EP0648269A1

EP0648269A1 - Novel polypeptides having nmda receptor activity, nucleic acids encoding said polypeptides and applications

Info

Publication number: EP0648269A1
Application number: EP93913113A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jacques Mallet; Tania Smirnova
Original assignee: Rhone Poulenc Rorer SA
Current assignee: Aventis Pharma SA
Priority date: 1992-06-15
Filing date: 1993-06-11
Publication date: 1995-04-19
Also published as: WO1993025679A1; US5648259A; CA2138151A1; JPH07507684A; FR2692268B1; FR2692268A1

Abstract

Novel polypeptides having NMDA activity and genetic material for their expression. The invention also concerns a process for highlighting and isolating ligands and/or modulators of the activity of said polypeptides, and their use in drugs.

Description

NOVEL POLYPEPTIDES HAVING RECEPTOR ACTIVITY

NMDA. NUCLEIC ACIDS ENCODING THESE

POLYPEPTIDES AND USES

The present invention relates to new polypeptides and the genetic material allowing their expression. More particularly, it relates to new polypeptides having NMDA receptor activity.

Glutamic acid (glutamate) is an amino acid called exciter, whose activity is manifested by its interaction with specific receptors. Among these receptors, a subtype, designated NMDA receptors (N-methyl-D-aspartate) seems to be involved, in the central nervous system of mammals, in numerous processes such as neuronal plasticity, long-term potentiation, as well as neuronal death or certain degenerative disorders. Armacological and molecular biology studies have recently revealed and cloned rat NMDA receptors, the NMDAR1 receptor [Moriyoshi et al., Nature 2-M (1991) 31] and the NMDAR2 receptor [Monyer et al .. Science 256 (1992) 12], and a mouse NMDA receptor [Yamazaki et al., Febs Lett.2ÛQ (1992) 39].

The present invention results from the discovery of new polypeptides having NMDA receptor activity. Although belonging to the family of receptors linked to ion channels, these new polypeptides differ from the NMDA receptors already described from both a structural and a pharmacological point of view. In particular, they are receptors of presynaptic origin, involved in particular in long-term potentiation (LTP).

More particularly, the invention results from the isolation and characterization of new polypeptides, designated GR33, as well as genetic material allowing their expression or their identification. The invention also resides in the preparation of probes and of recombinant cells allowing the exploitation of the GR33 polypeptides in the diagnosis and the development of new active molecules.

A first object of the invention therefore resides in polypeptides comprising all or part of the peptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1 or a derivative thereof. Within the meaning of the present invention, the term derivative designates any molecule obtained by modification of genetic and / or chemical nature of the peptide sequence SEQ ID n ° 1. By modification of genetic and / or chemical nature, one can hear any mutation, substitution , deletion, addition and / or modification of one or more residues. Such derivatives can be generated for different purposes, such as in particular that of increasing the affinity of the peptide for its ligand (s), that of improving its production levels, that of increasing its resistance to proteases, that of increasing and / or modifying its activity, or that of giving it new pharmacokinetic and / or biological properties. Among the derivatives resulting from an addition, mention may, for example, be made of chimeric polypeptides comprising an additional heterologous part linked at one end. The term derivative also includes polypeptides homologous to polypeptide SEQ ID No. 1, derived from other cellular sources and in particular from cells of human origin, or from other organisms, and having an activity of the same type. Such homologous polypeptides can be obtained by hybridization and / or PCR experiments as described in the examples.

Preferably, the polypeptides of the invention are polypeptides having the capacity to bind glutamate. Even more preferably, they are polypeptides having an NMDA receptor activity. Still according to a preferred mode, the polypeptides of the invention are capable of being recognized by antibodies recognizing the complete peptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1.

A particular embodiment of the invention is represented by the polypeptide GR33 comprising the entire peptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1. As indicated in the examples, this polypeptide can be expressed in Xenopus eggs to form a functional glutamate receptor, with all the pharmacological characteristics of an NMDA receptor:

- the presence of 100 μM of NMDA induces an incoming current;

- the absence of glycine from the medium almost completely inhibits the response to NMDA; the responses to NMDA are reduced in the presence of competitive antagonists such as AP5 (D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid) or AP7 (D-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid); the concentration of NMDA giving 50% of the maximum response (ED50) is approximately 10 μM, which corresponds to the values determined in the case of the NMDAR1 receptor;

- among the other excitatory amino acids tested (glutamate, kainate, quisqualate, homocysteate), glutamate and homocysteate are those which induce the strongest responses.

Furthermore, the results obtained show that the GR33 polypeptide comprising the entire peptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1 has particularities compared to the other known NMDA receptors. In particular, magnesium has only a partial inhibitory effect (30-70%) while it completely inhibits the activity of known NMDA receptors, and calcium has an inhibitory effect while it stimulates activity of the NMDA receptors described. In addition, these pharmacological features are linked to structural features. Indeed, the GR33 SEQ ID No. 1 polypeptide, which comprises 288 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 33 kDa, comprises only one hydrophobic domain (20 to 23 uncharged residues on the C-terminal side). This polypeptide also has 2 potential glycosylation sites (Asn 115 and 134) and 4 cysteines which could be involved in the formation of secondary structures.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is represented by a polypeptide comprising the sequence presented in the figure This sequence corresponds to a fragment of a receptor homologous to the polypeptide SEQ ID No. 1, obtained from a brain library human.

The polypeptides of the invention can be obtained by expression in a cellular host of a nucleotide sequence as described below, by chemical synthesis, on the basis of the sequences given SEQ ID No. 1 and FIG. 1 using known techniques skilled in the art (peptide synthesis in solid or liquid phase, etc.), or by a combination of these techniques.

In the following, the polypeptides of the invention as defined above are designated by GR33 polypeptides.

The present invention also relates to any nucleotide sequence coding for a GR33 polypeptide. More preferably, it is a sequence chosen from:

ISA / EP REPLACEMENT SHEET (a) all or part of the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No. 1 or its complementary strand,

(b) any sequence hybridizing with a sequence (a) and coding for a polypeptide as defined above, and, (c) the sequences derived from the sequences (a) and (b) due to the degeneration of the genetic code.

The different nucleotide sequences of the invention can be of artificial origin or not. They can be genomic sequences, cDNA, RNA, hybrid sequences or synthetic or semi-synthetic sequences. These sequences can be obtained for example by screening DNA libraries (cDNA library, genomic DNA library) by means of probes prepared on the basis of the sequence SEQ ID No. 1. Such libraries can be prepared for starting from cells of different origins by conventional molecular biology techniques known to those skilled in the art. The nucleotide sequences of the invention can also be prepared by chemical synthesis, in particular according to the phosphoramidite method, or also by mixed methods including chemical or enzymatic modification of sequences obtained by screening of libraries.

By way of example of sequences hybridizing with a sequence (a) and coding for a polypeptide according to the invention, mention may be made of the sequence presented in FIG. 2. Another example of homologous sequence is represented by the human genomic clone described on Figure 3, also isolated by hybridization.

The nucleotide sequences of the invention can be used for the production of the GR33 polypeptides as defined above. In this case, the part coding for said polypeptide is generally placed under the control of signals allowing its expression in a cellular host. The choice of these signals (promoters, terminators, etc.) can vary depending on the cell host used. To this end, the nucleotide sequences of the invention can be part of a vector, which can be autonomous or integrative replication. More particularly, autonomously replicating vectors can be prepared using autonomously replicating sequences in the chosen host. As regards the integrative vectors, these can be prepared for example by using sequences homologous to certain regions of the genome of the host, allowing, by homologous recombination, the integration of the vector. Cell hosts usable for the production of GR33 polypeptides from the invention by recombinant means are both eukaryotic and prokaryotic hosts. Among suitable eukaryotic hosts, there may be mentioned animal cells, yeasts, or fungi. In particular, as regards yeasts, mention may be made of yeasts of the genus Saccharomyce, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Schwanniomyces, or Hansenula. As regards animal cells, mention may be made of COS cells, CHO, C127, Xenopus eggs, etc. Among the mushrooms, there may be mentioned more particularly Aspergillus ssp. or Trichoderma ssp. As prokaryotic hosts, it is preferred to use the following bacteria E.coli, Bacillus, or Streptomyces.

The nucleotide sequences of the present invention can also be used in the pharmaceutical field, either for the production of sense or antisense sequences which can be used in the context of gene therapy, or else for the production of probes allowing detection, by experiments of hybridization, the expression of NMDA receptors in biological samples and the detection of genetic anomalies (polymorphism, mutations) or outliers.

Inhibition of the expression of certain genes by antisense oligonucleotides has proven to be a promising strategy in controlling the activity of a gene. Antisense oligonucleotides are small oligonucleotides, complementary to the coding strand of a given gene, and therefore capable of hybridizing specifically with the transcribed mRNA, inhibiting its translation into protein. The subject of the invention is therefore the antisense oligonucleotides capable of at least partially inhibiting the production of GR33 polypeptides. Such oligonucleotides can consist of all or part of the nucleotide sequences defined above. They are generally sequences or fragments of sequences complementary to sequences coding for peptides of the invention. Such oligonucleotides can be obtained from the sequences SEQ ID No. 1 or given in FIG. 1, by fragmentation, etc., or by chemical synthesis. The sequences of the invention can also be used in gene therapy, incorporated into vectors, in particular viral vectors (adenovirus, retrovirus, adeno-associated viruses, etc.).

As indicated above, the invention also allows the production of nucleotide probes, synthetic or not, capable of hybridizing with the nucleotide sequences defined above which code for GR33 polypeptides of

REPLACEMENT SHEET the invention, or with the corresponding mRNAs. Such probes can be used in vitro as a diagnostic tool, for the detection of the expression of a GR33 glutamate receptor, or even for the detection of genetic anomalies (poor splicing, polymorphism, point mutations, etc.) . Given the multiple activities of glutamate receptors, the probes of the invention can thus make it possible to identify neurological, cardiovascular or psychiatric conditions as being linked to GR33 receptors. These probes can also be used for the detection and isolation of homologous nucleic acid sequences coding for GR33 polypeptides as defined above, from other cellular sources and preferably from cells of human origin, as well as illustrated in the examples. The probes of the invention generally comprise at least 10 bases, and they can comprise up to the entire sequence presented SEQ ID No. 1 or in FIG. 1 or their complementary strand. Preferably, these probes are, prior to their use, marked. For this, different techniques known to those skilled in the art can be used (radioactive, enzymatic labeling, etc.). The hybridization conditions under which these probes can be used are indicated in the general cloning techniques below as well as in the examples.

Another subject of the invention resides in antibodies or fragments of polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies directed against a GR33 polypeptide as defined above. Such antibodies can be generated by methods known to those skilled in the art, taking into account the teachings given in the present application. In particular, these antibodies can be prepared by (1) immunization of an animal against the GR33 polypeptide whose sequence is given SEQ ID No. 1 or in FIG. 1, or any fragment or derivative thereof, (2) blood collection, and (3) isolation of antibodies. These antibodies can also be generated by preparing hybridomas according to techniques known to those skilled in the art.

The antibodies thus obtained can in particular be used for the detection and isolation of homologous nucleic acid sequences coding for GR33 polypeptides as defined above, from other cellular sources and preferably from cells of human origin, as illustrated in the examples. They can also be used for the detection and isolation of GR33 polypeptides.

ISA / EP REPLACEMENT SHEET Another subject of the invention relates to recombinant cells capable of expressing on their surface one or more GR33 polypeptides. These cells can be obtained by introducing a nucleotide sequence as defined above coding for a polypeptide of the invention, then culturing said cells under conditions of expression of said sequence.

The recombinant cells according to the invention can be both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Among the eukaryotic cells which are suitable, mention may be made of animal cells, yeasts, or fungi. In particular, as regards yeasts, mention may be made of yeasts of the genus Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Schwanniomyces, or Hansenula. As regards animal cells, mention may be made of COS cells, CHO, C127, Xenopus eggs, etc. Among the mushrooms, there may be mentioned more particularly xAspergillus ssp. or Trichoderma ssp. As prokaryotic cells, it is preferred to use the following bacteria Exoli, Bacillus, or Streptomyces. The cells thus obtained can be used to measure the capacity of different molecules to behave as a ligand or as a modulator of the polypeptides of the invention. More particularly, they can thus be used in a process for detecting and isolating ligands or modulators of the polypeptides of the invention, and, more preferably, agonists and antagonists of glutamate. Another object of the invention therefore relates to a process for detecting and / or isolating ligands of the polypeptides of the invention, according to which the following steps are carried out:

- a molecule or mixture containing different molecules, possibly unidentified, is brought into contact with a recombinant cell as described above expressing on its surface a polypeptide of the invention or with a membrane preparation of such a cell in conditions allowing the interaction between said polypeptide of the invention and said molecule in the event that the latter has an affinity for said polypeptide, and,

- Molecules linked to said polypeptide of the invention are detected and / or isolated. In a particular embodiment, this method of the invention is suitable for the detection and or the isolation of agonists and antagonists of glutamate for the polypeptides of the invention.

Another object of the invention relates to a method for detecting and / or isolating modulators of the polypeptides of the invention, according to which the following steps are carried out: a molecule or a mixture containing different molecules, possibly unidentified, is brought into contact with a recombinant cell as described above expressing on its surface a polypeptide of the invention or with a membrane preparation of such a cell, in the presence of glutamate, under conditions allowing the interaction between said polypeptide of the invention and glutamate, and,

- Molecules capable of modulating the activity of glutamate on said polypeptide of the invention are detected and / or isolated.

Another object of the invention relates to the use of a ligand or of a modulator identified and / or obtained according to the process described above as a medicament. Such ligands or modulators can indeed make it possible to treat certain neurological, cardiovascular or psychiatric affections linked to GR33 receptors.

The invention also relates to any medicament comprising as active principle at least one molecule acting on a peptide of the invention. Preferably, the molecule is a ligand or a modulator identified and / or isolated according to the method described above.

Other advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the examples which follow, which should be considered as illustrative and not limiting.

Legend of figures

SEQ ID No. 1: Nucleotide and peptide sequences of the rat GR33 receptor.

Figure 1: Fragment of the nucleotide and peptide sequence of the human GR33 receptor.

Figure 2: Restriction map of the human genomic clone carrying a sequence homologous to the sequence SEQ ID No. 1. EV≈EcoRV; El≈EcoRl; H≈Hindiπ;

P≈PstI; S≈Smal; B≈BamHI.

Figure 3: Hydrophobicity profile of the GR33 polypeptide of 288 amino acids.

Figure 4: Pharmacological and electrophysiological study of the GR33 polypeptide of

288 amino acids SEQ ID No. 1. The results are expressed as% of the current induced by 200 μM of NMDA alone. GLUT = glutamate; HCA = homocysteate 200 μM;

KA = 300 mM kainate; QA = quisqualate 50 μM; NM-gly = 200 μM NMDA in the absence of ^' glycine; NM + Mg = 200 μM of NMDA in the presence of 200 μM of

REPLACEMENT SHEET Mg2 +; AP7 = 200 μM of NMDA in the presence of 10 μM of AP7. Each point represents an average of at least 5 measurements made on different xenopus eggs.

Figure 5: Demonstration of homologous sequences by Northern blotting on A Nm polyA (1 μg) of cerebellum (lane 1), cortex (lane 2), striatum (lane 3) and hippocampus (lane 4). The probe used corresponds to the complete cDNA SEQ ID No. 1. Figure 6: Demonstration of homologous polypeptides by Western blot on synaptosomal membranes.

General cloning techniques

Methods conventionally used in molecular biology such as preparative extractions of plasmid DNA, centrifugation of plasmid DNA in cesium chloride gradient, electrophoresis on agarose or acrylamide gels, purification of DNA fragments by electroelution, protein extractions with phenol or phenol-chloroform, precipitation of DNA in a saline medium with ethanol or isopropanol, transformation in Escherichia coli, etc., are well known to humans. trade and are abundantly described in the literature [Maniatis T. et al., "Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual", Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 1982; Ausubel F.M. et al. (eds), "Current Protocols in Molecular Biology", John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1987]. Restriction enzymes were supplied by New England Biolabs

(Biolabs), Bethesda Research Laboratories (BRL) or Amersham and are used as recommended by the suppliers.

The pBR322, pUC, λgtll, pGEX type plasmids and phages of the M13 series are of commercial origin. For the ligations, the DNA fragments are separated according to their size by electrophoresis in agarose or acrylamide gels, extracted with phenol or with a phenol / chloroform mixture, precipitated with ethanol and then incubated in the presence of DNA. phage T4 ligase (Biolabs) according to the supplier's recommendations.

The filling of the prominent 5 ′ ends is carried out by the Klenow fragment of DNA Polymerase I of E. coli (Biolabs) according to the supplier's specifications. The destruction of the protruding 3 ′ ends is carried out in the presence of the DNA polymerase of phage T4 (Biolabs) used according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The destruction of the protruding 5 ′ ends is carried out by gentle treatment with nuclease SI.

ISA / EP REPLACEMENT SHEET Mutagenesis directed in vitro by synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides is carried out according to the method developed by Taylor et al. [Nucleic Acids Res. 12 (1985) 8749-8764] using the kit distributed by Amersham.

Enzymatic amplification of DNA fragments by the so-called PCR technique [Polymerase-catalyzed _hain Reaction, Saiki R.K. et al., Science 22Q (1985)

1350-1354; Mullis K.B. and Faloona F.A., Meth. Enzym. 155 (1987) 335-350] is performed using a "DNA thermal cycler" (Perkin Elmer Cetus) according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Verification of the nucleotide sequences is carried out by the method developed by Sanger et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 74 (1977) 5463-5467] using the kit distributed by Amersham.

For hybridization experiments, the normal stringency conditions are generally as follows: hybridization: 3 x SCC in the presence of 5 x Denhart's at 65 ° C; washing: 0.5 x SSC at 65 ° C.

1. Cloning of the H500 cDNA of FIG. 1.

This example describes the cloning of a cDNA of approximately 500 bp from the human brain, coding for a part of a GR33 polypeptide. This cDNA was obtained by screening a human brain bank using antibodies against glutamate-binding proteins.

1.1. Preparation of purified glutamate binding proteins.

Synaptosomal membranes were prepared according to the technique described by Michaelis et al. [J. Neurochem. 42 (1984) 397] and dissolved in the presence of sodium deoxycholate. The membranes thus dissolved were then subjected to affinity chromatography on a column of glutamate. The glutamate-binding proteins were eluted with a 1M NaCl solution, and dialyzed against a Tris-HCl buffer in the presence of 0.05% sodium deoxycholate.

1.2. Production of polyclonal antibodies.

Polyclonal antibodies to the glutamate-binding proteins obtained above were prepared in mice. For this, BALB / C mice were immunized with 50-100 μg of the glutamate-binding proteins obtained above in the presence of complete Freund's adjuvant. Subsequent injections (every 8 to 10

REPLACEMENT SHEET days) were made with 50 μg of glutamate-binding proteins, but without complete Freund's adjuvant. After 5 injections, the sera were collected and stored frozen.

1.3. Screening of a human brain bank.

The antibodies prepared above were used to screen a human brain library made in the lambda gtll vector (Clontech). Two million clones from this library were thus screened immunologically, according to the technique described by Sambrook, Fritsch and Maniatis (see general cloning techniques). The positive clones identified were then purified to homogeneity by several successive screening steps. From these clones, a cDNA of approximately 500 bp was obtained and sequenced on the 2 strands. The sequence of this cDNA, designated H500, is presented in FIG. 1. No particular homology was found between this sequence and those accessible in the libraries.

2. Cloning of the cDNA coding for the polypeptide GR33 SEQ ID No. 1.

This example describes the cloning of a cDNA of approximately 1.7 kb from rat brain, coding for the polypeptide GR33 SEQ ID No. 1. This cDNA was obtained by screening a rat brain library using as a probe for the radiolabelled H500 cDNA.

The cDNA coding for the polypeptide GR33 SEQ ID No. 1 was obtained by screening a rat brain library constructed in the lambda vector ZAP (Stratagene). This library was screened with the H500 cDNA previously labeled with ³² P by the "random priming" technique [Feinberg and Vogelstein, Analytical Biochemistry 132 (1984) 6}]. Hybridization was carried out under the following high stringency conditions: hybridization at 65 ° C, 3-4 x SSC, 5 x Denhardt's, rinsing at 65 ° C, 0.1 x SSC, 1% SDS. About 1 million clones of the bank were thus analyzed. A positive clone was isolated and purified. The plasmid carried by this clone was excised from the DNA of lambda ZAP by means of a helper phage (Stratagene), and the 1.7 kb cDNA carried by this plasmid was sequenced on the 2 strands. Part of the sequence thus obtained is presented in SEQ ID No. 1.

3. In vitro translation of 1.7 kb cDNA

ISA / EP REPLACEMENT SHEET The 1.7 kb cDNA isolated above has been translated in vitro in the rabbit reticulocyte system (Promega). This made it possible to demonstrate an expressed protein having a molecular weight of approximately 35 kDa. The protein deduced from the sequence SEQ ID No. 1 has a theoretical weight of 33.2 kDa. The hydrophobicity profile of the resulting 288 amino acid protein was analyzed according to the program of Kyte and Doolittle [J. Molec. Biol. 152 (1982) 105]. The profile obtained is presented in FIG. 3. It indicates that the GR33 polypeptide comprising the entire sequence SEQ ID No. 1 1 has only one hydrophobic domain.

4. Expression of the GR33 SEQ ID No. 1 polypeptide in Xenopus eggs and pharmacological and electrophysiological study.

The cDNA fragment isolated in Example 2 was transcribed into mRNA and microinjected into Xenopus eggs. The microinjected eggs thus obtained were then tested for their capacity to bind certain ligands of labeled NMDA receptors or for their behavior with respect to modulators of these receptors.

4.1. In vitro transcription

The plasmid containing the 1.7 kb cDNA coding for the polypeptide GR33 SEQ ID No. 1 was linearized in the presence of the enzyme SmaI, then subjected to a transcription step in the presence of TARN phage T7 polymerase. Transcription was performed using the Stratagene Kit, according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

4.2. Microinjection

The synthetic RNA obtained above in solution in sterile water was used (5 ng) to be injected into mature xenopus eggs (stages N and VI) in a volume of 50 μl. The eggs were then kept for 3 days at 19 ° C. in multi-well plates in a Barth medium supplemented with antibiotics (Miledi and Sumikawa, Biomed. Res.2. (1982) 390).

4.3. Pharmacological and electrophysiological study

The eggs thus obtained were then tested for the presence on their surface of functional ΝMDA receptors. For this, the eggs were transferred to the middle

Modified OR-2, free of magnesium, composition: ΝaCl 88 mM, KC1 2.5 mM, CaCl2 1 mM, HEPES buffer 10 mM, pH 7.4 adjusted with sodium hydroxide. The

ISA / EP REPLACEMENT SHEET different drugs (ligands or modulators) were applied by infusion (10 ml / min) for 10-30 seconds, with an imposed potential difference of -80 or - 90 mV. The results obtained are presented in FIG. 4. They show that:

- the application of glutamate (0.1-1 mM) or its agonist, NMDA (200 μM), induces an "inward" current, while other glutamate agonists including kainate (300 mM) and quisqualate (50 μM) have little or no effect. These results indicate that the injected eggs have glutamate receptors on their surface coupled to functional ion channels, of the NMDA type.

- the response induced by NMDA (200 μM) is abolished when the medium does not contain glycine, or when the NMDA antagonists, AP5 or AP7, are applied (200 μM) simultaneously with NMDA. This result indicates that the response to NMDA of the injected eggs is pharmacologically comparable to that of a native NMDA receptor.

- the response induced by NMDA (200 μM) is reduced when magnesium (200 μM) is added to the medium, or when the external calcium concentration (2.5 mM) is increased.

5. Search for nucleotide sequences and homologous polypeptides in other tissues

The nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No. 1 was then used as a probe for the detection of homologous sequences from other tissues. For this, 2 techniques were used:

- Northern blot hybridization,

- in situ hybridization.

The tissues used for the search for homologous sequences are the following of murine origin: cerebellum, cortex, striatum, hippocampus.

5.1. Northern Blot Research

The mRNA-polyA were prepared from the tissues indicated above according to the guanidinium isothiocyanate technique described by Chirgwin et al. [Biochemistry 18 (1979) 5294], followed by passage through an oligodT-cellulose column. These mRNAs were then fractionated on agarose gel, then transferred to nylon membranes (Hybond N +). The probe used for the hybridization corresponds to the whole 1.7 kb cDNA described in Example 2 (SEQ ID No. 1) previously labeled

REPLACEMENT SHEET with ² P according to the technique described by Maniatis et al (Cf general cloning techniques). Hybridization with the different tissues was carried out under high stringency conditions: hybridization at 42 ° C, 6 x SSC, 50% formamide, 1 x Denhardt's, rinsing at 65 ° C, 0.1 x SSC, 1% SDS .

This study made it possible to highlight specific DNA fragments homologous in all the tissues studied (FIG. 5).

5.2. In situ hybridization research

The in situ hybridization experiments were carried out on cryostatized sections of rat brain according to the technique described by Hafen et al. [EMBO J. 2 (1983) 617]. The probe used for these experiments corresponds to the whole 1.7 kb cDNA described in Example 2 (SEQ ID No. 1) previously labeled with digoxigenin-labeled deoxyuridine triphosphate (dig-U, Boehringer Mannheim) according to the technique described by Dumas et al. [J. Neurosci. Res. 25 (1990) 569]. This non-radioactive labeling as well as the detection of the hybrids were carried out by immunoenzymatic test using anti-digoxigenin antibodies conjugated with alkaline phosphatase, which are revealed in the presence of a chromogenic substrate of the enzyme, 5-bromo- 4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate and the tetrazolium salt of "nitroblue" following the manufacturer's recommendations (Boehringer Mannheim). Hybridization with the different tissues was carried out under high stringency conditions: hybridization at 42 ° C, 6 x SSC, 50% formamide, 1 x Denhardt's, rinsing at 65 ° C, 0.1 x SSC, 1% SDS .

This study made it possible to demonstrate homologous sequences according to the invention in particular in the cells of Purkinje and in the granular cells of the cerebellum, in the pyramidal cells of the regions CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampus, and in certain regions of the cortex.

It is understood that the same experiments can be repeated using other tissues and in particular tissues of human origin, and other probes. Furthermore, the homologous sequences demonstrated during these experiments can obviously be then isolated and / or amplified by conventional techniques of molecular biology.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET ^• ISA / EP 6. Use of anti-GR33 peptide antibodies for the detection of nucleotide sequences and of homologous polypeptides in other tissues

Polyclonal antibodies against GR33 polypeptides were prepared and used for the detection by Western blot experiments of homologous polypeptides from other tissues.

6.1. Antibody preparation.

A fragment of the cDNA containing the region coding for the polypeptide GR33 SEQ ID No. 1 described in Example 2 was generated by PCR using the following specific oligonucleotides: (i) TAATACGACTCACTATAGGATCCGACCCCGGCCTCCAGCA

(ii) GCAATTAACCCTCACTAAAGAATTCCCGATGTGTGGGGAGG

These oligonucleotides correspond respectively to positions 124 and 1104 on the sequence SEQ ID No. 1.

The product of this amplification was then cloned into the expression vector of Kcoli ρGEX-2 [Smith and Johnston, Gene £ 2 (1988) 31] so as to allow its expression in the form of a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST-GR33). The fusion protein thus produced was then purified and used as an antigen to prepare antibodies in rabbits. For this, the rabbits were immunized with 50-100 μg of antigen in the presence of complete Freund's adjuvant. After 3 weeks, a new injection was made with 50 μg of antigen, but without complete Freund's adjuvant. After 2 injections, the sera were collected and stored frozen.

6.2. Demonstration of homologous sequences

Synaptosomal membranes were prepared according to the technique described by Michaelis et al. [J. Neurochem. 42 (1984) 397] and dissolved in the presence of 0.5% sodium deoxycholate. About 50 μg of proteins thus obtained were subjected to an electrophoretic analysis on 10% SDS gel. The proteins were then transferred to nitrocellulose and brought into contact with the antibodies prepared in 6.1. above. The bound antibodies were then revealed using the ECL detection system (Amersham). As it appears in FIG. 6, this study made it possible to highlight in the synaptosomal membranes different polypeptides comprising all or part of the peptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1 and having molecular weights of 35 kDa, 69-70 kDa, 97 -98 kDa and 110 kDa approximately.

7. Isolation and characterization of a human genomic clone encoding a GR33 polypeptide.

This example describes the isolation and characterization of a human genomic clone encoding a GR33 polypeptide. This clone was obtained by screening a human library using the radiolabelled H500 cDNA as a probe.

The human clone of FIG. 2 was obtained by screening a human genomic library constructed in the lambda vector EMBL3 (Clontech). This library contains genomic inserts of approximately 13 kb inserted into the SalI site of the lambda vector EMBL3. This library was screened with the H500 cDNA previously labeled with ³² P by the "random priming" technique [Feinberg and Vogelstein, Analytical Biochemistry 122 (1984) 6]. The hybridization was carried out under the following high stringency conditions: hybridization at 65 ° C, 3-4 x SSC, 5 x Denhardt's, rinsing at 65 ° C, 0.1 x SSC, 1% SDS. About 2.10 ⁵ clones of the bank were thus analyzed. A positive clone was isolated and purified. The plasmid thus obtained (λE17) carries a genomic insert of approximately 12 kb, a restriction map of which is presented in FIG. 3. The sequence coding for the polypeptide GR33 is located in the 3 ′ Hindϋl-Pstl fragment of 6.5 kb of the plasmid λE17.

REPLACEMENT SHEET LIST OF SEQUENCES

(1) GENERAL INFORMATION: (i) DEPOSITOR:

(A) NAME: RHONE-POULENC RORER S.A.

(B) STREET: 20, avenue Raymond ARON

(C) CITY: ANTONY (E) COUNTRY: FRANCE (F) POSTAL CODE: 92165

(ii) TITLE OF THE INVENTION: New polypeptides having an NMDA receptor activity, nucleic acids coding for these polypeptides.

(iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 1

(iv) COMPUTER-READABLE FORM: ^"

(A) TYPE OF MEDIA: Floppy disk (B) COMPUTER: IBM PC compatible

(C) OPERATING SYSTEM: PC-DOS / MS-DOS

(D) SOFTWARE: Patentln Release # 1.0, Version # 1.25 (EPO)

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 1

(i) CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEQUENCE:

(A) LENGTH: 1200 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) NUMBER OF STRANDS: double (D) CONFIGURATION: linear

(ii) TYPE OF MOLECULE: cDNA (vi) ORIGIN:

(B) STRAIN: Rat (ix) ADDITIONAL FEATURE:

(A) NAME / KEY: CDS

(B) LOCATION: 211..1077

(D) OTHER INFORMATION: / product = "GR33 rat receptor" (xi) DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCE: SEQ ID NO: 1:

ATTCCGGGCA GCCTAGGCAG AGCCAGTCGG CCCAGGCCCC TGTCTCTGCC TGGCCTCAGC .60

TCCCCGCCCC CCCGCCGCGC ACCTTACCCG CACATCCCTC GGAGGTCTAG CCGGGTGCCC 120

CCAGACCCCG GCCTCCAGCA CAGAGGCAAG AGGCAGAGAG CAGCAGCGGA GGCGGGAGGA 180

CGAAGAAGGG GAGGAGGAGC CCGTCGCAGG ATG AAG GAT CGG ACT CAG GAG CTG 234

Met Lys Asp Arg T r Gin Glu Leu 1 5

CGG AGT GCA AAA G C AGT GAC GAT GAA GAG GAA GTG GTT CAT GTG GAT 282 Arg Ser Ala Lys Asp Ser Asp Asp Glu Glu Glu Val Val His Val Asp 10 15 20

CGA GAC CAC TTT ATG GAT GAG TTC TTT GAG CAG GTG GAA GAG ATC CGA 330 Arg Asp His Phe Met Asp Glu Phe Phe Glu Gin Val Glu Glu Ile Arg 25 30 35 40 GGC TGC ATC GAG AAA CTG TCC GAG GAT GTG GAG CAA GTG AAG AAA CAG 378 Gly Cys Ile Glu Lys Leu Ser Glu Asp Val Glu Gin Val Lys Lys Gin 45 50 55 CAC AGT GCC ATT CTT GCT GCC CCC AAC CCC GAT GAG AAG ACT AAA CAG 426 His Ser Ala Ile Leu Ala Ala Pro Asn Pro Asp Glu Lys Thr Lys Gin 60 65 70

GAG CTG GAG GAC CTC ACG GCA GAC ATC AAA AAG ACG GCA AAC AAG GTC 474 Glu Leu Glu Asp Leu Thr Ala Asp Ile Lys Lys Thr Ala Asn Lys Val 75 80 85

CGG TCC AAG TTG AAA GCG ATC GAG CAG AGC ATT GAG CAG GAA GAG GGG 522 Arg Ser Lys Leu Lys Ala Ile Glu Gin Ser Ile Glu Gin Glu Glu Gly 90 95 100

TTG AAT CGT TCT TCT GCA GAC CTG CGT ATC CGT AAG ACC CAG CAC TCC 570 Leu Asn Arg Ser Ser Ala Asp Leu Arg Ile Arg Lys Thr Gin His Ser 105 110 115 120

ACA CTC TCA CGG AAG TTC GTG GAG GTA ATG ACC GAA TAT AAT GCA ACT 618 Thr Leu Ser Arg Lys Phe Val Glu Val Met Thr ^" Glu Tyr Asn Ala Thr 125 130 135

CAG TCT AAG TAC CGG GAC CGC TGC AAG GAC CGT ATC CAG AGG CAG CTG 666 Gin Ser Lys Tyr Arg Asp Arg Cys Lys Asp Arg Ile Gin Arg Gin Leu 140 145 150 GAG ATC ACT GGC AGG ACT ACT ACC AAC GAA GAG CTG GAA GAC ATG TTG 714

Glu Ile Thr Gly Arg Thr Thr Thr Asn Glu Glu Leu Glu Asp Met Leu 155 160 165

GAA AGC GGG AAG CTG GCC ATC TTC ACG GAC GAC ATC AAA ATG GAC TCG 762 Glu Ser Gly Lys Leu Ala Ile Phe Thr Asp Asp Ile Lys Met Asp Ser

170 175 180

CAG ATG ACA AAG CAA GCC CTG AAT GAG ATA GAG ACA AGG CAC AAT GAG 810

Gin Met Thr Lys Gin Ala Leu Asn Glu Ile Glu Thr Arg His Asn Glu 185 190 195 200

ATC ATC AAA CTG GAA ACC AGC ATC CGA GAG CTG CAC GAC ATG TTT GTG 858

Ile Lys Leu Glu Thr Ser Ile Arg Glu Leu His Asp Met Phe Val 205 210 215

GAC ATG GCC ATG CTC GTG GAG AGC CAG GGT GAG ATG ATC GAC CGA ATT 906

Asp Met Ala Met Leu Val Glu Ser Gin Gly Glu Met Ile Asp Arg Ile 220 225 230 GAG TAC AAT GTG GAA CAT TCT GTG GAC TAC GTG GAG CGA GCC GTG TCC 954

Glu Tyr Asn Val Glu His Ser Val Asp Tyr Val Glu Arg Ala Val Ser 235 240 245

GAC ACC AAG AAA GCT GTG AAA TAT CAG AGC AAG GCC AGG AGG AAG AAA 1002 Asp Thr Lys Lys Ala Val Lys Tyr Gin Ser Lys Ala Arg Arg Lys Lys

250 255 260

ATT ATG ATC ATC ATT TGC TGT GTG GTG CTG GGG GTG GTC TTG GCG TCA 1050

Ile Met Ile Ile Ile Cys Cys Val Val Leu Gly Val Val Leu Ala Ser 265 270 275 280

TCT ATT GGG GGG ACA CTG GGC TTG TAGGCCCCTA CCCTTCTCTT CCCCAGGACC 1104 Ser Ile Gly Gly Thr Leu Gly Leu 285

CTCCCCACAC ATCGGGAGCA ATACCCCCAC CACCCTTTCA CTCTTTCCCC TGCTCCAAGC 1164 TCACTCCCAA AACAGACCCA GGCAGTTCCA GCCTCT 1200

Claims

1. Polypeptide comprising all or part of the peptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1 or a derivative thereof.

2. Polypeptide according to claim 1 characterized in that it has the capacity to bind glutamate.

3. Polypeptide according to claim 2 characterized in that it has an NMDA receptor activity.

4. Polypeptide according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that it can be recognized by antibodies recognizing the complete peptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1.

5. Polypeptide according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it comprises the entire peptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1.

6. Polypeptide according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it comprises the peptide sequence presented in Figure 1.

7. Polypeptide according to claim 4 characterized in that it is chosen from polypeptides having a molecular weight of 35 kDa, 69-70 kDa, 97-98 kDa and 110 kDa described in FIG. 6.

8. Nucleotide sequence coding for a polypeptide according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Sequence according to claim 8 characterized in that it is chosen from:

(a) all or part of the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No. 1 or its complementary strand,

(b) any sequence hybridizing with a sequence (a) and coding for a polypeptide according to one of claims 1 to 7, and,

(c) sequences derived from sequences (a) and (b) due to the degeneration of the genetic code.

ISA / EP REPLACEMENT SHEET

10. Sequence according to claim 9 characterized in that it is chosen from genomic, cDNA, RNA sequences, hybrid sequences or synthetic or semi-synthetic sequences.

11. Sequence according to claim 9 characterized in that it comprises the sequence given in Figure 1.

12. Sequence according to one of claims 8 to 11 characterized in that the part coding for said polypeptide is placed under the control of signals allowing its expression in a cellular host.

13. Antisense oligonucleotide capable of at least partially inhibiting the production of polypeptide according to one of claims 1 to 7.

14. Oligonucleotide according to claim 13 characterized in that it consists of all or part of a nucleotide sequence according to claim 9.

15. A nucleotide probe capable of hydriding with a sequence according to claim 8 or with the corresponding mRNA.

16 A probe according to claim 15 characterized in that it comprises at least 10 bases.

17. A probe according to claim 15 characterized in that it comprises the entire sequence SEQ ID No. 1 or the sequence shown in Figure 1 or their complementary strand.

18. Use of a probe according to one of claims 15 to 17 for the detection of the expression of a GR33 receptor; or for highlighting genetic anomalies (poor splicing, polymorphism, point mutations, etc.); or to identify neurological, cardiovascular or psychiatric conditions as being linked to the GR33 receptors; or also for the detection and isolation of homologous nucleic acid sequences coding for GR33 polypeptides.

19. Antibody or antibody fragment directed against a polypeptide according to one of claims 1 to 7.

REPLACEMENT SHEET

20. Recombinant cell capable of expressing on its surface one or more polypeptides according to one of claims 1 to 7.

21. Cell according to claim 20 characterized in that it is chosen from eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells.

22. Method for detecting and / or isolating ligands of the polypeptides as defined in claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the following steps are carried out:

- A molecule or a mixture containing different molecules, possibly unidentified, is brought into contact with a recombinant cell according to claim 20 expressing on its surface a polypeptide as defined in claims 1 to 7 or with a membrane preparation of a such cell under conditions allowing interaction between said polypeptide and said molecule in the event that the latter has an affinity for said polypeptide, and,

- Detecting or isolating the molecules linked to said polypeptide.

23. The method of claim 22 for the detection and / or isolation of agonists or antagonists of glutamate for the polypeptides of the invention.

24. Method for detecting and / or isolating modulators of the polypeptides as defined in claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the following steps are carried out:

- A molecule or a mixture containing different molecules, possibly unidentified, is brought into contact with a recombinant cell according to claim 20 expressing on its surface a polypeptide as defined in claims 1 to 7 or with a membrane preparation of a such cell, in the presence of glutamate, under conditions allowing the interaction between said polypeptide and glutamate, and,

- Molecules capable of modulating the activity of glutamate on said polypeptide are detected and / or isolated.

25. Use of a ligand or a modulator identified and / or obtained according to the method of claims 22 to 24 as a medicament.

26. A medicament comprising as active ingredient at least one molecule acting on a polypeptide according to one of claims 1 to 7.

27. Medicament according to claim 26 characterized in that the molecule is a ligand identified and or isolated according to the method of claims 22 or 23, or a modulator identified and / or isolated according to the method of claim 24.

28. Vector comprising a nucleotide sequence according to one of claims 8 to 12.

29. Pharmaceutical composition comprising a vector according to claim 28.