FR2827612A1 - New nucleic acid encoding G protein coupled receptor, useful for identifying modulators, potentially useful for treating e.g. diabetes or Parkinson's disease - Google Patents

Abstract

Nucleic acid (I) having a 1038 bp sequence (S1), fully defined in the specification, and encoding a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) (II) is new. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) nucleic acid (Ia) that hybridizes to (I) under stringent conditions and encodes a protein with essentially the same properties as (II); (2) nucleic acid (Ib) deduced from a 345 amino acid (aa) sequence (S2), fully defined in the specification; (3) antisense nucleic acid (Ic) that inhibits expression of (I)-(Ib) and comprises a single strand able to hybridize to them under stringent conditions; (4) recombinant vector containing (I)-(Ib); (5) host cell transformed with the vector of (4); (6) polypeptide (IIa) encoded by (I)-(Ib) and its fragments; (7) primers for amplification of a sequence encoding (II); (8) hybridization probe for specific detection of (I)-(Ib) containing a fragment of at least 50 nucleotides (nt) from (I)-(Ib); (9) antibodies (Ab) specific for (IIa) or proteins encoded by (I)-(Ib); (10) detecting presence of agonists of GPCR; (11) screening for agonists or antagonists of a GPCR; (12) identifying pathological alleles of a gene encoding GPCR; (13) identifying species homologs of (I); (14) kit for diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring of patients with, or at risk of developing, diseases associated with over- or under-expression of (I)-(Ib); (15) DNA chip containing (I)-(Ib); (16) kit for detecting abnormal structures of GPCR containing Ab or (IIa); and (17) protein chip containing Ab or (IIa).

Description

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 The invention relates to the identification of a novel receptor coupled to GTP or G protein-binding proteins. It relates in particular to the identification of a nucleic acid sequence encoding this receptor as well as to recombinant vectors comprising these sequences and the host cells containing the vectors. The uses of the host cells for the screening of G protein-coupled receptor agonist or antagonist molecules are also part of the invention.

 By G protein-coupled receptors is meant monomeric, dimeric or multimeric membrane proteins expressed on the surface of cells, capable of receiving an extracellular signal and transmitting it to the cell via their interaction with specific heterotrimeric proteins to which they are associated and The heterotrimeric G proteins are composed of an α-subunit and an indissociable ssy dimer. The α subunit carries a GDP or GTP nucleotide. G-proteins are sub-membrane proteins associated with the membrane by lipids. Schematically, the mechanism of activation of a G protein-coupled receptor by an agonist molecule can be summarized as follows: when an agonist binds to a G protein-coupled receptor, said receptor associates with the GDP form of the G protein heterotrimeric.

This then loses its GDP which is replaced by a GTP, following a transitional state.

unité a et le dimère ssy de la protéine G. La sous-unité a et le dimère ssy sont ensuite capables de stimuler un ou plusieurs effecteurs. L'hydrolyse du GTP, parfois stimulée par l'effecteur, marque la fin de l'activation de l'effecteur par la sous-unité a. The binding of the GTP causes the dissociation of the three partners, the receptor, the sub-

a unit and the ssy dimer of the G protein. The subunit a and the ssy dimer are then able to stimulate one or more effectors. The hydrolysis of the GTP, sometimes stimulated by the effector, marks the end of the activation of the effector by the subunit a.

 Among the different families of membrane receptors involved in cellular communications, the family of G-protein coupled receptors is the most numerous.

 It is divided into five distinct subgroups according to molecular structure and function: (i) peptide hormone receptors (somatostatin, TRH, etc.); (ii) glycoprotein hormone receptors (TSH, LH, FSH, etc.); (iii) secretin peptide hormone receptors; (iv) olfactory receptors and (v) bioamine receptors (serotonin, adrenergic). G protein-coupled receptors are thus involved in the reception of external stimuli (vision, taste, smell), the functions

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 endocrine (pituitary and adrenal), exocrine functions (pancreas), certain neurological functions, cardiac function, lipolysis and carbohydrate metabolism (for reviews, Wilson S. et al., British Journal of Pharmacology 1998 125: 1387-1392 Stadel JM et al., TIPS 1997 18: 430-437).

 Considering the importance and the diversity of the communication systems controlled by the G-protein coupled receptors, and in particular their implication in many pathologies, we understand the interest of looking for possible sequences likely to code these receptors in order to isolate them, to verify that they correspond to new genes, to express their product and to build the tools to identify their ligand (s).

 The search and identification of new G-protein coupled receptors is based notably on the analysis of genomic DNA sequences from the various mammalian genome sequencing projects currently in progress, and stored in databases generally accessible by the internet network. These include high throughput genome sequencing data that is available through the GenBank database.

 In general, the sequences initially deposited in the databases are so-called raw or non-annotated sequences. The annotation phase which consists of identifying, using bioinformatic tools, the signifying sequences, and in particular the potential coding sequences, is carried out subsequently. Knowing that in the human genome, only 1 to 2% of the sequences are coding, one of the difficulties is the identification of the coding phases among the raw genomic sequences available in the databases.

 In addition, it should be noted that the available genomic DNA sequences are likely to be the juxtaposition of unordered partial sequences from different sequenced clones. This can therefore be an additional obstacle in the identification of coding sequences.

 We then resort to the computer analysis of the sequences using various software available and appropriate for the research of the open reading phases (ORFs)

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 potential. The choice and configuration of the software used is decisive for the identification of potentially coding sequences. It is important to note, however, that identifying a potential ORF using bioinformatic programs (in silico) is only a first step in identifying a new functional gene. Those skilled in the art must then verify that the potential ORF identified in silico corresponds to a gene actually expressed and functional in the cell. It is known for example that there exist pseudo-genes, evolutionary residue, of which portions of sequences are homologous to certain genes, however these pseudo-genes are not expressed in the cell.

 The inventors have now identified, by computer analysis of the database of the sequences resulting from the high-throughput genome sequencing (HTGS), a potential open reading phase whose deduced protein sequence has homology with receptors coupled to The deduced sequence has indeed the structural criteria typical of the G-protein coupled receptors, including 7 domains which each contain about 20-30 hydrophobic amino acids and the DRY motif present in the third trans-membrane domain.

 By RT-PCR analysis, the inventors revealed specific tissue expression of the identified sequence. By RT-PCR is meant a PCR amplification on the cDNA fragments obtained by retrotranscription of the transcriptome. They thus showed that the sequence identified by the bioinformatic analysis actually corresponded to a sequence of an expressed gene. They have furthermore shown that the gene encoding the newly identified receptor is mainly expressed in the kidney, prostate, intestine, spleen, brain and in particular in the hippocampus, the caudate nucleus, the amygdala and the substance. black.

 The cDNA encoding the complete receptor was cloned after amplification by RT-PCR from human total brain RNA and sequenced.

 The nucleotide sequence obtained by sequencing the cDNA is shown in Figure 1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).

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 The amino acid sequence deduced from the sequence of Figure 1 is shown in Figure 2 (SEQ ID NO 2).

 The subject of the invention is thus a nucleic acid sequence encoding a G protein-coupled receptor, characterized by the sequence of FIG.

 A nucleic acid sequence according to the invention comprises in particular: a genomic DNA sequence, characterized by the sequence of FIG. 1, a messenger RNA sequence, a transcript of the genomic DNA sequence, or a cDNA sequence, product of the reverse transcription of the messenger RNA sequence.

 By nucleic acid sequence, it must be understood a nucleotide sequence isolated from its natural context. These include isolated sequences, amplified and / or purified and possibly modified by genetic engineering.

 By cDNA or complementary DNA is meant a nucleic acid resulting from the reverse transcription of a messenger RNA.

 The inventors have observed that the genomic DNA coding sequence of the G protein-coupled receptor according to the invention was identical to the isolated cDNA sequence and therefore did not contain introns.

A nucleic acid sequence according to the invention can be easily isolated by specific amplification by RT-PCR from messenger RNA extracts of cells of the human brain, or by amplification of human genomic DNA, for example using the primer pair below: 5'-ATGAGCAGCAATTCATCCCTGCTGG-3 '
TATATGTTCAGAAAACAAATTCATGGTTGCTG 5'-3 '
The invention also relates to variants of the nucleic acid sequence of Figure 1.

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 The variants of the nucleic acid sequence are in particular: sequences capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions with a nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 1 or a sequence complementary thereto, and coding a polypeptide having essentially the same properties as the receiver coded by the sequence of FIG. 1; the nucleic acid sequences deduced from the amino acid sequence of Figure 2, according to the genetic code, pathological allelic forms of the sequence of Figure 1; or else sequences of a mammalian species homologous to the sequence of FIG. 1 isolated in humans.

 By stringent conditions are meant the conditions which allow the specific hybridization of two single-stranded DNA sequences at about 65 ° C. for example in a solution of 6 × SSC, 0.5% SDS, 5 × Denhardt's solution and 100 μg of DNA. Nonspecific carrier DNA or other equivalent ionic strength solution and after washing at 65 C, for example in a solution of at most 0.2 x SSC and 0.1% SDS or other equivalent ionic strength solution. The parameters defining the stringency conditions depend on the temperature at which 50% of the paired strands separate (Tm). For sequences comprising more than 30 bases, Tm is defined by the relation: Tm = 81.5 + 0.41 (% G + C) + 16.6Log (cation concentration) -0.63 (% formamide) - ( 600 / number of bases). For sequences of length less than 30 bases, Tm is defined by the relation: Tm = 4 (G + C) + 2 (A + T). The stringency conditions can therefore be adapted by those skilled in the art depending on the size of the sequence, the GC content and any other parameter, in particular according to the protocols described in Sambrook et al., 2001 (Molecular Cloning: A laboratory Manual, 3rd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor, laboratory press, Cold Spring Harbor, New York).

 Pathological allelic forms are understood to mean any isolated sequence in humans corresponding to a mutated form of the sequence of FIG. 1, and whose mutations are involved in a specific pathology. These mutations may be one or more nucleotide change (s) or one or more deletion (s) or insertion (s) of nucleotide sequence fragments.

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 Sequences homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 1 are understood to mean a sequence of structure similar to the sequence of FIG. 1 and encoding a polypeptide having essentially the same properties in non-human mammalian species, especially primates. , the rat or the mouse. The percentage identity between two homologous sequences in the functional regions is generally greater than 80%, preferably greater than 90%.

 The homologous sequences are particularly useful for the production of animal models for the functional study of the G-protein coupled receptor and its pathological variants.

The invention thus relates to a method of identifying pathological allelic forms of a human gene encoding a G-protein coupled receptor, said method comprising the steps of: a) isolating a nucleic acid sequence encoding a G-protein coupled receptor G-protein coupled receptor according to the invention from total nucleic acids (RNA or
DNA) from patients with pathology and healthy subjects; b) the sequencing of the nucleic acids isolated in a), and, c) the detection of one or more mutations common to nucleic acids derived from patients suffering from a pathology, the said mutation (s) n not being present on nucleic acids from healthy subjects.

 The invention also relates to a method of identifying sequences homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of Figure 1 in a non-human species comprising the following steps: a) incubating under stringent conditions a probe of hybridization consisting of at least 50 nucleotides of the sequence of Figure 1, preferably between 150 and 250 nucleotides, with genomic DNA or total RNA extracts of non-human mammalian species; b) detecting a hybridization reaction; and,

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 c) isolating the homologous nucleic acid sequence encoding a G-protein coupled receptor from the genomic DNA of species for which a hybridization reaction has been detected.

 Hybridization probes for the specific recognition of nucleic acid sequences encoding a G-protein coupled receptor according to the invention also form part of the invention. Such probes are characterized in that they correspond to a fragment having a length of at least 50 nucleotides, preferably between 150 and 250 nucleotides of a nucleic acid sequence according to the invention. These probes are particularly useful in carrying out the methods of the invention mentioned above.

The probes may be coupled directly or indirectly with a radioactive or non-radioactive label, mention may be made in particular of 32p or 35S among the radioactive compounds or else biotin, avidin and streptavidin or any type of fluorescent or bioluminescent or chemiluminescent among the non-radioactive compounds.

The invention also provides primers useful for the amplification and isolation of nucleic acid sequences encoding a G-protein coupled receptor according to the invention. Primers for the amplification of a sequence encoding a G protein-coupled receptor according to the invention comprise, in particular, the following sequences:
ATGAGCAGCAATTCATCCCTGCTGG 5'-3 '
TATATGTTCAGAAAACAAATTCATGGTTGCTG 5'-3 '
The primers may further comprise in their part 5 'nonspecific sequences of the gene, in particular restriction sites for facilitating the cloning of the amplified sequences in a vector, or else coding sequences for labels, epitopes or signal sequences to facilitate the expression and / or purification of the polypeptides. Primers comprising a tag sequence and restriction sites suitable for cloning the amplification product into a plasmid are also described in Example 1.

 The invention also relates to the nucleic acid sequences that can be obtained by amplification using the primers defined above.

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 The amplification methods using the primers of the invention are known to those skilled in the art and are in particular the PCR method which comprises the use of a thermostable polymerase or the RT-PCR method which allows the amplification of DNA from a sample of messenger RNA by performing a reverse transcription step prior to amplification. There are also many alternative techniques to PCR. For example, isothermal amplification methods such as TMA (transcription mediated amplification), NASBA (nucleic acid sequence based amplification), 3SR (self-sustained sequence replication) or strand displacement amplification ( strand displacement amplification).

 The invention also relates to a recombinant vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence according to the invention. By vector, it is necessary to understand any type of vector allowing the introduction of the nucleic acid sequence into a host cell and possibly the expression of the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid sequence in the host cell.

 Such a vector is, for example, the plasmid pS3524 deposited at the CNCM on July 13, 2001 under the number 1-2702.

 In a preferred embodiment, the recombinant vector according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises DNA sequences necessary for the expression of the G protein-coupled receptor in a host cell. Such sequences include promoter sequences suitable for gene expression in host cells and terminator sequences downstream of the coding sequence that include a polyadenylation site. Examples of promoter sequences are the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter sequence or the SV40 promoter sequence which allows constitutive and strong expression of the downstream coding sequences respectively in mammalian cells and insect cells.

 There are a large number of usable expression vectors. Such expression vectors comprise, inter alia, chromosomal, episomal or virus-derived vectors, in particular vectors derived from bacterial plasmids, bacteriophages, transposons, yeast plasmids and chromosomes, viruses such as baculoviruses. , papoviruses and in particular SV40, adenoviruses, and retroviruses and

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(promega ; N'accession U47120) et pCDNA3 comprenant le promoteur du CMV, le vecteur bicistronique pIRESneo/pIREShyg (Clontech NO cat 6061-1) ou encore le vecteur pSG5 (Stratagène) comprenant le promoteur SV40. vectors derived from their combinations, in particular cosmids and phagemids. Among the particularly preferred expression vectors for the heterologous expression of membrane receptors in mammalian cells are the pCI-neo vectors.

(promega; accession U47120) and pCDNA3 comprising the CMV promoter, the piresneo / pIREShyg bicistronic vector (Clontech NO cat 6061-1) or the vector pSG5 (Stratagene) comprising the SV40 promoter.

 To allow secretion of translated proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen of eukaryotic cells or into the periplasmic space of bacteria or any other extracellular environment, the vectors may comprise sequences encoding the appropriate secretion signals on the expressed polypeptide.

 The invention also relates to host cells transformed with the recombinant vectors. In a particular embodiment, the host cells are bacteria, such as, for example, E. coli, streptococci, staphylococci, Streptomyces and B. subtilis, preferably Escherichia coli. Transformation of bacterial host cells is particularly useful for the amplification and storage of the recombinant vectors of the invention.

 In another embodiment of the invention, the host cells are eukaryotic cells. Usable eukaryotic host cells include yeast cells such as S. cerevisiae or filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus, insect cells such as S2 cells of Drosphila or Sf9 spodoptera, or plant cells.

 Preferably, the eukaryotic host cells are mammalian cells and in particular mammalian cell lines, in particular the CHO, COS, HeLa, C127, 3T3, HepG2, L (TK-) cells and, more preferably, the lines CHO-K1 or HEK 293.

 It is thus possible to express the G-protein coupled receptor in a suitable host cell, preferably a eukaryotic host cell, by introducing into the host cell the recombinant vector of the invention.

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 Those skilled in the art can also purify said receptor from the eukaryotic cells expressing it. Various methods for purifying G protein-coupled receptors are described in the state of the art (Eckard CP and Beck-sickinger AG, Curr Med Chem 2000 7: 897-910, Ohtaki T et al., J Biol Chem 1998 273: 15464-15473, Hayashi MK, Haga TJ, Biochem (Tokyo) 1996 120: 1232-1238). For example, purifications by ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, ion exchange chromatography column, affinity chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, chromatography, reverse phase or by high performance liquid chromatography. It is also conceivable to purify the receptor of the invention using electrophoretic protein separation techniques according to their size and / or charge.

 The method of affinity chromatography consists in particular in expressing in a host cell, a recombinant receptor presenting a specific epitope or tag (tag) sequence upstream or downstream of the coding sequence, in recovering the membrane proteins or the total proteins. of the host cell and then to purify the affinity column receptors fixing the proteins expressing the specific epitope or tag. According to this particular purification mode, the expression vector further comprises tag (tag) sequences for the purification of the polypeptide expressed in the host cells.

 The invention also relates to a polypeptide characterized in that it is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence according to the sequence of FIG. 1 (SEQ ID No. 1) or by any variant according to the invention of the sequence of FIG. .

 In particular, the invention relates to a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of Figure 2 (SEQ ID NO 2).

 The invention also relates to fragments of this polypeptide exhibiting G protein-coupled receptor activity, particularly fragments of this polypeptide comprising the seven transmembrane domains.

 It is further known that certain fragments of G-protein coupled receptors are capable of directly stimulating G protein independently of the presence of an agonist. For example, Hebert et al. showed that the second and third loop

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 Intracellular receptors coupled to G HT1AR proteins allow the coupling of said G protein receptor and their stimulation (Hebert TE et al., J Biol Chim 1996 271: 16384-16392). Thus, the invention relates to the fragments of the polypeptide described above, said fragments being capable of directly stimulating the G proteins, and thus to mimic the activity of the G protein-coupled receptor in the presence of an agonist.

 Conversely, G protein-coupled receptor fragments deleted from all or part of the regions involved in receptor dimerization or in the interaction with G proteins can be used to advantage in order to inhibit the action of an agonist (Varrault A et al., J Biol Chem 1994 269: 16720-16725). Therefore, the invention also relates to the fragments of the polypeptide described above, capable of inhibiting the action of an agonist. Thus, according to the embodiments of the invention, the fragments of polypeptide sequences of the invention are included in one of the 7 transmembrane domains or in the intracytoplasmic part (first, second and third intracellular loop) or in the outer part of the invention. the cell (N-terminal portion or first, second or third extracellular loop).

 The polypeptides or polypeptide fragments of the invention are in the form of native proteins or are part of a larger fusion protein. In particular, the polypeptides of the invention are fused to additional amino acid sequences which contain the signals necessary for the translation, stability, secretion and / or purification of the corresponding recombinant protein.

 The antibodies directed against the polypeptides and polypeptide fragments described above are also part of the invention. These antibodies are of interest for detecting and / or quantifying the expression of receptors on the surface of cells. When the antibodies are specifically directed against the G-protein coupled receptor ligand recognition site, these antibodies can also be used as receptor antagonists.

 The invention is directed to both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies.

 The polyclonal antibodies can be obtained by immunizing an appropriate living host with said purified polypeptides or fragments thereof.

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 epitopes that one wishes to identify and / or quantify. The antibodies formed from a serum of the immunized host are then recovered, in particular by bringing the sera into contact with the purified polypeptides and by recovering these antibodies from the antigen-antibody complexes formed.

 The monoclonal antibodies are obtained in particular according to the conventional hybridoma culture method of Kohler and Milstein.

 The antibodies according to the invention can also be chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies or Fab or F (ab '') 2 fragments. In particular it is possible to clone the genes encoding the two chains of the monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridomas. these can be manipulated in vitro and then reintroduced into secretory cells, such as lymphoid lines or the like, after being reinserted into the expression vectors appropriate to the cells chosen. New monoclonal antibodies are thus constructed with variable regions of mouse or rat and human constant regions. Different types of immunoglobulins can be obtained.

Their specificity in all cases will be the same as that of the variable regions used but they will have the effector properties of human immunoglobulins according to the isotype chosen in the construction.

 The antibodies of the invention may also be reconstituted (Reshaped antibodies) (Riechmann et al (1988), Nature 332: 323-327). Schematically, the starting point of this approach is the observation that the sites of contact of the antibodies with the epitopes of the antigens that they recognize are located on certain sequences of the so-called hypervariable variable regions. The technique involves grafting the hypervariable regions of a murine immunoglobulin called "antigen complementarity determining region" or "CDR" onto the variable regions of a human class G immunoglobulin.

 The antibodies according to the invention are also capable of being coupled to another compound, in particular a marker, in order to obtain a detectable or quantifiable signal.

 The host cells expressing the G-protein coupled receptor according to the invention can be advantageously used for screening compounds which bind to the

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 receptor and activates it (agonists of this receptor) or which inhibit the activation of said receptor (antagonist).

The invention thus relates to a screening method for the identification of G protein-coupled receptor agonist molecules, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) the cultivation of eukaryotic host cells transformed by a recombinant vector according to the invention; invention for expression of the G-protein coupled receptor; b) contacting the cultured host cells with a candidate compound; c) the determination of a potential signal generated by the protein-coupled receptor
G in the presence of the candidate compound.

 According to the embodiments of the method, the signal to be determined, generated by the activation of the G-protein coupled receptor by the candidate compound, may be stimulation or inhibition of adenylate cyclase, binding of 35SGTPy, MAP kinase activity. or an increase in intracellular inositol triphosphate, and more generally any type of signal likely to be modulated positively or negatively by G proteins.

 In a preferred embodiment, the signal generated by the G-protein coupled receptor in the presence of one of its agonists is determined using a reporter system comprising the use of a recombinant cell expressing the subunit has G16 protein stably or transiently and quantifying the intracellular calcium concentration. Constitutive expression of the α-subunit of G16 protein allows any antagonistic response to result essentially in an increase in intracellular calcium concentration.

 Thus, the invention relates to a screening method for the identification of agonist molecules comprising the following steps: a) the cultivation of eukaryotic host cells transformed with a recombinant vector according to the invention allowing the expression of the G protein-coupled receptor; ,

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 said host cells additionally expressing an α-subunit of the G protein constitutively; b) the quantification of the intracellular calcium concentration in the cells in culture in the presence and absence of the molecules to be screened; c) the selection of the molecules in the presence of which the concentration of intracellular calcium is increased.

 In the above method, the host cells are modified in such a way that any activation of the receptor leads to an elevation of the intracellular calcium concentration. For example, COS7, CHO or HEK293 cells stably or transiently express the Ga1 subunit. The intracellular calcium concentration is determined using a marker, in particular a fluorescent marker.

 The invention also relates to a method for identifying the presence of antagonistic molecules comprising the following steps: a) the cultivation of eukaryotic host cells transformed with a recombinant plasmid according to the invention allowing the expression of the G protein-coupled receptor in presence of an agonist; b) contacting the cultured host cells with a candidate compound; c) determining a decrease in the potential signal generated by the G-protein coupled receptor in the presence of the candidate compound and the agonist relative to the signal generated with the agonist alone.

 The agonists and antagonists identified by such a method are also covered by the invention.

 The invention also relates to the use of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a G protein-coupled receptor according to the invention for the screening of agonist and antagonist molecules of a G protein-coupled receptor.

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 It also relates to the use of the above-mentioned host cells for the screening of agonist and antagonist molecules of a G protein-coupled receptor.

 The polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid sequences of the invention are involved in different biological functions, and possibly certain pathologies.

In particular, the demonstration by the inventors of the expression of the G-protein coupled receptor specifically in the hippocampus, amygdala, caudate nucleus, substantia nigra, spleen, kidneys, prostate or intestines assumes a role of the receptor in the functions related to these structures and possibly in certain pathologies related to an abnormality in the expression of said receptor, in particular in these tissues.

 Therefore, the invention also relates to methods for diagnosing, prognosticating or monitoring the course of a pathology related to an abnormal expression of the receptor in a tissue.

 By abnormal expression, one must understand any qualitatively or quantitatively different expression between a sick individual and a healthy individual.

 In a first particular embodiment, the diagnostic method consists in comparing the sequence encoding the receptor in the cells of a particular tissue in a sick individual and a healthy individual and in detecting a particular allelic form of the sequence in the individual. sick in relation to the healthy subject.

 In a second particular embodiment, the method consists in comparing the expression of the messenger RNA encoding the receptor in the cells of a particular tissue in a sick individual and a healthy individual and detecting an abnormal expression of said messenger RNA in the patient. sick individual in relation to the healthy subject.

 Techniques for quantifying the expression of a messenger RNA are well known to those skilled in the art. In particular, mention may be made of Northern blotting or quantitative RT-PCR.

 More particularly, the invention relates to a method for diagnosing, prognosticating or monitoring the evolution of a pathology related to an abnormal expression of the receptor and

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 comprising detecting the abnormal expression of messenger RNA from the receptor using DNA chips.

 The invention provides kits for quantitatively and / or qualitatively measuring the expression of the gene encoding the G protein-coupled receptor in tissues or cells of a particular tissue. Such kits can be used for the diagnosis, prognosis or therapeutic follow-up of patients presenting or likely to have a pathology related to overexpression or under-expression of the nucleic acid sequence according to the invention.

A kit according to the invention comprises: either primers according to the invention, in particular for the RT-PCR amplification of the gene encoding the receptor and the quantification of the amplified cDNA; a probe according to the invention, in particular for the quantification in
Northem Blot of messenger RNA encoding the G-protein coupled receptor.

 Advantageously, the expression of the transcript encoding the G protein-coupled receptor in cells or tissues is studied by hybridization of cDNAs or mRNAs in kits consisting of DNA chips, or microarrays or macro-networks on which are fixed probes specific for the gene of the invention whose expression is sought.

 By DNA chip, it is necessary to understand any type of support allowing the stable attachment of a quantity of nucleic acids, the hybridization of the nucleic acids fixed on the support with a sequence contained in a DNA or RNA extract beforehand. labeled, and then quantification of hybridization. Microarray technologies are in particular described by Sambrook et al. (see above).

 Similarly, kits allowing the detection of abnormal forms of the G-protein coupled receptor are also part of the invention. These tests may be of an immunological nature comprising the use of antibodies specific for regions of the receptor likely to contain abnormal structures.

 These kits may also be a protein chip consisting of a support on which is fixed an amino acid sequence according to the invention or an antibody or

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 antibody fragment directed against a polypeptide or polypeptide fragment according to the invention. Such protein chips allow the large-scale detection of abnormal structures of several proteins, or the detection of particular interactions of the receptor with other molecules.

 The invention also provides methods for the therapeutic treatment of pathologies related to an abnormal, excessive or insufficient expression of the G protein-coupled receptor encoded by the sequences of the invention, in particular in the hippocampus, the substantia nigra, the caudate nucleus. , amygdala, intestines, kidneys, spleen and prostate characterized by comprising administering an effective therapeutic dose of a G-protein coupled receptor agonist or antagonist encoded by sequences of the invention.

 In particular, the invention relates to an antisense nucleotide sequence capable of inhibiting the expression of the nucleic acid sequences according to the invention, and characterized in that it corresponds to a single-stranded nucleic acid sequence. capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to the coding strand of a nucleic acid sequence according to the invention. It also relates to the use of these sequences for the therapeutic treatment of pathologies related to excessive expression of the G protein-coupled receptor.

 Abnormal functioning of the hippocampus, black substance, caudate nucleus, amygdala, intestines, kidneys, spleen and prostate can lead to a number of disorders or pathologies, including obesity, bulimia , anorexia, Parkinson's disease, prostatic hypertrophy, renal failure, asthma, allergy, hypotension, hypertension and psychotic and neurological disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, manic depression, delirium, dementia, epilepsy, migraine, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders and cognitive impairment. Other infections include bacteria and viruses, particularly HIV-1 and HIV-2.

 Therefore, the invention also relates to the use of the nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides according to the invention for the screening of molecules that are active in the treatment of obesity, bulimia, anorexia, Parkinson's disease. , hypertrophy

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 Prostatic, renal failure, asthma, allergy, hypotension, hypertension and psychotic and neurological disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, manic depression, delirium, dementia, epilepsy, migraine, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders and cognitive performance attenuation. Other infections include bacteria and viruses, particularly HIV-1 and HIV-2.

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 DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1: Sequence of nucleic acids encoding a G-protein coupled receptor (Seq 3524).

 (SEQ ID NO: 1) Figure 2: Amino acid sequence of the G protein-coupled receptor.

 (SEQ ID NO: 2) Figure 3: Hydrophilic profile of the protein encoding the G protein-coupled receptor.

Figure 4: Tissue expression.

Example 1 Identification and Isolation of a Nucleic Acid Sequence Encoding a New G-protein Coupled Receptor
Sequences having homologies with the G-protein coupled receptor coding sequences were searched for among the high throuput genome sequencing (HTGS) sequences. For this research, the Lassap V2 sequence comparison software (from Gene-IT) was used. This software is based on a Blast 2 algorithm.

 The screening made it possible to identify a genomic DNA sequence fragment potentially encoding a G protein-coupled receptor. The analysis of the sequence made it possible to reconstitute a theoretical open reading phase containing an initiation codon and a stop codon. .

 The translation of the theoretical nucleotide sequence into amino acids produces a protein sequence of 345 amino acids. This sequence has a number of structural criteria typical of G-protein coupled receptors: including 7 transmembrane domains each containing about 20-30 hydrophobic amino acids and the DRY motif present in the third transmembrane domain.

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 In addition, the comparison of this sequence with the sequences available in the databases using the Clustal W algorithm reveals an identity of 30% with the 5HT-4 serotoninergic receptor.

sens 5'-CACCATGAGCAGCAATTCATCCCTGCTGG-3'et une amorce anti sens 5'TTATCACTTGTCATCGTCGTCCTTGTAATCTATATGTTCAGAAAACAAATTCAT GGTTGCTG-3'. Ces amorces ont été définies à partir de la séquence théorique obtenue, et contiennent en plus la séquence CACC (soulignées dans la séquence d'oligonucléotides) permettant un clonage orienté dans le vecteur d'expression nommé pcDNA3. 1 TOPO (Invitrogen). L'amorce anti sens contient aussi une séquence en phase avec celle codant pour le récepteur et codant pour le peptide DYKDDDDK. CDNA was isolated by RT-PCR from brain mRNA using primers

sense 5'-CACCATGAGCAGCAATTCATCCCTGCTGG-3 'and an antisense primer 5'TTATCACTTGTCATCGTCGTCCTTGTAATCTATATGTTCAGAAAACAAATTCAT GGTTGCTG-3'. These primers were defined from the theoretical sequence obtained, and additionally contain the CACC sequence (underlined in the oligonucleotide sequence) allowing directed cloning in the expression vector named pcDNA3. 1 TOPO (Invitrogen). The antisense primer also contains a sequence in phase with that coding for the receptor and encoding the DYKDDDDK peptide.

 The amplified sequence by RT-PCR was inserted into the pcDNA3 expression vector. 1 TOPO then the nucleotide sequence was determined from a chain termination reaction and using an ABI 377 automated DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems).

 The nucleotide sequence (Seq 3524) thus obtained is shown in Figure 1 (SEQ ID NO 1). The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence is shown in Figure 2 (SEQ ID NO 2). The analysis of the hydrophilic profile of the sequence using the method of Kyte and Doolittle is presented in FIG. 3. It confirms the existence of seven hydrophobic transmembrane domains as well as the presence of the DRY motif in the third transmembrane domain. These results demonstrate that the isolated nucleic acid sequence encodes a novel G protein-coupled receptor.

Example 2-Study of Tissue Expression of the mRNA Encoding the New Receptor
In order partly to verify that the identified sequence does correspond to a sequence transcribed under normal physiological conditions and, secondly, to know the tissues in which the sequence is more particularly transcribed, an analysis of the tissue expression has been performed. by RT-PCR and hybridization of products

<Desc / Clms Page number 21>

 amplified specific.

 Four micrograms of total RNA are denatured for 10 minutes at 65 ° C and immediately placed in the ice. The mRNA first-mRNA reversion reaction is carried out in a final volume of 17 μ. during 1 hr at 37 ° C. in the presence of First Strand cDNA buffer kit IX (Amersham Phannacia) supplemented with a final 1 mM of DTT, 50 ng of dT oligonucleotides and 25 ng of random primers according to the protocol described by the supplier. Five minutes at 65 C are required to inactivate the enzyme.

 The PCR reactions are carried out in the presence of a pair of oligonucleotides located in 5 '(5'-CTGGTAGCAAGACAGAATCATCCTC-3') and 3 '(5'GTATCCTGAACTTCGTCTATACAACTGC-3') of the obtained theoretical sequence (Seq 3524). Two microliters of the reverse transcription reaction are amplified with the Ampli Taq Gold kit enzyme (Perkin Elmer) in a volume of 100 μl in the presence of 1 × buffer, 0.2 mM of dNTP, 0.2 M of each oligonucleotide , 10% v / v of DMSO and 2.5 units of Taq polymerase. The amplification program is as follows: a denaturation step at 94 ° C. for 9 minutes precedes 30 cycles of denaturation (1 min at 94 ° C.), hybridization (2 min at 58 ° C.) and elongation (2 min. at 72 ° C). The PCR ends with a final elongation of 8 min. at 72 C.

Ci/mmol, NEN). L'hybridation se prolonge à 42 C toute la nuit sous agitation. La membrane est ensuite soumise à 2 lavages en tampon SSC 2X/SDS 0, 1% à température ambiante, puis à 2 lavages à 42 C pendant 30 min et enfin à un lavage à 50 C pendant 30 min. Entourée de film plastique Saran Wrap, la membrane est mise en présence d'un film autoradiographique X-Omat (Kodak) et le film est révélé dans une développeuse Hyperprocessor (Amersham). The PCR products are then separated by agarose electrophoresis gel (1%, w / v) and transferred to Hybon W nylon membranes (Amersham). The membranes are hybridized with an oligonucleotide (5'CCTCAGAGAGTTACAAAGCCAGAGTG-3 ') labeled with 32p adCTP (3000

Ci / mmol, NEN). The hybridization is prolonged at 42 ° C. overnight with stirring. The membrane is then subjected to 2 washes in 2 × SSC buffer / 0.1% SDS at room temperature, followed by 2 washes at 42 ° C. for 30 minutes and finally washing at 50 ° C. for 30 minutes. Surrounded by Saran Wrap plastic film, the membrane is placed in the presence of an X-Omat autoradiographic film (Kodak) and the film is revealed in a Hyperprocessor processor (Amersham).

 The results presented in Figure 4 indicate the expression of messenger RNA in the different tissues. The receiver encoded by Seq sequence 3524 of FIG.

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 mainly expressed in the kidneys, prostate, intestines, spleen, brain and in particular the hippocampus, caudate nucleus, amygdala and substantia nigra.

Example 3 - Recombinant vector and cell lines stably expressing the sequence encoding a G-protein coupled receptor according to the invention
The cDNA as isolated in Example 1 was cloned into the pcDNA3.1 TOPO expression vector. This vector, called pS3524, comprises a bacterial origin of replication for multiplying the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3-S3524 flag obtained in large number of copies. The vector further comprises an ampicillin resistance gene for the selection of bacterial clones, a geneticin resistance gene (G418) for the selection of eukaryotic cell clones having incorporated the S3524 cDNA encoding the conjugated receptor. Finally, the cloned sequences in the vector are under the control of the CMV promoter which allows strong expression of the cloned gene in the eukaryotic host cell.

 The recombinant plasmid described above is introduced into CHO-K1 cells (American type culture collection, CCL61) maintained in Ham-F12 medium with 10% fetal calf serum, 2 mM glutamine, 500 IU / ml penicillin and 500 μg / ml streptomycin using the lipofectamine transfection method as described by the supplier (Life Technologies, France). Clones expressing the receptor are selected with 500 μg / ml G418 and tested for expression of the pS3524flag receptor, by an immunofluorescence technique, using an IgG antibody recognizing the DYKDDDDK peptide. These experiments make it possible to confirm the expression of the receptor in the CHO-K1 cell.

 Example 4 - Screening method by the identification of agonist molecule of a G protein-coupled receptor Measurement of intracellular calcium FLIPR CHO-K1 cells expressing the product of the gene encoded by the sequence of Figure 1 and the subunit a G16 protein are dissociated the day before the experiment and seeded

<Desc / Clms Page number 23>

 (45,000 cells / well) in a volume of 100 μl / well in culture plates 96 wells (costar) black brightfield.

On the day of the experiment, 100 μl of calcium kit (Molecular Devices), 2.5 μM final probenecid and 10 μM final Hepes buffer are added to each well and the cells are incubated for 1 hour at 37 ° C. The cell plates are then placed in a fluorimeter FLIPR type (Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader). The experiment is carried out at room temperature. Exposure time (0.4 sec) and laser intensity (15 to 18 amperes) are adjusted to obtain basal fluorescence values between 5000 and 10000 units. The fluorescence measurement is performed on the entire plate every second for the first 60 seconds and then every 6 seconds for 1 minute.

Ligands of different categories, previously solubilized and distributed at a defined concentration on 96-well plates, are brought into contact with the cells.

1.

1 The addition of the products to be tested is carried out during the experiment at 10 seconds by means of a dispensing device comprising 96 black cones (50 1 of a solution [x 5] are added to each well at a rate of 70 μl / sec and a height of 200 ill). The calcium response is characterized by a transient increase in fluorescence immediately after addition of the active ligands. 10 μM ATP and HBSS buffer solutions are included in each ligand plate and serve respectively as a positive and negative control of the calcium response.

Claims (46)

CLAIMS 1. A nucleic acid sequence encoding a G protein-coupled receptor, characterized by the following sequence (SEQ ID NO 1): 5'-ATGAGCAGCAATTCATCCCTGCTGGTGGCTGTGCAGCTGTGCTACGCGAACGTGAAT GGGTCCTGTGTGAAAATCCCCTTCTCGCCGGGATCCCGGGTGATTCTGTACATAGTGTTTG GCTTTGGGGCTGTGCTGGCTGTGTTTGGAAACCTCCTGGTGATGATTTCAATCCTCCATTT CAAGCAGCTGCACTCTCCGACCAATTTTCTCGTTGCCTCTCTGGCCTGCGCTGATTTCTTG GTGGGTGTGACTGTGATGCCCTTCAGCATGGTCAGGACGGTGGAGAGCTGCTGGTATTTTG GGAGGAGTTTTTGTACTTTCCACACCTGCTGTGATGTGGCATTTTGTTACTCTTCTCTCTT TCACTTGTGCTTCATCTCCATCGACAGGTACATTGCGGTTACTGACCCCCTGGTCTATCCT ACCAAGTTCACCGTATCTGTGTCAGGAATTTGCATCAGCGTGTCCTGGATCCTGCCCCTCA TGTACAGCGGTGCTGTGTTCTACACAGGTGTCTATGACGATGGGCTGGAGGAATTATCTGA TGCCCTAAACTGTATAGGAGGTTGTCAGACCGTTGTAAATCAAAACTGGGTGTTGACAGAT TTTCTATCCTTCTTTATACCTACCTTTATTATGATAATTCTGTATGGTAACATATTTCTTG TGGCTAGACGACAGGCGAAAAAGATAGAAAATACTGGTAGCAAGACAGAATCATCCTCAGA GAGTTACAAAGCCAGAGTGGCCAGGAGAGAGAGAAAAGCAGCTAAAACCCTGGGGGTCACA GTGGTAGCATTTATGATTTCATGGTTACCATATAGCATTGAT TCATTAATTGATGCCTTTA TGGGCTTTATAACCCCTGCCTGTATTTATGAGATTTGCTGTTGGTGTGCTTATTATAACTC AGCCATGAATCCTTTGATTTATGCTTTATTTTACCCATGGTTTAGGAAAGCAATAAAAGTT ATTGTAACTGGTCAGGTTTTAAAGAACAGTTCAGCAACCATGAATTTGTTTTCTGAACATA TATAA-3 '2. A nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions with the sequence of claim 1 and encoding a polypeptide having substantially the same properties as the receptor encoded by the sequence of claim 1. <Desc / Clms Page number 25> 3. Nucleic acid sequence deduced according to the genetic code of the following amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO 2): 5 10 15 Ser Ser Ser Asn Ser Ser Leu Leu Val Leu Val Gln Leu Cys Tyr 20 25 30 Ala Asn Val Asn Gly Ser Cys Val Lys Pro Island Phe Ser Pro Gly 35 40 45 Ser Arg Val Ile Leu Tyr Val Phe Island Gly Phe Gly Ala Val Leu 50 55 60 Ala Val Phe Gly Asn Leu Leu Val Met Ile Ile Ile Leu His Phe 65 70 75 Lys Gln Leu His Ser Pro Asn Phe Leu Leu Val Ala Ser Leu Ala 80 85 90 Cys Ala Asp Phe Leu Val Val Gly Val Thr Met Met Pro Phe Ser Met 95 100 105 Val Arg Thr Val Glu Ser Cys Trp Tyr Phe Gly Arg Ser Phe Cys 110 115 120 Thr Phe His Thr Cys Cys Asp Val Ala Phe Cys Tyr Ser Ser Leu 125 130 135 Phe His Leu Cys Phe Ser Island Asp Asp Arg Tyr Island Ala Val Thr 140 145 150 Asp Pro Leu Val Tyr Pros Thr Lys Phe Thr Val Ser Val Ser Gly 155 160 165 Ile Cys Ile Ser Ser Val Ser Trp Ile Leu Leu Pro Met Tyr Ser Gly 170 175 180 Ala Val Phe Tyr Thr Gly Val Tyr Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Glu Leu 185 190 195 Ser Asp Ala Leu Asn Cys Island Gly Gly Cys Gln Thr Val Val Asn 200 205 210 Gln Asn Trp Val Leu Thr Asp Phe Leu Ser Phe Phe Pro Island Thr <Desc / Clms Page number 26> 215 220 225 Phe Ile Met Ile Ile Leu Tyr Gly Asn Ile Phe Leu Val Ala Arg 230 235 240 Arg Gln Ala Lily Lys Glu Island Asn Thr Gly Ser Lys Thr Glu Ser 245 250 255 Ser Ser Glu Ser Tyr Lys Ala Arg Val Ala Arg Arg Glu Arg Lys 260 265 270 Ala Ala Lys Thr Leu Gly Thr Val Val Val Ala Phe Met Ser Island 275 280 285 Trp Leu Pro Ser Ser Asp Asp Leu Leu Asp Asp Ala Phe Met Gly 290 295 300 Phe Thr Island Pro Ala Cys Island Tyr Glu Island Cys Cys Trp Cys Ala 305 310 315 Tyr Tire Asn Ser Ala Met Asn Pro Leu Tyr Island Ala Leu Phe Tyr 320 325 330 Pro Trp Phe Arg Lys Ala Island Lys Val Island Val Thr Gly Gln Val 335 340 345 Leu Lys Asn Ser Ser Ala Thr Asn Met Leu Phe Ser Glu His Ile *** 4. Antisense nucleic acid sequence capable of inhibiting the expression of a nucleic acid sequence according to one of the following: claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it corresponds to a single-stranded nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to the coding strand of the nucleic acid sequence according to one of claims 1 to 3. 5. Recombinant vector characterized in that it comprises a nucleic acid sequence according to one of claims 1 to 3. Recombinant vector according to claim 5, characterized in that the vector is a plasmid comprising the sequences necessary for the expression of the G-protein coupled receptor in a host cell. <Desc / Clms Page number 27> Recombinant vector according to claim 6, characterized in that the sequences necessary for the expression of the G-protein coupled receptor comprise a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter sequence or a promoter sequence. SV40. 8. Plasmid pS3524 deposited at the CNCM on July 13, 2001 under number I-2702. 9. Host cell characterized in that it is transformed by the recombinant vector according to one of claims 5 to 8. 10. Host cell according to claim 9, characterized in that said host cell is a bacterium. He. Host cell according to claim 9, characterized in that said host cell is a eukaryotic cell. 12. Host cell according to claim 11, characterized in that said host cell is from a CHO-K1 line (American type culture collection, CCL61). 13. Host cell according to claim 12, characterized in that said host cell further expresses the α-subunit of the G protein stably or transiently. 14. Polypeptide characterized in that it is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence according to one of claims 1 to 3. The polypeptide of claim 14 having the following amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2): 5 10 15 Ser Ser Ser Asn Ser Ser Leu Leu Val Leu Val Gln Leu Cys Tyr 20 25 30 Ala Asn Val Asn Gly Ser Cys Val Lys Pro Island Phe Ser Pro Gly 35 40 45 Ser Arg Val Ile Leu Tyr Val Phe Island Gly Phe Gly Ala Val Leu <Desc / Clms Page number 28> 50 55 60 Ala Val Phe Gly Asn Leu Leu Val Met Ile Ile Ile Leu His Phe 65 70 75 Lys Gln Leu His Ser Pro Asn Phe Leu Leu Val Ala Ser Leu Ala 80 85 90 Cys Ala Asp Phe Leu Val Val Gly Val Thr Met Met Pro Phe Ser Met 95 100 105 Val Arg Thr Val Glu Ser Cys Trp Tyr Phe Gly Arg Ser Phe Cys 110 115 120 Thr Phe His Thr Cys Cys Asp Val Ala Phe Cys Tyr Ser Ser Leu 125 130 135 Phe His Leu Cys Phe Ser Island Asp Asp Arg Tyr Island Ala Val Thr 140 145 150 Asp Pro Leu Val Tyr Pros Thr Lys Phe Thr Val Ser Val Ser Gly 155 160 165 Ile Cys Ile Ser Ser Val Ser Trp Ile Leu Leu Pro Met Tyr Ser Gly 170 175 180 Ala Val Phe Tyr Thr Gly Val Tyr Asp Asp Gly Leu Glu Glu Leu 185 190 195 Ser Asp Ala Leu Asn Cys Island Gly Gly Cys Gln Thr Val Val Asn 200 205 210 Gln Asn Trp Val Leu Thr Asp Phe Leu Ser Phe Phe Pro Island Thr 215 220 225 Phe Ile Met Ile Ile Leu Tyr Gly Asn Ile Phe Leu Val Ala Arg 230 235 240 Arg Gln Ala Lily Lys Glu Island Asn Thr Gly Ser Lys Thr Glu Ser 245 250 255 Ser Ser Glu Ser Tyr Lys Ala Arg Val Ala Arg Arg Glu Arg Lys 260 265 270 Ala Ala Lys Thr Leu Gly Thr Val Val Val Ala Phe Met Ser Island 275 280 285 Trp Leu Pro Ser Ser Asp Asp Leu Leu Asp Asp Ala Phe Met Gly <Desc / Clms Page number 29> 290 295 300 Phe Thr Island Pro Ala Cys Island Tyr Glu Island Cys Cys Trp Cys Ala 305 310 315 Tyr Tire Asn Ser Ala Met Asn Pro Leu Tyr Island Ala Leu Phe Tyr 320 325 330 Pro Trp Phe Arg Lys Ala Island Lys Val Island Val Thr Gly Gln Val 335 340 345 Leu Lys Asn Ser Ser Ala Thr Met Asn Leu Phe Ser Glu His Ile *** 16. Polypeptide characterized in that it corresponds to a fragment of a polypeptide according to one of claims 14 or 15 and in that that it exhibits a G-protein coupled receptor activity. 17. A polypeptide characterized in that it corresponds to a fragment of a polypeptide according to one of claims 14 or 15, and in that it is capable of directly stimulating G proteins. 18. Polypeptide characterized in that it corresponds to a fragment of a polypeptide according to one of claims 14 or 15, and in that it is capable of inhibiting the action of an agonist. 19. Primers for the amplification of a sequence encoding a polypeptide according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that they comprise the following sequences: ATGAGCAGCAATTCATCCCTGCTGG 5'-3 ' 5'-TATATGTTCAGAAAACAAATTCATGGTTGCTG-3 '20. Hybridization probe for the specific recognition of nucleic acid sequences encoding a G protein-coupled receptor according to one of claims 1 or 3, characterized in that it corresponds to a fragment a <Desc / Clms Page number 30>  length of at least 50 nucleotides, preferably between 150 and 250 nucleotides, of a nucleic acid sequence according to one of claims 1 or 3. 21. Antibody characterized in that it is directed either against a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid sequence according to any one of claims 1 to 3; or against a polypeptide according to any one of claims 14 to 18. 22. Antibody according to claim 21, characterized in that it is a monoclonal antibody. 23. A method for identifying the presence of agonist molecules of the G-protein coupled receptor, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a. culturing eukaryotic host cells transformed with a recombinant vector according to one of claims 6, 7 or 8; b. contacting the cultured host cells with a candidate compound; c. determining a possible signal generated by the G-protein coupled receptor in the presence of the candidate compound. 24. A method for screening an agonist of a G protein-coupled receptor, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a. the host cell culture of claim 13 in the presence or absence of one or more molecules to be screened; b. quantifying the intracellular calcium concentration in cells in culture in the presence and absence of the molecules to be screened; c. the selection of molecules in the presence of which the concentration of intracellular calcium is increased. 25. A method for identifying the presence of antagonistic molecules comprising the following steps: <Desc / Clms Page number 31>  at. culturing eukaryotic host cells transformed with a recombinant vector according to one of claims 5 to 8 under conditions permitting the expression of the G-protein coupled receptor in the presence of an agonist; b. contacting the cultured host cells with a candidate compound; c. determining a decrease in the potential signal generated by the G-protein coupled receptor in the presence of the candidate compound and the agonist relative to the signal generated with the agonist alone. 26. A method of identifying pathological allelic forms of a gene encoding a G-protein coupled receptor, said method comprising the steps of: a. the isolation of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a G protein-coupled receptor according to one of claims 1 or 3 from total nucleic acids (RNA or DNA) derived from patients with a pathology and subjects healthy; b. sequencing isolated nucleic acids in a); c. detecting one or more mutations common to nucleic acids derived from patients suffering from a pathology, the said mutation (s) not being present (s) on the nucleic acids derived from healthy subjects. A method of identifying sequences homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of claim 1 in another species comprising the steps of: a. incubating under stringent conditions a hybridization probe according to claim 20 with genomic DNA or total RNA extracts of non-human mammalian species; b. detecting a hybridization reaction; <Desc / Clms Page number 32>  c. isolating the homologous nucleic acid sequence from the genomic DNA of species for which a hybridization reaction has been detected. 28. Use of a nucleic acid sequence according to one of claims 1 to 3 for the screening of an agonist of a G protein-coupled receptor. 29. Use of the host cells according to claim 13 for the screening of an agonist of a G protein-coupled receptor. 30. Kit for the diagnosis, prognosis or therapeutic monitoring of patients presenting or likely to present a pathology related to overexpression or under-expression of the nucleic acid sequence according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises:

 either primers according to claim 19; a probe according to claim 20. 31. DNA chip containing sequences according to one of claims 1 to 3. 32. Kit for the detection of an abnormal structure of the G-protein coupled receptor, characterized in that it comprises:

 either antibodies according to one of claims 21 or 22; or polypeptides according to one of claims 14 to 18. 33. Protein chip containing an antibody according to one of claims 21 or 22 or a polypeptide according to one of claims 14 to 18.