Patent ID: 8709737
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: A01K,A23L,A61K,A61P,C07K,G01N

Abstract:
1. A process for identifying a compound that binds to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:37; (b) a fragment or derivative of a polypeptide of (a), wherein in said derivative no more than 15 amino acid residues are conservatively substituted compared to said polypeptide, wherein said fragment comprises at least 290 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:37 and said fragment or derivative has bitter substance binding activity; and (c) a polypeptide which is at least 95% identical to a polypeptide as defined in any one of (a) to (b) and which has bitter substance binding activity; and wherein said process comprises: (1) contacting said polypeptide, or a host cell genetically engineered with a polynucleotide encoding said polypeptide, or with a vector containing a polynucleotide encoding said polypeptide, with a compound; (2) detecting the presence of the compound which binds to said polypeptide; and (3) determining whether the compound binds said polypeptide; wherein prior to, concomitantly and/or after step (1) said polypeptide or said host cell is contacted with an agonist selected from the group consisting of strychnine, brucine, and functional derivatives thereof.