WO2001027137A2 - Rattus norvegicus (edg3) - Google Patents

Abstract

Rattus norvegicus EDG3 polypeptides and polynucleotides and method for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for screening for compounds which either agonize or antagonize Rattus norvegicus EDG3. Such compounds are expected to be useful in treatment of human diseases, including, but not limited to: infections such as bacterial, fungal, protozoan and viral infections, particularly infections caused by HIV-1 or HIV-2; pain; cancers; diabetes, obesity; anorexia; bulimia; asthma; Parkinson's disease; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; urinary retention; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; stroke; ulcers, asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy; migraine; vomiting; psychotic and neurological disorders, including anxiety, schizophrenia, manic depression, depression, dementia, and severe mental retardation; and dyskinesias, such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourett's syndrome.

Description

Rattus Norvegicus (EDG3)

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to newly identified polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, to their use in identifying compounds that may be agonists and/or antagonists that are potentially useful m therapy, and to production of such polypeptides and polynucleotides. Background of the Invention

The drug discovery process is currently undergoing a fundamental revolution as it embraces 'functional genomics', that is, high throughput genome- or gene-based biology. This approach is rapidly superseding earlier approaches based on 'positional cloning'. A phenotype, that is a biological function or genetic disease, would be identified and this would then be tracked back to the responsible gene, based on its genetic map position.

Functional genomics relies heavily on the vanous tools of biomformatics to identify gene sequences of potential interest from the many molecular biology databases now available. There is a continuing need to identify and charactenze further genes and their related polypeptides/protems, as targets for drug discovery. It is well established that many medically significant biological processes are mediated by proteins participating m signal transduction pathways that involve G-protems and/or second messengers, e.g., cAMP (Lefkowitz, Nature, 1991, 351 :353-354). Herein these proteins are referred to as proteins participating in pathways with G-protems or PPG proteins. Some examples of these proteins include the G-protem coupled (GPC) receptors, such as those for adrenergic agents and dopamme (Kobilka, B.K., et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci, USA, 1987, 84:46-50; Kobilka, B.K., et al.,

Science, 1987, 238:650-656; Bunzow, J.R., et al., Nature, 1988, 336:783-787), G-proteins themselves, effector proteins, e.g., phosphohpase C, adenyl cyclase, and phosphodiesterase, and actuator proteins, e.g., protein kinase A and protein kmase C (Simon, M.I., et al., Science, 1991, 252:802-8). For example, m one form of signal transduction, the effect of hormone binding is activation of the enzyme, adenylate cyclase, inside the cell. Enzyme activation by hormones is dependent on the presence of the nucleotide, GTP. GTP also influences hormone binding. A G-protein connects the hormone receptor to adenylate cyclase. G-protem was shown to exchange GTP for bound GDP when activated by a hormone receptor. The GTP-carrying form then binds to activated adenylate cyclase. Hydrolysis of GTP to GDP, catalyzed by the G-protem itself, returns the G-protem to its basal, inactive form. Thus, the G-protem serves a dual role, as an intermediate that relays the signal from receptor to effector, and as a clock that controls the duration of the signal. The membrane protein gene superfarmly of G-protem coupled receptors has been charactenzed as having seven putative transmembrane domains. The domains are believed to represent transmembrane alpha-helices connected by extracellular or cytoplasmic loops. G-protem coupled receptors include a wide range of biologically active receptors, such as hormone, viral, growth factor and neuroreceptors.

G-protem coupled receptors (otherwise known as 7TM receptors) have been charactenzed as including these seven conserved hydrophobic stretches of about 20 to 30 ammo acids, connecting at least eight divergent hydrophihc loops. The G-protem family of coupled receptors includes dopamme receptors which bind to neuroleptic drugs used for treating psychotic and neurological disorders Other examples of members of this family include, but are not limited to: calcitomn, adrenergic, endothehn, cAMP, adenosme, muscaπmc, acetylcholme, serotonin, histamme, thrombin, kmin, follicle stimulating hormone, opsms, endothelial differentiation gene-1, rhodopsins, odorant, and cytomegalovirus receptors.

Most G-protem coupled receptors have single conserved cysteme residues in each of the first two extracellular loops which form disulfide bonds that are believed to stabilize functional protein structure. The 7 transmembrane regions are designated as TM1 , TM2, TM3, TM4, TM5, TM6, and TM7. TM3 has been implicated in signal transduction.

Phosphorylation and hpidation (palmitylation or farnesylation) of cysteme residues can influence signal transduction of some G-protem coupled receptors Most G-protem coupled receptors contain potential phosphorylation sites within the third cytoplasmic loop and/or the carboxy terminus. For several G-protem coupled receptors, such as the β-adrenoreceptor, phosphorylation by protein kmase A and/or specific receptor kmases mediates receptor desensitization.

For some receptors, the hgand binding sites of G-protem coupled receptors are believed to compnse hydrophihc sockets formed by several G-protem coupled receptor transmembrane domains, said sockets being surrounded by hydrophobic residues of the G-protem coupled receptors. The hydrophihc side of each G-protein coupled receptor transmembrane helix is postulated to face mward and form a polar hgand binding site. TM3 has been implicated in several G-protem coupled receptors as having a hgand binding site, such as the TM3 aspartate residue. TM5 sennes, a TM6 asparagme and TM6 or TM7 phenylalamnes or tyrosines are also implicated in hgand binding.

G-protem coupled receptors can be mtracellularly coupled by heterotπmenc G-protems to vaπous mtracellular enzymes, ion channels and transporters (see, Johnson et al., Endoc. Rev., 1989, 10 317-331). Different G-protem α-subunits preferentially stimulate particular effectors to modulate vaπous biological functions m a cell. Phosphorylation of cytoplasmic residues of G- protem coupled receptors has been identified as an important mechanism for the regulation of G- protem coupling of some G-protem coupled receptors G-protem coupled receptors are found in numerous sites withm a mammalian host. Over the past 15 years, nearly 350 therapeutic agents targeting 7 transmembrane (7 TM) receptors have been successfully introduced onto the market. Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to Rattus norvegicus EDG3, m particular Rattus norvegicus EDG3 polypeptides and Rattus norvegicus EDG3 polynucleotides, recombmant mateπals and methods for their production. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods for identifying agonists and antagonists/inhibitors of the Rattus norvegicus EDG3 gene This invention further relates to the generation of in vitro and in vivo compaπson data relating to the polynucleotides and polypeptides in order to predict oral absorption and pharmacokmetics m man of compounds that either agonize or antagonize the biological activity of such polynucleotides or polypeptides. Such a comparison of data will enable the selection of drugs with optimal pharmacokmetics in man, i e., good oral bioavailabihty, blood-bram barrier penetration, plasma half-life, and minimum drug interaction.

The present invention further relates to methods for creating transgenic animals, which over-express or under-express or have regulatable expression of a EDG3 gene and "knock-out" animals, preferably mice, in which an animal no longer expresses a EDG3 gene. Furthermore, this invention relates to transgenic and knock-out animals obtained by using these methods. Such animal models are expected to provide valuable insight into the potential pharmacological and toxicological effects in humans of compounds that are discovered by the aforementioned screening methods as well as other methods. An understanding of how a Rattus norvegicus EDG3 gene functions in these animal models is expected to provide an insight into treating and preventing human diseases including, but not limited to: infections such as bacteπal, fungal, protozoan and viral infections, particularly infections caused by HIV-l or HIV-2; pain; cancers; diabetes, obesity; anorexia; bulimia; asthma; Parkinson's disease; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; urinary retention; osteoporosis; angina pectons; myocardial infarction; stroke; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy; migraine; vomiting; psychotic and neurological disorders, including anxiety, schizophrenia, manic depression, depression, delirium, dementia, and severe mental retardation; and dyskmesias, such as Huntmgton's disease or Gilles dela Tourett's syndrome, hereinafter referred to as "the Diseases", amongst others. Description of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to Rattus norvegicus EDG3 polypeptides. Such polypeptides include isolated polypeptides comprising an ammo acid sequence having at least a 95% identity, most preferably at least a 97-99% identity, to that of SEQ ID NO:2 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO.2 Such polypeptides include those comprising the ammo acid of

SEQ ID NO.2.

(a) an isolated polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide comprising the sequence contained m SEQ ID NO: 1 ;

(b) an isolated polypeptide comprising a polypeptide sequence having at least a 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;

(c) an isolated polypeptide comprising the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;(d) an isolated polypeptide having at least a 95%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identity to the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;

(e) the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ED NO:2; and (f) variants and fragments thereof; and portions of such polypeptides m (a) to (e) that generally contain at least 30 ammo acids, more preferably at least 50 ammo acids, thereof.

Polypeptides of the present invention are believed to be members of the 7 Transmembrane receptor (G-Protem Coupled Receptor) family of polypeptides. They are, therefore, of interest, because understanding of the biological activities of EDG3 in rat would help to understand the biological function of its human counter part, human EDG3, and other related genes. In addition,

7TM receptors, more than any other gene family, are the targets for pharmaceutical intervention. Furthermore, the polypeptides of the present invention can be used to establish assays to predict oral absorption and pharmacokmetics in man and thus enhance compound and formulation design, among others. These properties, either alone or m the aggregate, are hereinafter referred to as "Rattus norvegicus EDG3 activity" or "Rattus norvegicus EDG3 polypeptide activity" or

"biological activity of EDG3." Preferably, a polypeptide of the present invention exhibits at least one biological activity of Rattus norvegicus EDG3.

Polypeptides of the present invention also include vanants of the aforementioned polypeptides, including alleles and splice vanants Such polypeptides vary from the reference polypeptide by insertions, deletions, and substitutions that may be conservative or non-conservative.

Particularly preferred vanants are those in which several, for instance from 50 to 30, from 30 to 20, from 20 to 10, from 10 to 5, from 5 to 3, from 3 to 2, from 2 to 1 or 1 ammo acids are inserted, substituted, or deleted, in any combination. Particularly preferred pπmers will have between 20 and 25 nucleotides. Preferred fragments of polypeptides of the present invention include an isolated polypeptide comprising an ammo acid sequence having at least 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 100 contiguous ammo acids from the ammo acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or an isolated polypeptide comprising an ammo acid sequence having at least 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 100 contiguous ammo acids truncated or deleted from the ammo acid sequence of SEQ ED NO.2.

Also preferred are biologically active fragments that mediate activities of EDG3, including those with a similar activity or an improved activity, or with a decreased undesirable activity. Also included are those fragments that are antigemc or lmmunogenic m an animal, especially m a human Particularly preferred are fragments compnsmg receptors or domains of enzymes that confer a function essential for viability of Rattus norvegicus or the ability to initiate, or maintain cause the

Diseases in an individual, particularly a human.

Fragments of the polypeptides of the invention may be employed for producing the corresponding full-length polypeptide by peptide synthesis; therefore, these vanants may be employed as intermediates for producing the full-length polypeptides of the invention. The polypeptides of the present invention may be in the form of a "mature" protein or may be a part of a larger protein such as a fusion protein. It is often advantageous to include an additional ammo acid sequence that contains secretory or leader sequences, pro-sequences, sequences that aid m punfication, for instance, multiple histidme residues, or an additional sequence for stability during recombmant production. The present invention also includes vanants of the aforementioned polypeptides, that is polypeptides that vary from the referents by conservative ammo acid substitutions, whereby a residue is substituted by another with like characteristics. Typical substitutions are among Ala, Val, Leu and He; among Ser and Thr; among the acidic residues Asp and Glu; among Asn and Gin; and among the basic residues Lys and Arg; or aromatic residues Phe and Tyr. Particularly preferred are vanants in which several, 5-10, 1-5, 1-3, 1-2 or 1 amino acids are substituted, deleted, or added in any combination.

Polypeptides of the present invention can be prepared in any suitable manner. Such polypeptides include isolated naturally occurπng polypeptides, recombmantly produced polypeptides, synthetically produced polypeptides, or polypeptides produced by a combination of these methods. Means for prepanng such polypeptides are well understood m the art.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to Rattus norvegicus EDG3 polynucleotides. Such polynucleotides include isolated polynucleotides compnsmg a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having at least a 95% identity, to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, over the entire length of SEQ ID NO.2. In this regard, polypeptides which have at least a 97% identity are highly preferred, while those with at least a 98-99% identity are more highly preferred, and those with at least a 99% identity are most highly preferred. Such polynucleotides include a polynucleotide compnsmg the nucleotide sequence contained in SEQ ID NO:l encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2. Further polynucleotides of the present invention include isolated polynucleotides compnsmg a nucleotide sequence having at least a 95% identity, to a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, over the entire coding region. In this regard, polynucleotides which have at least a 97% identity are highly preferred, while those with at least a 98-99% identity are more highly preferred, and those with at least a 99% identity are most highly preferred. Further polynucleotides of the present invention include isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least a 95% identity, to SEQ ID NO:l over the entire length of SEQ ID NO: 1 In this regard, polynucleotides which have at least a 97% identity are highly preferred, while those with at least a 98-99% identify are more highly preferred, and those with at least a 99% identity are most highly preferred. Such polynucleotides include a polynucleotide compnsmg the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1 , as well as the polynucleotide of

SEQ ID NO: 1.

The invention also provides polynucleotides that are complementary to all the above descnbed polynucleotides.

The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 shows homology with mouse EDG3. The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 is a cDNA sequence and compnses a polypeptide encoding sequence (nucleotide 1 to 1140) encoding a polypeptide of 379 amino acids, the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 The nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 may be identical to the polypeptide encoding sequence of SEQ ID NO:l or it may be a sequence other than SEQ ID NO:l, which, as a result of the redundancy (degeneracy) of the genetic code, also encodes the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO.2 The polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 is structurally related to other proteins of the 7 Transmembrane receptor family, having homology and/or structural similanty with mouse EDG3.

Preferred polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention are expected to have, inter aha, similar biological functions/properties to their homologous polypeptides and polynucleotides. Furthermore, preferred polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention have at least one EDG3 activity.

Polynucleotides of the present invention may be obtained, using standard cloning and screening techniques, from a cDNA library denved from mRNA m cells of Rattus norvegicus Spleen, using the expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis (Adams, M.D., et al Science (1991) 252: 1651-1656, Adams, M.D. et al , Nature (1992) 355:632-634, Adams, M.D., et al, Nature (1995) 377 Supp.. 3-174). Polynucleotides of the invention can also be obtained from natural sources such as genomic DNA libraries or can be synthesized using well known and commercially available techniques. When polynucleotides of the present invention are used for the recombmant production of polypeptides of the present invention, the polynucleotide may include the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide, by itself; or the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide m reading frame with other coding sequences, such as those encoding a leader or secretory sequence, a pre-, or pro- or prepro- protein sequence, or other fusion peptide portions. For example, a marker sequence that facilitates punfication of the fused polypeptide can be encoded. In certain preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the marker sequence is a hexa-histidme peptide, as provided in the pQE vector (Qiagen, Inc.) and descnbed in Gentz, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1989) 86:821-824, or is an HA tag. The polynucleotide may also comprise non-coding 5' and 3' sequences, such as transcnbed, non-translated sequences, splicing and polyadenylation signals, nbosome binding sites and sequences that stabilize mRNA.

Further embodiments of the present invention include polynucleotides encoding polypeptide vanants that compnse the ammo acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 and m which several, for instance from 50 to 30, from 30 to 20, from 20 to 10, from 10 to 5, from 5 to 3, from 3 to 2, from 1 to 1 or 1 ammo acid residues are substituted, deleted or added, m any combination. Particularly preferred probes will have between 30 and 50 nucleotides, but may have between 100 and 200 contiguous nucleotides of the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:l.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is a polynucleotide of consisting of or compnsmg nucleotide ATG to the nucleotide immediately upstream of or including nucleotide TGA set forth m SEQ ID NO: 1 , both of which encode a EDG3 polypeptide. The invention also includes a polynucleotide consisting of or compnsmg a polynucleotide of the formula:

X-(R₁)_m-(R₂)-(R₃)_n-Y wherein, at the 5' end of the molecule, X is hydrogen, a metal or a modified nucleotide residue, or together with Y defines a covalent bond, and at the 3' end of the molecule, Y is hydrogen, a metal, or a modified nucleotide residue, or together with X defines the covalent bond, each occurrence of

Ri and R3 is independently any nucleic acid residue or modified nucleic acid residue, m is an integer between 1 and 3000 or zero, n is an integer between 1 and 3000 or zero, and R is a nucleic acid sequence or modified nucleic acid sequence of the invention, particularly the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a modified nucleic acid sequence thereof. In the polynucleotide formula above, R₂ is oriented so that its 5' end nucleic acid residue is at the left, bound to R\ and its 3' end nucleic acid residue is at the right, bound to R3. Any stretch of nucleic acid residues denoted by either R\ and/or R₂, where m and/or n is greater than 1, may be either a heteropolymer or a homopolymer, preferably a heteropolymer. Where, in a preferred embodiment, X and Y together define a covalent bond, the polynucleotide of the above formula is a closed, circular polynucleotide, which can be a double-stranded polynucleotide wherein the formula shows a first strand to which the second strand is complementary. In another preferred embodiment m and/or n is an integer between 1 and 1000. Other preferred embodiments of the invention are provided where m is an integer between 1 and 50, 100 or 500, and n is an integer between 1 and 50, 100, or 500.

Polynucleotides that are identical, or are substantially identical to a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 , may be used as hybndization probes for cDNA and genomic DNA or as pnmers for a nucleic acid amplification (PCR) reaction, to isolate full-length cDNAs and genomic clones encoding polypeptides of the present invention and to isolate cDNA and genomic clones of other genes (including genes encoding homologs and orthologs from species other than Rattus norvegicus) that have a high sequence identity to SEQ ID NO.1. Typically these nucleotide sequences are 95% identical to that of the referent. Preferred probes or pnmers will generally compnse at least 15 nucleotides, preferably, at least 30 nucleotides and may have at least 50 nucleotides, and may even have at least 100 nucleotides. Particularly preferred pnmers will have between 20 and 25 nucleotides.

A polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of the present invention, including homologs and orthologs from a species other than Rattus norvegicus, may be obtained by a process compnsmg the steps of screening an appropnate library under stnngent hybndization conditions with a labeled probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof, preferably of at least 15 nucleotides m length; and isolating full-length cDNA and genomic clones compnsmg said polynucleotide sequence. Such hybndization techniques are well known to the skilled artisan. Preferred stnngent hybndization conditions include overnight incubation at 42°C m a solution compnsmg: 50% formamide, 5xSSC (150mM NaCl, 15mM tnsodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH7.6), 5x Denhardt's solution, 10 % dextran sulfate, and 20 microgram/ml denatured, sheared salmon sperm DNA; followed by washing the filters in 0. lx SSC at about 65°C. Thus, the present invention also includes isolated polynucleotides, preferably of at least 100 nucleotides in length, obtained by screening an appropnate library under stnngent hybndization conditions with a labeled probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof, preferably of at least 15 nucleotides The skilled artisan will appreciate that, in many cases, an isolated cDNA sequence will be incomplete, in that the region coding for the polypeptide is cut short at the 5' end of the cDNA. This is a consequence of reverse transcnptase, an enzyme with inherently low 'processivity' (a measure of the ability of the enzyme to remain attached to the template during the polymerization reaction), failing to complete a DNA copy of the mRNA template during 1st strand cDNA synthesis.

There are several methods available and well known to those skilled in the art to obtain full-length cDNAs, or extend short cDNAs, for example, those based on the method of Rapid Amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) (see, for example, Frohman, et al, Proc Nat I Acad. Sci , USA 85, 8998-9002, 1988). Recent modifications of the technique, exemplified by the

Marathon™ technology (Clontech Laboratories Inc.), for example, have significantly simplified the search for longer cDNAs. In the Marathon™ technology, cDNAs have been prepared from mRNA extracted from a chosen tissue and an 'adaptor' sequence hgated onto each end. Nucleic acid amplification (PCR) is then earned out to amplify the 'missing' 5' end of the cDNA using a combination of gene specific and adaptor specific ohgonucleotide pnmers. The PCR reaction is then repeated using 'nested' pπmers, that is, primers designed to anneal withm the amplified product (typically an adaptor specific pnmer that anneals further 3' m the adaptor sequence and a gene specific pnmer that anneals further 5' m the known gene sequence). The products of this reaction can then be analyzed by DNA sequencing and a full-length cDNA constructed either by joining the product directly to the existing cDNA to give a complete sequence, or carrying out a separate full-length PCR using the new sequence information for the design of the 5' pπmer. Recombinant polypeptides of the present invention may be prepared by processes well known in the art from genetically engineered host cells compnsmg expression systems. Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention relates to expression systems compnsmg a polynucleotide or polynucleotides of the present invention, to host cells which are genetically engineered with such expression systems and to the production of polypeptides of the invention by recombinant techniques. Cell-free translation systems can also be employed to produce such proteins using RNAs denved from the DNA constructs of the present invention.

For recombinant production, host cells can be genetically engineered to incorporate expression systems or portions thereof for polynucleotides of the present invention. Introduction of polynucleotides into host cells can be effected by methods descπbed m many standard laboratory manuals, such as Davis, et al, BASIC METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (1986) and Sambrook, et al, MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd Ed., Cold Spnng Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spnng Harbor, N.Y (1989). Preferred methods of introducing polynucleotides into host cells include, for instance, calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-dextran mediated transfection, transvection, micromjection, catiomc hpid-mediated transfection, electroporation, transduction, scrape loading, ballistic introduction or infection.

Representative examples of appropnate hosts include bactenal cells, such as streptococci, staphylococci, E. coli, Streptomyces and Bacillus subtihs cells; fungal cells, such as yeast cells and

Aspergillus cells; insect cells such as Drosophila S2 and Spodoptera Sf9 cells; animal cells such as CHO, COS, HeLa, C127, 3T3, BHK, HEK 293 and Bowes melanoma cells; and plant cells.

A great vanety of expression systems can be used, for instance, chromosomal, episomal and virus-denved systems, e.g , vectors denved from bactenal plasmids, from bactenophage, from fransposons, from yeast episomes, from insertion elements, from yeast chromosomal elements, from viruses such as baculoviruses, papova viruses, such as SV40, vaccinia viruses, adenoviruses, fowl pox viruses, pseudorabies viruses and retroviruses, and vectors denved from combinations thereof, such as those denved from plasmid and bactenophage genetic elements, such as cosmids and phagemids. The expression systems may compnse control regions that regulate as well as engender expression. Generally, any system or vector that is able to maintain, propagate or express a polynucleotide to produce a polypeptide in a host may be used. The appropnate nucleotide sequence may be inserted into an expression system by any of a vanety of well-known and routine techniques, such as, for example, those set forth in Sambrook, et al, MOLECULAR CLONING, A LABORATORY MANUAL (supra). If a polypeptide of the present invention is to be expressed for use in screening assays, it is generally preferred that the polypeptide be produced at the surface of the cell. In this event, the cells may be harvested prior to use in the screening assay. If the polypeptide is secreted into the medium, the medium can be recovered m order to recover and purify the polypeptide. If produced mtracellularly, the cells must first be lysed before the polypeptide is recovered. Polypeptides of the present invention can be recovered and puπfied from recombinant cell cultures by well-known methods including ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, amon or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography and lectin chromatography. Most preferably, high performance liquid chromatography is employed for punfication. Well known techniques for refolding proteins may be employed to regenerate active conformation when the polypeptide is denatured dunng isolation and/or punfication.

The polynucleotide sequences of the present invention are also valuable for chromosome localization studies. The polynucleotide sequence, or fragment(s) thereof, is specifically targeted to, and can hybridize with, a particular location on an individual Rattus norvegicus chromosome. The mapping of these sequences to Rattus norvegicus chromosomes according to the present invention is an important first step in coπelating homologous human polynucleotide sequences with gene associated disease in humans.

Precise chromosomal localizations for a polynucleotide sequence (gene fragment, etc) can be determined using Radiation Hybrid (RH) Mapping (Walter, M., et al (1994) Nature Genetics 7,

22-28), for example. A number of RH panels are available, including mouse, rat, baboon, zebrafish and human. RH mapping panels are available from a number of sources, for example Research Genetics (Huntsville, AL, USA). To determine the chromosomal location of a polynucleotide sequence using these panels, PCR reactions are performed using primers, designed to the polynucleotide sequence of interest, on the RH DNAs of the panel. Each of these

DNAs contains random genomic fragments from the species of interest. These PCRs result in a number of scores, one for each RH DNA m the panel, indicating the presence or absence of the PCR product of the polynucleotide sequence of interest. These scores are compared with scores created using PCR products from genomic sequences of known location, usually using an on-line resource such as that available at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge,

Massachusetts, USA website (http://www.genome.wi.mit.edu/). Once a polynucleotide sequence has been mapped to a precise chromosomal location, the physical position of the sequence on the chromosome can be correlated with genetic map data for that species. Also, as a consequence of synteny, where knowledge of the position of a gene on a chromosome of one species can be used to determine the likely position of the orthologous gene on the chromosome of another species, this knowledge can then be used to identify candidate genes for human disease. Thus the localization of a polynucleotide sequence of interest to a specific mouse chromosomal location can be used to predict the localization of the orthologous human gene on the corresponding human chromosome. From this data, potential disease association may be inferred from genetic map sources such as, for example, V. McKusick, Mendehan Inheritance in

Man (available on-line through Johns Hopkins University Welch Medical Library). The relationship between genes and diseases that have been mapped to the same chromosomal region are then identified through linkage analysis (co-inheπtance of physically adjacent genes). Rattus norvegicus EDG3 gene products can be expressed in transgenic animals. Animals of any species, including, but not limited to: mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, pigs, micro-pigs, goats, and non-human pnmates, e g , baboons, monkeys, chimpanzees, may be used to generate EDG3 transgenic animals.

This invention further relates to a method of producing transgenic animals, preferably Rattus norvegicus, over-expressing EDG3, which method may compnse the introduction of several copies of a segment compnsmg at least the polynucleotide sequence encoding SEQ ID NO:2 with a suitable promoter into the cells of a Rattus norvegicus embryo, or the cells of another species, at an early stage.

This invention further relates to a method of producing transgenic animals, preferably Rattus norvegicus, under-expressing or regulatably expressing EDG3, which method may compnse the introduction of a weak promoter or a regulatable promoter (e.g., an mducible or repressible promoter) respectively, expressibly linked to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l into the cells of a Rattus norvegicus embryo at an early stage.

This invention also relates to transgenic animals, charactenzed in that they are obtained by a method, as defined above.

Any technique known in the art may be used to introduce a Rattus norvegicus EDG3 transgene into animals to produce a founder line of animals. Such techniques include, but are not limited to: pronuclear micromjection (U.S. Patent No. 4,873,191); refrovirus mediated gene transfer into germ lines (Van der Putten, et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 82: 6148-6152 (1985); gene targeting m embryonic stem cells (Thompson, et al, Cell 56: 313-321 (1989); elecfropolation of embryos (Lo, Mol CellBiol. 3: 1803-1814 (1983); and sperm-mediated gene transfer (Lavifrano, et al , Cell 57: 717-723 (1989); etc. For a review of such techniques, see Gordon, Intl. Rev. Cytol. 115: 171-229 (1989).

A further aspect of the present invention involves gene targeting by homologous recombination m embryonic stem cells to produce a transgenic animal with a mutation in a EDG3 gene ("knock-out" mutation). In such so-called "knock-out" animals, there is mactivation of the EDG3 gene or altered gene expression, such that the animals are useful to study the function of the EDG3 gene, thus providing animals models of human disease, which are otherwise not readily available through spontaneous, chemical or irradiation mutagenesis. Another aspect of the present invention involves the generation of so-called "knock-in" animals in which a portion of a wild- type gene is fused to the cDNA of a heterologous gene.

This invention further relates to a method of producing "knock-out" animals, preferably mice, no longer expressing EDG3. By using standard cloning techniques, a Rattus norvegicus EDG3 cDNA (SEQ ID NO: 1) can be used as a probe to screen suitable hbranes to obtain the munne EDG3 genomic DNA clone. Using the munne genomic clone, the method used to create a knockout mouse is charactenzed in that: a suitable mutation is produced m the polynucleotide sequence of the munne EDG3 genomic clone, which inhibits the expression of a gene encoding munne EDG3, or inhibits the activity of the gene product; satd modified munne EDG3 polynucleotide is introduced into a homologous segment of munne genomic DNA, combined with an appropnate marker, so as to obtain a labeled sequence compnsmg said modified munne genomic DNA; said modified munne genomic DNA compnsmg the modified polynucleotide is transfected into embryonic stem cells and correctly targeted events selected in vitro; then said stem cells are re-mjected into a mouse embryo; then said embryo is implanted into a female recipient and brought to term as a chimera which transmits said mutation through the germlme; and homozygous recombinant mice are obtained at the F2 generation which are recognizable by the presence of the marker.

Vanous methods for producing mutations in non-human animals are contemplated and well known in the art. In a preferred method, a mutation is generated m a munne EDG3 allele by the introduction of a DNA construct compnsmg DNA of a gene encoding munne EDG3, which munne gene contains the mutation. The mutation is targeted to the allele by way of the DNA construct. The DNA of the gene encoding munne EDG3 compnsed in the construct may be foreign to the species of which the recipient is a member, may be native to the species and foreign only to the individual recipient, may be a construct compnsed of synthetic or natural genetic components, or a mixture of these. The mutation may constitute an insertion, deletion, substitution, or combination thereof. The DNA construct can be introduced into cells by, for example, calcium-phosphate DNA co-precipitation. It is preferred that a mutation be introduced into cells using electroporation, micromjection, virus infection, hgand-DNA conjugation, vrrus-ligand-DNA conjugation, or hposomes.

Another embodiment of the instant invention relates to "knock-out" animals, preferably mice, obtained by a method of producing recombinant mice as defined above, among others Another aspect of this invention provides for in vitro EDG3 "knock-outs", i.e., tissue cultures. Animals of any species, including, but not limited to: mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, pigs, micro-pigs, goats, and non-human pnmates, e g., baboons, monkeys, chimpanzees, may be used to generate in vitro EDG3 "knock-outs". Methods for "knocking out" genes in vitro are descnbed in Galh-Tahadoros, et al , Journal of Immunological Methods 181 : 1-15 (1995) Transgenic, "knock-m", and "knock-out" animals, as defined above, are a particularly advantageous model, from a physiological point of view, for studying 7 Transmembrane receptor. Such animals will be valuable tools to study the functions of a EDG3 gene. Moreover, such animal models are expected to provide information about potential toxicological effects in humans of any compounds discovered by an aforementioned screening method, among others. An understanding of how a Rattus norvegicus EDG3 gene functions in these animal models is expected to provide an insight into treating and preventing human diseases including, but not limited to: infections such as bactenal, fungal, protozoan and viral infections, particularly infections caused by HIV-l or HIV-2; pain; cancers; diabetes, obesity; anorexia; bulimia; asthma; Parkinson's disease; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; unnary retention; osteoporosis; angma pectoπs; myocardial infarction; stroke; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy; migraine; vomiting; psychotic and neurological disorders, including anxiety, schizophrenia, manic depression, depression, dehnum, dementia, and severe mental retardation; and dyskmesias, such as Huntmgton's disease or Gilles dela Tourett's syndrome. Polypeptides of the present invention are responsible for many biological functions, including many disease states, in particular the Diseases mentioned herein. It is, therefore, an aspect of the invention to devise screening methods to identify compounds that stimulate (agonists) or that inhibit (antagonists) the function of the polypeptide, such as agonists, antagonists and inhibitors. Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention provides for a method of screening compounds to identify those that stimulate or inhibit the function of the polypeptide. In general, agonists or antagonists may be employed for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for the Diseases mentioned herein mentioned. Compounds may be identified from a vanety of sources, for example, cells, cell-free preparations, chemical hbranes, and natural product mixtures. Such agonists and antagonists so-identified may be natural or modified substrates, hgands, receptors, enzymes, etc., as the case may be, of the polypeptide; or may be structural or functional mimetics thereof (see Cohgan, et al , CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY 1(2): Chapter 5 (1991)).

The screening method may simply measure the binding of a candidate compound to the polypeptide, or to cells or membranes beanng the polypeptide, or a fusion protein thereof by means of a label directly or indirectly associated with the candidate compound. Alternatively, a screening method may involve measuring or, qualitatively or quantitatively, detecting the competition of binding of a candidate compound to the polypeptide with a labeled competitor (e.g., agonist or antagonist). Further, screening methods may test whether the candidate compound results in a signal generated by an agonist or antagonist of the polypeptide, using detection systems appropnate to cells beanng the polypeptide. Antagonists are generally assayed in the presence of a known agonist and an effect on activation by the agonist by the presence of the candidate compound is observed. Further, screening methods may simply comprise the steps of mixing a candidate compound with a solution comprising a polypeptide of the present invention, to form a mixture, measuring Rattus norvegicus EDG3 activity in the mixture, and comparmg a Rattus norvegicus EDG3 activity of the mixture to a control mixture which contains no candidate compound.

Polypeptides of the present invention may be employed in conventional low capacity screening methods and also in high-throughput screening (HTS) formats. Such HTS formats include not only the well-established use of 96- and, more recently, 384- well microtiter plates but also emerging methods such as the nanowell method described by Schullek, et al, Anal Bwchem., 246, 20-29, (1997).

Fusion proteins, such as those made from Fc portion and Rattus norvegicus EDG3 polypeptide, as herein descnbed, can also be used for high-throughput screening assays to identify antagonists of antagonists of the polypeptide of the present invention (see D. Bennett, et al , J Mol. Recognition, 8:52-58 (1995); and K. Johanson, et al , J. Biol Chem., 270(16):9459-9471 (1995)).

One screening technique includes the use of cells which express the receptor of this invention (for example, transfected CHO cells) in a system which measures extracellular pH or lntracellular calcium changes caused by receptor activation. In this technique, compounds may be contacted with cells expressing the receptor polypeptide of the present invention. A second messenger response, e.g., signal transduction, pH changes, or changes m calcium level, is then measured to determine whether the potential compound activates or inhibits the receptor.

Another method involves screening for receptor inhibitors by determining inhibition or stimulation of receptor-mediated cAMP and/or adenylate cyclase accumulation. Such a method involves transfectmg a eukaryotic cell with the receptor of this invention to express the receptor on the cell surface. The cell is then exposed to potential antagonists in the presence of the receptor of this invention. The amount of cAMP accumulation is then measured. If the potential antagonist binds the receptor, and thus inhibits receptor binding, the levels of receptor-mediated cAMP, or adenylate cyclase, activity will be reduced or increased.

Another method for detecting agonists or antagonists for the receptor of the present invention is the yeast based technology as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,482,835.

Examples of potential polypeptide antagonists include antibodies or, in some cases, ohgopeptides or proteins that are closely related to hgands, substrates, receptors, enzymes, etc., as the case may be, of a EDG3 polypeptide, e.g., a fragment of a hgand, substrate, receptor, enzyme, etc; or small molecules which bind to a EDG3 polypeptide but do not elicit a response, so that an activity of a EDG3 polypeptide is prevented.

Thus, m another aspect, the present invention relates to a screening kit for identifying agonists, antagonists, inhibitors, hgands, receptors, substrates, enzymes, etc. for polypeptides of the present invention; or compounds which decrease or enhance the production of such polypeptides, which compounds comprise a member selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a polypeptide of the present invention;

(b) a recombinant cell expressing a polypeptide of the present invention; or (c) a cell membrane expressing a polypeptide of the present invention; which polypeptide is preferably that of SEQ ID NO:2.

It will be appreciated that in any such kit, (a), (b) or (c) may comprise a substantial component.

It will also be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan that a polypeptide of the present invention may also be used in a method for the structure-based design of an agonist, antagonist or inhibitor of the polypeptide, by.

(a) determining in the first instance the three-dimensional structure of the polypeptide;

(b) deducing the three-dimensional structure for the likely reactive or binding sιte(s) of an agonist, antagonist or inhibitor; (c) synthesizing candidate compounds that are predicted to bind to or react with the deduced binding or reactive site; and

(d) testing whether the candidate compounds are indeed agonists, antagonists or inhibitors. It will be further appreciated that this will normally be an iterative process. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of Rattus norvegicus EDG3 polypeptides, polynucleotides, and recombinant matenals thereof in selection screens to identify compounds which are neither agonists nor antagonist/inhibitors of Rattus norvegicus EDG3. The data from such a selection screen is expected to provide in vitro and in vivo comparisons and to predict oral absorption, pharmacokmetics in humans. The ability to make such a comparison of data will enhance formulation design through the identification of compounds with optimal development characteristics, i.e., high oral bioavailability, UID (once a day) dosing, reduced drug interactions, reduced vanabihty, and reduced food effects, among others.

The following definitions are provided to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein.

"Allele" refers to one or more alternative forms of a gene occurnng at a given locus in the genome.

"Fragment" of a polypeptide sequence refers to a polypeptide sequence that is shorter than the reference sequence but that retains essentially the same biological function or activity as the reference polypeptide. "Fragment" of a polynucleotide sequence refers to a polynucleotide sequence that is shorter than the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

"Fusion protein" refers to a protein encoded by two, often unrelated, fused genes or fragments thereof. In one example, EP-A-0 464 discloses fusion proteins compnsmg various portions of constant region of immunoglobuhn molecules together with another human protein or part thereof. In many cases, employing an immunoglobuhn Fc region as a part of a fusion protein is advantageous for use in therapy and diagnosis resulting in, for example, improved pharmacokmetic properties [see, e g., EP-A 0232 262]. On the other hand, for some uses, it would be desirable to be able to delete the Fc part after the fusion protein has been expressed, detected, and purified.

"Homolog" is a genenc term used m the art to indicate a polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence possessing a high degree of sequence relatedness to a reference sequence. Such relatedness may be quantified by determining the degree of identity and/or similanty between the two sequences as hereinbefore defined. Falling withm this generic term are the terms, "ortholog", and "paralog". "Ortholog" refers to polynucleotides/genes or polypeptide that are homologs via speciation, that is closely related and assumed to have commend descent based on structural and functional considerations. "Paralog" refers to polynucleotides/genes or polypeptide that are homologs via gene duplication, for instance, duplicated vanants within a genome. "Identity" reflects a relationship between two or more polypeptide sequences or two or more polynucleotide sequences, determined by comparing the sequences. In general, identity refers to an exact nucleotide to nucleotide or ammo acid to ammo acid correspondence of the two polynucleotide or two polypeptide sequences, respectively, over the length of the sequences being compared. For sequences where there is not an exact correspondence, a "% identity" may be determined. In general, the two sequences to be compared are aligned to give a maximum correlation between the sequences. This may include inserting "gaps" in either one or both sequences, to enhance the degree of alignment. A % identity may be determined over the whole length of each of the sequences being compared (so-called global alignment), that is particularly suitable for sequences of the same or very similar length, or over shorter, defined lengths (so- called local alignment), that is more suitable for sequences of unequal length.

"Similanty" is a further, more sophisticated measure of the relationship between two polypeptide sequences. In general, "similarity" means a comparison between the ammo acids of two polypeptide chains, on a residue by residue basis, taking into account not only exact coπespondences between a between pairs of residues, one from each of the sequences being compared (as for identity) but also, where there is not an exact correspondence, whether, on an evolutionary basis, one residue is a likely substitute for the other. This likelihood has an associated 'score' from which the "% similarity" of the two sequences can then be determined. Methods for comparing the identity and similanty of two or more sequences are well known in the art. Thus for instance, programs available m the Wisconsin Sequence Analysis

Package, version 9.1 (Devereux J., et al, Nucleic Acids Res, 12, 387-395, 1984, available from Genetics Computer Group, Madison, Wisconsin, USA), for example the programs BESTFIT and GAP, may be used to determine the % identity between two polynucleotides and the % identity and the % similarity between two polypeptide sequences. BESTFIT uses the "local homology" algorithm of Smith and Waterman (J. Mol. Biol, 147: 195-197, 1981, Advances m Applied

Mathematics, 2, 482-489, 1981) and finds the best single region of similanty between two sequences. BESTFIT is more suited to comparing two polynucleotide or two polypeptide sequences that are dissimilar in length, the program assuming that the shorter sequence represents a portion of the longer. In comparison, GAP aligns two sequences, finding a "maximum similanty", according to the algorithm of Neddleman and Wunsch (J. Mo.l Bwl, 48, 443-453,

1970). GAP is more suited to comparing sequences that are approximately the same length and an alignment is expected over the entire length. Preferably, the parameters "Gap Weight" and "Length Weight" used in each program are 50 and 3, for polynucleotide sequences and 12 and 4 for polypeptide sequences, respectively. Preferably, % identities and similarities are determined when the two sequences being compared are optimally aligned.

Other programs for determining identity and/or similarity between sequences are also known in the art, for instance the BLAST family of programs (Altschul S.F., et al, J. Mol. Biol, 215, 403-410, 1990, Altschul S.F., et al , Nucleic Acids Res., 25:389-3402, 1997, available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Bethesda, Maryland, USA and accessible through the home page of the NCBI at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and FASTA (Pearson

W R, Methods in Enzymology, 183: 63-99 (1990); Pearson W R and Lipman D.J., Proc NatAcad Sci USA, 85: 2444-2448 (1988) (available as part of the Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package).

Preferably, the BLOSUM62 ammo acid substitution matrix (Henikoff S. and Hemkoff J.G., Proc Nat. Acad Sci USA, 89: 10915-10919 (1992)) is used in polypeptide sequence comparisons including where nucleotide sequences are first translated into ammo acid sequences before comparison.

Preferably, the program BESTFIT is used to determine the % identity of a query polynucleotide or a polypeptide sequence with respect to a polynucleotide or a polypeptide sequence of the present invention, the query and the reference sequence being optimally aligned and the parameters of the program set at the default value, as hereinbefore described. Alternatively, for instance, for the purposes of interpreting the scope of a claim including mention of a "% identity" to a reference polynucleotide, a polynucleotide sequence having, for example, at least 95% identity to a reference polynucleotide sequence is identical to the reference sequence except that the polynucleotide sequence may include up to five point mutations per each 100 nucleotides of the reference sequence. Such point mutations are selected from the group consisting of at least one nucleotide deletion, substitution, including transition and transversion, or insertion. These point mutations may occur at the 5' or 3' terminal positions of the reference polynucleotide sequence or anywhere between these terminal positions, interspersed either individually among the nucleotides in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups withm the reference sequence. In other words, to obtain a polynucleotide sequence having at least 95% identity to a reference polynucleotide sequence, up to 5% of the nucleotides of the in the reference sequence may be deleted, substituted or inserted, or any combination thereof, as hereinbefore described. The same applies mutatis mutandis for other % identities such as 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% and 100%.

For the purposes of interpreting the scope of a claim including mention of a "% identity" to a reference polypeptide, a polypeptide sequence having, for example, at least 95% identity to a reference polypeptide sequence is identical to the reference sequence except that the polypeptide sequence may include up to five point mutations per each 100 ammo acids of the reference sequence. Such point mutations are selected from the group consisting of at least one ammo acid deletion, substitution, including conservative and non-conservative substitution, or insertion. These point mutations may occur at the ammo- or carboxy-termmal positions of the reference polypeptide sequence or anywhere between these terminal positions, interspersed either individually among the ammo acids in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups withm the reference sequence. In other words, to obtain a sequence polypeptide sequence having at least 95% identity to a reference polypeptide sequence, up to 5% of the ammo acids of the in the reference sequence may be deleted, substituted or inserted, or any combination thereof, as hereinbefore described. The same applies mutatis mutandis for other % identities such as 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, and 100%.

A preferred meaning for "identity" for polynucleotides and polypeptides, as the case may be, are provided in (1) and (2) below.

(1) Polynucleotide embodiments further include an isolated polynucleotide compnsmg a polynucleotide sequence having at least a 95, 97 or 100% identity to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO. l, wherein said polynucleotide sequence may be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO.l or may include up to a certain integer number of nucleotide alterations as compared to the reference sequence, wherein said alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one nucleotide deletion, substitution, including transition and transversion, or insertion, and wherein said alterations may occur at the 5' or 3' terminal positions of the reference nucleotide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among the nucleotides in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups withm the reference sequence, and wherein said number of nucleotide alterations is determined by multiplying the total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO: 1 by the integer defining the percent identity divided by 100 and then subtracting that product from said total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO:l, or:

n_n < x_n - (x_n • y),

wherein n_n is the number of nucleotide alterations, x_n is the total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO: 1, y is 0.95 for 95%, 0.97 for 97% or 1.00 for 100%, and • is the symbol for the multiplication operator, and wherein any non- teger product of x_n and y is rounded down to the nearest integer prior to subtracting it from x_n. Alterations of a polynucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 may create nonsense, missense or frameshift mutations m this coding sequence and thereby alter the polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide following such alterations.

(2) Polypeptide embodiments further include an isolated polypeptide comprising a polypeptide having at least a 95, 97 or 100% identity to a polypeptide reference sequence of SEQ ID NO.2, wherein said polypeptide sequence may be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID

NO:2 or may include up to a certain integer number of amino acid alterations as compared to the reference sequence, wherein said alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one amino acid deletion, substitution, including conservative and non-conservative substitution, or insertion, and wherein said alterations may occur at the ammo- or carboxy-terminal positions of the reference polypeptide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among the ammo acids in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups withm the reference sequence, and wherein said number of ammo acid alterations is determined by multiplying the total number of ammo acids in SEQ ID NO:2 by the integer defining the percent identity divided by 100 and then subtracting that product from said total number of ammo acids in SEQ ID NO:2, or:

n_a < x_a - (x_a • y), wherem n_a is the number of ammo acid alterations, x_a is the total number of ammo acids in SEQ ED NO:2, y is 0.95 for 95%, 0.97 for 97% or 1.00 for 100%, and • is the symbol for the multiplication operator, and wherein any non-mteger product of x_a and y is rounded down to the nearest integer prior to subtracting it from x_a. "Isolated" means altered "by the hand of man" from its natural state, i e , if it occurs in nature, it has been changed or removed from its onginal environment, or both. For example, a polynucleotide or a polypeptide naturally present in a living organism is not "isolated," but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide separated from the coexisting matenals of its natural state is "isolated", as the term is employed herein. Moreover, a polynucleotide or polypeptide that is introduced into an organism by transformation, genetic manipulation or by any other recombinant method is "isolated" even if it is still present m said organism, which organism may be living or non-living.

"Knock-in" refers to the fusion of a portion of a wild-type gene to the cDNA of a heterologous gene

"Knock-out" refers to partial or complete suppression of the expression of a protein encoded by an endogenous DNA sequence in a cell. The "knock-out" can be affected by targeted deletion of the whole or part of a gene encoding a protein, in an embryonic stem cell. As a result, the deletion may prevent or reduce the expression of the protein m any cell m the whole animal in which it is normally expressed.

"Splice Vanant" as used herein refers to cDNA molecules produced from RNA molecules initially transcπbed from the same genomic DNA sequence but which have undergone alternative RNA splicing. Alternative RNA splicing occurs when a primary RNA transcript undergoes splicing, generally for the removal of mtrons, which results in the production of more than one mRNA molecule each of that may encode different amino acid sequences. The term splice variant also refers to the proteins encoded by the above cDNA molecules. "Transgenic animal" refers to an animal to which exogenous DNA has been introduced while the animal is still in its embryonic stage. In most cases, the transgenic approach aims at specific modifications of the genome, e.g , by introducing whole transcπptional units into the genome, or by up- or down-regulating pre-existing cellular genes. The targeted character of certain of these procedures sets transgenic technologies apart from expeπmental methods in which random mutations are confened to the germlme, such as administration of chemical mutagens or treatment with ionizing solution.

"Polynucleotide" generally refers to any polyπbonucleotide or polydeoxπbonucleotide, which may be unmodified RNA or DNA or modified RNA or DNA. "Polynucleotides" include, without limitation, single- and double-stranded DNA, DNA that is a mixture of single- and double-stranded regions, single- and double-sfranded RNA, and RNA that is mixture of smgle- and double-stranded regions, hybrid molecules comprising DNA and RNA that may be smgle- stranded or, more typically, double-sfranded or a mixture of single- and double-stranded regions. In addition, "polynucleotide" refers to triple-stranded regions comprising RNA or DNA or both RNA and DNA. The term "polynucleotide" also includes DNAs or RNAs comprising one or more modified bases and DNAs or RNAs with backbones modified for stability or for other reasons. "Modified" bases include, for example, tntylated bases and unusual bases such as inosine. A variety of modifications may be made to DNA and RNA; thus, "polynucleotide" embraces chemically, enzymatically or metabo cally modified forms of polynucleotides as typically found m nature, as well as the chemical forms of DNA and RNA charactenstic of viruses and cells. "Polynucleotide" also embraces relatively short polynucleotides, often referred to as ohgonucleotides.

"Polypeptide" refers to any peptide or protein comprising two or more amino acids joined to each other by peptide bonds or modified peptide bonds, i e., peptide isosteres. "Polypeptide" refers to both short chains, commonly referred to as peptides, ohgopeptides or ohgomers, and to longer chains, generally referred to as proteins. Polypeptides may compπse amino acids other than the 20 gene-encoded amino acids. "Polypeptides" include amino acid sequences modified either by natural processes, such as post-translational processing, or by chemical modification techniques which are well known in the art. Such modifications are well described in basic texts and in more detailed monographs, as well as in a voluminous research literature. Modifications may occur anywhere m a polypeptide, including the peptide backbone, the ammo acid side-chams and the ammo or carboxyl termini. It will be appreciated that the same type of modification may be present to the same or varying degrees at several sites in a given polypeptide. Also, a given polypeptide may comprise many types of modifications. Polypeptides may be branched as a result of ubiquitmation, and they may be cyclic, with or without branching. Cyclic, branched and branched cyclic polypeptides may result from post- translation natural processes or may be made by synthetic methods. Modifications include acetylation, acylation, ADP-πbosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a hpid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of phosphotidylmositol, cross-linking, cychzation, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation of covalent crosslinks, formation of cysteme, formation of pyroglutamate, formylation, gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, lodmation, methylation, myπstoylation, oxidation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization, selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of ammo acids to proteins such as argmylation, and ubiquitmation (see, for instance, PROTEINS - STRUCTURE AND MOLECULAR PROPERTIES, 2nd Ed., T. E. Creighton, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, 1993; Wold, F., Post-translational Protein Modifications: Perspectives and Prospects, pgs 1-12 in POSTTRANSLATIONAL COVALENT MODIFICATION OF PROTEINS, B. C. Johnson, Ed.,

Academic Press, New York, 1983; Seifter, et al , "Analysis for protein modifications and nonprotein cofactors", Meth Enzymol (1990) 182:626-646 and Rattan, et al., "Protein Synthesis- Post-translational Modifications and Aging", Ann NYAcad Sci (1992) 663:48-62).

"Variant" refers to a polynucleotide or polypeptide that differs from a reference polynucleotide or polypeptide, but retains essential properties. A typical vanant of a polynucleotide differs in nucleotide sequence from another, reference polynucleotide. Changes m the nucleotide sequence of the variant may or may not alter the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide encoded by the reference polynucleotide. Nucleotide changes may result in ammo acid substitutions, additions, deletions, fusions and truncations in the polypeptide encoded by the reference sequence, as discussed below. A typical variant of a polypeptide differs m ammo acid sequence from another, reference polypeptide. Generally, differences are limited so that the sequences of the reference polypeptide and the variant are closely similar overall and, m many regions, identical. A vanant and reference polypeptide may differ in ammo acid sequence by one or more substitutions, additions, deletions in any combination. A substituted or inserted ammo acid residue may or may not be one encoded by the genetic code. A vanant of a polynucleotide or polypeptide may be a naturally occurring such as an allehc vanant, or it may be a vanant that is not known to occur naturally. Non-naturally occurring variants of polynucleotides and polypeptides may be made by mutagenesis techniques or by direct synthesis

All publications including, but not limited to, patents and patent applications, cited in this specification or to which this patent application claims pπoπty, are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein as though fully set forth. Examples Example 1 : Mammalian Cell Expression The receptors of the present invention are expressed m either human embryonic kidney

293 (HEK293) cells or adherent dhfr CHO cells. To maximize receptor expression, typically all 5 ' and 3 ' untranslated regions (UTRs) are removed from the receptor cDNA prior to insertion into a pCDN or pCDNA3 vector. The cells are transfected with individual receptor cDNAs by lipofectm and selected in the presence of 400 mg/ml G418. After 3 weeks of selection, mdividual clones are picked and expanded for further analysis. HEK293 or CHO cells transfected with the vector alone serve as negative controls. To isolate cell lines stably expressing the individual receptors, about 24 clones are typically selected and analyzed by Northern blot analysis. Receptor mRNAs are generally detectable in about 50% of the G418- resistant clones analyzed.

Example 2 Ligand bank for binding and functional assays.

A bank of over 600 putative receptor hgands has been assembled for screening. The bank comprises: transmitters, hormones and chemokmes known to act via a human seven transmembrane (7TM) receptor; naturally occurring compounds which may be putative agonists for a human 7TM receptor, non-mammalian, biologically active peptides for which a mammalian counterpart has not yet been identified; and compounds not found in nature, but which activate 7TM receptors with unknown natural hgands. This bank is used to initially screen the receptor for known hgands, using both functional (i.e . calcium, cAMP, microphysiometer, oocyte electrophysiology, etc, see below) as well as binding assays.

Example 3 Ligand Binding Assays

Ligand binding assays provide a direct method for ascertaining receptor pharmacology and are adaptable to a high throughput format The purified ligand for a receptor is radiolabeled to high specific activity (50-2000 Ci/mmol) for binding studies. A determination is then made that the process of radiolabelmg does not dim ish the activity of the ligand towards its receptor.

Assay conditions for buffers, ions, pH and other modulators such as nucleotides are optimized to establish a workable signal to noise ratio for both membrane and whole cell receptor sources. For these assays, specific receptor binding is defined as total associated radioactivity minus the radioactivity measured m the presence of an excess of unlabeled competing ligand Where possible, more than one competing ligand is used to define residual nonspecific binding.

Example 4 Functional Assay m Xenopus Oocytes

Capped RNA transcnpts from lmeanzed plasmid templates encoding the receptor cDNAs of the invention are synthesized m vitro with RNA polymerases m accordance with standard procedures In vitro transcnpts are suspended in water at a final concentration of 0.2 mg/ml.

Ovarian lobes are removed from adult female toads, Stage V defolhculated oocytes are obtained, and RNA transcnpts (10 ng/oocyte) are injected in a 50 nl bolus using a micromjection apparatus. Two electrode voltage clamps are used to measure the currents from individual Xenopus oocytes in response to agonist exposure Recordings are made m Ca2+ free Barth's medium at room temperature. The Xenopus system can be used to screen known hgands and tissue/cell extracts for activating hgands. Example 5 Microphysiometπc Assays

Activation of a wide vanety of secondary messenger systems results m extrusion of small amounts of acid from a cell. The acid formed is largely as a result of the increased metabolic activity required to fuel the mtracellular signaling process. The pH changes in the media surrounding the cell are very small but are detectable by the CYTOSENSOR microphysiometer (Molecular Devices Ltd., Menlo Park, CA) The CYTOSENSOR is thus capable of detecting the activation of a receptor which is coupled to an energy utilizing mtracellular signaling pathway such as the G-protem coupled receptor of the present invention. Example 6 Extract/Cell Supernatant Screening

A large number of mammalian receptors exist for which there remains, as yet, no cognate activating ligand (agonist). Thus, active hgands for these receptors may not be included withm the hgands banks as identified to date. Accordingly, the 7TM receptor of the invention is also functionally screened (using calcium, cAMP, microphysiometer, oocyte electrophysiology, etc., functional screens) against tissue extracts to identify natural hgands. Extracts that produce positive functional responses can be sequentially subfractionated until an activating ligand is isolated and identified.

Example 7: Calcium and cAMP Functional Assays 7TM receptors which are expressed in HEK 293 cells have been shown to be coupled functionally to activation of PLC and calcium mobilization and/or cAMP stimulation or inhibition. Basal calcium levels in the HEK 293 cells m receptor-transfected or vector control cells were observed to be m the normal, 100 nM to 200 nM, range. HEK 293 cells expressing recombinant receptors are loaded with fura 2 and in a single day > 150 selected hgands or tissue/cell extracts are evaluated for agonist induced calcium mobilization. Similarly, HEK 293 cells expressing recombinant receptors are evaluated for the stimulation or inhibition of cAMP production using standard cAMP quantitation assays. Agonists presenting a calcium transient or cAMP fluctuation are tested m vector control cells to determine if the response is unique to the transfected cells expressing receptor.

Claims

What is claimed is: (US PTO)

1. An isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(1) an isolated polynucleotide compnsmg a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having at least a 95% identity to the ammo acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:2;

(n) an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least a 95% identity over its entire length to a nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ

ID NO:2; (in) an isolated polynucleotide compnsmg a nucleotide sequence having at least a 95% identity to that of SEQ ID NO: 1 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO: 1 ;

(IV) an isolated polynucleotide compnsmg a nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2;

(v) an isolated polynucleotide that is the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:l; or (vi) an isolated polynucleotide with a nucleotide sequence of at least 100 nucleotides m length obtained by screening an appropriate library under stringent hybndization conditions with a labeled probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof of at least 15 nucleotides; or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide.

2. An isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:

(1) an isolated polypeptide having at least a 95% identity to the ammo acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:2;

(n) an isolated polypeptide compnsmg the ammo acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; or (in) an isolated polypeptide that is the ammo acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

3. A method for screening to identify compounds that stimulate or that inhibit a function or level of the polypeptide of Claim 2, comprising a method selected from the group consisting of:

(a) measunng or, quantitatively or qualitatively, detecting the binding of a candidate compound to the polypeptide (or to the cells or membranes bearing the polypeptide) or a fusion protein thereof by means of a label directly or indirectly associated with the candidate compound; (b) measuring the competition of the binding of a candidate compound to the polypeptide (or to the cells or membranes beanng the polypeptide) or a fusion protein thereof m the presence of a labeled competitor;

(c) testing whether the candidate compound results in a signal generated by activation or inhibition of the polypeptide, using detection systems appropriate to the cells or cell membranes bearing the polypeptide;

(d) mixing a candidate compound with a solution comprising a polypeptide of Claim 2, to form a mixture, measuring activity of the polypeptide in the mixture, and companng the activity of the mixture to a to a control mixture which contains no candidate compound; or

(e) detecting the effect of a candidate compound on the production of mRNA encoding said polypeptide and said polypeptide m cells.

4. An agonist or an antagonist of the polypeptide of Claim 2.

5. An agonist or an antagonist of the Rattus norvegicus EDG3 polypeptide identified by the method of Claim 3.

6. An expression system compnsmg a polynucleotide capable of producing a polypeptide of Claim 2 when said expression system is present in a compatible host cell.

7. A process for producing a recombinant host cell compnsmg the step of introducing the expression vector of Claim 6 into a cell, such that the host cell, under appropnate culture conditions, produces said polypeptide.

8. A recombinant host cell produced by the process of Claim 7.

9. A membrane of a recombinant host cell of Claim 8 expressing said polypeptide.

10. A process for producing a polypeptide compnsmg cultunng a host cell of Claim 9 under conditions sufficient for the production of said polypeptide and recovering said polypeptide from the culture.