Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors which function as hetero-oligomeric complexes in the sweet taste transduction pathway, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in sweet taste signaling as hetero-oligomeric complexes, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for identifying putative taste modulating compounds using such hetero-oligomeric complexes also described, as is a novel surface expression facilitating peptide useful for targeting integral plasma membrane proteins to the surface of a cell.

The present disclosure provides methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity and/or expression of GPR92, wherein said compounds can be incorporated into flavor compositions that can be used to modify the taste and/or palatability of pet food products. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for identifying a composition that modulates the activity of a GPR92 receptor comprising (a) contacting a test agent with a GPR92 receptor, (b) determining the activity of the GPR92 receptor, and (c) selecting as the composition, a test agent that increases the activity of the GPR92 receptor.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of screening raw materials and pet food products to manufacture a palatable pet food product. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity and/or expression of an olfactory receptor.

The invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for a novel family of taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors.

Disclosed are novel bioactive peptides derived as antagonists to a fire ant receptor for a pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide/pyrokinin (PBAN/pyrokinin) gene derived neuropeptide ligand. Also disclosed are methods of controlling fire ants with the bioactive peptides disclosed herein. Methodological approaches to screening peptide libraries for the presence of PBAN/pyrokinin ligands are also provided herein.

Disclosed is the use of latrophilin expression as a biomarker for the diagnosis of haematopoietic cell cancer in a subject, together with methods for diagnosis and a kit for the detection of latrophilin expression on white blood cells collected from a subject.

The invention lies in the area of platelet function diagnostics and relates to a method for the determination of platelet function under flow conditions as well as a device for the implementation of this method. The method is particularly suitable for the determination of the effect of clopidogrel and of other P2Y(12) antagonists with antithrombotic activity as well as the determination of P2Y(1) antagonists with antithrombotic activity.

The inventive method relates to a method for the determination of susceptibility or diagnosis of autism or autism spectrum disorders. Diagnosis or determination of susceptibility determinations are predicated on quantitative analysis of endocannibinoid levels or endocannibinoid receptor expression.

The application discloses selective ACKR3 modulating peptides comprising amino acid sequence FGGX.sub.1MRRX.sub.2 (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein X.sub.1 is F or W; X.sub.2 is K, V or F; and wherein the peptides have a length of at most 15 amino acids; fusion proteins comprising the peptides as taught herein; nucleic acids encoding the peptides as taught herein; nucleic acid expression cassettes and vectors comprising the nucleic acid as taught herein; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptide as taught herein or the nucleic acid as taught herein. Further provided are the peptide as taught herein for use as a medicament; methods for in vitro or ex vivo diagnosis, prediction, prognosis and/or monitoring of a disease or condition characterized by an aberrant level of ACKR3 polypeptide using the peptide as taught herein; and in vitro methods for identifying an agent useful as a therapeutic using the peptide as taught herein.

The present disclosure generally provides methods for identifying compounds that block bitter receptors, particularly the bitter receptors activated by certain compounds commonly present in Citrus extracts. The disclosure also provides compositions comprising such compounds and methods of their use.