Olfactory receptor expression libraries and methods of making and using them

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/112,605, filed Dec. 17, 1998, which is expressly incorporated by references for all purposes.

This invention generally pertains to the fields of cell biology and medicine. In particular, this invention provides novel libraries of nucleic acids encoding odorant/ligand-binding domains. Also provided are libraries of hybrid 7-transmembrane olfactory receptors comprising these odorant ligand-binding domains. The compositions and methods of the invention can be used to identify novel ligand-binding domains for olfactory neuron odorant receptors and their ligands. Thus, the compositions and methods of the invention can be used to generate novel odorants and to manipulate an animal's olfactory response.

A better understanding of the vertebrate olfactory system would provide improved means to manipulate this process and possibly prevent disease or injury. For example, means to manipulate human olfactory neuron odorant receptors from healthy individuals and from individuals with neuro-psychiatric illnesses would offer systems for testing possible odorant/ligands for therapeutic and toxic effects. However, our ability to detect and discriminate between the thousands of beneficial or toxic odorants is complicated by the fact that odorant receptors belong to a multigene family with at least 500 to 1000 members. Furthermore, each olfactory receptor neuron may express only one, or at most a few, of these olfactory receptors. Any given olfactory neuron cell can respond to a small, arbitrary set of odorant-ligands. Odorant discrimination for a given neuron may depend on the ligand specificity of the one or few receptors it expresses. Thus, given this systems' complexity, information about odorant/ligand-receptor recognition remains meager.

To analyze odorant/ligand-receptor interactions and their effects on cell physiology, it is first necessary to identify specific odorant/ligand(s) and the olfactory receptors to which they specifically bind. Such analysis requires isolation and expression of olfactory receptor polypeptides. However, despite the fact that many putative olfactory receptors have been cloned, only limited progress has been made in the functional expression of these receptors because present systems fail to efficiently translocate these 7-transmembrane proteins to the plasma membrane. This may be because olfactory receptors are a subclass of 7-transmembrane-domain receptors. For example, expression of one rat olfactory receptor in insect cells resulted in only a modest elevation in second messengers when exposed to a mixture of odorants; responses to single compounds were not seen (Raming (1993) Nature 361:353-356). The present invention addresses these and other needs.

The present invention provides novel compositions and methods to generate great numbers, or libraries, of odorant receptor ligand-binding regions. Also provided are novel chimeric olfactory receptors that incorporate these libraries of odorant binding domains. The present invention also provides novel compositions and methods to efficiently translocate polypeptides to the plasma membrane surface. Another aspect of the invention is based on the surprising discovery of a peptide domain that, when incorporated into a polypeptide, can with great efficiency “chaperone” or translocate the hybrid protein to the cell plasma membrane. Combining these two aspects of the invention also provides expression vectors and cells that efficiently express these recombinant proteins. Cells and transgenic animals efficiently expressing libraries of hybrid olfactory receptors can be used for screening potential beneficial and toxic odorant molecules.

The invention provides an amplification primer sequence pair for amplifying a nucleic acid encoding an olfactory receptor ligand-binding region comprising a first primer comprising a sequence 5′-GGGGTCCGGAG(A/G)(C/G)(A/G)TA(A/G/T)AT(A/G/P)A(A/G/P)(A/G/P)GG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:1) and a second primer comprising a sequence 5′-GGGGCTGCAGACACC(A/C/G/T)ATGTA(C/T)(C/T)T(A/C/G/T)TT(C/T)(C/T)T-3′ (SEQ ID NO:2). When used to amplify olfactory receptor nucleic acid sequences, it typically amplifies the receptor ligand-binding region comprising olfactory receptor transmembrane (TM) domains II through VII.

The invention also provides a method for generating nucleic acid sequence that encodes a ligand-binding region of an olfactory receptor, the method comprising amplification of a nucleic acid using the primer pair SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2. In this method the amplified nucleic acid can be genomic DNA, mRNA or cDNA derived from olfactory neurons or olfactory epithelium. The amplification can be by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), wherein the PCR amplification comprises the following conditions and steps in the following order: about one cycle at about 94° C. for about 2 min; and about 30 cycles of about 45° C. to about 65° C. for about 1 min, followed by about 72° C. for about one min. followed by about 94° C. for about 1 min. The PCR amplification protocol can further comprise the following conditions and steps in the following order: about one cycle of about 45° C. to about 65° C. for about 10 min; and about one cycle of about 72° C. for about 10 min.

Also provides is a kit for amplification of olfactory receptor sequences comprising primer pairs that can amplify olfactory receptor transmembrane domain regions II through VII, II through VI, III through VII, or III through VI, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2 to amplify TM II through VII.

The invention also provides a library of olfactory receptor ligand-binding regions consisting essentially of olfactory receptor transmembrane domain regions II through VII, II through VI, III through VII, or III through VI, including partial domains, or a combination of domain sequences. The library of the olfactory receptor ligand-binding regions can be generated by PCR using degenerate primer pairs.

Also provided is a library of chimeric nucleic acid sequences comprising the following domains in 5′ to 3′ order: a nucleic acid encoding an amino terminal plasma membrane translocation domain; a nucleic acid encoding a first transmembrane domain; and a nucleic acid encoding an olfactory receptor ligand-binding region, wherein the chimeric nucleic acid sequence encodes a 7-transmembrane polypeptide that can transverse a plasma membrane seven times. The amino terminal plasma membrane translocation domain comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 (and encoded by a subsequence of SEQ ID NO:6):

In alternative embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding the first transmembrane domain can be just a polynucleotide sequence encoding SEQ ID NO:3, or, SEQ ID NO:6 (including 45 nucleotides upstream of the initiation codon) or a subsequence thereof.

The first transmembrane receptor of the sequences of the library can be a 7-transmembrane receptor region I domain, or subsequence thereof, e.g., the sequence between the Eco R1 and Pst 1 sites of the M4-chimeric olfactory receptor of the invention (SEQ ID NO:4), as schematically represented in FIG. 1A; the full length sequence of the hybrid receptor has an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:55, a nucleic acid that can encode this protein is SEQ ID NO:54, described below.

The olfactory receptor ligand-binding regions of the library can comprise olfactory receptor transmembrane domain regions II through VII, II through VI, III through VII, or III through VI, or a combination thereof. These olfactory receptor ligand-binding regions can be generated by amplification, e.g., PCR, using degenerate primer pairs. The library's nucleic acid sequence encoding transmembrane domain regions II through VII can generated by PCR amplification of nucleic acid using a first primer comprising a sequence 5′-GGGGTCCGGAG(A/G)(C/G)(A/G)TA(A/G/T)AT(A/G/P)A(A/G/P)(AG/P)GG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:1) and a second primer comprising a sequence 5′-GGGGCTGCAGACACC(A/C/G/T)ATGTA(C/T)(C/T)T(A/C/G/T)TT(C/T)(C/T)T-3′ (SEQ ID NO:2). The library can be generated from PCR-amplified nucleic acid isolated as or derived from genomic DNA, mRNA or cDNA derived from olfactory neurons or olfactory epithelium.

Exemplary ligand-binding regions comprising transmembrane domains II through VII ca be an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:45 and SEQ ID NO:47, or an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:48.

To generate the nucleic acids of the library, PCR amplification can comprise the following conditions and steps in the following order: about one cycle at about 94° C. for about 2 min; about 30 cycles of about 55° C. for about 1 min, followed by about 72° C. for about one min. followed by about 94° C. for about 1 min; about one cycle of about 55° C. for about 10 min; and about one cycle of about 72° C. for about 10 min.

The library can further comprise a carboxy terminal 7-transmembrane receptor transmembrane region VII domain or subsequence thereof, e.g., the sequence between the Bsp E1 and Xba 1 sites of the M4-chimeric olfactory receptor of the invention (SEQ ID NO:5), as schematically represented in FIG. 1A; the full length sequence of the hybrid receptor has an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:55, a nucleic acid that can encode this protein is SEQ ID NO:54.

The library of nucleic acid sequences can also comprise the following domains in 5′ to 3′ order: a nucleic acid encoding an amino terminal plasma membrane translocation domain comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3, a nucleic acid encoding a transmembrane region I domain comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, a nucleic acid sequence generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of mRNA or cDNA derived from olfactory epithelium using a first primer comprising a sequence 5′-GGGGTCCGGAG(A/G)(C/G)T(A/G)A(A/G/T)AT(A/G/P)A(A/G/P)(A/G/P)GG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:1) and a second primer comprising a sequence 5′-GGGGCTGCAGACACC(A/C/G/T)ATGTA(C/T)C/T)T(A/C/G/T)TT(C/T)C/T)T-3′ (SEQ ID NO:2), and a nucleic acid encoding a 7-transmembrane receptor transmembrane region VII domain comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6.

Also provided are expression vectors (e.g., plasmids, viruses) comprising a nucleic acid sequence derived from the libraries of nucleic acid sequences of the invention. Transformed or isolated infected cells comprising a nucleic acid sequence derived from a library of nucleic acid sequences of the invention or an expression vector of the invention are also provided. Transgenic non-human animals comprising a nucleic acid sequence derived from a library of nucleic acid of the invention or an expression vector of the invention are also provided. In the transgenic animal, the expression vector can be a mammalian expression vector that can be expressed in olfactory epithelium or olfactory neurons.

The invention also provides a library of recombinant polypeptides translated or derived from the library of nucleic acids of the invention. Also provided are polypeptides isolated or derived from the library of polypeptides of the invention.

Also provided are methods of determining whether a test compound specifically binds to a mammalian olfactory receptor comprising the following steps: expressing a nucleic acid derived from a nucleic acid library of the invention under conditions permissive for translation of the nucleic acid to a receptor polypeptide; contacting the translated polypeptide with the test compound; and determining whether the test compound specifically binds to the polypeptide.

Also provided are methods of determining whether a test compound specifically binds to a mammalian olfactory transmembrane receptor comprising the following steps: contacting a cell stably or transiently transfected with a nucleic acid derived from a nucleic acid library of the invention; culturing the cell under conditions permissive for translation of the nucleic acid to a receptor polypeptide with the test compound; and determining whether the test compound specifically binds to the receptor polypeptide. In this method, the receptor polypeptide can be expressed as a transmembrane receptor with a ligand-binding site on the cell's plasma membrane outer surface. The specific binding of the test compound to the polypeptide can be determined by measuring a change in the physiologic activity of the cell, wherein a change in the cell's activity measured in the presence of the test compound compared to the cell's activity in the absence of the test compound provides a determination that the test compound specifically binds to the polypeptide. The measured cell activity can be a change in the calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) or cAMP concentration in the cell, which can be measured by loading the cell with a calcium ion-sensitive fluorescent dye before contacting the cell with the test compound. In this method any cell can be used, e.g., a human cell or a Xenopus oocyte.

Also provided are methods of determining whether a test compound specifically binds to a mammalian olfactory transmembrane receptor polypeptide in vivo comprising the following steps: contacting a non-human animal stably or transiently infected with a nucleic acid derived from the library of the invention or an expression vector of the invention with the test compound; and determining whether the animal reacts to the test compound by specifically binding to the receptor polypeptide, wherein the specific binding of the test compound to the polypeptide is determined by measuring a change in a physiologic activity of the animal, wherein a change in a receptor-encoding vector-infected animal's activity measured in the presence of the test compound compared to a bare vector-infected animal's activity in the presence of the test compound provides a determination that the test compound specifically binds to the mammalian olfactory transmembrane receptor polypeptide. In this method, the measured physiologic activity can be measured by an electroolfactogram. The vector can be a recombinant virus, e.g., an adenovirus expression vector.

The invention also provides a method of determining whether a test compound is neurotoxic to an olfactory neuron expressing an olfactory transmembrane receptor polypeptide comprising the following steps: contacting an olfactory neuron cell stably or transiently infected with a nucleic acid derived from a library as set forth in claim 8 or claim 10 or an expression vector as set forth in claim 23 with the test compound; and measuring the physiologic activity of the cell, wherein a change in the cell's activity measured in the presence of the test compound compared to the cell's activity in the absence of the test compound provides a determination that the test compound is toxic. In this method toxicity can be indicated by abnormal calcium ion, cAMP or plasma membrane homeostasis.

Also provided are peptide domains for the efficient translocation of a newly translated protein to a plasma membrane comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or an amino acid sequence having conservative amino acid residue substitutions based on SEQ ID NO:3. Translocation domains within the scope of the invention include amino acid sequences functionally equivalent to the exemplary translocation domain of the invention SEQ ID NO:3. The peptide translocation domain can be at least about 20 amino acids in length, at least about 30 amino acids in length or at least about 40 amino acids in length. The peptide translocation domain can have a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3, or, be encoded by a nucleic acid comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6. The newly translated protein can be a transmembrane protein, e.g., a 7-transmembrane protein receptor, e.g., an olfactory receptor.

The invention also provides a hybrid (chimeric) polypeptide comprising an amino terminal amino acid sequence comprising a peptide translocation domain of the invention and a second polypeptide sequence, wherein the second polypeptide sequence is not a rhodopsin polypeptide sequence. The second polypeptide sequence can be a transmembrane protein, e.g., a 7-transmembrane protein receptor, e.g., an olfactory receptor. Also provides are isolated or recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding these hybrid polypeptides. For example, an exemplary chimeric polypeptide of the invention and a polynucleotide that encodes this hybrid, described in the Example below and schematically represented in FIG. 1A as the insert from BamH1 to XbaI, have the amino acid (SEQ ID NO:55) and nucleic acid (SEQ ID NO:54) sequence, respectively (restriction enzyme sites are also indicated):

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention is realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, the figures and claims.

All publications, GenBank deposited sequences, ATCC deposits, patents and patent applications cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIG. 1A shows a schematic of a mammalian expression construct of the invention comprising a translocation domain of the invention and an odorant/ligand-binding domain generated by degenerate PCR primers, as described in detail in Example 1, below.

FIG. 1B shows a phylogenetic tree of 26 cloned mouse olfactory receptor TMII-VIII sequences. Deduced amino acid sequences (boldface) were aligned by the ClustalW algorithm. For comparison, ten TMII-VIII regions (in italics) from published rat olfactory receptors (Buck and Axel, 1991) were included with the mouse sequences in the alignment. Scale gives percentage of amino acid divergence as depicted by the black lines in the dendrogram.

The present invention provides novel compositions and methods to efficiently translocate newly translated polypeptides to the plasma membrane surface. This aspect of the invention is based on the surprising discovery of peptide domains (e.g., SEQ ID NO:3) that, when incorporated into the amino terminus of a polypeptide coding sequence, can with great efficiency “chaperone” or “translocate” the hybrid (“fusion”) protein to the cell plasma membrane. This “translocation domain” was initially derived from the amino terminus of the human rhodopsin receptor polypeptide, a 7-transmembrane receptor. Thus, the translocation domain of the invention is particularly efficient in translocating 7-transmembrane fusion proteins to the plasma membrane. For example, the mouse olfactory receptor M4 (see, e.g., Qasba (1998) J. Neurosci. 18:227-236) expressed in a mammalian cell line is inefficiently translocated to the cell. In contrast, when a translocating domain of the invention (SEQ ID NO:3) was spliced to the amino terminus of the M4 olfactory receptor polypeptide, cell surface expression of the newly translated protein increased from undetectable levels to 10% or more of the total expressed protein (as determined by confocal microscopic imaging with antibodies that recognize the carboxyl terminus of the M4 receptor). Furthermore, subsequent functional expression studies demonstrated that no responses could be observed upon addition of extracellular ligand unless the translocation domain of the invention (SEQ ID NO:3) was included to effect surface localization.

The invention also provides novel means to generate libraries of odorant/ligand-binding regions of olfactory receptor proteins. Great numbers of these ligand-regions can be generated by amplification (e.g., by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) of nucleic acid from olfactory neurons and epithelium using degenerate primer pairs. The primer pairs selectively amplify the odorant/ligand-binding regions of olfactory receptor proteins. The odorant/ligand-binding regions can comprise transmembrane domain II through VII, III through VII, III through VI, II through VI, or combinations or variation thereof, of the 7-transmembrane olfactory receptor (see below for detailed discussion). Thus, amplification of, e.g., genomic DNA, or message or cDNA from olfactory neurons, using the degenerate primers of the invention can generate great numbers, or “libraries,” of odorant/ligand-binding region encoding nucleic acid.

The odorant/ligand-binding region-amplifying degenerate primers of the invention are at least about 17 base pair residues in length. Amplification conditions can vary; however, lower temperature conditions (e.g., below about 55° C., usually not lower than about 45° C.) will generate libraries of greater complexity and higher temperatures (e.g., over about 55° C.) will generate libraries of less complexity.

For screening and identification of odorant/ligands that specifically bind to the domains encoded by the nucleic acid “libraries” of the invention, the amplified sequences can be recombinantly spliced into a “framework” polypeptide that is expressed on the cell surface. If functional studies (including, e.g., cell signaling responses, e.g., calcium transients) are desired, 7-membrane polypeptide coding sequences are used as “donor” regions. In this scheme, the “donor” 7-membrane polypeptide provides the coding sequence needed to complement the insert, i.e., a nucleic acid from an odorant/ligand-binding region library of the invention. For example, if the amplified odorant/ligand-binding region is equivalent to transmembrane domain II through VII, the “donor” provides transmembrane domain I; if the binding region is transmembrane domain III through VI, the “donor” provides the amino terminal transmembrane domain I and the carboxy terminal domain VII; and the like. Any 7-membrane polypeptide coding sequence can be used as “donor,” including olfactory receptor polypeptide; however, some receptors which depend on long amino-terminal extensions for ligand recognition and binding (e.g., metabatropic glutamate, extracellular calcium sensors, GnRH and FSH peptide hormone receptors) may not produce functional receptors using this method.

These constructs can be cloned into expression systems, e.g., plasmids, vectors, viruses and the like. Any system can be used, from a minimal transcription unit (e.g., an expression cassette) to a recombinant virus capable of infecting an animal (e.g., an engineered adenovirus). These vectors can be used for functional expression assays in vitro or in vivo to screen large numbers of putative odorant/ligand molecules or to test for potential odorant toxicity.

The efficiency of the odorant-receptor screening systems of the invention are greatly increased by generating odorant receptor fusion proteins that can efficiently translocate to the plasma membrane. These hybrid receptors comprise the polypeptide translocating domains and the libraries of odorant/ligand-binding regions of the invention. With this scheme the invention provides an efficient means to generate and efficiently express thousands of olfactory receptor binding domains in functional cell and animal assays for the rapid screening of potential beneficial and toxic odorant/ligands.

Both in vitro and in vivo systems can be constructed and used in the methods of the invention. In vitro screening can include, e.g., liposome or lipid or planar membrane models. In vivo screening systems can include, e.g., use of human cells, e.g., olfactory neuron cell lines, or infection of animals (e.g., with virus with sequence encoding chimeric receptor) and transgenic animals that express the constructs of the invention. Adenovirus gene transfer vectors are particularly efficient for the transfer of nucleic acids encoding the hybrid olfactory receptor proteins of the invention to nasal/respiratory epithelium.

When human olfactory receptor nucleic acid is amplified, the in vitro models, cultured cells, and infected and transgenic animals can be used for screening large numbers of molecules for their potential as human odorants. The effect of an odorant on neuronal cell physiology can be also assessed. For example, the screening systems of the invention can be used to test whether an odorant/ligand may be potentially toxic (or beneficial) in humans. Any cell physiologic activity can be measured, e.g., cell death, cell growth, intracellular calcium ion changes, second messengers (e.g., G protein activation, cAMP increases), and the like. The effect of odorant/ligands on apoptotic mechanisms, neuronal growth characteristics (such as neuron population doubling time and length of processes), ion exchange and other measurable parameters can also be used to analyze their potential potency and toxicity.

The term “amplifying” and “amplification” as used herein incorporates its common usage and refers to the use of any suitable amplification methodology for generating or detecting recombinant or naturally expressed nucleic acid, as described in detail, below. For example, the invention provides methods and reagents (e.g. specific degenerate oligonucleotide primer pairs) for amplifying (e.g., by polymerase chain reaction, PCR) naturally expressed (e.g., genomic or mRNA) or recombinant (e.g., cDNA) nucleic acids of the invention (e.g., odorant/ligand binding sequences of the invention) in vivo or in vitro.

The term “7-transmembrane receptor” means a polypeptide belonging to a superfamily of transmembrane proteins that have seven domains that span the plasma membrane seven times (thus, the seven domains are called “transmembrane” or “TM” domains TM I to TM VII). Olfactory receptors belong to this family. 7-transmembrane receptor polypeptides have similar and characteristic primary, secondary and tertiary structures, as discussed in detail below.

The term “expression vector” refers to any recombinant expression system for the purpose of expressing a nucleic acid sequence of the invention in vitro or in vivo, constitutively or inducibly, in any cell, including prokaryotic, yeast, fungal, plant, insect or mammalian cell. The term includes linear or circular expression systems. The term includes expression systems that remain episomal or integrate into the host cell genome. The expression systems can have the ability to self-replicate or not, i.e., drive only transient expression in a cell. The term includes recombinant expression “cassettes” which contain only the minimum elements needed for transcription of the recombinant nucleic acid.

As used herein, “isolated,” when referring to a molecule or composition, such as, e.g., an isolated infected cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence derived from a library of the invention, means that the molecule or composition (including, e.g., a cell) is separated from at least one other compound, such as a protein, DNA, RNA, or other contaminants with which it is associated in vivo or in its naturally occurring state. Thus, a nucleic acid sequence is considered isolated when it has been isolated from any other component with which it is naturally associated. An isolated composition can, however, also be substantially pure. An isolated composition can be in a homogeneous state. It can be in a dry or an aqueous solution. Purity and homogeneity can be determined, e.g., using any analytical chemistry technique, as described herein.

The term “library” means a preparation that is a mixture different nucleic acid or polypeptide molecules, such as the library of recombinantly generated olfactory receptor ligand binding domains generated by amplification of nucleic acid with degenerate primer pairs, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2, or an isolated collection of vectors that incorporate the amplified odorant/ligand binding domains of the invention, or a mixture of cells each randomly transfected with at least one vector of the invention.

The term “nucleic acid” or “nucleic acid sequence” refers to a deoxy-ribonucleotide or ribonucleotide oligonucleotide in either single- or double-stranded form. The term encompasses nucleic acids, i.e., oligonucleotides, containing known analogues of natural nucleotides. The term also encompasses nucleic-acid-like structures with synthetic backbones, see e.g., Oligonucleotides and Analogues, a Practical Approach, ed. F. Eckstein, Oxford Univ. Press (1991); Antisense Strategies, Annals of the N.Y. Academy of Sciences, Vol. 600, Eds. Baserga et al. (NYAS 1992); Milligan (1993) J. Med. Chem. 36:1923-1937; Antisense Research and Applications (1993, CRC Press), WO 97/0321 1; WO 96/39154; Mata (1997) Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 144:189-197; Strauss-Soukup (1997) Biochemistry 36:8692-8698; Samstag (1996) Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev 6:153-156.

The term “P” in the sequence is 5′-Dimethoxytrityl-N-benzoyl-2′-deoxy-Cytidine, 3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-(N,N-diisopropyl)]-phosphoramidite, or equivalent thereof. “P” can be purchased by, e.g., Glen Research, Sterling, Va., described as “dC-CE Phosphoramidite” catalog number 10-1010-xx.

The term “olfactory receptor ligand-binding region” or “olfactory receptor ligand-binding domain” means a sequence derived from an olfactory receptor that substantially incorporates transmembrane domains II to VII (TM II to VII). The domain may be capable of binding a ligand.

The term “plasma membrane translocation domain” or simply “translocation domain” means a polypeptide domain that is functionally equivalent to the exemplary translocation domain of the invention (SEQ ID NO:3). Exemplary amino terminal plasma membrane translocation domain SEQ ID NO:3 was initially derived from the rhodopsin receptor amino terminus. A protein (e.g., an olfactory receptor polypeptide) comprising SEQ ID NO:3 as an amino terminal translocating domain will be transported to the plasma membrane more efficiently than without the domain (e.g., as discussed above, M4 receptor expression increased from undetectable levels to at least 10% of the total expressed protein). “Functional equivalency” means the domain's ability and efficiency in translocating newly translated proteins to the plasma membrane as efficiently as exemplary SEQ ID NO:3 under similar conditions; relatively efficiencies can be measured (in quantitative terms) and compared, as described herein. Domains falling within the scope of the invention can be determined by routine screening for their efficiency in translocating newly synthesized polypeptides to the plasma membrane in a cell (mammalian, Xenopus, and the like) with the same efficiency as the twenty amino acid long translocation domain SEQ ID NO:3, as described in detail below.

The “translocation domain,” odorant/ligand binding domains, and chimeric receptors compositions of the invention also include “analogs,” or “conservative variants” and “mimetics” (“peptidomimetics”) with structures and activity that substantially correspond to the exemplary sequences, such as the SEQ ID NO:3 translocation domain. Thus, the terms “conservative variant” or “analog” or “mimetic” refer to a polypeptide which has a modified amino acid sequence, such that the change(s) do not substantially alter the polypeptide's (the conservative variant's) structure and/or activity, as defined herein. These include conservatively modified variations of an amino acid sequence, i.e., amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions of those residues that are not critical for protein activity, or substitution of amino acids with residues having similar properties (e.g., acidic, basic, positively or negatively charged, polar or non-polar, etc.) such that the substitutions of even critical amino acids does not substantially alter structure and/or activity. Conservative substitution tables providing functionally similar amino acids are well known in the art. For example, one exemplary guideline to select conservative substitutions includes (original residue followed by exemplary substitution): ala/gly or ser; arg/lys; asn/gln or his; asp/glu; cys/ser; gln/asn; gly/asp; gly/ala or pro; his/asn or gln; ile/leu or val; leu/ile or val; lys/arg or gln or glu; met/leu or tyr or ile; phe/met or leu or tyr; ser/thr; thr/ser; trp/tyr; tyr/trp or phe; val/ile or leu. An alternative exemplary guideline uses the following six groups, each containing amino acids that are conservative substitutions for one another:1) Alanine (A), Serine (S), Threonine (T); 2) Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E); 3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q); 4) Arginine (R), Lysine (K); 5) Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Methionine (M), Valine (V); and 6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W); (see also, e.g., Creighton (1984) Proteins, W. H. Freeman and Company; Schulz and Schimer (1979) Principles of Protein Structure, Springer-Verlag). One of skill in the art will appreciate that the above-identified substitutions are not the only possible conservative substitutions. For example, for some purposes, one may regard all charged amino acids as conservative substitutions for each other whether they are positive or negative. In addition, individual substitutions, deletions or additions that alter, add or delete a single amino acid or a small percentage of amino acids in an encoded sequence can also be considered “conservatively modified variations.”

The terms “mimetic” and “peptidomimetic” refer to a synthetic chemical compound that has substantially the same structural and/or functional characteristics of the polypeptides, e.g., translocation domains or odorant-ligand binding domains or chimeric receptors of the invention. The mimetic can be either entirely composed of synthetic, non-natural analogues of amino acids, or, is a chimeric molecule of partly natural peptide amino acids and partly non-natural analogs of amino acids. The mimetic can also incorporate any amount of natural amino acid conservative substitutions as long as such substitutions also do not substantially alter the mimetic's structure and/or activity. As with polypeptides of the invention which are conservative variants, routine experimentation will determine whether a mimetic is within the scope of the invention, i.e., that its structure and/or function is not substantially altered. Polypeptide mimetic compositions can contain any combination of non-natural structural components, which are typically from three structural groups: a) residue linkage groups other than the natural amide bond (“peptide bond”) linkages; b) non-natural residues in place of naturally occurring amino acid residues; or c) residues which induce secondary structural mimicry, i.e., to induce or stabilize a secondary structure, e.g., a beta turn, gamma turn, beta sheet, alpha helix conformation, and the like. A polypeptide can be characterized as a mimetic when all or some of its residues are joined by chemical means other than natural peptide bonds. Individual peptidomimetic residues can be joined by peptide bonds, other chemical bonds or coupling means, such as, e.g., glutaraldehyde, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, bifunctional maleimides, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) or N,N′-diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC). Linking groups that can be an alternative to the traditional amide bond (“peptide bond”) linkages include, e.g., ketomethylene (e.g., —C(═O)—CH 2 —for −C(═O)—NH—), aminomethylene (CH 2 —NH), ethylene, olefin (CH═CH), ether (CH 2 —O), thioether (CH 2 —S), tetrazole (CN 4 —), thiazole, retroamide, thioamide, or ester (see, e.g., Spatola (1983) in Chemistry and Biochemistry of Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins, Vol. 7, pp 267-357, “Peptide Backbone Modifications,” Marcell Dekker, N.Y.). A polypeptide can also be characterized as a mimetic by containing all or some non-natural residues in place of naturally occurring amino acid residues; non-natural residues are well described in the scientific and patent literature.

As used herein, “recombinant” refers to a polynucleotide synthesized or otherwise manipulated in vitro (e.g., “recombinant polynucleotide”), to methods of using recombinant polynucleotides to produce gene products in cells or other biological systems, or to a polypeptide (“recombinant protein”) encoded by a recombinant polynucleotide. “Recombinant means” also encompass the ligation of nucleic acids having various coding regions or domains or promoter sequences from different sources into an expression cassette or vector for expression of, e.g., inducible or constitutive expression of a fusion protein comprising a translocation domain of the invention and a nucleic acid sequence amplified using a primer of the invention.

The term “transmembrane domain” means a polypeptide domain that can in completely span the plasma membrane. The general secondary and tertiary structure of transmembrane domains, particular the seven transmembrane domains of 7-transmembrane receptors such as olfactory receptors, are well known in the art. Thus, primary structure sequence can be designed or predicted based on known transmembrane domain sequences, as described in detail, below. One such exemplary domain is the 7-transmembrane receptor transmembrane region I domain comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4.

Generation and Genetic Engineering of Nucleic Acids

This invention provides novel PCR primers for the amplification of nucleic acids encoding olfactory receptor ligand binding regions and libraries of these nucleic acids. The invention also provides novel libraries of expression vectors that are used to infect or transfect cells for the functional expression of these libraries. As the genes and vectors of the invention can be made and expressed in vitro or in vivo, the invention provides for a variety of means of making and expressing these genes and vectors. One of skill will recognize that desired phenotypes for altering and controlling nucleic acid expression can be obtained by modulating the expression or activity of the genes and nucleic acids (e.g., promoters, enhancers and the like) within the vectors of the invention. Any of the known methods described for increasing or decreasing expression or activity can be used for this invention. The invention can be practiced in conjunction with any method or protocol known in the art, which are well described in the scientific and patent literature.

General Techniques

The nucleic acid sequences of the invention and other nucleic acids used to practice this invention, whether RNA, cDNA, genomic DNA, vectors, viruses or hybrids thereof, may be isolated from a variety of sources, genetically engineered, amplified, and/or expressed recombinantly. Any recombinant expression system can be used, including, in addition to mammalian cells, e.g., bacterial, yeast, insect or plant systems.

Alternatively, these nucleic acids can be synthesized in vitro by well-known chemical synthesis techniques, as described in, e.g., Carruthers (1982) Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 47:411-418; Adams (1983) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105:661; Belousov (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3440-3444; Frenkel (1995) Free Radic. Biol. Med. 19:373-380; Blommers (1994) Biochemistry 33:7886-7896; Narang (1979) Meth. Enzymol. 68:90; Brown (1979) Meth. Enzymol. 68:109; Beaucage (1981) Tetra. Lett. 22:1859; U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,066. Double stranded DNA fragments may then be obtained either by synthesizing the complementary strand and annealing the strands together under appropriate conditions, or by adding the complementary strand using DNA polymerase with an appropriate primer sequence.

Techniques for the manipulation of nucleic acids, such as, e.g., generating mutations in sequences, subcloning, labeling probes, sequencing, hybridization and the like are well described in the scientific and patent literature, see, e.g., Sambrook, ed., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2nd ed.), Vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, (1989); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Ausubel, ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., N.Y. (1997); Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Hybridization With Nucleic Acid Probes, Part I. Theory and Nucleic Acid Preparation, Tijssen, ed. Elsevier, N.Y. (1993).

Nucleic acids, vectors, capsids, polypeptides, and the like can be analyzed and quantified by any of a number of general means well known to those of skill in the art. These include, e.g., analytical biochemical methods such as NMR, spectrophotometry, radiography, electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), and hyperdiffusion chromatography, various immunological methods, e.g. fluid or gel precipitin reactions, immunodiffusion, immuno-electrophoresis, radioimmunoassays (RIAs), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), immuno-fluorescent assays, Southern analysis, Northern analysis, dot-blot analysis, gel electrophoresis (e.g., SDS-PAGE), RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, other nucleic acid or target or signal amplification methods, radiolabeling, scintillation counting, and affinity chromatography.

Amplification of Nucleic Acids

The invention provides oligonucleotide primers that can amplify nucleic acid encoding an olfactory receptor ligand-binding region. The nucleic acids of the invention can also be cloned or measured quantitatively using amplification techniques. Using the exemplary degenerate primer pair sequences of the invention (see below), the skilled artisan can select and design suitable oligonucleotide amplification primers. Amplification methods are also well known in the art, and include, e.g., polymerase chain reaction, PCR (PCR PROTOCOLS, A GUIDE TO METHODS AND APPLICATIONS, ed. Innis, Academic Press, N.Y. (1990) and PCR STRATEGIES (1995), ed. Innis, Academic Press, Inc., N.Y., ligase chain reaction (LCR) (see, e.g., Wu (1989) Genomics 4:560; Landegren (1988) Science 241:1077; Barringer (1990) Gene 89:117); transcription amplification (see, e.g., Kwoh (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:1173); and, self-sustained sequence replication (see, e.g., Guatelli (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:1874); Q Beta replicase amplification (see, e.g., Smith (1997) J. Clin. Microbiol. 35:1477-1491), automated Q-beta replicase amplification assay (see, e.g., Burg (1996) Mol. Cell. Probes 10:257-271) and other RNA polymerase mediated techniques (e.g., NASBA, Cangene, Mississauga, Ontario); see also Berger (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152:307-316; Sambrook; Ausubel; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202; Sooknanan (1995) Biotechnology 13:563-564.

Once amplified, the libraries can be cloned, if desired, into any of a variety of vectors using routine molecular biological methods; methods for cloning in vitro amplified nucleic acids are described, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,039. To facilitate cloning of amplified sequences, restriction enzyme sites can be “built into” the PCR primer pair. For example, Pst I and Bsp E1 sites were designed into the exemplary primer pairs of the invention. These particular restriction sites were chosen because they have a sequence that, when ligated, are “in-frame” with respect to the 7-membrane receptor “donor” coding sequence into which they are spliced (the odorant/ligand binding region-coding sequence is internal to the 7-membrane polypeptide, thus, if it is desired that the construct be translated downstream of a restriction enzyme splice site, out of frame results should be avoided; this may not be necessary if the inserted odorant/ligand binding domain comprises substantially most of the transmembrane VII region). The primers can be designed to retain the original sequence of the “donor” 7-membrane receptor (the Pst I and Bsp E1 sequence in the primers of the invention generate an insert that, when ligated into the Pst I/Bsp E1 cut vector, encode residues found in the “donor” mouse olfactory receptor M4 sequence). Alternatively, the primers can encode amino acid residues that are conservative substitutions (e.g., hydrophobic for hydrophobic residue, see above discussion) or functionally benign substitutions (e.g., do not prevent plasma membrane insertion, cause cleavage by peptidase, cause abnormal folding of receptor, and the like).

Degenerate Primer Design

The primer pairs of the invention are designed to selectively amplify odorant/ligand-binding regions of olfactory receptor proteins. These domain regions may vary for different odorants; thus, what may be a minimal binding region for one odorant may be too limiting for a second potential ligand. Thus, the invention includes amplification of domain regions of different sizes comprising different domain structures; for example, transmembrane (TM) domains II through VII, III through VII, III through VI or II through VI, or variations thereof (e.g., only a subsequence of a particular domain, mixing the order of the domains, and the like), of a 7-transmembrane olfactory receptor. As domain structures and sequence of many 7-membrane proteins, particularly olfactory receptors, are known, the skilled artisan can readily select domain-flanking and internal domain sequences as model sequences to design degenerate amplification primer pairs. For example, a nucleic acid sequence encoding domain regions II through VII can be generated by PCR amplification using a primer pair SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2 (see FIG. 1 ). To amplify a nucleic acid comprising transmembrane domain I (TM I) sequence, a degenerate primer can be designed from a nucleic acid that encodes the amino acid sequence LFLLYL 3′ (SEQ ID NO:49). Such a degenerate primer can be used to generate a binding domain incorporating TM I through TM III, TM I through TM IV, TM I through TM V, TM I through TM VI or TM I through TM VII).

To amplify a nucleic acid comprising a transmembrane domain III (TM III) sequence, a degenerate primer (of at least about 17 residues) can be designed from a nucleic acid that encodes the amino acid sequence M(A/G)(Y/F)DRYVAI 3′ (SEQ ID NO:50 (encoded by a nucleic acid sequence such as 5′-ATGG(G/C)CT(A/T)TGACCG(C/A/T)T(AT)(C/T)GT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:51)). Such a degenerate primer can be used to generate a binding domain incorporating TM III through TM IV, TM III through TM V, TM III through TM VI or TM III through TM VII.

To amplify transmembrane domain VI (TM VI) sequence, a degenerate primer (of at least about 17 residues) can be designed from nucleic acid encoding an amino acid sequence TC(glycine/Alanine)SHL (SEQ ID NO:52), encoded by a sequence such as 5′-AG(G/A)TGN(G/C)(T/A)N(G/C)C(G/A)CANGT-3′) 3′ (SEQ ID NO:53), Such a degenerate primer can be used to generate a binding domain incorporating TM I through TM VI, TM II through TM VI, TM III through TM VI or TM IV through TM VI).

Paradigms to design degenerate primer pairs are well known in the art. For example, a COnsensus-DEgenerate Hybrid Oligonucleotide Primer (CODEHOP) strategy computer program is accessible as http://blocks.fhcrc.org/codehop.html, and is directly linked from the BlockMaker multiple sequence alignment site for hybrid primer prediction beginning with a set of related protein sequences, as known olfactory receptor ligand binding regions (see, e.g., Rose (1998) Nucleic Acids Res. 26:1628-1635; Singh (1998) Biotechniques 24:318-319).

Means to synthesize oligonucleotide primer pairs are well known in the art. “Natural” base pairs or synthetic base pairs can be used. For example, use of artificial nucleobases offers a versatile approach to manipulate primer sequence and generate a more complex mixture of amplification products. Various families of artificial nucleobases are capable of assuming multiple hydrogen bonding orientations through internal bond rotations to provide a means for degenerate molecular recognition. Incorporation of these analogs into a single position of a PCR primer allows for generation of a complex library of amplification products. See, e.g., Hoops (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:4866-4871. Nonpolar molecules can also be used to mimic the shape of natural DNA bases. A non-hydrogen-bonding shape mimic for adenine can replicate efficiently and selectively against a nonpolar shape mimic for thymine (see, e.g., Morales (1998) Nat. Struct. Biol. 5:950-954). For example, two degenerate bases can be the pyrimidine base 6H, 8H-3,4-dihydropyrimido[4,5-c][1,2]oxazin-7-one or the purine base N6-methoxy-2,6-diaminopurine (see, e.g., Hill (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:4258-4263). Exemplary degenerate primers of the invention incorporate the nucleobase analog 5′-Dimethoxytrityl-N-benzoyl-2′-deoxy-Cytidine,3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)- (N,N-diisopropyl)]-phosphoramidite ((the term “P” in the sequences, see above). This pyrimidine analog hydrogen bonds with purines, including A and G residues.

Exemplary primer pairs for amplification of olfactory receptor transmembrane domains II through VII include:

(a) 5′-GGGGTCCGGAG(A/G)(C/G)(A/G)TA(A/G/T)AT(A/G/P)A(A/G/P)(A/G/P)GG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:1) and 5′-GGGGCTGCAGACACC(A/C/G/T)ATGTA(C/T)(C/T)T(A/C/G/T)TT(C/T)(C/T)T-3′ (SEQ ID NO:2).

(b) 5′-GGGGTCCGGAG(A/G)(C/G)T(A/G)A(A/G/T)AT(A/G/P)A(A/G/P)(A/G/P)GG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:7) and 5′-GGGGCTGCAGACACC(A/C/G/T)ATGTA(C/T)(C/T)T(A/C/G/T)TT(C/T)(C/T)T-3′ (SEQ ID NO:8)

(c) 5 ′-GGGGTCCGGAG(A/G)(C/G)T(A/G)A(A/G/T)AT(A/G/C/T)A(A/G/C/T) (A/G/C/T)GG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:9) and 5′-GGGGCTGCAGACACC(A/C/G/T)ATGTA(C/T)(C/T)T(A/C/G/T)TT(C/T)(C/T)T-3′ (SEQ ID NO:10).

Generating Nucleic Acids from Olfactory Receptor-Expressing Cells

The invention provides method for generating nucleic acids that encode ligand-binding regions of olfactory receptors by amplification (e.g., PCR) of appropriate nucleic acid sequences using degenerate primer pairs. The amplified nucleic acid can be genomic DNA from any cell or tissue or mRNA or cDNA derived from olfactory receptor-expressing cells, e.g., olfactory neurons or olfactory epithelium.

Isolation of from olfactory receptor-expressing cells is well known in the art (cells expressing naturally or inducibly expressing olfactory receptors can be used to express the hybrid olfactory receptors of the invention to screen for potential odorants and odorant effect on cell physiology, as described below). For example, cells can be identified by olfactory marker protein (OMP), an abundant cytoplasmic protein expressed almost exclusively in mature olfactory sensory neurons (see, e.g., Buiakova (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad.

Sci. USA 93:9858-9863). Shirley (1983) Eur. J. Biochem. 32:485-494, describes a rat olfactory preparation suitable for biochemical studies in vitro on olfactory mechanisms. Cultures of adult rat olfactory receptor neurons are described by Vargas (1999) Chem. Senses 24:211-216. Because these cultured neurons exhibit typical voltage-gated currents and are responsive to application of odorants, they can also be used to express the hybrid olfactory receptors of the invention for odorant screening (endogenous olfactory receptor can be initially blocked, if desired, by, e.g., antisense, knockout, and the like). U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,266 describes culturing human olfactory neurons for neurotoxicity tests and screening.

Murrell (1999) J. Neurosci. 19:8260-8270 describes differentiated olfactory receptor-expressing cells in culture that respond to odorants, as measured by an influx of calcium.

Genetic Engineering of Hybrid Receptor-encoding Sequences

The invention provides hybrid protein-coding sequences comprising polypeptide-encoding nucleic acids fused to the translocation sequences of the invention. Also provided are hybrid olfactory receptors comprising the translocation motifs and odorant/ligand-binding domains of olfactory receptors. These nucleic acid sequences can be operably linked to transcriptional or translational control elements, e.g., transcription and translation initiation sequences, promoters and enhancers, transcription and translation terminators, polyadenylation sequences, and other sequences useful for transcribing DNA into RNA. In construction of recombinant expression cassettes, vectors, transgenics, of the invention, a promoter fragment can be employed to direct expression of the desired nucleic acid in all tissues. Olfactory cell-specific transcriptional elements can also be used to express the fusion polypeptide receptor of the invention, including, e.g., a 6.7 kb region upstream of the M4 olfactory receptor coding region. This region was sufficient to direct expression in olfactory epithelium with wild type zonal restriction and distributed neuronal expression for endogenous olfactory receptors (Qasba (1998) J. Neurosci. 18:227-236). Receptor genes are normally expressed in a small subset of neurons throughout a zonally restricted region of the sensory epithelium. The transcriptional or translational control elements can be isolated from natural sources, obtained from such sources as ATCC or GenBank libraries, or prepared by synthetic or recombinant methods.

The invention provides fusion proteins comprising the translocation motif of the invention. However, these fusion proteins can also comprise additional element for, e.g., protein detection, purification, or other applications. Detection and purification facilitating domains include, e.g., metal chelating peptides such as polyhistidine tracts or histidine-tryptophan modules or other domains that allow purification on immobilized metals; maltose binding protein; protein A domains that allow purification on immobilized immunoglobulin; or the domain utilized in the FLAGS extension/affinity purification system (Immunex Corp, Seattle Wash.).

The inclusion of a cleavable linker sequences such as Factor Xa (see, e.g., Ottavi (1998) Biochimie 80:289-293), subtilisin protease recognition motif (see, e.g., Polyak (1997) Protein Eng. 10:615-619); enterokinase (Invitrogen, San Diego Calif.), and the like, between a translocation domain of the invention (for efficient plasma membrane expression) and the rest of the newly translated polypeptide may be useful to facilitate purification. For example, one construct can include a polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid sequence linked to six histidine residues followed by a thioredoxin, an enterokinase cleavage site (see, e.g., Williams (1995) Biochemistry 34:1787-1797), and an amino terminal translocation domain. The histidine residues facilitate detection and purification while the enterokinase cleavage site provides a means for purifying the desired protein(s) from the remainder of the fusion protein. Technology pertaining to vectors encoding fusion proteins and application of fusion proteins are well described in the scientific and patent literature, see e.g., Kroll (1993) DNA Cell. Biol., 12:441-53.

Cloning and Construction of Expression Vectors

The invention provides libraries of expression vectors comprising the olfactory binding domain-encoding sequences of the invention. These nucleic acids may be introduced into a genome or into the cytoplasm or a nucleus of a cell and expressed by a variety of conventional techniques, well described in the scientific and patent literature. See, e.g., Roberts (1987) Nature 328:73 1; Berger (1987) supra; Schneider (1995) Protein Expr. Purif. 6435:10; Sambrook, Tijssen or Ausubel. Product information from manufacturers of biological reagents and experimental equipment also provide information regarding known biological methods. The vectors can be isolated from natural sources, obtained from such sources as ATCC or GenBank libraries, or prepared by synthetic or recombinant methods.

The nucleic acids of the invention can be expressed in expression cassettes, vectors or viruses which are stably or transiently expressed in cells (e.g., episomal expression systems). Selection markers can be incorporated into expression cassettes and vectors to confer a selectable phenotype on transformed cells and sequences. For example, selection markers can code for episomal maintenance and replication such that integration into the host genome is not required. For example, the marker may encode antibiotic resistance (e.g., chloramphenicol, kanamycin, G418, bleomycin, hygromycin) or herbicide resistance (e.g., chlorosulfuron or Basta) to permit selection of those cells transformed with the desired DNA sequences (see, e.g., Blondelet-Rouault (1997) Gene 190:315-317; Aubrecht (1997) J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 281:992-997). Because selectable marker genes conferring resistance to substrates like neomycin or hygromycin can only be utilized in tissue culture, chemoresistance genes are also used as selectable markers in vitro and in vivo.

Structure of Seven-Transmembrane Receptors

The invention provides a chimeric nucleic acid sequence encoding an odorant/ligand binding domain within any 7-transmembrane polypeptide. 7-transmembrane receptors belong to a superfamily of transmembrane (TM) proteins having seven domains that transverse a plasma membrane seven times. Each of the seven domains spans the plasma membrane (TM I to TM VII). Because 7-transmembrane receptor polypeptides have similar primary sequences and secondary and tertiary structures, structural domains (e.g., TM domains) can be readily identified by sequence analysis. For example, homology modeling, Fourier analysis and helical periodicity detection can identify and characterize the seven domains within a 7-transmembrane receptor sequence. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms can be used to assess the dominant periods that characterize profiles of the hydrophobicity and variability of analyzed sequences. To predict TM domains and their boundaries and topology, a “neural network algorithm” by “PHD server” can be used, as done by Pilpel (1999) Protein Science 8:969-977; Rost (1995) Protein Sci. 4:521-533. Periodicity detection enhancement and alpha helical periodicity index can be done as by, e.g., Donnelly (1993) Protein Sci. 2:55-70. Other alignment and modeling algorithms are well known in the art, see, e.g., Peitsch (1996) Receptors Channels 4:161-164; Cronet (1993) Protein Eng. 6:59-64 (homology and “discover modeling”); http://bioinfo.weizmann.ac.il/.

Olfactory Gene and Receptors

The library sequences of the invention include receptor sequences that correspond to TM ligand-binding domains, including, e.g., TM II to VII, TM II to VI, TM III to VII, and TM III to VII, that have been amplified (e.g., PCR) from mRNA of or cDNA derived from, e.g., olfactory receptor-expressing neurons or genomic DNA. Olfactory (or “odorant”) receptors belong to the 7-transmembrane receptor superfamily; however they are also recognized as a distinct family of receptors. Olfactory receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors (Raming (1993) Nature 361:353-356). Genes encoding the olfactory receptors are active primarily in olfactory neurons (Axel (1995) Sci. Amer. 273:154-159). Individual olfactory receptor types are expressed in subsets of cells distributed in distinct zones of the olfactory epithelium (Breer (1994) Semin. Cell Biol. 5:25-32). The human genome contains thousands of genes that encode a diverse repertoire of olfactory receptors (Rouquier (1998) Nat. Genet. 18:243-250; Trask (1998) Hum. Mol. Genet. 7:2007-2020).

Identifying Olfactory Receptor TM Domain Structures and Sequences

The invention provides libraries of olfactory receptor odorant/ligand-binding TM domain sequences. These sequence can include a various TM domains or variations thereof, as describe above. These sequences can be derived from any 7-transmembrane receptor. Because these polypeptides have similar primary sequences and secondary and tertiary structures, the seven domains can be identified by various analyses well known in the art, including, e.g., homology modeling, Fourier analysis and helical periodicity (see, e.g., Pilpel (1999) supra), as described above. Using this information sequences flanking the seven domains can be identified and used to designed degenerate primers for amplification of various combinations of TM regions and subsequences for use in the compositions and methods of the invention.

Measuring Changes in Physiologic Activity Due to Olfactory Receptor-Ligand Binding

The invention provides methods and compositions for determining whether a test compound specifically binds to a mammalian olfactory receptor in vitro or in vivo. The invention also provides methods and compositions for determining whether a test compound is neurotoxic to an olfactory neuron expressing an olfactory transmembrane receptor polypeptide. Any aspect of cell physiology can be monitored to assess the effect of odorant/ligand binding to a chimeric olfactory receptor of the invention.

Olfactory receptors are normally located on the specialized cilia of olfactory neurons. These receptors bind odorants and initiate the transduction of chemical stimuli into electrical signals. This process can involve a G protein-coupled activation of an adenylyl cyclase, which leads to a rise in cAMP and consequently the opening of cyclic nucleotide-activated, non-selective cation channels. These open channels produce a cation influx that results in the depolarization of the olfactory neuron. Another olfactory transduction mechanism can also include the generation of IP 3 and the opening of IP 3 -activated channels on the ciliary plasma membrane. Electro-olfactograms can measure the mass response of sensory neurons in the olfactory epithelium (discussed below).

Cell Culture Assays

The invention provides methods and compositions for expressing the chimeric olfactory receptors of the invention in cells to screen for odorants that can specifically bind and the effect (e.g., biochemical or electrophysiological) of such binding on cell physiology. Any cell expression system can be used, e.g., mammalian cell expression systems. Cells that normally express olfactory receptors can be used, particularly to study the physiological effect of an odorant on a cell. Isolation and/or culturing of such cells and their transformation with chimeric olfactory receptor-expressing sequences of the invention can be done with routine methods, as described above. See, e.g., description of cultured neurons that exhibit typical voltage-gated currents and are responsive to application of odorants. Vargas (1999) supra; olfactory neurons from rats (Coon (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:1703-1707). However, the neurotoxicity of various agents to humans could be more accurately determined using cultured human neurons than cultured non-human neurons.

To evaluate electrophysiologic effects of ligand binding to cell-expressed chimeric receptor, patch-clamping of individual cells can be done. Patch-clamp recordings of the olfactory receptor cell membrane can measure membrane conductances. Some conductances are gated by odorants in the cilia and depolarize the cell through cAMP- or IP3-sensitive channels, depending on the species. Other conductances are activated by membrane depolarization and/or an increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration. See, e.g., Trotier (1994) Semin. Cell Biol. 5:47-54.

Changes in calcium ion levels in the cell after exposure of the cell to known or potential odorant/ligands can be accomplished by a variety of means. For example, cells can be pre-loaded with reagents sensitive to calcium ion transients, e.g., Fura-2 (see, e.g., Rawson (1997) J. Neurophysiol. 77:1606-1613; Restrepo (1996) J. Neurobiol. 30:37-48). Measurement of calcium transients is described in detail in Example 1, below. For example, Kashiwayanagi (1996) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 225:666-671 measured both of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate induces inward currents and Ca2+ uptake in frog olfactory receptor cells.

Other physiologic mechanisms can also be measured, e.g., plasma membrane homeostasis parameters (including lipid second messengers), cellular pH changes (see, e.g., Silver (1998) Methods Cell Biol. 56:237-251), G proteins (see, e.g., Quartara (1997) Neuropeptides 31:537-563); cAMP, and the like.

Non-human Animal Assays

The invention also provides non-human animals expressing one or more hybrid olfactory receptor sequences of the invention, particularly human olfactory receptor sequences. Such expression can be used to determine whether a test compound specifically binds to a mammalian olfactory transmembrane receptor polypeptide in vivo by contacting a non-human animal stably or transiently infected with a nucleic acid derived from the library of the invention with a test compound and determining whether the animal reacts to the test compound by specifically binding to the receptor polypeptide.

Use of the translocation domains of the invention in the fusion polypeptides generates a cell expressing high levels of olfactory receptor. Animals infected with the vectors of the invention are particularly useful for assays to identify and characterize odorants/ligands that can bind to a specific or sets of receptors. Such vector-infected animals expressing libraries of human olfactory sequences can be used for in vivo screening of odorants and their effect on, e.g., cell physiology (e.g., on olfactory neurons), on the CNS (e.g., olfactory bulb activity), or behavior.

Means to infect/express the libraries of nucleic acids and vectors of the invention are well known in the art, as described above. A variety of individual cell, organ or whole animal parameters can be measured by a variety of means. For example, recording of stimulant-induced waves (bulbar responses) from the main olfactory bulb or accessory olfactory bulb is a useful tool for measuring quantitative stable olfactory responses. When electrodes are located on the olfactory bulb surface it is possible to record stable responses over a period of several days (see, e.g., Kashiwayanagi (1997) Brain Res. Brain Res. Protoc. 1:287-291). In this study, electroolfactogram recordings were made with a four-electrode assembly from the olfactory epithelium overlying the endoturbinate bones facing the nasal septum. Four electrodes were fixed along the dorsal-to-ventral axis of one turbinate bone or were placed in corresponding positions on four turbinate bones and moved together up toward the top of the bone. See also, Scott (1997) J. Neurophysiol. 77:1950-1962; Scott (1996) J. Neurophysiol. 75:2036-2049; Ezeh (1995) J. Neurophysiol. 73:2207-2220. In other systems, fluorescence changes in nasal epithelium can be measured using the dye di-4-ANEPPS, which is applied on the rat's nasal septum and medial surface of the turbinates (see, e.g., Youngentob (1995) J. Neurophysiol. 73:387-398). Extracellular potassium activity (aK) measurements can also be carried out in in vivo. An increase in aK can be measured in the mucus and the proximal part of the nasal epithelium (see, e.g., Khayari (1991) Brain Res. 539:1-5).

The chimeric olfactory receptor of the invention can be expressed in animal nasal epithelium by delivery with an infecting agent, e.g., adenovirus expression vector. Recombinant adenovirus-mediated expression of a recombinant gene in olfactory epithelium using green fluorescent protein as a marker is described by, e.g., Touhara (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:4040-4045.

Transgenic Non-human Animals Incorporating Hybrid Olfactory Receptors

The invention also provides non-human animals genetically engineered to express one or more hybrid olfactory receptor sequences of the invention, particularly human olfactory receptor sequences. Because the translocation domains of the invention in the fusion polypeptides generates an animal expressing high levels of olfactory receptor, these animals and their progeny are particularly useful for assays to identify and characterize odorants/ligands that can bind to a specific or sets of receptors.

The endogenous olfactory receptor genes can remain functional and wild-type (native) activity can still be present. In other situations, where it is desirable that all olfactory receptor activity is by the introduced exogenous hybrid receptor, use of a knockout line is preferred. Methods for the construction of non-human transgenic animals, particularly transgenic mice, and the selection and preparation of recombinant constructs for generating transformed cells are well known in the art.

Construction of a “knockout” cell and animal is based on the premise that the level of expression of a particular gene in a mammalian cell can be decreased or completely abrogated by introducing into the genome a new DNA sequence that serves to interrupt some portion of the DNA sequence of the gene to be suppressed. Also, “gene trap insertion” can be used to disrupt a host gene, and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells can be used to produce knockout transgenic animals (see, e.g., Holzschu (1997) Transgenic Res 6: 97-106). The insertion of the exogenous sequence is typically by homologous recombination between complementary nucleic acid sequences. The exogenous sequence is some portion of the target gene to be modified, such as exonic, intronic or transcriptional regulatory sequences, or any genomic sequence which is able to affect the level of the target gene's expression; or a combination thereof. Gene targeting via homologous recombination in pluripotential embryonic stem cells allows one to modify precisely the genomic sequence of interest. Any technique can be used to create, screen for, propagate, a knockout animal, e.g., see Bijvoet (1998) Hum. Mol. Genet. 7:53-62; Moreadith (1997) J. Mol. Med. 75:208-216; Tojo (1995) Cytotechnology 19:161-165; Mudgett (1995) Methods Mol. Biol. 48:167-184; Longo (1997) Transgenic Res. 6:321-328; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,616,491; 5,464,764; 5,631,153; 5,487,992; 5,627,059; 5,272,071; and, WO 91/09955, WO 93/09222, WO 96/29411, WO 95/31560, and WO 91/12650.

The nucleic acid libraries of the invention can also be used as reagents to produce “knockout” human cells and their progeny.

Kits

The invention provides kits that contain degenerate primer pairs of the invention. cDNA libraries from olfactory epithelium can also be included. The kits can contain recombinant adenoviruses comprising a single construct or libraries of expression vectors of the invention. The kit can also contain replication-competent cells, such as 293 cells. The kit can contain instructional material teaching methodologies, e.g., means to amplify nucleic acid, infect animals, and the like.

It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims.

The following examples are offered to illustrate, but not to limit the claimed invention.

The few studies carried out previously on identifying cognate odorant-olfactory receptor pairs have generally focused on a single receptor and examined its responsiveness to a large number of odorants or odorant mixtures. The present invention provides the means to take a different approach by generating olfactory receptor libraries to use in the screening of a large number of cloned receptors simultaneously against a large panel of individual odorants. In this way, the problem of poor expression, inefficient folding or weak coupling to second-messenger systems associated with certain receptors in a heterologous system is avoided. Moreover, screening multiple receptors against multiple odorants, greatly increases the probability of identifying responsive combinations of receptors and odorants. Finally, the apparent diversity of the receptor sequences should further enhance the scan of the odor space. The above-described experiments screened 80 clones (not counting the I7 receptor) against 26 odorants. Because a given odorant should be recognized by at least one member of, say, a total of 1000 receptors, the chance of encountering an odorant that is a cognate ligand to 80 receptors should, on average, be 8% (={fraction (80/1000)}), or 2 positives in a pool of 26 odorants. This number is close to the number (3) identified experimentally herein. The receptor library generated with a single pair of degenerate primers of the invention (the TM II to TM VII amplifying pair) encompasses a broad range of the olfactory receptor family. Several hundred distinct sequences are represented in this exemplary library of the invention.

The addition of translocation domains of the invention (the first twenty amino-acid residues of a rhodopsin N-terminal segment, with some exemplary domains also consisting of a 5′-untranslated rhodopsin region) to the chimeric olfactory receptors of the invention facilitated their plasma membrane localization. This included the full-length I-C6 receptor, where the inclusion of the translocation domain was necessary in order to observe a response to (−)citronellal. The different translocation domains of the invention may be aiding in the translocation process in different ways; however, the invention is not limited by what structural contribution may be played by the translocation domain to the newly translated protein's translocation process.

57

1

25

Artificial Sequence

PCR primer

1

ggggtccgga grsrtadatn anngg 25

2

30

Artificial Sequence

PCR primer

2

ggggctgcag acaccnatgt ayytnttyyt 30

3

20

Bovus

PCR primer

3

Met Asn Gly Thr Glu Gly Pro Asn Phe Tyr Val Pro Phe Ser Asn Lys

1 5 10 15

Thr Gly Val Val

20

4

174

Mus musculus

PCR primer

4

gaattccccg gtcagaacta cagcaccata tcagaattta tcctctttgg tttctcagcc 60

ttcccacacc agatgctccc tgctctgttc ctgctctact tgctgatgta tttgttcact 120

cttctgggga acctggtcat catggctgct atctggacag aacatagact gcag 174

5

87

Mus musculus

PCR primer

5

tccggaaagg agctgaagaa tgctataatt aaaagcttcc acaggaatgt ctgtcaacaa 60

agtatctaag tgtcagttct gtctaga 87

6

112

Bovus

PCR primer

6

ggatccgggt tcgcgccgcc ggcgggcagc cgcaagggcc gcagccatga acgggaccga 60

gggcccaaac ttctacgtgc ctttctccaa caagacgggc gtggtggaat tc 112

7

25

Artificial Sequence

PCR primer

7

ggggtccgga grstradatn anngg 25

8

30

Artificial Sequence

PCR primer

8

ggggctgcag acaccnatgt ayytnttyyt 30

9

25

Artificial Sequence

PCR primer

9

ggggtccgga grstradatn anngg 25

10

30

Artificial Sequence

PCR primer

10

ggggctgcag acaccnatgt ayytnttyyt 30

11

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

11

agtgtcttat ccattctgga tatgggctat gtcaccacca cagtgcccca gatgctggta 60

catctggtct gtaagaagaa gaccatatcc tatgttggat gtgtggctca gatgtacatc 120

ttcctgatgc tgggaatcac cgagtcttgg ctgtttgcaa tcatggccta tgataggtat 180

gtggccattt gccatcccct cagatacaaa gtcatcatga gtcctttgct gcgcgggtca 240

ctggtagcct tctgtgggtt ctggggtatc acctgtgccc tgatatatac tgtttctgct 300

atgattcttc cctactgtgg ccccaatgag atcaaccact tcttctgtga agtgcctgct 360

gtcctgaagc tggcctgcgc agacacctct cccaatgacc aggtagactt catcctaggc 420

tttatccttc ttttggtccc actctccctc atcattgttg tctacatcaa tatctttgct 480

gctatcttga gaatccgttc aactcaaggg aggatcaagg ccttctccac ctgtgtgtcc 540

cacatcactg tggtcaccat gttctccatc ccgtgtatgg ttatgtatat gaggcctggc 600

tctgagtcct ccccagaaga ggacaagaag ttggctctgt tctacaacgt catctctgcc 660

ttcctcaac 669

12

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

12

Ser Val Leu Ser Ile Leu Asp Met Gly Tyr Val Thr Thr Thr Val Pro

1 5 10 15

Gln Met Leu Val His Leu Val Cys Lys Lys Lys Thr Ile Ser Tyr Val

20 25 30

Gly Cys Val Ala Gln Met Tyr Ile Phe Leu Met Leu Gly Ile Thr Glu

35 40 45

Ser Trp Leu Phe Ala Ile Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

His Pro Leu Arg Tyr Lys Val Ile Met Ser Pro Leu Leu Arg Gly Ser

65 70 75 80

Leu Val Ala Phe Cys Gly Phe Trp Gly Ile Thr Cys Ala Leu Ile Tyr

85 90 95

Thr Val Ser Ala Met Ile Leu Pro Tyr Cys Gly Pro Asn Glu Ile Asn

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Val Pro Ala Val Leu Lys Leu Ala Cys Ala Asp

115 120 125

Thr Ser Pro Asn Asp Gln Val Asp Phe Ile Leu Gly Phe Ile Leu Leu

130 135 140

Leu Val Pro Leu Ser Leu Ile Ile Val Val Tyr Ile Asn Ile Phe Ala

145 150 155 160

Ala Ile Leu Arg Ile Arg Ser Thr Gln Gly Arg Ile Lys Ala Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Val Ser His Ile Thr Val Val Thr Met Phe Ser Ile Pro Cys

180 185 190

Met Val Met Tyr Met Arg Pro Gly Ser Glu Ser Ser Pro Glu Glu Asp

195 200 205

Lys Lys Leu Ala Leu Phe Tyr Asn Val Ile Ser Ala Phe Leu Asn

210 215 220

13

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

13

tgcaacctgg ccaccatgga cattgtgtgc accccctctg tgattcctaa ggccctgatt 60

ggcctagtgt ctgaagaaaa caccatctcc ttcaaaggat gcatggctca gctcttcttt 120

cttctgtggt ccttgtcttc ggagctgctg ctgctcacgg tcatggccta tgaccgctat 180

gtggccatct gctttcccct gcactacagc tctagaatga gcccacagct ctgtggggcc 240

ctggccgtgg gtgtatggtc catctgtgct gtgaatgcat ctgtgcacac tggcctgatg 300

acacggctgt cattctgtgg ccccaaggtc atcacccact tcttctgtga gattccccca 360

ctcctcctgc tttcctgtag tcccacatac attaatagcg ttatgacact tgtggcagat 420

gccttttatg ggtgcatcaa ctttgtgcta accttgttat cctatggctg catcattgcc 480

agtgttctgc gcatgcgttc tgctgagggc aagaggaagg ccttttctac ctgttcatcc 540

cacctcatcg tggtctcagt gtactactca tctgtgttct gtgcctatgt cagtcctgcc 600

tccagctaca gcccagaaag aagcaaagtt acctccgtgc tgtactcgat cctcagccca 660

accctgaac 669

14

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

14

Cys Asn Leu Ala Thr Met Asp Ile Val Cys Thr Pro Ser Val Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Ala Leu Ile Gly Leu Val Ser Glu Glu Asn Thr Ile Ser Phe Lys

20 25 30

Gly Cys Met Ala Gln Leu Phe Phe Leu Leu Trp Ser Leu Ser Ser Glu

35 40 45

Leu Leu Leu Leu Thr Val Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

Phe Pro Leu His Tyr Ser Ser Arg Met Ser Pro Gln Leu Cys Gly Ala

65 70 75 80

Leu Ala Val Gly Val Trp Ser Ile Cys Ala Val Asn Ala Ser Val His

85 90 95

Thr Gly Leu Met Thr Arg Leu Ser Phe Cys Gly Pro Lys Val Ile Thr

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Ile Pro Pro Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser Cys Ser Pro

115 120 125

Thr Tyr Ile Asn Ser Val Met Thr Leu Val Ala Asp Ala Phe Tyr Gly

130 135 140

Cys Ile Asn Phe Val Leu Thr Leu Leu Ser Tyr Gly Cys Ile Ile Ala

145 150 155 160

Ser Val Leu Arg Met Arg Ser Ala Glu Gly Lys Arg Lys Ala Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Leu Ile Val Val Ser Val Tyr Tyr Ser Ser Val

180 185 190

Phe Cys Ala Tyr Val Ser Pro Ala Ser Ser Tyr Ser Pro Glu Arg Ser

195 200 205

Lys Val Thr Ser Val Leu Tyr Ser Ile Leu Ser Pro Thr Leu Asn

210 215 220

15

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

15

tgcaacctgg ccaccatgga tattatctgc acctcctctg tgctgcccaa ggcgctggtt 60

ggtctactat ctgaggaaaa caccatctcc tttaaagggt gcatggccca gctcttcttc 120

cttgtgtggt ccttgtcttc agagctgctg ctgctcacag tcatggccta tgaccgctat 180

gtggccatct gctttcccct gcactacagc tctagaatga gcccacagtt gtgtggggct 240

ctggccatgg gtgtatggtc catctgtgct ctgaatgcat ctatcaacac tggtctgatg 300

acacggctgt cattctgtgg acccaaggtc atcacccact tcttctgtga gattccccca 360

ctccttctgc tctcctgtag ccccacatac gtaaacagca ttatgactct aatagcagat 420

gtcttctatg gaggcatcaa ttttgtgctt accttactat cctatggctg catcattgcc 480

agcatcctgc gcatgcgttc tgctgagggc aagaggaagg ccttttctac ctgctcatcc 540

cacctcatcg tggtctctgt gtactactca tctgtgttct gtgcctatgt cagccctgca 600

tccagctata gcccagaaag aagcaaagtt acctctgtgt tgtactcatt cctcagccca 660

accctgaac 669

16

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

16

Cys Asn Leu Ala Thr Met Asp Ile Ile Cys Thr Ser Ser Val Leu Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Ala Leu Val Gly Leu Leu Ser Glu Glu Asn Thr Ile Ser Phe Lys

20 25 30

Gly Cys Met Ala Gln Leu Phe Phe Leu Val Trp Ser Leu Ser Ser Glu

35 40 45

Leu Leu Leu Leu Thr Val Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

Phe Pro Leu His Tyr Ser Ser Arg Met Ser Pro Gln Leu Cys Gly Ala

65 70 75 80

Leu Ala Met Gly Val Trp Ser Ile Cys Ala Leu Asn Ala Ser Ile Asn

85 90 95

Thr Gly Leu Met Thr Arg Leu Ser Phe Cys Gly Pro Lys Val Ile Thr

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Ile Pro Pro Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser Cys Ser Pro

115 120 125

Thr Tyr Val Asn Ser Ile Met Thr Leu Ile Ala Asp Val Phe Tyr Gly

130 135 140

Gly Ile Asn Phe Val Leu Thr Leu Leu Ser Tyr Gly Cys Ile Ile Ala

145 150 155 160

Ser Ile Leu Arg Met Arg Ser Ala Glu Gly Lys Arg Lys Ala Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Leu Ile Val Val Ser Val Tyr Tyr Ser Ser Val

180 185 190

Phe Cys Ala Tyr Val Ser Pro Ala Ser Ser Tyr Ser Pro Glu Arg Ser

195 200 205

Lys Val Thr Ser Val Leu Tyr Ser Phe Leu Ser Pro Thr Leu Asn

210 215 220

17

675

Mus musculus

PCR primer

17

gccacccttt cctgtgttga catcctcttc acctccacca cagtgcccaa ggccctagtg 60

aacatccaca cccaaagcag gacaatctcc tatgcaggat gcctggtcca gctctatttt 120

ttcctgactt ttggagacat ggacatcttt ctcctggcca caatggccta tgaccgcttt 180

gtagctattt gtcaccctct ccactatagg atgatcatga gcttccagcg ctgctcactc 240

ttagtgacag tctgttggac ccttacaacc gttgtggcca tgacacacac cttcctcata 300

ttccggctct ccttctgctc tcagaaggtc attccagact tcttctgtga cctgggaccc 360

ctaatgaaga tcgcttgctc tgaaacccgg atcaatgagc ttgtgcttct cttcctgggg 420

ggtgcagtca tcttaatccc ctttttgctc atccttatgt cttatatccg cattgtttca 480

gccatcctca gggtcccttc tgcccaagga aggcgtaagg ccttttctac ctgtgggtcc 540

cacctttctg tggtggccct attctttggg actgtgataa gggcttatct atgtccttca 600

tcctcttcct ctaactcagt ggtagaggac acagcagcag ctgtcatgta tacagtggtg 660

actcccgtgc tgaac 675

18

225

Mus musculus

PCR primer

18

Ala Thr Leu Ser Cys Val Asp Ile Leu Phe Thr Ser Thr Thr Val Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Ala Leu Val Asn Ile His Thr Gln Ser Arg Thr Ile Ser Tyr Ala

20 25 30

Gly Cys Leu Val Gln Leu Tyr Phe Phe Leu Thr Phe Gly Asp Met Asp

35 40 45

Ile Phe Leu Leu Ala Thr Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Phe Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

His Pro Leu His Tyr Arg Met Ile Met Ser Phe Gln Arg Cys Ser Leu

65 70 75 80

Leu Val Thr Val Cys Trp Thr Leu Thr Thr Val Val Ala Met Thr His

85 90 95

Thr Phe Leu Ile Phe Arg Leu Ser Phe Cys Ser Gln Lys Val Ile Pro

100 105 110

Asp Phe Phe Cys Asp Leu Gly Pro Leu Met Lys Ile Ala Cys Ser Glu

115 120 125

Thr Arg Ile Asn Glu Leu Val Leu Leu Phe Leu Gly Gly Ala Val Ile

130 135 140

Leu Ile Pro Phe Leu Leu Ile Leu Met Ser Tyr Ile Arg Ile Val Ser

145 150 155 160

Ala Ile Leu Arg Val Pro Ser Ala Gln Gly Arg Arg Lys Ala Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Gly Ser His Leu Ser Val Val Ala Leu Phe Phe Gly Thr Val

180 185 190

Ile Arg Ala Tyr Leu Cys Pro Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Asn Ser Val Val

195 200 205

Glu Asp Thr Ala Ala Ala Val Met Tyr Thr Val Val Thr Pro Val Leu

210 215 220

Asn

225

19

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

19

agtcagctct ccctcatgga cctcatgctg gtctgtaaca ttgtgccaaa gatggcagtc 60

aacttcctgt ctggcaggaa gtccatctct tttgccggct gtggcataca aatcggattt 120

tttgtctctc ttgtgggatc agagggtctc ttgttaggac tcatggctta tgatcgctat 180

gtggccatta gccacccact tcactatccc attctcatga gccaaaaggt ctgtctccag 240

attgctggaa gttcctgggc ttttgggatc cttgatggaa taattcagat ggtggcagcc 300

atgagcctgc cctactgtgg ctcacggtat atagatcact tcttctgtga agtgccggct 360

ttactgaagc tggcctgtgc agacacctcc cttttcgaca ccctgctctt tgcttgctgt 420

gtctttatgc tgcttcttcc tttctcgatc attgtgactt cctatgctcg catcttgggg 480

gctgtgctcc gtatgcactc tgcccagtcc cgaaaaaagg ccctggccac ttgttcctcc 540

cacctgacag ctgtctctct cttctacggg gcagcaatgt tcatctacct gaggccaagg 600

cgatatcgcg ctcctagcca tgacaaagtt gtctcaatct tctacacagt tcttactcct 660

atgctcaac 669

20

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

20

Ser Gln Leu Ser Leu Met Asp Leu Met Leu Val Cys Asn Ile Val Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Met Ala Val Asn Phe Leu Ser Gly Arg Lys Ser Ile Ser Phe Ala

20 25 30

Gly Cys Gly Ile Gln Ile Gly Phe Phe Val Ser Leu Val Gly Ser Glu

35 40 45

Gly Leu Leu Leu Gly Leu Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Ser

50 55 60

His Pro Leu His Tyr Pro Ile Leu Met Ser Gln Lys Val Cys Leu Gln

65 70 75 80

Ile Ala Gly Ser Ser Trp Ala Phe Gly Ile Leu Asp Gly Ile Ile Gln

85 90 95

Met Val Ala Ala Met Ser Leu Pro Tyr Cys Gly Ser Arg Tyr Ile Asp

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Val Pro Ala Leu Leu Lys Leu Ala Cys Ala Asp

115 120 125

Thr Ser Leu Phe Asp Thr Leu Leu Phe Ala Cys Cys Val Phe Met Leu

130 135 140

Leu Leu Pro Phe Ser Ile Ile Val Thr Ser Tyr Ala Arg Ile Leu Gly

145 150 155 160

Ala Val Leu Arg Met His Ser Ala Gln Ser Arg Lys Lys Ala Leu Ala

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Leu Thr Ala Val Ser Leu Phe Tyr Gly Ala Ala

180 185 190

Met Phe Ile Tyr Leu Arg Pro Arg Arg Tyr Arg Ala Pro Ser His Asp

195 200 205

Lys Val Val Ser Ile Phe Tyr Thr Val Leu Thr Pro Met Leu Asn

210 215 220

21

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

21

tacaaccttt cattgtctga catgggcttt agcagcacca caatccccaa aatgctgata 60

aacttgcatg cacataagag atccacaaca tatgctgaat gcctaactca ggtatctttc 120

tttattcttt ttgggtgtat ggacagcttt ctactggcag tgatggcata tgaccgatgg 180

gtggccattt gtcaccctct acactaccaa gtcattctga atccttgtcg gtgtagatat 240

ttggttgtaa tgtcattttg tatcagtctc attgattcac aggtgcactg ctttatggtg 300

tcacaactaa cattttgtac taatatagaa atccctcatt tcttctgtga tgttccagaa 360

cttgtaaaac ttgcttgttc taacactact atcaatgaca tagccatgtt tctttcaagc 420

atcattgttg gattcctccc tgcctcagga atattttact cctactataa aattacttct 480

tctattttta gagttccatc actgttaggg aaatataaag ccttctctac ctgtggatct 540

cacctgtcag ttgtttgcct attttatgga acaggtatag gagtttacct cagttccaca 600

gtttctggtt cttccaggga aagtatggta gcttcggtaa tgtatacaat ggtggttcct 660

atgatgaac 669

22

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

22

Tyr Asn Leu Ser Leu Ser Asp Met Gly Phe Ser Ser Thr Thr Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Met Leu Ile Asn Leu His Ala His Lys Arg Ser Thr Thr Tyr Ala

20 25 30

Glu Cys Leu Thr Gln Val Ser Phe Phe Ile Leu Phe Gly Cys Met Asp

35 40 45

Ser Phe Leu Leu Ala Val Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Trp Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

His Pro Leu His Tyr Gln Val Ile Leu Asn Pro Cys Arg Cys Arg Tyr

65 70 75 80

Leu Val Val Met Ser Phe Cys Ile Ser Leu Ile Asp Ser Gln Val His

85 90 95

Cys Phe Met Val Ser Gln Leu Thr Phe Cys Thr Asn Ile Glu Ile Pro

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Asp Val Pro Glu Leu Val Lys Leu Ala Cys Ser Asn

115 120 125

Thr Thr Ile Asn Asp Ile Ala Met Phe Leu Ser Ser Ile Ile Val Gly

130 135 140

Phe Leu Pro Ala Ser Gly Ile Phe Tyr Ser Tyr Tyr Lys Ile Thr Ser

145 150 155 160

Ser Ile Phe Arg Val Pro Ser Leu Leu Gly Lys Tyr Lys Ala Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Gly Ser His Leu Ser Val Val Cys Leu Phe Tyr Gly Thr Gly

180 185 190

Ile Gly Val Tyr Leu Ser Ser Thr Val Ser Gly Ser Ser Arg Glu Ser

195 200 205

Met Val Ala Ser Val Met Tyr Thr Met Val Val Pro Met Met Asn

210 215 220

23

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

23

agtcagctct ccctcatgga cctcatgctg gtctgtaaca ttgtgccaaa gatggcagtc 60

aacttcctgt ctggcaggaa gtccatctct tttgccggct gtggcataca aatcggattt 120

tttgtctctc ttgtgggatc agagggtctc ttgttaggac tcatggctta tgatcgctat 180

gtggccatta gccacccact tcactatccc attctcatga gccaaaaggt ctgtctccag 240

attgctggaa gttcctgggc ttttgggatc cttgatggaa taattcagat ggtggcagcc 300

atgagcctgc cctactgtgg ctcacggtat atagatcact tcttctgtga agtgccggct 360

ttactgaagc tggcctgtgc agacacctcc cttttcgaca ccctgctctt tgcttgctgt 420

gtctttatgc tgcttcttcc tttctcgatc attgtgactt cctatgctcg catcttgggg 480

actgtgctcc gtatgcactc tgcccagtcc cgaaaaaagg ccctggccac ttgttcctcc 540

cacctgacag ctgtctctct cttctacggg gcagcaatgt tcatctacct gaggccaagg 600

cgatatcgcg ctcctagcca tgacaaagtt gtctcaatct tctacacagt tcttactcct 660

atgctcaac 669

24

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

24

Ser Gln Leu Ser Leu Met Asp Leu Met Leu Val Cys Asn Ile Val Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Met Ala Val Asn Phe Leu Ser Gly Arg Lys Ser Ile Ser Phe Ala

20 25 30

Gly Cys Gly Ile Gln Ile Gly Phe Phe Val Ser Leu Val Gly Ser Glu

35 40 45

Gly Leu Leu Leu Gly Leu Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Ser

50 55 60

His Pro Leu His Tyr Pro Ile Leu Met Ser Gln Lys Val Cys Leu Gln

65 70 75 80

Ile Ala Gly Ser Ser Trp Ala Phe Gly Ile Leu Asp Gly Ile Ile Gln

85 90 95

Met Val Ala Ala Met Ser Leu Pro Tyr Cys Gly Ser Arg Tyr Ile Asp

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Val Pro Ala Leu Leu Lys Leu Ala Cys Ala Asp

115 120 125

Thr Ser Leu Phe Asp Thr Leu Leu Phe Ala Cys Cys Val Phe Met Leu

130 135 140

Leu Leu Pro Phe Ser Ile Ile Val Thr Ser Tyr Ala Arg Ile Leu Gly

145 150 155 160

Thr Val Leu Arg Met His Ser Ala Gln Ser Arg Lys Lys Ala Leu Ala

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Leu Thr Ala Val Ser Leu Phe Tyr Gly Ala Ala

180 185 190

Met Phe Ile Tyr Leu Arg Pro Arg Arg Tyr Arg Ala Pro Ser His Asp

195 200 205

Lys Val Val Ser Ile Phe Tyr Thr Val Leu Thr Pro Met Leu Asn

210 215 220

25

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

25

tctaatctgt cctttgtgga catctgcttc acttccacca ctgttccaca gatgctggta 60

aacattcaca cacaaagcaa ggccatcacc tatgcaggct gcatcatcca aatgtacttc 120

ttactgcttt tttcagggtt agacatcttt ctgctgactg tgatggccta tgaccgctat 180

gtggccatct gtcaccccct gcattacatg atcatcatga gcacaagacg ctgtggattg 240

atgattctgg catgctggat tataggtgtt ataaattccc tgttacacac ctttttggtg 300

ttacggctgt cattctgcac aaacttggaa atcccccatt ttttctgtga acttaatcaa 360

gttgtacacc aggcctgttc tgacaccttt cttaatgata tggtaattta cattacagct 420

atgctactgg ctgttggccc cttctctggt atcctttact cttactctag gatagtatcc 480

tccatttgtg caatctcctc agtgcagggg aagtacaaag cattttccac ctgtgcatct 540

cacctctcag ttgtctcctt attttattgc accctcctgg gagtgtacct cagctctgct 600

gtgacccaaa actcacatgc tactgcaaca gcttcattga tgtacactgt ggtcaccccc 660

atgctgaac 669

26

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

26

Ser Asn Leu Ser Phe Val Asp Ile Cys Phe Thr Ser Thr Thr Val Pro

1 5 10 15

Gln Met Leu Val Asn Ile His Thr Gln Ser Lys Ala Ile Thr Tyr Ala

20 25 30

Gly Cys Ile Ile Gln Met Tyr Phe Leu Leu Leu Phe Ser Gly Leu Asp

35 40 45

Ile Phe Leu Leu Thr Val Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

His Pro Leu His Tyr Met Ile Ile Met Ser Thr Arg Arg Cys Gly Leu

65 70 75 80

Met Ile Leu Ala Cys Trp Ile Ile Gly Val Ile Asn Ser Leu Leu His

85 90 95

Thr Phe Leu Val Leu Arg Leu Ser Phe Cys Thr Asn Leu Glu Ile Pro

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Leu Asn Gln Val Val His Gln Ala Cys Ser Asp

115 120 125

Thr Phe Leu Asn Asp Met Val Ile Tyr Ile Thr Ala Met Leu Leu Ala

130 135 140

Val Gly Pro Phe Ser Gly Ile Leu Tyr Ser Tyr Ser Arg Ile Val Ser

145 150 155 160

Ser Ile Cys Ala Ile Ser Ser Val Gln Gly Lys Tyr Lys Ala Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ala Ser His Leu Ser Val Val Ser Leu Phe Tyr Cys Thr Leu

180 185 190

Leu Gly Val Tyr Leu Ser Ser Ala Val Thr Gln Asn Ser His Ala Thr

195 200 205

Ala Thr Ala Ser Leu Met Tyr Thr Val Val Thr Pro Met Leu Asn

210 215 220

27

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

27

agtcagctct ccctcatgga cctcatgctg gtctgtaaca ttgtgccaaa gatggcagtc 60

aacttcctgt ctggcaggaa gtccatctct tttgccggct gtggcataca aatcggattt 120

tttgtctctc ttgtgggatc agagggtctc ttgttaggac tcatggctta tgatcgctat 180

gtggccatta gccacccact tcactatccc attctcatga gccaaaaggt ctgtctccag 240

attgctggaa gttcctgggc ttttgggatc cttgatggaa taattcagat ggtggcagcc 300

atgagcctgc cctactgtgg ctcacggtat atagatcact tcttctgtga agtgccggct 360

ttactgaagc tggcctgtgc agacacctcc cttttcgaca ccctgctctt tgcttgctgt 420

gtctttatgc tgcttcttcc tttctcgatc attgtgactt cctatgctcg catcttgggg 480

gctgtgctcc gtatgcactc tgcccagtcc cgaaaaaagg ccctggccac ttgttcctcc 540

cacctgacag ctgtctctct cttctacggg gcagcaatgt tcatctacct gaggccaagg 600

cgatatcgcg ctcctagcca tgacaaagtt gtctcaatct tctacacagt tcttactcct 660

atgctcaac 669

28

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

28

Ser Gln Leu Ser Leu Met Asp Leu Met Leu Val Cys Asn Ile Val Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Met Ala Val Asn Phe Leu Ser Gly Arg Lys Ser Ile Ser Phe Ala

20 25 30

Gly Cys Gly Ile Gln Ile Gly Phe Phe Val Ser Leu Val Gly Ser Glu

35 40 45

Gly Leu Leu Leu Gly Leu Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Ser

50 55 60

His Pro Leu His Tyr Pro Ile Leu Met Ser Gln Lys Val Cys Leu Gln

65 70 75 80

Ile Ala Gly Ser Ser Trp Ala Phe Gly Ile Leu Asp Gly Ile Ile Gln

85 90 95

Met Val Ala Ala Met Ser Leu Pro Tyr Cys Gly Ser Arg Tyr Ile Asp

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Val Pro Ala Leu Leu Lys Leu Ala Cys Ala Asp

115 120 125

Thr Ser Leu Phe Asp Thr Leu Leu Phe Ala Cys Cys Val Phe Met Leu

130 135 140

Leu Leu Pro Phe Ser Ile Ile Val Thr Ser Tyr Ala Arg Ile Leu Gly

145 150 155 160

Ala Val Leu Arg Met His Ser Ala Gln Ser Arg Lys Lys Ala Leu Ala

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Leu Thr Ala Val Ser Leu Phe Tyr Gly Ala Ala

180 185 190

Met Phe Ile Tyr Leu Arg Pro Arg Arg Tyr Arg Ala Pro Ser His Asp

195 200 205

Lys Val Val Ser Ile Phe Tyr Thr Val Leu Thr Pro Met Leu Asn

210 215 220

29

681

Mus musculus

PCR primer

29

tgtgccctct ccatctctga gattttctac acctttgcca tcatcccacg catgttggct 60

gacctgctca ccacacttca ctccatcgcc tttctggcct gtgccagcca gatgttcttc 120

tccttcacat ttggcttcac ccattccttt ctactcaccg tcatgggcta tgaccgctac 180

gtggccatct gtcacccact gagatacaat gtgctcatga gcccccgtgg ctgtgcctgc 240

ctggtagcct ggtcctgggt tggtggatca ttcatgggga cagtggtgac gacagccatt 300

ttcaacctca cattctgtgg acccaatgag atccaccatt ttacttgtca tgttccacct 360

ctattgaagt tggcatgcgg agagaatgta ctggaggtgg caaagggtgt agaaatagtg 420

tgcatcacag ccctcctggg ctgctttctc ctcatcctcc tctcatatgc cttcattgtg 480

gttaccatct tgaagatacc atcagctgag ggtcggcaca aggctttctc cacatgtgca 540

tcccacctca cagtggtggt tgtacattat ggctttgctt ctgtcattta cctcaagcct 600

aagggcccca agtctctgga aggagatact ctgatgggca tcacctacac agtcctcacc 660

cccttcctta gtatgctcaa c 681

30

224

Mus musculus

PCR primer

30

Cys Ala Leu Ser Ile Ser Glu Ile Phe Tyr Thr Phe Ala Ile Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

Arg Met Leu Ala Asp Leu Leu Thr Thr Leu His Ser Ile Ala Phe Leu

20 25 30

Ala Cys Ala Ser Gln Met Phe Phe Ser Phe Thr Phe Gly Phe Thr His

35 40 45

Ser Phe Leu Leu Thr Val Met Gly Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

His Pro Leu Arg Tyr Asn Val Leu Met Ser Pro Arg Gly Cys Ala Cys

65 70 75 80

Leu Val Ala Trp Ser Trp Val Gly Gly Ser Phe Met Gly Thr Val Val

85 90 95

Thr Thr Ala Ile Phe Asn Leu Thr Phe Cys Gly Pro Asn Glu Ile His

100 105 110

His Phe Thr Cys His Val Pro Pro Leu Leu Lys Leu Ala Cys Gly Glu

115 120 125

Asn Val Leu Glu Val Ala Lys Gly Val Glu Ile Val Cys Ile Thr Ala

130 135 140

Leu Leu Gly Cys Phe Leu Leu Ile Leu Leu Ser Tyr Ala Phe Ile Val

145 150 155 160

Val Thr Ile Leu Lys Ile Pro Ser Ala Glu Gly Arg His Lys Ala Phe

165 170 175

Ser Thr Cys Ala Ser His Leu Thr Val Val Val Val His Tyr Gly Phe

180 185 190

Ala Ser Val Ile Tyr Leu Lys Pro Lys Gly Pro Lys Ser Leu Glu Gly

195 200 205

Asp Thr Leu Met Gly Ile Thr Tyr Thr Val Leu Thr Pro Phe Leu Ser

210 215 220

31

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

31

tgcaacttag cgaccatgga tattatctgc acctcctctg tactgcccaa ggcgctggtt 60

ggtctactgt ctgaggaaaa caccacctcc ttcaaagggt gcatgactca gctcttcttt 120

cttgtgtggt ctggatcctc tgagctgctg ctgctcacag tcatggccta tgaccgctat 180

gtggccatct gtttgcccct gcattacagc tctaggatga gtccacagct ctgtgggacc 240

tttgccgtgg gtgtatggtc catctgcgca ctaaatgcat ctatcaacac tggtctgatg 300

acacggctgt cattctgtgg ccccaaggtc atcacccact tcttctgtga gattccccca 360

ctcctcctgc tctcctgtag tcctacatat ataaatagcg ttatgactct tgtggcagat 420

gccttttatg gaggcatcaa ttttttactt accttgctat cctatggctg catcattgcc 480

agcatcctgc gcatgcgttc tgctgagggc aagaggaagg ccttttctac ctgctcatcc 540

cacctcattg tggtctctgt gtactactca tctgtgttct gtgcctatgt cagccctgct 600

tctagctaca gcccagaaag aagcaaagtt tcctcagtgc tgtactcagt cctcagccca 660

accctcaac 669

32

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

32

Cys Asn Leu Ala Thr Met Asp Ile Ile Cys Thr Ser Ser Val Leu Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Ala Leu Val Gly Leu Leu Ser Glu Glu Asn Thr Thr Ser Phe Lys

20 25 30

Gly Cys Met Thr Gln Leu Phe Phe Leu Val Trp Ser Gly Ser Ser Glu

35 40 45

Leu Leu Leu Leu Thr Val Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

Leu Pro Leu His Tyr Ser Ser Arg Met Ser Pro Gln Leu Cys Gly Thr

65 70 75 80

Phe Ala Val Gly Val Trp Ser Ile Cys Ala Leu Asn Ala Ser Ile Asn

85 90 95

Thr Gly Leu Met Thr Arg Leu Ser Phe Cys Gly Pro Lys Val Ile Thr

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Ile Pro Pro Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser Cys Ser Pro

115 120 125

Thr Tyr Ile Asn Ser Val Met Thr Leu Val Ala Asp Ala Phe Tyr Gly

130 135 140

Gly Ile Asn Phe Leu Leu Thr Leu Leu Ser Tyr Gly Cys Ile Ile Ala

145 150 155 160

Ser Ile Leu Arg Met Arg Ser Ala Glu Gly Lys Arg Lys Ala Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Leu Ile Val Val Ser Val Tyr Tyr Ser Ser Val

180 185 190

Phe Cys Ala Tyr Val Ser Pro Ala Ser Ser Tyr Ser Pro Glu Arg Ser

195 200 205

Lys Val Ser Ser Val Leu Tyr Ser Val Leu Ser Pro Thr Leu Asn

210 215 220

33

666

Artificial Sequence

PCR primer

33

gccaaccttt ccttcgttga tgtctgcttc accaccaatc tcatccccag gctcctggct 60

ggccatgtgg ctggaacaag gaccatctct tatgtccact gcctaactca gacgtacttc 120

ctgatttctt ttgccaatgt ggacaccttt ctgctggctg ccatggccct ggacagattt 180

gtggccatat gctacccact acagtaccac accatcatca ccccccagct ctgtgtgggg 240

ctggcagccg ttgtgtggat gtgctctgcc ctcatctctc tgatgcacac actcctcatg 300

agcagactga gtttctgctc ctccatcccg gagatctctc acttctactg tgatgcttac 360

ctgctcatga agttggcctg ttcagacaca cgagtcaatc aacttgtctt cctgggagct 420

gtggtcctct ttgtggcccc ctgcattctc attgtggtct cttatgtccg aatcaccatg 480

gtggtcctcc agatcccctc tgcaaagggc cggcacaaga cattttccac atgtagctca 540

cacttgtctg tggtcactct gttctatggc acagtactgg gtatctatat acgacctcca 600

gactccttct ccacccagga cacggtagcc accatcatgt atactgtggt tacccccatg 660

ctgaac 666

34

222

Mus musculus

PCR primer

34

Ala Asn Leu Ser Phe Val Asp Val Cys Phe Thr Thr Asn Leu Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

Arg Leu Leu Ala Gly His Val Ala Gly Thr Arg Thr Ile Ser Tyr Val

20 25 30

His Cys Leu Thr Gln Thr Tyr Phe Leu Ile Ser Phe Ala Asn Val Asp

35 40 45

Thr Phe Leu Leu Ala Ala Met Ala Leu Asp Arg Phe Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

Tyr Pro Leu Gln Tyr His Thr Ile Ile Thr Pro Gln Leu Cys Val Gly

65 70 75 80

Leu Ala Ala Val Val Trp Met Cys Ser Ala Leu Ile Ser Leu Met His

85 90 95

Thr Leu Leu Met Ser Arg Leu Ser Phe Cys Ser Ser Ile Pro Glu Ile

100 105 110

Ser His Phe Tyr Cys Asp Ala Tyr Leu Leu Met Lys Leu Ala Cys Ser

115 120 125

Asp Thr Arg Val Asn Gln Leu Val Phe Leu Gly Ala Val Val Leu Phe

130 135 140

Val Ala Pro Cys Ile Leu Ile Val Val Ser Tyr Val Arg Ile Thr Met

145 150 155 160

Val Val Leu Gln Ile Pro Ser Ala Lys Gly Arg His Lys Thr Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Leu Ser Val Val Thr Leu Phe Tyr Gly Thr Val

180 185 190

Leu Gly Ile Tyr Ile Arg Pro Pro Asp Ser Phe Ser Thr Gln Asp Thr

195 200 205

Val Ala Thr Ile Met Tyr Thr Val Val Thr Pro Met Leu Asn

210 215 220

35

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

35

tgcaacctgg ctaccacgga tattgtgtgc acctcctctg tgattcctaa ggccctgatt 60

ggcctagtat ctgaggaaaa catcatcacc ttcaagggat gtatggccca gctcttcttc 120

cttgcatggg caacatccgc agagctgttg ctgctcacgg tcatggccta tgaccgctat 180

gtggctatct gctttcccct acactacagc tctaggatga gcccacagct ctgtggagca 240

ctggccgtgg gtgtatggtc catcagtgct gtgaatgcat ctgtgcacac tggcctgatg 300

acacggctgt cattctgtgg acccaaggtc atcacccact tcttctgtga gataccccca 360

ctcctcctgc tctcctgtag ttccacatac attaatagtg ttatgacact tgtggcagat 420

gtctttctgg gaggcatcaa cttcatgtta accctgttat cttatggctt catcattgcc 480

agcatcctgc gcatgcgttc tgctgagggc aagaggaagg ccttttctac ctgctcatcc 540

cacctcatcg tggtttctgt gtactactca tctctgttct gtgcctatat cagccctgct 600

tctagctaca gcccagaaag aagcaaagtt tcctcagtgc tgtactcagt cctcagccca 660

accctcaac 669

36

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

36

Cys Asn Leu Ala Thr Thr Asp Ile Val Cys Thr Ser Ser Val Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Ala Leu Ile Gly Leu Val Ser Glu Glu Asn Ile Ile Thr Phe Lys

20 25 30

Gly Cys Met Ala Gln Leu Phe Phe Leu Ala Trp Ala Thr Ser Ala Glu

35 40 45

Leu Leu Leu Leu Thr Val Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

Phe Pro Leu His Tyr Ser Ser Arg Met Ser Pro Gln Leu Cys Gly Ala

65 70 75 80

Leu Ala Val Gly Val Trp Ser Ile Ser Ala Val Asn Ala Ser Val His

85 90 95

Thr Gly Leu Met Thr Arg Leu Ser Phe Cys Gly Pro Lys Val Ile Thr

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Ile Pro Pro Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser Cys Ser Ser

115 120 125

Thr Tyr Ile Asn Ser Val Met Thr Leu Val Ala Asp Val Phe Leu Gly

130 135 140

Gly Ile Asn Phe Met Leu Thr Leu Leu Ser Tyr Gly Phe Ile Ile Ala

145 150 155 160

Ser Ile Leu Arg Met Arg Ser Ala Glu Gly Lys Arg Lys Ala Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Leu Ile Val Val Ser Val Tyr Tyr Ser Ser Leu

180 185 190

Phe Cys Ala Tyr Ile Ser Pro Ala Ser Ser Tyr Ser Pro Glu Arg Ser

195 200 205

Lys Val Ser Ser Val Leu Tyr Ser Val Leu Ser Pro Thr Leu Asn

210 215 220

37

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

37

agcaacctgg cttttgttga tttctgctac tcctctgtca ttacacctaa gatgcttggg 60

aatttcttgt atagcaaaaa tgccatatcc ttcaatgcat gtgctgccca gttaggctgc 120

tttctcacat ttatggtatc agagtgcttg ctcctggctt ccatggcata tgatagatat 180

gcagcaattt gtaaccctct attgtatatg gtcacaatgt ctcctggaat ctgcattcag 240

cttgtagttg tgccctatag ctatagtttc ctcatggcat tgattcacac tcttctaacc 300

ttccgcctat cctattgcca ttctaatatc atcaatcact tctactgtga tgacatgcct 360

cttctcaggc taacttgctc agatactcac tacaagcagc tgtctatttt ggcctgtgct 420

ggaatcacat tcatttcttc tgttctgatt gtttctgtat cctacatgtt cattatttct 480

gccattctga ggatgcgctc agctgaagga agacggaaag ccttttccac ctgtagctct 540

cacatgatgg cagtgagcat attctatgga actcttatct ttatgtactt acagccgagc 600

tctgaccatt ctcttgatac agataagatg gcctctgtct tctacacagt gatcatcccc 660

atgttgaac 669

38

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

38

Ser Asn Leu Ala Phe Val Asp Phe Cys Tyr Ser Ser Val Ile Thr Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Met Leu Gly Asn Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Asn Ala Ile Ser Phe Asn

20 25 30

Ala Cys Ala Ala Gln Leu Gly Cys Phe Leu Thr Phe Met Val Ser Glu

35 40 45

Cys Leu Leu Leu Ala Ser Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Ala Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

Asn Pro Leu Leu Tyr Met Val Thr Met Ser Pro Gly Ile Cys Ile Gln

65 70 75 80

Leu Val Val Val Pro Tyr Ser Tyr Ser Phe Leu Met Ala Leu Ile His

85 90 95

Thr Leu Leu Thr Phe Arg Leu Ser Tyr Cys His Ser Asn Ile Ile Asn

100 105 110

His Phe Tyr Cys Asp Asp Met Pro Leu Leu Arg Leu Thr Cys Ser Asp

115 120 125

Thr His Tyr Lys Gln Leu Ser Ile Leu Ala Cys Ala Gly Ile Thr Phe

130 135 140

Ile Ser Ser Val Leu Ile Val Ser Val Ser Tyr Met Phe Ile Ile Ser

145 150 155 160

Ala Ile Leu Arg Met Arg Ser Ala Glu Gly Arg Arg Lys Ala Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Met Met Ala Val Ser Ile Phe Tyr Gly Thr Leu

180 185 190

Ile Phe Met Tyr Leu Gln Pro Ser Ser Asp His Ser Leu Asp Thr Asp

195 200 205

Lys Met Ala Ser Val Phe Tyr Thr Val Ile Ile Pro Met Leu Asn

210 215 220

39

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

39

agtcacttgt ccttcattga catgatgtac atctcaacca ttgtgcccaa aatgctagtt 60

gattatcttc tagggcaaag gactatttcc tttgtgggat gcacagctca acactttcta 120

tacctcaccc tggtgggagc cgagttcttt cttctgggcc tcatggctta tgatcgttat 180

gtggccatct gcaacccact gaggtaccct gtcctcatga gccgccggat ctgttggatt 240

atcatagcag gctcctggtt tgggggatct ttggatggct tcctcctcac tccaatcacc 300

atgagttttc ctttctgtag atcacgagag attaaccact tcttctgtga ggcacctgct 360

gtgctgaagt tggcatgtgc agacacagcc ctctatgaga cggtgatgta tgtgtgctgc 420

gttctgatgc tgttgattcc tttctctgtg gttatctcat cctatgcgcg gattctggcc 480

actgtctacc atatgagctc tgtggaagga aggaagaaag cgtttgctac ctgctcgtct 540

cacatgactg tggtaacctt gttttatggg gctgccatat acacctatat ggtaccacac 600

tcttaccatt ccccatccca agacaaaatt ttttctgtgt tctataccat tctcacaccc 660

atgctgaac 669

40

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

40

Ser His Leu Ser Phe Ile Asp Met Met Tyr Ile Ser Thr Ile Val Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Met Leu Val Asp Tyr Leu Leu Gly Gln Arg Thr Ile Ser Phe Val

20 25 30

Gly Cys Thr Ala Gln His Phe Leu Tyr Leu Thr Leu Val Gly Ala Glu

35 40 45

Phe Phe Leu Leu Gly Leu Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

Asn Pro Leu Arg Tyr Pro Val Leu Met Ser Arg Arg Ile Cys Trp Ile

65 70 75 80

Ile Ile Ala Gly Ser Trp Phe Gly Gly Ser Leu Asp Gly Phe Leu Leu

85 90 95

Thr Pro Ile Thr Met Ser Phe Pro Phe Cys Arg Ser Arg Glu Ile Asn

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Ala Pro Ala Val Leu Lys Leu Ala Cys Ala Asp

115 120 125

Thr Ala Leu Tyr Glu Thr Val Met Tyr Val Cys Cys Val Leu Met Leu

130 135 140

Leu Ile Pro Phe Ser Val Val Ile Ser Ser Tyr Ala Arg Ile Leu Ala

145 150 155 160

Thr Val Tyr His Met Ser Ser Val Glu Gly Arg Lys Lys Ala Phe Ala

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Met Thr Val Val Thr Leu Phe Tyr Gly Ala Ala

180 185 190

Ile Tyr Thr Tyr Met Val Pro His Ser Tyr His Ser Pro Ser Gln Asp

195 200 205

Lys Ile Phe Ser Val Phe Tyr Thr Ile Leu Thr Pro Met Leu Asn

210 215 220

41

669

Mus musculus

PCR primer

41

tgcaacttag cgaccatgga tattatctgc acctcctctg tactgcccaa ggcgctggtt 60

ggtctactgt ctgaggaaaa caccatcccc ttcaaagggt gcatgactca gctcttcttt 120

cttgtgtggt ctggatcctc tgagctgctg ctgctcacag tcatggccta tgaccgctat 180

gtggccatct gtttgcccct gcattacagc tctaggatga gtccacagct ctgtgggacc 240

tttgccgtgg gtgtatggtc catctgcgca ctaaatgcat ctatcaacac tggtctgatg 300

acacggctgt cattctgtgg ccccaaggtc atcacccact tcttctgtga gattccccca 360

ctcctcctgc tctcctgtag tcctacatat ataaatagcg ttatgactct tgtggcagat 420

gccttttatg gaggcatcaa ttttttactt accttgctat cctatggctg catcattgcc 480

agcatcctgc gcatgcgttc tgctgagggc aagaggaagg ccttttctac ctgctcatcc 540

cacctcatcg tggtctctgt gtactactca tctgtgttct gtgcctatat cagtcctggt 600

tccagctaca gcccagaaag aagcaaattt acctcggttt tgtactcagt cctcagccca 660

accctcaac 669

42

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

42

Cys Asn Leu Ala Thr Met Asp Ile Ile Cys Thr Ser Ser Val Leu Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Ala Leu Val Gly Leu Leu Ser Glu Glu Asn Thr Ile Pro Phe Lys

20 25 30

Gly Cys Met Thr Gln Leu Phe Phe Leu Val Trp Ser Gly Ser Ser Glu

35 40 45

Leu Leu Leu Leu Thr Val Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

Leu Pro Leu His Tyr Ser Ser Arg Met Ser Pro Gln Leu Cys Gly Thr

65 70 75 80

Phe Ala Val Gly Val Trp Ser Ile Cys Ala Leu Asn Ala Ser Ile Asn

85 90 95

Thr Gly Leu Met Thr Arg Leu Ser Phe Cys Gly Pro Lys Val Ile Thr

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Glu Ile Pro Pro Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser Cys Ser Pro

115 120 125

Thr Tyr Ile Asn Ser Val Met Thr Leu Val Ala Asp Ala Phe Tyr Gly

130 135 140

Gly Ile Asn Phe Leu Leu Thr Leu Leu Ser Tyr Gly Cys Ile Ile Ala

145 150 155 160

Ser Ile Leu Arg Met Arg Ser Ala Glu Gly Lys Arg Lys Ala Phe Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Ser Ser His Leu Ile Val Val Ser Val Tyr Tyr Ser Ser Val

180 185 190

Phe Cys Ala Tyr Ile Ser Pro Gly Ser Ser Tyr Ser Pro Glu Arg Ser

195 200 205

Lys Phe Thr Ser Val Leu Tyr Ser Val Leu Ser Pro Thr Leu Asn

210 215 220

43

675

Mus musculus

PCR primer

43

gccaacctct ccagtgtcga cattagtgct ccatctgtca ttgtccccaa ggcattggtg 60

aatcatatgt tgggaagcaa gtccatctct tacacggggt gtatgaccca gatctatttc 120

ttcatcacat tcaacaatat ggatggcttc ctcctgagtg tgatggccta tgaccgctat 180

gtggccatct gtcaccctct ccactacacc atgatgatga gacccagact ctgtgtcctc 240

ctggtggcca tatcatgggc catcacaaac ctgcatgctc tcttgcatac tctcctcatg 300

gttcgactca ccttctgttc ccacaatgca gtgcaccact tcttctgtga cccctaccct 360

atcctgaagc tctcttgttc tgacaccttc atcaatgacc tgatggtctt caccattggt 420

ggattggtat ttatgactcc atttacatgc attattgttt cctatgccta catcttctct 480

aaggttctga agttaaaatc tgcccatgga ataaggaaag ccctgtcgac gtgtgggtct 540

cacctcactg tggtctccct cttctatggg gcgatcctgg gcatctatat gcacccttca 600

tctacataca cagtgcagga cacagtggcc accgtcatct tcacagtagt gacacccatg 660

gtcaacaccc tcaac 675

44

222

Mus musculus

PCR primer

44

Ala Asn Leu Ser Ser Val Asp Ile Ser Ala Pro Ser Val Ile Val Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Ala Leu Val Asn His Met Leu Gly Ser Lys Ser Ile Ser Tyr Thr

20 25 30

Gly Cys Met Thr Gln Ile Tyr Phe Phe Ile Thr Phe Asn Asn Met Asp

35 40 45

Gly Phe Leu Leu Ser Val Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

His Pro Leu His Tyr Thr Met Met Met Arg Pro Arg Leu Cys Val Leu

65 70 75 80

Leu Val Ala Ile Ser Trp Ala Ile Thr Asn Leu His Ala Leu Leu His

85 90 95

Thr Leu Leu Met Val Arg Leu Thr Phe Cys Ser His Asn Ala Val His

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Asp Pro Tyr Pro Ile Leu Lys Leu Ser Cys Ser Asp

115 120 125

Thr Phe Ile Asn Asp Leu Met Val Phe Thr Ile Gly Gly Leu Val Phe

130 135 140

Met Thr Pro Phe Thr Cys Ile Ile Val Ser Tyr Ala Tyr Ile Phe Ser

145 150 155 160

Lys Val Leu Lys Leu Lys Ser Ala His Gly Ile Arg Lys Ala Leu Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Gly Ser His Leu Thr Val Val Ser Leu Phe Tyr Gly Ala Ile

180 185 190

Leu Gly Ile Tyr Met His Pro Ser Ser Thr Tyr Thr Val Gln Asp Thr

195 200 205

Val Ala Thr Val Ile Phe Thr Val Val Thr Pro Met Val Asn

210 215 220

45

678

Mus musculus

PCR primer

45

agtcacttgg ccttcacgga catctctttc tcatctgtca cagctccaaa gatgctcatg 60

aatatgctga cacatagcca atccatctca catgctgggt gtgtttccca aatatatttt 120

ttcttattgt ttgggtgtat tgacaacttc cttctgactt ccatggccta tgacaggtat 180

gtggccatct gccaccctct gcattatacc actatcatga gtcaaagcct ctgtgttctg 240

ctagtgatgg tgtcctgggc attttcctct tctaatggcc ttgtgcatac tcttctcttt 300

gctcgtctct ctctttttag agacaacact gtccaccatt ttttctgtga tctctctgct 360

ttgctgaagc tgtccagctc agacactact atcaatgaac tagtaatcct cactttagca 420

gtggtggtca tcactgtacc attcatatgc atcctggttt cttatggcca catgggggcc 480

actatcctaa gaactccatc catcaagggt atctgcaaag ccttgtccac atgtggttct 540

catctctgtg tagtttcttt atattatgga gccattattg ggttatattt tttcccctcc 600

tccaataata ctaatgataa agatgtcata gtagctgtgt tgtacactgt ggttacaccc 660

atgctgaata ccctcaac 678

46

223

Mus musculus

PCR primer

46

Ser His Leu Ala Phe Thr Asp Ile Ser Phe Ser Ser Val Thr Ala Pro

1 5 10 15

Lys Met Leu Met Asn Met Leu Thr His Ser Gln Ser Ile Ser His Ala

20 25 30

Gly Cys Val Ser Gln Ile Tyr Phe Phe Leu Leu Phe Gly Cys Ile Asp

35 40 45

Asn Phe Leu Leu Thr Ser Met Ala Tyr Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys

50 55 60

His Pro Leu His Tyr Thr Thr Ile Met Ser Gln Ser Leu Cys Val Leu

65 70 75 80

Leu Val Met Val Ser Trp Ala Phe Ser Ser Ser Asn Gly Leu Val His

85 90 95

Thr Leu Leu Phe Ala Arg Leu Ser Leu Phe Arg Asp Asn Thr Val His

100 105 110

His Phe Phe Cys Asp Leu Ser Ala Leu Leu Lys Leu Ser Ser Ser Asp

115 120 125

Thr Thr Ile Asn Glu Leu Val Ile Leu Thr Leu Ala Val Val Val Ile

130 135 140

Thr Val Pro Phe Ile Cys Ile Leu Val Ser Tyr Gly His Met Gly Ala

145 150 155 160

Thr Ile Leu Arg Thr Pro Ser Ile Lys Gly Ile Cys Lys Ala Leu Ser

165 170 175

Thr Cys Gly Ser His Leu Cys Val Val Ser Leu Tyr Tyr Gly Ala Ile

180 185 190

Ile Gly Leu Tyr Phe Phe Pro Ser Ser Asn Asn Thr Asn Asp Lys Asp

195 200 205

Val Ile Val Ala Val Leu Tyr Thr Val Val Thr Pro Met Leu Asn

210 215 220

47

951

Mus musculus

PCR primer

47

atggcgaaca gcactactgt tactgagttt attttgctgg ggctgtcaga tgcctgtgag 60

ctgcaggtgc tcatattcct gggctttctc ctgacctact tcctcattct gctgggaaac 120

ttcctcatca tcttcatcac ccttgtggac aggcgccttt acacccccat gtattacttc 180

ctccgcaact ttgccatgct ggagatctgg ttcacctctg tcatcttccc caagatgcta 240

accaacatca tcacaggaca taagaccatc tccctactag gttgtttcct ccaagcattc 300

ctctatttct tccttggcac cactgagttc tttctactgg cagtgatgtc ctttgacagg 360

tatgtggcca tttgtaaccc tttgcgttat gccaccatta tgagcaaaag agtctgtgtc 420

cagcttgtgt tttgctcatg gatgtctgga ttgcttctca tcatagttcc tagttcaatt 480

gtatttcagc agccattctg tggcccaaac atcattaatc atttcttctg tgacaacttt 540

ccacttatgg aactcatatg tgcagatact agcctggtag agttcctggg ttttgttatt 600

gccaatttca gcctcctggg cactctggct gtgactgcca cctgctatgg ccacattctc 660

tataccattc tacacattcc ttcagccaag gagaggaaga aagccttctc aacttgctcc 720

tctcatatta ttgtggtgtc tctcttctac ggcagctgta tcttcatgta tgtccggtct 780

ggcaagaatg gacaggggga ggatcataac aaggtggtgg cattgctcaa cactgtagtg 840

acacccacac tcaacccctt catctacact ctgaggaaca agcaggtgaa gcaggtattt 900

agggaacacg taagcaagtt ccaaaagttc agccagacgt gaaccctcaa c 951

48

313

Mus musculus

PCR primer

48

Met Ala Asn Ser Thr Thr Val Thr Glu Phe Ile Leu Leu Gly Leu Ser

1 5 10 15

Asp Ala Cys Glu Leu Gln Val Leu Ile Phe Leu Gly Phe Leu Leu Thr

20 25 30

Tyr Phe Leu Ile Leu Leu Gly Asn Phe Leu Ile Ile Phe Ile Thr Leu

35 40 45

Val Asp Arg Arg Leu Tyr Thr Pro Met Tyr Tyr Phe Leu Arg Asn Phe

50 55 60

Ala Met Leu Glu Ile Trp Phe Thr Ser Val Ile Phe Pro Lys Met Leu

65 70 75 80

Thr Asn Ile Ile Thr Gly His Lys Thr Ile Ser Leu Leu Gly Cys Phe

85 90 95

Leu Gln Ala Phe Leu Tyr Phe Phe Leu Gly Thr Thr Glu Phe Phe Leu

100 105 110

Leu Ala Val Met Ser Phe Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Cys Asn Pro Leu

115 120 125

Arg Tyr Ala Thr Ile Met Ser Lys Arg Val Cys Val Gln Leu Val Phe

130 135 140

Cys Ser Trp Met Ser Gly Leu Leu Leu Ile Ile Val Pro Ser Ser Ile

145 150 155 160

Val Phe Gln Gln Pro Phe Cys Gly Pro Asn Ile Ile Asn His Phe Phe

165 170 175

Cys Asp Asn Phe Pro Leu Met Glu Leu Ile Cys Ala Asp Thr Ser Leu

180 185 190

Val Glu Phe Leu Gly Phe Val Ile Ala Asn Phe Ser Leu Leu Gly Thr

195 200 205

Leu Ala Val Thr Ala Thr Cys Tyr Gly His Ile Leu Tyr Thr Ile Leu

210 215 220

His Ile Pro Ser Ala Lys Glu Arg Lys Lys Ala Phe Ser Thr Cys Ser

225 230 235 240

Ser His Ile Ile Val Val Ser Leu Phe Tyr Gly Ser Cys Ile Phe Met

245 250 255

Tyr Val Arg Ser Gly Lys Asn Gly Gln Gly Glu Asp His Asn Lys Val

260 265 270

Val Ala Leu Leu Asn Thr Val Val Thr Pro Thr Leu Asn Pro Phe Ile

275 280 285

Tyr Thr Leu Arg Asn Lys Gln Val Lys Gln Val Phe Arg Glu His Val

290 295 300

Ser Lys Phe Gln Lys Phe Ser Gln Thr

305 310

49

6

Mus musculus

PCR primer

49

Leu Phe Leu Leu Tyr Leu

1 5

50

9

Artificial Sequence

consensus sequence

50

Met Arg Xaa Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile

1 5

51

20

Artificial Sequence

consensus sequence

51

atggsctwtg accghtwygt 20

52

6

Artificial Sequence

consensus sequence

52

Thr Cys Xaa Ser His Leu

1 5

53

17

Artificial Sequence

consensus sequence

53

agrtgnswns crcangt 17

54

374

Artificial Sequence

hyrbid receptor

54

ggatccgggt tcgcgccgcc ggcgggcagc cgcaagggcc gcagccatga acgggaccga 60

gggcccaaac ttctacgtgc ctttctccaa caagacgggc gtggtggaat tccccggtca 120

gaactacagc accatatcag aatttatcct ctttggtttc tcagccttcc cacaccagat 180

gctccctgct ctgttcctgc tctacttgct gatgtatttg ttcactcttc tggggaacct 240

ggtcatcatg gctgctatct ggacagaaca tagactgcag acacccatcc ggaaaggagc 300

tgaagaatgc tataattaaa agcttccaca ggaatgtctg tcaacaaagt atctaagtgt 360

cagttctgtc taga 374

55

101

Artificial Sequence

hybrid receptor

55

Met Asn Gly Thr Glu Gly Pro Asn Phe Tyr Val Pro Phe Ser Asn Lys

1 5 10 15

Thr Gly Val Val Glu Phe Pro Gly Gln Asn Tyr Ser Ser Thr Ile Ser

20 25 30

Glu Phe Ile Leu Phe Gly Phe Ser Ala Phe Pro His Gln Met Leu Pro

35 40 45

Ala Leu Phe Leu Leu Tyr Leu Leu Met Tyr Leu Phe Thr Leu Leu Gly

50 55 60

Asn Leu Val Ile Met Ala Ala Ile Trp Thr Glu His Arg Leu Gln Ser

65 70 75 80

Gly Lys Glu Leu Lys Asn Ala Ile Ile Lys Ser Phe His Arg Asn Val

85 90 95

Cys Gln Gln Ser Ile

100

56

Pro Met Tyr Xaa Phe Xaa

1 5

57

Pro Xaa Ile Tyr Xaa Leu

1 5