Christina T Egan

US Patent:

62550896, Jul 3, 2001

Filed:

Feb 27, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/032742

Inventors:

Milt Teitler - Glenmont NY
Christina C. Egan - Guilderland NY

Assignee:

Albany Medical College - Albany NY

International Classification:

C07K 1472
C12N 1512
G01N 3353

US Classification:

4351723

Abstract:

Mutations have been discovered in mammalian G protein-coupled serotonin 5-HT. sub. 2A and 5-HT. sub. 2C receptors which render the mutated receptors constitutively active. An alignment methodology based on the highly conserved sixth transmembrane domain has been discovered for the monoamine receptors which accurately predicts the amino acid position in the third intracellular loop which, when mutated, produces constitutive activation of the receptor. Constitutive activation of the G protein-coupled serotonin receptors has been shown by the demonstration of an enhanced affinity and potency for serotonin, by increased basal activity of the second messenger system in the absence of agonist, and by reduction of the basal second messenger activity by inverse agonists.