0073] One such screening procedure involves the use of the melanophores which are transfected to express the G-protein coupled receptor of the present invention. Such a screening technique is described in PCT WO 92/01810 published Feb. 6, 1992.

[0074] Thus, for example, such assay may be employed for screening for a receptor antagonist by contacting the melanophore cells which encode the G-protein coupled receptor with both the receptor ligand and a compound to be screened. Inhibition of the signal generated by the ligand indicates that a compound is a potential antagonist for the receptor, i.e., inhibits activation of the receptor.

[0075] The screen may be employed for determining an agonist by contacting such cells with compounds to be screened and determining whether such compound generates a signal, i.e., activates the receptor.

[0076] Other screening techniques include the use of cells which express the G-protein coupled receptor (for example, transfected CHO cells) in a system which measures extracellular pH changes caused by receptor activation, for example, as described in Science, volume 246, pages 181-296 (October 1989). For example, potential agonists or antagonists may be contacted with a cell which expresses the G-protein coupled receptor and a second messenger response, e.g. signal transduction or pH changes, may be measured to determine whether the potential agonist or antagonist is effective.

[0077] Another such screening technique involves introducing RNA encoding the G-protein coupled receptor into xenopus oocytes to transiently express the receptor. The receptor oocytes may then be contacted in the case of antagonist screening with the receptor ligand and a compound to be screened, followed by detection of inhibition of a calcium signal.

[0078] Another screening technique involves expressing the G-protein coupled receptor in which the receptor is linked to a phospholipase C or D. As representative examples of such cells, there may be mentioned endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, embryonic kidney cells, etc. The screening for an antagonist or agonist may be accomplished as hereinabove described by detecting activation of the receptor or inhibition of activation of the receptor from the phospholipase second signal.

[0079] Another method involves screening for antagonists by determining inhibition of binding of labeled ligand to cells which have the receptor on the surface thereof. Such a method involves transfecting a eukaryotic cell with DNA encoding the G-protein coupled receptor such that the cell expresses the receptor on its surface and contacting the cell with a potential antagonist in the presence of a labeled form of a known ligand. The ligand can be labeled, e.g., by radioactivity. The amount of labeled ligand bound to the receptors is measured, e.g., by measuring radioactivity of the receptors. If the potential antagonist binds to the receptor as determined by a reduction of labeled ligand which binds to the receptors, the binding of labeled ligand to the receptor is inhibited.

[0080] The present invention also provides a method for determining whether a ligand not known to be capable of binding to a G-protein coupled receptor can bind to such receptor which comprises contacting a mammalian cell which expresses a G-protein coupled receptor with the ligand under conditions permitting binding of ligands to the G-protein coupled receptor, detecting the presence of a ligand which binds to the receptor and thereby determining whether the ligand binds to the G-protein coupled receptor. The systems hereinabove described for determining agonists and/or antagonists may also be employed for determining ligands which bind to the receptor.

[0081] In general, antagonists for G-protein coupled receptors which are determined by screening procedures may be employed for a variety of therapeutic purposes. For example, such antagonists have been employed for treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, ulcers, asthma, allergies, psychoses, depression, migraine, vomiting, and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

[0082] In general, antagonists for G-protein coupled receptors which are determined by screening procedures may be employed for a variety of therapeutic purposes. For example, such antagonists have been employed for treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, ulcers, asthma, allergies, psychoses, depression, migraine, vomiting, and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

[0083] Agonists for G-protein coupled receptors are also useful for therapeutic purposes, such as the treatment of asthma, Parkinson's disease, acute heart failure, hypotension, urinary retention, and osteoporosis.

[0084] A potential antagonist is an antibody, or in some cases an oligonucleotide, which binds to the G-protein coupled receptor but does not elicit a second messenger response such that the activity of the G-protein coupled receptor is prevented. Potential antagonists also include proteins which are closely related to the ligand of the G-protein coupled receptor, i.e. a fragment of the ligand, which have lost biological function and when binding to the G-protein coupled receptor, elicit no response.

[0085] A potential antagonist also includes an antisense construct prepared through the use of antisense technology. Antisense technology can be used to control gene expression through triple-helix formation or anti sense DNA or RNA, both of which methods are based on binding of a polynucleotide to DNA or RNA. For example, the 5′ coding portion of the polynucleotide sequence, which encodes for the mature polypeptides of the present invention, is used to design an antisense RNA oligonucleotide of from about 10 to 40 base pairs in length. A DNA oligonucleotide is designed to be complementary to a region of the gene involved in transcription (triple helix—see Lee et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 6:3073 (1979); Cooney et al, Science, 241:456 (1988); and Dervan et al., Science, 251: 1360 (1991)), thereby preventing transcription and the production of G-protein coupled receptors. The antisense RNA oligonucleotide hybridizes to the mRNA in vivo and blocks translation of the mRNA molecule into the G-protein coupled receptors (antisense—Okano, J. Neurochem., 56:560 (1991); Oligodeoxynucleotides as Antisense Inhibitors of Gene Expression, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. (1988)). The oligonucleotides described above can also be delivered to cells such that the antisense RNA or DNA may be expressed in vivo to inhibit production of G-protein coupled receptors.

[0086] Another potential antagonist is a small molecule which binds to the G-protein coupled receptor, making it inaccessible to ligands such that normal biological activity is prevented. Examples of small molecules include but are not limited to small peptides or peptide-like molecules.

[0087] Potential antagonists also include a soluble form of a G-protein coupled receptor, e.g. a fragment of the receptor, which binds to the ligand and prevents the ligand from interacting with membrane bound G-protein coupled receptors.

[0088] The G-protein coupled receptor of the present invention has been putatively identified as an adrenergic receptor. This identification has been made as a result of amino acid sequence homology.

[0089] The antagonists may be used to treat hypertension by controlling β-adrenergic receptors from stimulating cardiac contractility and lowering heart rate. The antagonists may also be used to prevent vasoconstriction controlled by α-adrenergic receptors. The antagonists may be employed in a composition with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g., as hereinafter described.

[0090] The agonists identified by the screening method as described above, may be employed to stimulate the α-adrenergic receptor for the treatment of upper respiratory conditions, e.g. allergic rhinitis, hay fever, acute coryza and sinusitis. Stimulating the α-adrenergic receptors constricts the nasal mucosal blood vessels, lessening secretions, and edema. α-adrenergic receptors also control pupil dilation and uterine inhibition, therefore, the agonists may also be used to stimulate those actions.

[0091] β-Adrenergic receptors mediate vasorelaxation. Stimulating β-adrenergic receptors by the administration of an agonist may be used to treat bronchial asthma by causing bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and modulating mediator release, at least in part by stimulating the adenylate cyclase-cAMP system. Stimulating β-adrenergic receptors and consequent vasorelaxation may also be used to treat coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis.

[0092] The adrenergic receptor and antagonists or agonists may be employed in combination with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. Such compositions comprise a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Such a carrier includes but is not limited to saline, buffered saline, dextrose, water, glycerol, ethanol, and combinations thereof. The formulation should suit the mode of administration.

[0093] The invention also provides a pharmaceutical pack or kit comprising one or more containers filled with one or more of the ingredients of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. Associated with such container(s) can be a notice in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals or biological products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of manufacture, use or sale for human administration. In addition, the polypeptides of the present invention may be employed in conjunction with other therapeutic compounds.

[0094] The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in a convenient manner such as by the topical, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intranasal or intradermal routes. The pharmaceutical compositions are administered in an amount which is effective for treating and/or prophylaxis of the specific indication. In general, the pharmaceutical compositions will be administered in an amount of at least about 10 μg/kg body weight and in most cases they will be administered in an amount not in excess of about 8 mg/Kg body weight per day. In most cases, the dosage is from about 10 μg/kg to about 1 mg/kg body weight daily, taking into account the routes of administration, symptoms, etc.

[0095] The adrenergic receptor polypeptides and antagonists or agonists which are polypeptides, may be employed in accordance with the present invention by expression of such polypeptides in vivo, which is often referred to as “gene therapy.”

[0096] Thus, for example, cells from a patient may be engineered with a polynucleotide (DNA or RNA) encoding a polypeptide ex vivo, with the engineered cells then being provided to a patient to be treated with the polypeptide. Such methods are well-known in the art. For example, cells may be engineered by procedures known in the art by use of a retroviral particle containing RNA encoding a polypeptide of the present invention.

[0097] Similarly, cells may be engineered in vivo for expression of a polypeptide in vivo by, for example, procedures known in the art. As known in the art, a producer cell for producing a retroviral particle containing RNA encoding the polypeptide of the present invention may be administered to a patient for engineering cells in vivo and expression of the polypeptide in vivo. These and other methods for administering a polypeptide of the present invention by such method should be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings of the present invention. For example, the expression vehicle for engineering cells may be other than a retrovirus, for example, an adenovirus which may be used to engineer cells in vivo after combination with a suitable delivery vehicle.

[0098] Retroviruses from which the retroviral plasmid vectors hereinabove mentioned may be derived include, but are not limited to, Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus, spleen necrosis virus, retroviruses such as Rous Sarcoma Virus, Harvey Sarcoma Virus, avian leucosis virus, gibbon ape leukemia virus, human immunodeficiency virus, adenovirus, Myeloproliferative Sarcoma Virus, and mammary tumor virus. In one embodiment, the retroviral plasmid vector is derived from Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus.

[0099] The vector includes one or more promoters. Suitable promoters which may be employed include, but are not limited to, the retroviral LTR; the SV40 promoter; and the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter described in Miller, et al., Biotechniques, Vol. 7, No. 9, 980-990 (1989), or any other promoter (e.g., cellular promoters such as eukaryotic cellular promoters including, but not limited to, the histone, pole, and β-actin promoters). Other viral promoters which may be employed include, but are not limited to, adenovirus promoters, thymidine kinase (TK) promoters, and B19 parvovirus promoters. The selection of a suitable promoter will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings contained herein.

[0100] The nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide of the present invention is under the control of a suitable promoter. Suitable promoters which may be employed include, but are not limited to, adenoviral promoters, such as the adenoviral major late promoter; or hetorologous promoters, such as the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter; the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) promoter; inducible promoters, such as the MMT promoter, the methallothionein promoter; heat shock promoters; the albumin promoter; the ApoAI promoter; human globin promoters; viral thymidine kinase promoters, such as the Herpes Simplex thymidine kinase promoter; retroviral LTRs (including the modified retroviral LTRs hereinabove described); the β-actin promoter; and human growth hormone promoters. The promoter also may be the native promoter which controls the genes encoding the polypeptides.

[0101] The retroviral plasmid vector is employed to transduce packaging cell lines to form producer cell lines. Examples of packaging cells which may be transfected include, but are not limited to, the PE501, PA317, ψ-2, ψ-AM, PA12, T19-14X, VT-19-17-H2, ψ CRE, ψ CRIP, GP+E-86, GP+envAm12 and DAN cell lines as described in Miller, Human Gene Therapy, Vol. 1, pgs. 5-14 (1990), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The vector may transduce the packaging cells through any means known in the art. Such means include, but are not limited to, electroporation, the use of liposomes, and CaPO4 precipitation. In one alternative, the retroviral plasmid vector may be encapsulated into a liposome, or coupled to a lipid, and then administered to a host.

[0102] The producer cell line generates infectious retroviral vector particles which include the nucleic acid sequence(s) encoding the polypeptides. Such retroviral vector particles then may be employed, to transduce eukaryotic cells, either in vitro or in vivo. The tranduced eukaryotic cells will express the nucleic acid sequence(s) encoding the polypeptide. Eukaryotic cells which may be transduced include, but are not limited to, embryonic stem cells, embryonic carcinoma cells, as well as hematopoietic stem cells, hepatocytes, fibroblasts, myoblasts, keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and bronchial epithelial cells.

[0103] The present invention also provides a method for determining whether a ligand not known to be capable of binding to a G-protein coupled receptor can bind to such receptor which comprises contacting a mammalian cell which expressed a G-protein coupled receptor with the ligand under conditions permitting binding of ligands to the G-protein coupled receptor, detecting the presence of a ligand which binds to the receptor and thereby determining whether the ligand binds to the G-protein coupled receptor. The systems hereinabove described for determining agonists and/or antagonists may also be employed for determining ligands which bind to the receptor.

[0104] This invention also provides a method of detecting expression of a receptor polypeptide of the present invention on the surface of a cell by detecting the presence of mRNA coding for the receptor which comprises obtaining total mRNA from the cell and contacting the mRNA so obtained with a nucleic acid probe comprising a nucleic acid molecule of at least 10 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence included within the sequence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding the receptor under hybridizing conditions, detecting the presence of mRNA hybridized to the probe, and thereby detecting the expression of the receptor by the cell.

[0105] The present invention also provides for a method for identifying receptors related to the receptor polypeptides of the present invention. These related receptors may be identified by homology to a receptor polypeptide of the present invention, by low stringency cross hybridization, or by identifying receptors that interact with related natural or synthetic ligands and or elicit similar behaviors after genetic or pharmacological blockade of the receptor polypeptides of the present invention.

[0106] The present invention also contemplates the use of the genes of the present invention as a diagnostic, for example, some diseases result from inherited defective genes. These genes can be detected by comparing the sequences of the defective gene with that of a normal one. Subsequently, one can verify that a “mutant” gene is associated with abnormal receptor activity. In addition, one can insert mutant receptor genes into a suitable vector for expression in a functional assay system (e.g., colorimetric assay, expression on MacConkey plates, complementation experiments, in a receptor deficient strain of HEK293 cells) as yet another means to verify or identify mutations. Once “mutant” genes have been identified, one can then screen population for carriers of the “mutant” receptor gene.

[0107] Individuals carrying mutations in the gene of the present invention may be detected at the DNA level by a variety of techniques. Nucleic acids used for diagnosis may be obtained from a patient's cells, including but not limited to such as from blood, urine, saliva, tissue biopsy and autopsy material. The genomic DNA may be used directly for detection or may be amplified enzymatically by using PCR (Saiki, et al., Nature, 324:163-166 1986) prior to analysis. RNA or cDNA may also be used for the same purpose. As an example, PCR primers complimentary to the nucleic acid of the instant invention can be used to identify and analyze mutations in the gene of the present invention. For example, deletions and insertions can be detected by a change in size of the amplified product in comparison to the normal genotype. Point mutations can be identified by hybridizing amplified DNA to radio labeled anti sense DNA sequences of the invention. Perfectly matched sequences can be distinguished from mismatched duplexes by RNase A digestion or by differences in melting temperatures. Such diagnostic would be particularly useful for prenatal or even neonatal testing.

[0108] Sequence differences between the reference gene and “mutants” may be revealed by the direct DNA sequencing method. In addition, cloned DNA segments may be used as probes to detect specific DNA segments. The sensitivity of this method is greatly enhanced when combined with PCR. For example, a sequence primer is used with double stranded PCR product or a single stranded template molecule generated by a modified PCR. The sequence determination is performed by conventional procedures with radio labeled nucleotide or by an automatic sequencing procedure with fluorescent-tags.

[0109] Genetic testing based on DNA sequence differences may be achieved by detection of alterations in the electrophoretic mobility of DNA fragments in gels with or without denaturing agents. Sequences changes at specific locations may also be revealed by nucleus protection assays, such as RNase and S1 protection or the chemical cleavage method (e.g., Cotton, et al., PNAS, USA, 85:4397-4401 1985).

[0110] In addition, some diseases are a result of, or are characterized by changes in gene expression which can be detected by changes in the mRNA. Alternatively, the genes of the present invention can be used as a reference to identify individuals expressing a decrease of functions associated with receptors of this type.

[0111] The present invention also relates to a diagnostic assay for detecting altered levels of soluble forms of the receptor polypeptides of the present invention in various tissues. Assays used to detect levels of the soluble receptor polypeptides in a sample derived from a host are well known to those of skill in the art and include radioimmunoassays, competitive-binding assays, Western blot analysis and preferably an ELISA assay.

[0112] An ELISA assay initially comprises preparing an antibody specific to antigens of the receptor polypeptides, preferably a monoclonal antibody. In addition a reporter antibody is prepared against the monoclonal antibody. To the reporter antibody is attached a detectable reagent such as radioactivity, fluorescence or in this example a horseradish peroxidase enzyme. A sample is now removed from a host and incubated on a solid support, e.g. a polystyrene dish, that binds the proteins in the sample. Any free protein binding sites on the dish are then covered by incubating with a non-specific protein such as bovine serum albumin. Next, the monoclonal antibody is incubated in the dish during which time the monoclonal antibodies attach to any receptor proteins attached to the polystyrene dish. All unbound monoclonal antibody is washed out with buffer. The reporter antibody linked to horseradish peroxidase is now placed in the dish resulting in binding of the reporter antibody to any monoclonal antibody bound to receptor proteins. Unattached reporter antibody is then washed out. Peroxidase substrates are then added to the dish and the amount of color developed in a given time period is a measurement of the amount of receptor proteins present in a given volume of patient sample when compared against a standard curve.

[0113] The sequences of the present invention are also valuable for chromosome identification. The sequence is specifically targeted to and can hybridize with a particular location on an individual human chromosome. Moreover, there is a current need for identifying particular sites on the chromosome. Few chromosome marking reagents based on actual sequence data (repeat polymorphisms) are presently available for marking chromosomal location. The mapping of DNAs to chromosomes according to the present invention is an important first step in correlating those sequences with genes associated with disease.

[0114] Briefly, sequences can be mapped to chromosomes by preparing PCR primers (preferably 15-25 bp) from the cDNA. Computer analysis of the cDNA is used to rapidly select primers that do not span more than one exon in the genomic DNA, thus complicating the amplification process. These primers are then used for PCR screening of somatic cell hybrids containing individual human chromosomes. Only those hybrids containing the human gene corresponding to the primer will yield an amplified fragment.

[0115] PCR mapping of somatic cell hybrids is a rapid procedure for assigning a particular DNA to a particular chromosome. Using the present invention with the same oligonucleotide primers, sublocalization can be achieved with panels of fragments from specific chromosomes or pools of large genomic clones in an analogous manner. Other mapping strategies that can similarly be used to map to its chromosome include in situ hybridization, prescreening with labeled flow-sorted chromosomes and preselection by hybridization to construct chromosome specific-cDNA libraries.

[0116] Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of a cDNA clone to a metaphase chromosomal spread can be used to provide a precise chromosomal location in one step. This technique can be used with cDNA as short as 50 or 60 bases. For a review of this technique, see Verma et al., Human Chromosomes: a Manual of Basic Techniques, Pergamon Press, New York (1988).

[0117] Once a sequence has been mapped to a precise chromosomal location, the physical position of the sequence on the chromosome can be correlated with genetic map data. Such data are found, for example, in V. McKusick, Mendelian Inheritance in Man (available on line through Johns Hopkins University Welch Medical Library). The relationship between genes and diseases that have been mapped to the same chromosomal region are then identified through linkage analysis (coinheritance of physically adjacent genes).

[0118] Next, it is necessary to determine the differences in the cDNA or genomic sequence between affected and unaffected individuals. If a mutation is observed in some or all of the affected individuals but not in any normal individuals, then the mutation is likely to be the causative agent of the disease.

[0119] With current resolution of physical mapping and genetic mapping techniques, a cDNA precisely localized to a chromosomal region associated with the disease could be one of between 50 and 500 potential causative genes. (This assumes 1 megabase mapping resolution and one gene per 20 kb).

[0120] The polypeptides, their fragments or other derivatives, or analogs thereof, or cells expressing them can be used as an immunogen to produce antibodies thereto. These antibodies can be, for example, polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies. The present invention also includes chimeric, single chain, and humanized antibodies, as well as Fab fragments, or the product of an Fab expression library. Various procedures known in the art may be used for the production of such antibodies and fragments.

[0121] Antibodies generated against the polypeptides corresponding to a sequence of the present invention can be obtained by direct injection of the polypeptides into an animal or by administering the polypeptides to an animal, preferably a nonhuman. The antibody so obtained will then bind the polypeptides itself. In this manner, even a sequence encoding only a fragment of the polypeptides can be used to generate antibodies binding the whole native polypeptides. Such antibodies can then be used to isolate the polypeptide from tissue expressing that polypeptide.

[0122] For preparation of monoclonal antibodies, any technique which provides antibodies produced by continuous cell line cultures can be used. Examples include the hybridoma technique (Kohler and Milstein, 1975, Nature, 256:495-497), the trioma technique, the human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kozbor et al., 1983, Immunology Today 4:72), and the EBV-hybridoma technique to produce human monoclonal antibodies (Cole, et al., 1985, in Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96).

[0123] Techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778) can be adapted to produce single chain antibodies to immunogenic polypeptide products of this invention. Also, transgenic mice may be used to express humanized antibodies to immunogenic polypeptide products of this invention.

[0124] The present invention will be further described with reference to the following examples; however, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to such examples. All parts or amounts, unless otherwise specified, are by weight.

[0125] In order to facilitate understanding of the following examples certain frequently occurring methods and/or terms will be described.

[0126] “Plasmids” are designated by a lower case p preceded and/or followed by capital letters and/or numbers. The starting plasmids herein are either commercially available, publicly available on an unrestricted basis, or can be constructed from available plasmids in accord with published procedures. In addition, equivalent plasmids to those described are known in the art and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan.

[0127] “Digestion” of DNA refers to catalytic cleavage of the DNA with a restriction enzyme that acts only at certain sequences in the DNA. The various restriction enzymes used herein are commercially available and their reaction conditions, cofactors and other requirements were used as would be known to the ordinarily skilled artisan. For analytical purposes, typically 1 μg of plasmid or DNA fragment is used with about 2 units of enzyme in about 20 μl of buffer solution. For the purpose of isolating DNA fragments for plasmid construction, typically 5 to 50 μg of DNA are digested with 20 to 250 units of enzyme in a larger volume. Appropriate buffers and substrate amounts for particular restriction enzymes are specified by the manufacturer. Incubation times of about 1 hour at 37° C. are ordinarily used, but may vary in accordance with the supplier's instructions.

[0128] “Oligonucleotides” refers to either a single stranded polydeoxynucleotide or two complementary polydeoxynucleotide strands which may be chemically synthesized. Such synthetic oligonucleotides have no 5′ phosphate and thus will not ligate to another oligonucleotide without adding a phosphate with an ATP in the presence of a kinase. A synthetic oligonucleotide will ligate to a fragment that has not been dephosphorylated.

[0129] “Ligation” refers to the process of forming phosphodiester bonds between two double stranded nucleic acid fragments (Maniatis, T., et al., Id., p. 146). Unless otherwise provided, ligation may be accomplished using known buffers and conditions with 10 units of T4 DNA ligase (“ligase”) per 0.5 μg of approximately equimolar amounts of the DNA fragments to be ligated.

[0130] Unless otherwise stated, transformation was performed as described in the method of Graham, F. and Van der Eb, A., Virology, 52:456-457 (1973).

EXAMPLE 1

[0131] Bacterial Expression and Purification of Adrenergic Receptor

[0132] The DNA sequence encoding the adrenergic receptor, ATCC # 75822, is initially amplified using PCR oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the 5′ and 3′ sequences of the processed protein (minus the signal peptide sequence) and the vector sequences 3′ to the adrenergic receptor gene. Additional nucleotides corresponding to the adrenergic receptor coding sequence were added to the 5′ and 3′ sequences respectively. The 5′ oligonucleotide primer has the sequence 5′ CCCACCCCACGCCGAGGTGCAGGTGCAGGATCCATGAGCCTCAAC 3′ (SEQ ID NO:3) contains a BamHI restriction enzyme site (bold) followed by 9 nucleotides of the adrenergic receptor coding sequence starting from the presumed terminal amino acid of the processed protein codon. The 3′ sequence 5′ CAGCCCCACGGCACCCTCTAGACCTCATCTCTGCTCGGCAGCT 3′ (SEQ ID NO:4) contains complementary sequences to an XbaI site and is followed by 21 nucleotides of the adrenergic receptor coding sequence. The restriction enzyme sites correspond to the restriction enzyme sites on the bacterial expression vector pQE-9 (Qiagen, Inc. 9259 Eton Avenue, Chatsworth, Calif., 91311). pQE-9 encodes antibiotic resistance (Ampr), a bacterial origin of replication (ori), an IPTG-regulatable promoter operator (P/O), a ribosome binding site (RBS), a 6-His tag and restriction enzyme sites. pQE-9 was then digested with BamHI and XbaI. The amplified sequences were ligated into pQE-9 and were inserted in frame with the sequence encoding for the histidine tag and the RBS. The ligation mixture was then used to transform E. coli strain available from Qiagen under the trademark M15/rep 4 by the procedure described in Sambrook, J. et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Laboratory Press, (1989). M15/rep4 contains multiple copies of the plasmid pREP4, which expresses the lacI repressor and also confers kanamycin resistance (Kanr). Transformants are identified by their ability to grow on LB plates and ampicillin/kanamycin resistant colonies were selected. Plasmid DNA was isolated and confirmed by restriction analysis. Clones containing the desired constructs were grown overnight (O/N) in liquid culture in LB media supplemented with both Amp (100 ug/ml) and Kan (25 ug/ml). The O/N culture is used to inoculate a large culture at a ratio of 1:100 to 1:250. The cells were grown to an optical density 600 (O.D.600) of between 0.4 and 0.6. IPTG (“Isopropyl-B-D-thiogalacto pyranoside”) was then added to a final concentration of 1 mM. IPTG induces by inactivating the lacI repressor, clearing the P/O leading to increased gene expression. Cells were grown an extra 3 to 4 hours. Cells were then harvested by centrifugation. The cell pellet was solubilized in the chaotropic agent 6 Molar Guanidine HCl. After clarification, solubilized adrenergic receptor protein was purified from this solution by chromatography on a Nickel-Chelate column under conditions that allow for tight binding by proteins containing the 6-His tag (Hochuli, E. et al., J. Chromatography 411:177-184 (1984)). The adrenergic receptor protein was eluted from the column in 6 molar guanidine HCl pH 5.0 and for the purpose of renaturation adjusted to 3 molar guanidine HCl, 100 mM sodium phosphate, 10 mmolar glutathione (reduced) and 2 mmolar glutathione (oxidized). After incubation in this solution for 12 hours the protein was dialyzed to 10 mmolar sodium phosphate.

EXAMPLE 2

[0133] Expression of Recombinant Adrenergic Receptor in COS Cells

[0134] The expression of plasmid, pAdrenergic Receptor HA is derived from a vector pcDNAI/Amp (Invitrogen) containing: 1) SV40 origin of replication, 2) ampicillin resistance gene, 3) E.coli replication origin, 4) CMV promoter followed by a polylinker region, a SV40 intron and polyadenylation site. A DNA fragment encoding the entire adrenergic receptor precursor and a HA tag fused in frame to its 3′ end was cloned into the polylinker region of the vector, therefore, the recombinant protein expression is directed under the CMV promoter. The HA tag correspond to an epitope derived from the influenza hemagglutinin protein as previously described (I. Wilson, H. Niman, R. Heighten, A Cherenson, M. Connolly, and R. Lerner, 1984, Cell 37, 767). The infusion of HA tag to our target protein allows easy detection of the recombinant protein with an antibody that recognizes the HA epitope.

[0135] The plasmid construction strategy is described as follows: The DNA sequence encoding the adrenergic receptor, ATCC # 75822, was constructed by PCR on the original EST cloned using two primers: the 5′ primer 5′ CCCACCCCACGCCGGGATCCACTGACCATG 3′ (SEQ ID NO:5) contains a BamHI site followed by 10 nucleotides of sequence ending at the initiation codon; the 3′ sequence 5′ CCGCTCGAGCCTTCAAGCGTAGTCTGGGACGTCGTATGGGTATCTCTGCTCGGCAGC 3′ (SEQ ID NO:6) contains complementary sequences to an EcoRI site, translation stop codon, HA tag and the last 21 nucleotides of the adrenergic receptor coding sequence coding sequence (not including the stop codon). Therefore, the PCR product contains a BAmHI site, coding sequence followed by HA tag fused in frame, a translation termination stop codon next to the HA tag, and an EcoRI site. The PCR amplified DNA fragment and the vector, pcDNAI/Amp, were digested with BamHI and EcoRI restriction enzyme and ligated. The ligation mixture was transformed into E. coli strain SURE (available from Stratagene Cloning Systems, 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, Calif. 92037) the transformed culture was plated on ampicillin media plates and resistant colonies were selected. Plasmid DNA was isolated from transformants and examined by restriction analysis for the presence of the correct fragment. For expression of the recombinant adrenergic receptor protein, COS cells were transfected with the expression vector by DEAE-DEXTRAN method. (J. Sambrook, E. Fritsch, T. Maniatis, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Laboratory Press, (1989)). The expression of the adrenergic receptor HA protein was detected by radiolabelling and immunoprecipitation method. (E. Harlow, D. Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, (1988)). Cells were labelled for 8 hours with 35S-cysteine two days post transfection. Culture media were then collected and cells were lysed with detergent (RIPA buffer (150 mM NaCl, 1% NP-40, 0.1% SDS, 1% NP-40,0.5% DOC, 50 mM Tris, pH7.5). (Wilson, I. et al., Id. 37:767 (1984)). Both cell lysate and culture media were precipitated with a HA specific monoclonal antibody. Proteins precipitated were analyzed on 15% SDS-PAGE gels.

EXAMPLE 3

[0136] Cloning and Expression of Adrenergic Receptor Using the Baculovirus Expression System

[0137] The DNA sequence encoding the full length adrenergic receptor protein, ATCC # 75822, was amplified using PCR oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the 5′ and 3′ sequences of the gene: The 5′ primer has the sequence 5° CCCACCCCACGCCGGGATCCACTGACCATG 3′ (SEQ ID NO:7) and contains a BamHI restriction enzyme site (in bold) followed by 10 nucleotides resembling an efficient signal for the initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells (J. Mol. Biol. 1987, 196, 947-950, Kozak, M.), the initiation codon for translation “ATG” is underlined).

[0138] The 3′ primer has the sequence 5′ CAGCCCCACGGCACCCTCTAGACCTCATCTCTGCTCGGCAGCT 3′ (SEQ ID NO:8) and contains the cleavage site for the restriction endonuclease XbaI and 16 nucleotides complementary to the 3′ non-translated sequence of the adrenergic receptor gene. The amplified sequences were isolated from a 1% agarose gel using a commercially available kit (“Geneclean,” BIO 101 Inc., La Jolla, Calif.). The fragment was then digested with the endonucleases BamHI and XbaI and purified again on a 1% agarose gel. This fragment is designated F2.

[0139] The vector pRG1 (modification of pVL941 vector, discussed below) is used for the expression of the adrenergic receptor protein using the baculovirus expression system (for review see: Summers, M. D. and Smith, G. E. 1987, A manual of methods for baculovirus vectors and insect cell culture procedures, Texas Agricultural Experimental Station Bulletin No. 1555). This expression vector contains the strong polyhedrin promoter of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) followed by the recognition sites for the restriction endonucleases BamHI and XbaI. The polyadenylation site of the simian virus (SV)40 is used for efficient polyadenylation. For an easy selection of recombinant viruses the beta-galactosidase gene from E.coli is inserted in the same orientation as the polyhedrin promoter followed by the polyadenylation signal of the polyhedrin gene. The polyhedrin sequences are flanked at both sides by viral sequences for the cell-mediated homologous recombination of cotransfected wild-type viral DNA. Many other baculovirus vectors could be used in place of pRG1 such as pAc373, pVL941 and pAcIM1 (Luckow, V. A. and Summers, M. D., Virology, 170:31-39).

[0140] The plasmid was digested with the restriction enzymes BamHI and XbaI and then dephosphorylated using calf intestinal phosphatase by procedures known in the art. The DNA was then isolated from a 1% agarose gel. This vector DNA is designated V2.

[0141] Fragment F2 and the dephosphorylated plasmid V2 were ligated with T4 DNA ligase. E.coli XL1Blue cells were then transformed and bacteria identified that contained the plasmid (pBacAdrenergic Receptor) with the adrenergic receptor gene using the enzymes BamHI and XbaI. The sequence of the cloned fragment was confirmed by DNA sequencing.

[0142] 5 μg of the plasmid pBacAdrenergic receptor were cotransfected with 1.0 μg of a commercially available linearized baculovirus (“BaculoGold™ baculovirus DNA”, Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.) using the lipofection method (Felgner et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 84:7413-7417 (1987)).

[0143] 1 μg of BaculoGold™ virus DNA and 5 μg of the plasmid pBacAdrenergic Receptor were mixed in a sterile well of a microtiter plate containing 50 μl of serum free Grace's medium (Life Technologies Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.). Afterwards 10 μl Lipofectin plus 90 μl Grace's medium were added, mixed and incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature. Then the transfection mixture was added dropwise to the Sf9 insect cells (ATCC CRL 1711) seeded in a 35 mm tissue culture plate with 1 ml Grace' medium without serum. The plate was rocked back and forth to mix the newly added solution. The plate was then incubated for 5 hours at 27° C. After 5 hours the transfection solution was removed from the plate and 1 ml of Grace's insect medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum was added. The plate was put back into an incubator and cultivation continued at 27° C. for four days.

[0144] After four days the supernatant was collected and a plaque assay performed similar as described by Summers and Smith (supra). As a modification an agarose gel with “Blue Gal” (Life Technologies Inc., Gaithersburg) was used which allows an easy isolation of blue stained plaques. (A detailed description of a “plaque assay” can also be found in the user's guide for insect cell culture and baculovirology distributed by Life Technologies Inc., Gaithersburg, page 9-10).

[0145] Four days after the serial dilution of the viruses was added to the cells, blue stained plaques were picked with the tip of an Eppendorf pipette. The agar containing the recombinant viruses was then resuspended in an Eppendorf tube containing 200 μl of Grace's medium. The agar was removed by a brief centrifugation and the supernatant containing the recombinant baculoviruses was used to infect Sf9 cells seeded in 35 mm dishes. Four days later the supernatants of these culture dishes were harvested and then stored at 4° C.

[0146] Sf9 cells were grown in Grace's medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated FBS. The cells were infected with the recombinant baculovirus V-Adrenergic Receptor at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 2. Six hours later the medium was removed and replaced with SF900 II medium minus methionine and cysteine (Life Technologies Inc., Gaithersburg). 42 hours later 5 μCi of 35S-methionine and 5 μCi 35S cysteine (Amersham) were added. The cells were further incubated for 16 hours before they were harvested by centrifugation and the labelled proteins visualized by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography.

EXAMPLE 4

[0147] Expression Via Gene Therapy

[0148] Fibroblasts are obtained from a subject by skin biopsy. The resulting tissue is placed in tissue-culture medium and separated into small pieces. Small chunks of the tissue are placed on a wet surface of a tissue culture flask, approximately ten pieces are placed in each flask. The flask is turned upside down, closed tight and left at room temperature over night. After 24 hours at room temperature, the flask is inverted and the chunks of tissue remain fixed to the bottom of the flask and fresh media (e.g., Ham's F12 media, with 10% FBS, penicillin and streptomycin, is added. This is then incubated at 37° C. for approximately one week. At this time, fresh media is added and subsequently changed every several days. After an additional two weeks in culture, a monolayer of fibroblasts emerge. The monolayer is typsinized and scaled into larger flasks.

[0149] pMV-7 (Kirschmeier, P. T. et al, DNA, 7:219-25 (1988) flanked by the long terminal repeats of the Moloney murine sarcoma virus, is digested with EcoRI and HindIII and subsequently treated with calf intestinal phosphatase. The linear vector is fractionated on agarose gel and purified, using glass beads.

[0150] The cDNA encoding a polypeptide of the present invention is amplified using PCR primers which correspond to the 5′ and 3′ end sequences respectively. The 5′ primer contains an EcoRI site and the 3′ primer includes a HindIII site. Equal quantities of the Moloney murine sarcoma virus linear backbone and the amplified EcoRI and HindIII fragment are added together, in the presence of T4 DNA ligase. The resulting mixture is maintained under conditions appropriate for ligation of the two fragments. The ligation mixture is used to transform bacteria HB101, which are then plated onto agar-containing kanamycin for the purpose of confirming that the vector had the gene of interest properly inserted.

[0151] The amphotropic pA317 or GP+am12 packaging cells are grown in tissue culture to confluent density in Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) with 10% calf serum (CS), penicillin and streptomycin. The MSV vector containing the gene is then added to the media and the packaging cells are transduced with the vector. The packaging cells now produce infectious viral particles containing the gene (the packaging cells are now referred to as producer cells).

[0152] Fresh media is added to the transduced producer cells, and subsequently, the media is harvested from a 10 cm plate of confluent producer cells. The spent media, containing the infectious viral particles, is filtered through a Millipore filter to remove detached producer cells and this media is then used to infect fibroblast cells. Media is removed from a sub-confluent plate of fibroblasts and quickly replaced with the media from the producer cells. This media is removed and replaced with fresh media. If the titer of virus is high, then virtually all fibroblasts will be infected and no selection is required. If the titer is low, then it is necessary to use retroviral vector that has a selectable marker, such as neo or his.

[0153] The engineered fibroblasts are then injected into the host, either alone or after having been grown to confluence on cytodex 3 microcarrier beads. The fibroblasts now produce the protein product.

[0154] Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and, therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as particularly described.

Claims

1. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a member selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising amino acid 1 to 529 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) a polynucleotide capable of hybridizing to and which is at least 70% identical to the polynucleotide of (a); and (c) a polynucleotide fragment of the polynucleotide of (a) or (b).

2. The polynucleotide of claim 1 wherein the polynucleotide is DNA.

3. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a member selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polynucleotide encoding a mature polypeptide encoded by the DNA contained in ATCC Deposit No. 75822; (b) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide expressed by the DNA contained in ATCC Deposit No. 75822; (c) a polynucleotide capable of hybridizing to and which is at least 70% identical to the polynucleotide of (a) or (b); and (d) a polynucleotide fragment of the polynucleotide of (a), (b) or (c).

4. A vector containing the DNA of claim 2.

5. A host cell transformed or transfected with the vector of claim 4.

6. A process for producing a polypeptide comprising: expressing from the host cell of claim 5 the polypeptide encoded by said DNA.

7. A process for producing cells capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising transforming or transfecting the cells with the vector of claim 4.

8. A receptor polypeptide comprising a member selected from the group consisting of: (i) a polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 and fragments, analogs and derivatives thereof; and (ii) a polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of ATCC Deposit No. 75822 and fragments, analogs and derivatives of said polypeptide.

9. An antibody against the polypeptide of claim 8.

10. A compound which activates the polypeptide of claim 8.

11. A compound which inhibits activation the polypeptide of claim 8.

12. A method for the treatment of a patient having need to activate an adrenergic receptor comprising: administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 10.

13. A method for the treatment of a patient having need to inhibit an adrenergic receptor comprising: administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 11.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said compound is a polypeptide and a therapeutically effective amount of the compound is administered by providing to the patient DNA encoding said agonist and expressing said agonists in vivo.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said compound is a polypeptide and a therapeutically effective amount of the compound is administered by providing to the patient DNA encoding said antagonist and expressing said antagonist in vivo.

16. A method for identifying compounds which bind to and activate the receptor polypeptide of claim 8 comprising: contacting a cell expressing on the surface thereof the receptor polypeptide, said receptor being associated with a second component capable of providing a detectable signal in response to the binding of a compound to said receptor polypeptide, with a compound under conditions sufficient to permit binding of the compound to the receptor polypeptide; and identifying if the compound is capable of receptor binding by detecting the signal produced by said second component.

17. A method for identifying compounds which bind to and inhibit activation of the polypeptide of claim 8 comprising: contacting a cell expressing on the surface thereof the receptor polypeptide, said receptor being associated with a second component capable of providing a detectable signal in response to the binding of a compound to said receptor polypeptide, with an analytically detectable ligand known to bind to the receptor polypeptide and a compound to be screened under conditions to permit binding to the receptor polypeptide; and determining whether the compound inhibits activation of the polypeptide by detecting the absence of a signal generated from the interaction of the ligand with the polypeptide.

18. A process for diagnosing a disease or a susceptibility to a disease related to an under-expression of the polypeptide of claim 8 comprising: determining a mutation in the nucleic acid sequence encoding said polypeptide.

19. The polypeptide of claim 8 wherein the polypeptide is a soluble fragment of the polypeptide and is capable of binding a ligand for the receptor.

20. A diagnostic process comprising: analyzing for the presence of the polypeptide of claim 19 in a sample derived from a host.

21. An antibody or portion thereof that specifically binds to a protein selected from the group consisting of: (a) a protein that is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (b) a protein consisting of amino acid residues 1 to 529 of SEQ ID NO:2; (c) a protein consisting of a first amino acid sequence which is 90% or more identical to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; (d) a protein consisting of a first amino acid sequence which is 95% or more identical to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; (e) a protein consisting of 30 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2; and (f) a protein consisting of 50 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2.

22. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 21 which is a monoclonal antibody.

23. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 21 which is a polyclonal antibody.

24. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 21 which is a chimeric antibody.

25. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 21 which is a humanized antibody.

26. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 21 which is an Fab fragment.

27. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 21 which is a single chain antibody.

28. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 21 which inhibits G-protein coupled receptor activity.

29. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 21 which enhances G-protein coupled receptor activity.

30. A hybridoma cell line that produces the monoclonal antibody or portion thereof of claim 22.

31. The hybridoma cell line of claim 30 wherein the antibody or portion thereof is humanized.

32. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody or portion thereof of claim 21 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

33. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 32, wherein the antibody or portion thereof is a monoclonal antibody.

34. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 32, wherein the antibody or portion thereof is humanized.

35. A method of assaying G-protein coupled receptor protein levels in a biological sample comprising: (a) contacting a biological sample from a test subject with the antibody or portion thereof of claim 21; and (b) detecting the level of G-protein coupled receptor protein in the biological sample.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the antibody or portion thereof is a monoclonal antibody.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the antibody or portion thereof is a polyclonal antibody.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the antibody or portion thereof is a single chain antibody.

39. An antibody or portion thereof that specifically binds to a protein selected from the group consisting of: (a) a protein that is encoded by the cDNA contained in ATCC Deposit No. 75822; (b) a protein consisting of a first polypeptide 90% or more identical to a second polypeptide encoded by the cDNA contained in ATCC Deposit No. 75822; (c) a protein consisting of a first polypeptide 95% or more identical to a second polypeptide encoded by the cDNA contained in ATCC Deposit No. 75822; (d) a protein consisting of 30 contiguous amino acid residues of a polypeptide encoded by the cDNA contained in ATCC Deposit No. 75822; and (e) a protein consisting of 50 contiguous amino acid residues of a polypeptide encoded by the cDNA contained in ATCC Deposit No. 75822.

40. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 39 which is a monoclonal antibody.

41. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 39 which is a polyclonal antibody.

42. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 39 which is a chimeric antibody.

43. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 39 which is a humanized antibody.

44. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 39 which is an Fab fragment.

45. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 39 which is a single chain antibody.

46. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 39 which inhibits G-protein coupled receptor activity.

47. The antibody or portion thereof of claim 39 which enhances G-protein coupled receptor activity.

48. A hybridoma cell line that produces the monoclonal antibody or portion thereof of claim 40.

49. The hybridoma cell line of claim 48 wherein the antibody or portion thereof is humanized.

50. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody or portion thereof of claim 39 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

51. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 39, wherein the antibody or portion thereof is a monoclonal antibody.

52. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 51, wherein the antibody or portion thereof is humanized.

53. A method of assaying G-protein coupled receptor protein levels in a biological sample comprising: (a) contacting a biological sample from a test subject with the antibody or portion thereof of claim 39; and (b) detecting the level of G-protein coupled receptor protein in the biological sample.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the antibody or portion thereof is a monoclonal antibody.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the antibody or portion thereof is a polyclonal antibody.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein the antibody or portion thereof is a single chain antibody.