The invention relates to compounds that specifically bind a T1R1/T1R3 or T1R2/T1R3 receptor or fragments or sub-units thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric and chimeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions. The use of these cells lines in cell-based assays to identify umami and sweet taste modulatory compounds is also provided, particularly high throughput screening assays that detect receptor activity by use of fluorometric imaging.

The invention relates to a method for selecting an expressed sequence from a library, comprising the following steps: Each of a plurality of eukaryotic cells comprising a cell wall comprises a nucleic acid sequence member of a library, which is expressed as a target membrane protein in said eukaryotic cells. The cell wall of the cells is permeabilized. The permeabilized cells are labeled with a ligand capable of binding to the target membrane protein. The ligand bears a detectable label. A subset of the labelled cells is selected as a function of detectable label present. Finally, an expressed nucleic acid sequence is isolated from said selection of cells in an isolation step.

A peptide may include a sequence having 80% or more amino acid identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1, i.e., RPSX.sub.1CNLPVKPGPCX.sub.2GFFSAFYYSQKX.sub.3NKCHSFTYGGCAGNANRFSTX.sub.4EKCRRTC X.sub.5X.sub.6, wherein, X.sub.1 is the amino acid residue F or G, X.sub.2 is any amino acid residue, except a basic amino acid residue, X.sub.3 is the amino acid residue T or D, X.sub.4 is the amino acid residue I, L, or E, (i) X.sub.5 is V and X.sub.6 is G or (ii) X.sub.5 is G and X6 is V, and the amino acid located at position 39 is A. Such peptides may have various diagnostic and therapeutic uses.

The present invention relates to cells and methods for detecting compounds that affect G protein coupled receptor mediated conditions. The invention also relates to methods for treating adverse drug reactions, autoimmune disorders, and pruritus.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for assessing arrestin-dependent signaling. The provided compositions include fusion proteins comprising arrestin polypeptides that bind strongly to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In some instances, the fusion proteins may also bind to non-GPCR proteins, such as single transmembrane receptors and non-receptor proteins. Also provided are nucleic acids, vectors, constructs, and host cells that encode or express such fusion proteins. Also provided are methods of using such fusion proteins to assess arrestin trafficking, localization, and other functions including, for example, arrestin-mediated GPCR signaling as well as non-GPCR protein activity or signaling.

A method for determining the presence of a molecule coupled to the cytoplasmic side of a cellular membrane is disclosed. The method is implemented in a microfluidic setting and is particularly suitable for determining the presence and/or the activity of a G protein or an arrestin protein in a cell.

The present application relates to novel therapeutic agents, particularly to agents capable of activating (GPR)124/RECK/Frizzled/lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)-mediated Wnt signaling, wherein said agents do not activate Frizzled/LRP -mediated Wnt signaling in the absence of RECK and/or GPR124. The present agents are particularly useful for the prevention or treatment of neurovascular disorders or central nervous system (CNS) disorders comprising neurovascular dysfunction.

The invention relates to compositions and methods for making and use of a real-time cellular sensor. Components of a multipart enzyme are sequestered in different cellular compartments and only come together after receptor activation; a pool of substrate is made available in the cell to ensure real-time enzymatic output.

The present invention discloses an application of a β3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) as a marker for detecting a plurality of diseases, and an application of anti-human ADRB3 monoclonal antibody in diagnosing a disease and preparing a drug for treating the disease. The present invention finds through research that the ADRB3 is a key receptor in nerve-endocrine-immunoregulatory network, and an ADRB3-mediated signaling pathway regulates proliferation and differentiation of neutrophils, lymphocytes and tumor cells. Under normal circumstances, the ADRB3 maintains the non-specific immunocompetence and specific immunocompetence of an organism, and eliminates pathogenic microorganisms and aged organism tissues to play a role in protecting the organism and anti-aging. Under pathological conditions, excessive activation of the signaling pathway will cause systemic chronic inflammation, and destroy immune homeostasis. Therefore, the ADRB3 can be used as a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for a plurality of diseases. Anti-human ADRB3 antibody can specifically bond with the ADRB3, regulate the activity of the ADRB3, has the functions of resisting cancer, inflammation, poisoning, shock, allergy, viral infection, autoimmune disease, disease caused by regenerative dysfunction, autoimmune disease, cachexia, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease and aging, regulating autophagy, treating aging disease, etc., and has important medical value and research and application prospects.

The present invention relates to a fragrance or flavor composition comprising a fragrance or flavor component acting on at least one olfactory receptor polypeptide selected from the group consisting of (a) OR2C1 and OR4Q3, and (b) polypeptides which comprise an amino acid sequence sharing an identity of at least 80% with the amino acid sequence of any of the polypeptides in (a) and which are responsive to at least one offensive odor-causing substance selected from the group consisting of trans-2-nonenal, trans-2-octenal, 1-octen-3-one, 1,5-octadien-3-one, 1-octen-3-ol and 1,5-octadien-3-ol to suppress the response intensity of the olfactory receptor polypeptide(s) to at least one of the offensive odor-causing substances, and also relates to a product comprising this fragrance or flavor composition and a method for suppressing offensive odors.