DNA ENCODING HUMAN VANILLOID RECEPTOR VR3

Abstract: DNA encoding human VR1 receptor has been cloned and characterized. The recombinant protein is capable of forming biologically active protein. The cDNA's have been expressed in recombinant host cells that produce active recombinant protein. The recombinant protein is also purified from the recombinant host cells. In addition, the recombinant host cells are utilized to establish a method for identifying modulators of the receptor activity, and receptor modulators are identified.

Description: DNA ENCODING HUMAN VANILLOID RECEPTOR VR3 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Noxious chemical, thermal and mechanical stimuli excite peπpheral nerve endings of small diameter sensory neurons (nociceptors) in sensory ganglia (eg , dorsal root, nodose and tπgemmal ganglia) and initiate signals that are perceived as pain These neurons are crucial for the detection of harmful or potentially harmful stimuli (heat) and tissue damage (H + (local tissue acidosis), and/or stretch) which arise from changes in the extracellular space duπng inflammatory or ischaemic conditions (Wall and Melzack, 1994). The vanilloid capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanιllyl- 6-nonenamιde), the mam pungent ingredient in "hot" capsicum peppers, is a very selective activator of thinly or unmye nated nociceptive afferents (Szolcsanyi, 1993, Szolcsanyi, 1996). Electrophysiological studies have shown that vanilloids excite small sensory neurons by activating a plasma membrane channel that is non- selectively permeable to cations (Bevan and Szolcsanyi, 1990; Oh et al., 1996; Wood et al., 1988) The ultra potent tπcychc diterpene resimferatoxin from Euphorbia plants (RTX; (Szolcsanyi et al , 1991)) binds with nanomolar affinity at the capsaicin binding site and has revealed a very localized distribution of capsaicin receptors to rat somatic and visceral pπmary sensory neurons (Szallasi, 1995) The vanilloid receptor VRl (Cateπna et al., 1997) is thought to be a heat-sensing receptor whose threshold is decreased in the presence of protons or capsaicm (Tominaga et al , 1998). Capsaicm and protons interact at specific membrane recognition sites (vanilloid receptors) expressed almost exclusively by pπmary sensory neurons involved in nociception and neurogemc inflammation (Bevan and Szolcsanyi, 1990) The vanilloid ("capsaicin") receptor VRl is activated by capsaicin and RTX, and activation of VRl is blocked by the antagonists capsazepine (CPZ, (Bevan et al., 1992)) and ruthenium red (RR; (Cateπna et al., 1997; Wood et al., 1988)) Hydropathicity analysis of the ammo acid sequence of VRl reveals 6 potential membrane spanning regions (S 1-S6) and a putative pore-loop region between S5 and S6 A large mtracellular domain contains 3 ankyπn repeat domains (Cateπna et al , 1997) This channel has significant structural similaπties with the putative "store-operated" TRP calcium channel family VRl is a hgand-gated non- selective cation channel that shows pronounced outward rectification (Cateπna et al , 1997) Importantly, VRl is highly permeable to Ca2+, an ion known to be very important in regulating cell function ((Blackstone and Sheng, 1999, Gupta and Pushkala, 1999, van Haasteren et al , 1999)) Searching genomic databases has revealed VRL-1, a subumt structurally related to VRl Rat and human VRL-1 (AF129113 and AF129112, respectively) are -49% identical and 66% similar to rat VRl (AF029310)) (Cateπna et al , 1999) Human VRL protein (AF103906) cloned by Wood and collegues (unpublished) is 99% identical to VRL-1 (AF129112) Recently, a patent application by Partiseti and Renard was published that descπbed hVRCC (human vanilloid receptor like cation channel) which is nearly identical to AF129112 (the only difference is the deletion of Q418) We will refer to these sequences as VR2 Overall, the predicted structure of VRl and VR2 is characteπstic of a family of ion channels defined by the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels oπgmally cloned from Drosophila melanogaster, a Ca-permeable channel that plays a role in phototransduction (Lu and Wong, 1987, Minke and Se nger, 1996) This receptor appears to also be involved in the sensation of pain-producing heat (Cateπna et al , 1999). Expression of VR2 in oocytes and HEK cells usually conferred a sensitivity of the cells to noxious temperatures (>53 degC), that was not sensitive to CPZ but was nearly completely blocked at 10 μM ruthenium red Activation of VR2 induces a non-selective cation current with high permeability to Ca2+ Interestingly, the threshold for heat sensitivity decreased with repeated application of noxious stimuli, but not subthreshold temperatures (Cateπna et al , 1999) The rat SIC (stretch- hibitable channel, Genbank ABO 15231), encoded by 529 ammo acids, is thought to form an ion channel inhibited by stretch (Suzuki et al , 1999). The first 379 amino acids homologous to rat VRl SIC lacks the large N- terminal cytoplasmic domain of the VR family but contains a sequence homologous to the A exon pπor to the putative TM1 The last 163 ammo acids, beginning in the middle of putative TM6 of rat SIC are similar to the corresponding amino acid sequence of the human VR3 A+B- of the present invention The present invention descπbes the cloning and function of a novel vanilloid receptor family member, VR3 This gene appears to be alternatively spliced to create at least 3 isoforms SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION DNA molecules encoding 3 isoforms of the human vanilloid receptor 3 (hVR3) have been cloned and characteπzed The biological and structural properties of these proteins are disclosed, as is the amino acid and nucleotide sequence The recombinant protein is useful to identify modulators of the receptoi VR3 Modulators identified in the assay disclosed herein are useful as therapeutic agents, which are candidates for the treatment of inflammatory conditions and for use as analgesics for intractable pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, postmastectomy pain, complex regional pain syndromes, arthπtis (e.g., rheumatoid and osteoarthπtis), as well as ulcers, neurodegenerative diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and psoπasis. Uses include the treatment of central nervous system diseases, diseases of the intestinal tract, abnormal proliferation and cancer especially m the digestive system, prostate and female gonads, ulcer, liver disease, kidney disease, control of viscera innervated by the dorsal root ganglia, or to diagnose or treat any disorder related to abnormal expression of these hVR3 polypeptides, among others. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods to identify agonists and antagonists using the mateπals provided by the invention, and treating conditions associated with hVR3 imbalance The recombinant DNA molecules, and portions thereof, are useful for isolating homologues of the DNA molecules, identifying and isolating genomic equivalents of the DNA molecules, and identifying, detecting or isolating mutant forms of the DNA molecules. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 - SEQ.ID.NO.:5. Human VR3A+B- nucleotide sequence of the coding region (2616 bp) FIGURE 2 - SEQ.ID.NO.:6. The nucleotide sequence of human VR3A+B- is shown including 337 bp 5' untranslated region (UT) and 547 bp 3'UT (3500 bp). FIGURE 3 - SEQ.ID.N0..7 Coding sequence for human VR3A+B- (871 ammo acids) FIGURE 4 - SEQ.ID.NO.:8. Human VR3A-B- nucleotide sequence of the coding region (2436 bp). FIGURE 5 - SEQ.ID.NO.:9. Coding sequence for human VR3A-B- (811 amino acids) FIGURE 6 - SEQ.ID.NO.: 10. Human VR3A+B+ nucleotide sequence of the coding region (2229 bp). FIGURE 7 - SEQ.ID.NO.: 11. The nucleotide sequence of human VR3A+B+ is shown including 836 bp 5' UT and 994 bp 3'UT (4059 bp) FIGURE 8 - SEQ.ID.NO.: 12. Coding sequence for human VR3A+B+ (742 ammo acids) FIGURE 9 - Functional expression of VR3 isoforms in Xenopus oocytes is shown: viability of oocyte maintained in ND-96 with 2 Ca "+ was significantly diminished 4-6 days after injection with 3.25 ng VR3 A+B- and VR3 A+B+ (5 ng) but not VR3 A-B- (1 5 ng) cRNA. Data for VR3 A+B- and water-injected oocytes were obtained from 5 different expeπments. Dead oocytes were determined visually. Data were analyzed using Chi square analysis. FIGURE 10 - Function in oocytes: VR3 isoforms are activated by heat. A. Shown is the mean peak current elicited by a heat ramp from 25 deg C to 46 deg C and maintained at 46 degC for at least 15 sec. The current is the increase over initial current at +80 mV. Voltage ramps were applied from -120 to +80 mV over 400 msec every 2 sec. Oocytes were injected with 3.25, 1.5 and 5 ng VR3 A+B-. A-B-, and A+B+ cRNA, respectively, and recorded up to 6 days later. Solid bar: water injected controls (n=8); clear bar: VR3 A+B- isoform (n= 11); hatched bar: VR3 A-B- lsoform (n= 8); stippled bar: VR3 A+B+ isoform (n=5). All isoforms show a significant increase over water controls (p= 0.001, 0.03 and 0.007, respectively; Student's r-test). The heat induced response is about 2-fold larger m the A+B- isoform compared to the other 2 isoforms but the differences are not significant (p= 0 051 and p= 0 16, for A+B- compared to A-B- and A+B+, respectively) Data were obtained from 2 sets of injected oocytes Data shown is the mean and standard error of the mean. B Voltage-ramp induced currents were recorded duπng application of increasing heat to oocytes injected with water (top), VR3 A+B- (second from top), VR3 A-B- (3 rd from top), and VR3A+B+ (bottom) Oocytes were constantly perfused with Ca2+ ND-96 and the solution was heated by an mime heater device (TC-324B in conjunction with the SH-27A in line heater. Warner Instrument Corp ) Ramp induced currents (in uA. as indicated on the y-axis) obtained at temperatures from 37 deg C to 46 deg C are displayed, only current traces at the higher temperatures are labeled with the corresponding temperature FIGURE 11 - Function in oocytes VR3A+B- confers sensitivity to 10 uM ruthenium red to the perfusion activated current (I perfusιon ) observed in VRl -expressing oocytes induced by cell perfusion by extracellular saline solutions Activation of I per f u sιoπ by increased perfusion was blocked by ruthenium red only in VR1- expressing oocytes injected with VR3 A+B- cRNA, and not in oocytes expressing only VRl (a) An oocyte injected with VRl cRNA [4 ng] was challenged with voltage ramps between - 120 and +80 mV over 400 msec from a holding potential of -70 mV The ramp-induced currents were increased after onset of perfusion of the oocyte at a rate of 10 ml/mm Preincubation with 10 uM ruthenium red for 0.5 mm blocked the current The block was partially reversible (not shown) (b) An oocyte injected with VRl cRNA [4 ng] together with VR3 A+B- [1.3 ng] was challenged with voltage ramps between -120 and +80 mV over 400 msec from a holding potential of -70 mV. The ramp-induced currents were increased after onset of perfusion of the oocyte at a rate of 10 ml/mm Preincubation with 10 uM ruthenium red for 0.5 mm had little effect on I perf u sιon - I per fu s i o n had similar magnitudes in both sets of oocytes Vrev for the RR inhibited current was about -13 mV (arrow) FIGURE 12 - Function m oocytes. VR3A+B- together with VRl The magnitude and decay kinetics of the response to 1 uM capsaicm was diminished when VRl cRNA was co-expressed with VR3 A+B- cRNA at equal ratios [2.9 ng each] FIGURE 13- DNA array distribution analysis indicates that hVR3 mRNAs are expressed in a variety of tissues, and there is some overlap of expression with VRl at a whole tissue level. The DNA sequence used on the DNA array is not present in A+B+, only A+B- and A-B- isoforms. Note that the cDNA species was cloned from pituitary and prostate glands. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention descπbes 3 isoforms of a human vanilloid receptor, termed VR3: VR3A+B-, VR3A-B-, and VR3A+B+. The nucleotide sequences of human VR3 receptor cDNAs revealed single large open reading frame of about 2616 (Figure 1), 2436 (Figure 4) and 2229 (Figure 6) base pairs encoding 871 (Figure 3), 811 (Figure 5), and 742 (Figure 8) amino acids for human VR3 A+B-, A-B- and A+B+, respectively. The cDNA for VR3 A+B- has 5' and 3'-untranslated extensions of about 337 and about 547 nucleotides, as shown in Figure 2, wherein the 5'UTR is 1-337, the coding region is 338 - 2953, and the 3'UTR is 2954 - 3500. The cDNA for VR3 A+B+ has 5' and 3 '-untranslated extensions of about 836 and about 994 nucleotides as shown in Figure 7, wherein the 5'UTR is 1-836, the coding region is 837 - 3065, and the 3'UTR is 3066 - 4059 The first m-frame methionme was designated as the initiation codon for an open reading frame that predicts human VR3 receptor proteins with an estimated molecular mass (M r ) of about 98.242 Da. 91,294 Da and 83,310 Da for the isoforms A+B-. A-B- and A+B+, respectively The A+B- lsoform encodes a protein of 871 amino acids The VR3 A-B- contains a deletion ot 60 amino acids from ammo acid 382 to 441 of VR3A+B- VR3 A+B+ is identical to A+B- until amino acid 736 after which there are 6 divergent amino acids and a stop codon The VR3 A+B+ isoform extends 20 ammo acids after the putative TM6 The predicted human VR3 receptor proteins were aligned with nucleotide and protein databases and are related to the vanilloid receptor family (VRl and VR2). There are several conserved motifs found in this family of receptor including a large putative N-terminal hydrophi c segment (about 467 amino acids), three putative ankyπn repeat domains in the N-terminus region, 6 predicted transmembrane regions and a pore region VR3 A+B- is 43 % identical to human VRl. 39% identical to both human VRL-1 (AF129112) and human VRL (AF103906) Thus the VR3 receptor descπbed herein is clearly a novel gene of the vanilloid receptor family. Human VR3A+B- and VR3A-B- forms are similar to the rat stretch- mhibitable channel SIC [Genbank accession ABO 15231] from amino acid 694 to the end. Rat SIC, encoded by 529 amino acids, is thought to form an ion channel inhibited by stretch. It lacks the large N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the VR family but contains a sequence homologous to the A exon pπor to the putative TM1 The complete genomic sequence of the VR3 coding regions descπbed herein appears to be found in a 380512 base pair sequence submission to Genbank (homo sapiens clone RPCI1-7G5 (AC007834), direct submission by Worley,K.C.) This Genbank entry list many fragments of DNA sequence and a proposed contiguous sequence, but lacks any analysis of the nucleic acid sequence and fails to characteπze the features of the VR3 nucleic acid sequences, or descπbe the presence of the VR3 gene Isolation of human VR3 receptor nucleic acid The present invention relates to DNA encoding human VR3 receptor which were isolated from human VR3 receptor producing cells. Human VR3 receptor, as used herein, refers to protein which can specifically function as a human vanilloid receptor The complete ammo acid sequence of human VR3 receptor was not previously known, nor was the complete nucleotide sequence encoding human VR3 receptor known. It is predicted that a wide vaπety of cells and cell types will contain the descπbed human VR3 receptor. Other cells and cell lines may also be suitable for use to isolate human VR3 receptor cDNA. Selection of suitable cells may be done by screening for human VR3 receptor activity in cell extracts or in whole cell assays, descπbed herein. Cells that possess human VR3 receptor activity in any one of these assays may be suitable for the isolation of human VR3 receptor DNA or mRNA Any of a vaπety of procedures known in the art may be used to molecularly clone human VR3 receptor DNA These methods include, but are not limited to, direct functional expression of the human VR3 receptor genes following the construction of a human VR3 receptor-containing cDNA library in an appropπate expression vector system. Another method is to screen human VR3 receptor- contaming cDNA library constructed in a bacteπophage or plasmid shuttle vector with a labelled o gonucleotide probe designed from the amino acid sequence of the human VR3 receptor subumts. An additional method consists of screening a human VR3 receptor-containing cDNA library constructed in a bacteπophage or plasmid shuttle vector with a partial cDNA encoding the human VR3 receptor protein This partial cDNA is obtained by the specific PCR amplification of human VR3 receptor DNA fragments through the design of degenerate o gonucleotide pπmers from the amino acid sequence of the puπfied human VR3 receptor protein Another method is to isolate RNA from human VR3 receptor-producing cells and translate the RNA into protein via an in vitro or an in \ n o translation system The translation of the RNA into a peptide a protein will result in the production of at least a portion of the human VR3 receptor protein which can be identified by, for example, immunological reactivity with an anti-human VR3 receptor antibody or by biological activity of human VR3 receptor protein In this method, pools of RNA isolated from human VR3 receptor-producing cells can be analyzed for the presence of an RNA that encodes at least a portion of the human VR3 receptor protein Further fractionation of the RNA pool can be done to puπfy the human VR3 receptor RNA from non-human VR3 receptor RNA The peptide or protein produced by this method may be analyzed to provide ammo acid sequences which in turn are used to provide pπmers for production of human VR3 receptor cDNA, or the RNA used for translation can be analyzed to provide nucleotide sequences encoding human VR3 receptor and produce probes for this production of human VR3 receptor cDNA This method is known in the art and can be found in for example Maniatis, T , Fπtsch, E F., Sambrook, J in Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spπng Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spπng Harbor. NY 1989 It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of hbraπes, as well as libraπes constructed from other cells or cell types, may be useful for isolating human VR3 receptor-encoding DNA Other types of libraπes include, but are not limited to, cDNA libraπes deπved from other cells, from organisms other than human VR3 receptor, and genomic DNA libraπes that include YAC (yeast artificial chromosome) and cosmid libraπes It is readily apparent to those skilled m the art that suitable cDNA libraπes may be prepared from cells or cell lines which have human VR3 receptor activity The selection of cells or cell lines for use in prepaπng a cDNA library to isolate human VR3 receptor cDNA may be done by first measuπng cell associated human VR3 receptor activity using the measurement of human VR3 receptor-associated biological activity or a gand binding assa> Preparation of cDNA libraπes can be performed by standard techniques well known in the art Well known cDNA libran construction techniques can be found for example, in Maniatis, T., Fπtsch, E.F . Sambrook. J , Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition (Cold Spπng Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spπng Harbor, New York, 1989) It is also readily apparent to those skilled in the art that DNA encoding human VR3 receptor may also be isolated from a suitable genomic DNA library Construction of genomic DNA libraπes can be performed by standard techniques well known in the art. Well known genomic DNA library construction techniques can be found in Maniatis, T., Fπtsch, E.F , Sambrook, J. in Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition (Cold Spπng Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spπng Harbor, New York, 1989) In order to clone the human VR3 receptor gene by the above methods, the amino acid sequence of human VR3 receptor may be necessary To accomplish this, human VR3 receptor protein may be puπfied and partial ammo acid sequence determined by automated sequenators. It is not necessary to determine the entire ammo acid sequence, but the linear sequence of two regions of 6 to 8 ammo acids from the protein is determined for the production of pπmers for PCR amplification of a partial human VR3 receptor DNA fragment Once suitable amino acid sequences have been identified, the DNA sequences capable of encoding them are synthesized Because the genetic code is degenerate, more than one codon may be used to encode a particular ammo acid, and therefore. the amino acid sequence can be encoded by any of a set of similar DNA o gonucleotides Only one member of the set will be identical to the human VR3 receptor sequence but will be capable of hybπdizing to human VR3 receptor DNA even in the presence of DNA ohgonucleotides with mismatches The mismatched DNA ohgonucleotides may still sufficiently hybπdize to the human VR3 receptor DNA to permit identification and isolation of human VR3 receptor encoding DNA DNA isolated by these methods can be used to screen DNA libraπes from a vaπety of cell types, from invertebrate and vertebrate sources, and to isolate homologous genes Puπfied biologically active human VR3 receptor may have several different physical forms human VR3 receptor may exist as a full-length nascent or unprocessed polypeptide, or as partially processed polypeptides or combinations of processed polypeptides The full-length nascent human VR3 receptor polypeptide may be posttranslationally modified by specific proteolytic cleavage events that results in the formation of fragments of the full length nascent polypeptide A fragment, or physical association of fragments may have the full biological activity associated with human VR3 receptor however, the degree of human VR3 receptor activity may vary between individual human VR3 receptor fragments and physicalK associated human VR3 receptor polypeptide fragments Because the genetic code is degenerate more than one codon may be used to encode a particular amino acid, and therefore, the amino acid sequence can be encoded by any of a set of similar DNA ohgonucleotides Only one member of the set will be identical to the human VR3 receptor sequence but will be capable of hybπdizing to human VR3 receptor DNA even in the presence of DNA ohgonucleotides with mismatches under appropπate conditions Under alternate conditions, the mismatched DNA ohgonucleotides may still hybπdize to the human VR3 receptor DNA to permit identification and isolation of human VR3 receptor encoding DNA DNA encoding human VR3 receptor from a particular organism may be used to isolate and puπfy homologues of human VR3 receptor from other organisms To accomplish this, the first human VR3 receptor DNA may be mixed with a sample containing DNA encoding homologues of human VR3 receptor under appropπate hybπdization conditions The hybπdized DNA complex may be isolated and the DNA encoding the homologous DNA may be puπfied therefrom It is known that there is a substantial amount of redundancy in the vaπous codons that code for specific amino acids Therefoie. this invention is also directed to those DNA sequences that contain alternative codons that code for the eventual translation of the identical amino acid For purposes of this specification, a sequence beaπng one or more replaced codons will be defined as a degenerate vaπation Also included withm the scope of this invention are mutations either in the DNA sequence or the translated protein that do not substantially alter the ultimate physical properties of the expressed protein For example, substitution of vahne for leucme. arginine for lysine, or asparagine for glutamme may not cause a change in functionality of the polypeptide Such substitutions are well known and are descπbed, for instance in Molecular Biology of the Gene, 4 l Ed Benjamin Cumm gs Pub Co by Watson et al It is known that DNA sequences coding for a peptide may be altered so as to code for a peptide having properties that are different than those of the naturally occurπng peptide Methods of alteπng the DNA sequences include, but are not limited to site directed mutagenesis, chimeπc substitution, and gene fusions Site- directed mutagenesis is used to change one or more DNA residues that may result in a silent mutation, a conservative mutation, or a nonconservative mutation Chimeπc genes are prepared by swapping domains of similar or different genes to replace similar domains the human VR3 receptor gene Similarly, fusion genes may be prepared that add domains to the human VR3 receptor gene, such as an affinity tag to facilitate identification and isolation of the gene Fusion genes may be prepared to replace regions of the human VR3 receptor gene, for example to create a soluble version of the protein by removing a transmembrane domain or adding a targeting sequence to redirect the normal transport of the protein, or adding new post- translational modification sequences to the human VR3 receptor gene Examples of altered properties include but are not limited to changes in the affinity of an enzyme for a substrate or a receptor for a ligand As used herein, a "functional deπvative" of human VR3 receptor is a compound that possesses a biological activity (either functional or structural) that is substantially similar to the biological activity of human VR3 receptoi The term "functional derivatives" is intended to include the "fragments " "vaπants." "degenerate vaπants," "analogs" and "homologues" or to "chemical deπvatives" of human VR3 receptor The term "fragment" is meant to refer to any polypeptide subset of human VR3 receptor The term "vaπant" is meant to refer to a molecule substantially similar in structure and function to either the entire human VR3 receptor molecule or to a fragment thereof A molecule is "substantially similar" to human VR3 receptor if both molecules have substantially similar structures or if both molecules possess similar biological activity Therefore, if the two molecules possess substantially similar activity, they are considered to be vaπants even if the structure of one of the molecules is not found in the other or even if the two amino acid sequences are not identical The term "analog" refers to a molecule substantially similar in function to either the entire human VR3 receptor molecule or to a fragment thereof Recombinant expression of human VR3 receptor The cloned human VR3 receptor DNA obtained through the methods descπbed herein may be recombmantly expressed by molecular cloning into an expression vector containing a suitable promoter and other appropπate transcπption regulatory elements, and transferred into prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells to produce recombinant human VR3 receptor protein Techniques for such manipulations are fully descπbed in Maniatis, T. et al . supra, and are well known in the art Expression vectors are defined herein as DNA sequences that are required for the transcπption of cloned copies of genes and the translation of their mRNAs in an appropπate host Such vectors can be used to express eukaryotic genes in a vaπety of hosts such as bacteπa including E co , blue-green algae, plant cells, insect cells, fungal cells including yeast cells, and animal cells Specifically designed vectors allow the shuttling of DNA between hosts such as bacteπa-yeast or bacteπa-ammal cells or bacteπa-fungal cells or bacteπa- mvertebrate cells An appropπately constructed expression vector should contain, an oπgin of replication for autonomous replication m host cells, selectable markers, a limited number of useful restπction enzyme sites, a potential for high copy number, and active promoters A promoter is defined as a DNA sequence that directs RNA polymerase to bind to DNA and initiate RNA synthesis A strong promoter is one that causes mRNAs to be initiated at high frequency Expression vectors may include, but are not limited to, cloning vectors, modified cloning vectors, specifically designed plasmids or viruses A vaπety of mammalian expression vectors may be used to express recombinant Human VR3 receptor in mammalian cells Commercially available mammalian expression vectors which may be suitable for recombinant Human VR3 receptor expression, include but are not limited to, pMAMneo (Clontech), pcDNA3 (InVitrogen), pMClneo (Stratagene), pXTl (Stratagene), pSG5 (Stratagene), EBO- pSV2-neo (ATCC 37593) pBPV-l(8-2) (ATCC 37110), pdBPV-MMTneo(342-12) (ATCC 37224), pRSVgpt (ATCC 37199), pRSVneo (ATCC 37198), pSV2-dhfr (ATCC 37146), pUCTag (ATCC 37460), and 1ZD35 (ATCC 37565) A vaπety of bacteπal expression vectors may be used to express recombinant human VR3 receptor in bacteπal cells Commercially available bacteπal expression vectors which may be suitable for recombinant human VR3 receptor expression include, but are not limited to pET vectors (Novagen) and pQE vectors (Qiagen) A vaπety of fungal cell expression vectors may be used to express recombinant human VR3 receptor in fungal cells such as yeast Commercially available fungal cell expression vectors which may be suitable for recombinant human VR3 receptor expression include but are not limited to pYES2 (InVitrogen) and Pichia expression vector (InVitrogen) A vaπety of insect cell expression vectors may be used to express recombinant human VR3 receptor in insect cells Commercially available insect eel! expression vectors which may be suitable for recombinant expression of human VR3 receptor include but are not limited to pBlueBacII (InVitrogen) DNA encoding human VR3 receptor may be cloned into an expression vector for expression m a recombinant host cell Recombinant host cells may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic, including but not limited to bacteπa such as E coli, fungal cells such as yeast, mammalian cells including but not limited to cell lines of human, bovme, porcine, monkey and rodent oπgin, and insect cells including but not limited to drosophila and silkworm denved cell line Cell lines deπved from mammalian species which may be suitable and which are commercially available, include but are not limited to, CV-1 (ATCC CCL 70), COS-1 (ATCC CRL 1650), COS-7 (ATCC CRL 1651), CHO-Kl (ATCC CCL 61), 3T3 (ATCC CCL 92), NIH/3T3 (ATCC CRL 1658), HeLa (ATCC CCL 2), C127I (ATCC CRL 1616), BS-C-1 (ATCC CCL 26), MRC-5 (ATCC CCL 171), L-cells, and HEK-293 (ATCC CRL1573) The expression vector may be introduced into host cells via any one of a number of techniques including but not limited to transformation, transfection, protoplast fusion, hpofection, and electroporation The expression vector-containing cells are clonally propagated and individually analyzed to determine whether they produce human VR3 receptor protein Identification of human VR3 receptor expressing host cell clones may be done by several means, including but not limited to immunological reactivity with anti-human VR3 receptor antibodies, and the presence of host cell-associated human VR3 receptor activity. Expression of human VR3 receptor DNA may also be performed using in vitro produced synthetic mRNA. Synthetic mRNA or mRNA isolated from Human VR3 receptor producing cells can be efficiently translated in vaπous cell-free systems, including but not limited to wheat germ extracts and reticulocyte extracts, as well as efficiently translated in cell based systems, including but not limited to microinjection into frog oocytes, with micromjection into frog oocytes being generally preferred To determine the human VR3 receptor DNA sequence(s) that yields optimal levels of human VR3 receptor activity and/or human VR3 receptor protein, human VR3 receptor DNA molecules including, but not limited to, the following can be constructed: Gene name Start codon End codon total base pairs VR3A+B+ 837 3065 2229 VR3A+B- 338 2953 2616 VR3A-B- 1 2436 2436 (these numbers correspond to first nucleotide of first methionine and last nucleotide before the first stop codon) and several constructs containing portions of the cDNA encoding human VR3 receptor protein. All constructs can be designed to contain none, all or portions of the 5' or the 3' untranslated region of human VR3 receptor cDNA. Human VR3 receptor activity and levels of protein expression can be determined following the introduction, both singly and in combination, of these constructs into appropπate host cells Following determination of the human VR3 receptor DNA cassette yielding optimal expression in transient assays, this Human VR3 receptor DNA construct is transferred to a vaπety of expression vectors, for expression in host cells including, but not limited to, mammalian cells, baculovirus- mfected insect cells, R coli, and the yeast S. cerevisiae. Assay methods for human VR3 receptor Host cell transfectants and microinjected oocytes may be used to assay both the levels of functional Human VR3 receptor activity and levels of total human VR3 receptor protein by the following methods In the case of recombinant host cells, this involves the co-transfection of one or possibly two or more plasmids. containing the human VR3 receptor DNA encoding one or more fragments, subunits. or other functional gene In the case of oocytes, this involves the co-injection of synthetic RNAs for human VR3 receptor protein Following an appropπate peπod of time to allow for expression, cellular protein is metabo calK labelled with, for example 3 S- methionine for 24 hours, after which cell lysates and cell culture supernatants are harvested and subjected to immunoprecipitation with polyclonal antibodies directed against the human VR3 receptor protein. Levels of human VR3 receptor protein in host cells are quantitated by immunoaffinity and/or gand affinity techniques. Human VR3 receptor-specific affinity beads or human VR3 receptor-specific antibodies are used to isolate for example 33 S-methionine labelled or unlabelled human VR3 receptor protein Labelled human VR3 receptor protein is analyzed by SDS-PAGE Unlabelled human VR3 receptor protein is detected by Western blotting, ELISA or RIA assays employing human VR3 receptor specific antibodies Other methods for detecting human VR3 receptor activity involve the direct measurement of human VR3 receptor activity in whole cells transfected with human VR3 receptor cDNA or oocytes injected with human VR3 receptor mRNA. Human VR3 receptor activity is measured by specific gand binding or biological characteπstics of the host cells expressing human VR3 receptor DNA In the case of recombinant host cells expressing human VR3 receptor patch voltage clamp techniques can be used to measure channel activity and quantitate human VR3 receptor protein In the case of oocytes patch clamp as well as two-electrode voltage clamp techniques can be used to measure calcium channel activity and quantitate human VR3 receptor protein. Cell based assays The present invention provides a whole cell method to detect compound modulation of human VR3 receptor. The method compπses the steps; 1) contacting a compound, and a cell that contains functional human VR3 receptor, and 2) measuπng a change in the cell response to modified human VR3 receptor function by the compound The amount of time necessary for cellular contact with the compound is empiπcally determined, for example, by running a time course with a known human VR3 receptor modulator and measuπng cellular changes as a function of time. The measurement means of the method of the present invention can be further defined by compaπng a cell that has been exposed to a compound to an identical cell that has not been similarly expose to the compound. Alternatively two cells, one containing functional human VR3 receptor and a second cell identical to the first, but lacking functional human VR3 receptor could be both be contacted with the same compound and compared for differences between the two cells. This technique is also useful in establishing the background noise of these assays. One of average skill in the art will appreciate that these control mechanisms also allow easy selection of cellular changes that are responsive to modulation of functional human VR3 receptor. The term "cell" refers to at least one cell, but includes a plurality of cells appropπate for the sensitivity of the detection method. Cells suitable for the present invention may be bacteπal, yeast, or eukaryotic. The assay methods to determine compound modulation of functional human VR3 receptor can be in conventional laboratory format or adapted for high throughput. The term "high throughput" refers to an assay design that allow s easy analysis of multiple samples simultaneously, and capacity for robotic manipulation Another desired feature of high throughput assays is an assay design that is optimized to reduce reagent usage, or minimize the number of manipulations in order to achieve the analysis desired. Examples of assay formats include but are not limited to, 96- well or 384-well plates, levitating droplets, and "lab on a chip" microchannel chips used for liquid handling expeπments. It is well known by those in the art that as mmiatuπzation of plastic molds and liquid handling devices are advanced, or as improved assay devices are designed, that greater numbers of samples may be performed using the design of the present invention The cellular changes suitable for the method of the present invention compπse directly measuπng changes in the activity, function or quantity of human VR3 receptor, or by measuπng downstream effects of human VR3 receptor function, for example by measuπng secondary messenger concentrations or changes in transcπption or by changes in protein levels of genes that are transcπptionally influenced by human VR3 receptor, or by measuπng phenotypic changes in the cell Preferred measurement means include changes in the quantity of human VR3 receptor protein, changes in the functional activity of human VR3 receptor, changes in the quantity of mRNA, changes m intracellular protein, changes in cell surface protein, or secreted protein, or changes in Ca+2. cAMP or GTP concentration Changes in the quantity or functional activity of human VR3 receptor are descπbed herein. Changes in the levels of mRNA are detected by reverse transcπption polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or by differential gene expression. Immunoaffimty, hgand affinity, or enzymatic measurement quantitates VR3 induced changes in levels of specific proteins in host cells Where the protein is an enzyme, the induction of protein is monitored by cleavage of a flourogenic or coloπmetπc substrate. Preferred detection means for cell surface protein include flow cytometry or statistical cell imaging. In both techniques the protein of interest is localized at the cell surface, labeled with a specific fluorescent probe, and detected via the degree of cellular fluorescence. In flow cytometry, the cells are analyzed m a solution whereas in cellular imaging techniques, a field of cells is compared for relative fluorescence The present invention is also directed to methods for screening for compounds that modulate the expression of DNA or RNA encoding human VR3 receptor as well as the function of human VR3 receptor protein in vivo Compounds may modulate by increasing or attenuating the expression of DNA or RNA encoding human VR3 receptor, or the function of human VR3 receptor protein Compounds that modulate the expression of DNA or RNA encoding human VR3 receptor or the function of human VR3 receptor piote may be detected bv a v anet of assays The assay may be a simple "yes/no" assay to determine whether there is a change in expression or function The assay may be made quantitative by compaπng the expression or function of a test sample with the levels of expression or function in a standard sample Modulators identified in this process are useful as therapeutic agents, and human VR3 receptor Puπfication of human VR3 receptor protein Following expression of human VR3 receptor in a recombinant host cell, human VR3 receptor protein may be recovered to provide puπfied human VR3 receptor Recombinant human VR3 receptor may be puπfied from cell lysates and extracts, by various combinations of, or individual application of salt fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, hydroxylapatite adsorption chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, lectin chromatography, and antibody/ gand affinity chromatography Recombinant human VR3 receptor can be separated from other cellular proteins by use of an immunoaffimty column made with monoclonal or polvclonal antibodies specific for full length nascent human VR3 receptor, polypeptide fragments of human VR3 receptor or human VR3 receptor subunits The affinity "> resin is then equilibrated m a suitable buffei . for example phosphate buffered sal e (pH 7 3), and the cell culture supernatants or cell extracts containing human VR3 receptor or human VR3 receptor subunits are slowly passed through the column The column is then washed with the buffer until the optical density (A §Q) falls to background, then the protein is eluted b> changing the buffer condition such as by loweπng the pH using a buffer such as 0 23 M glycine-HCl (pH 2 6) The puπfied Human VR3 receptor protein is then dial v zed against a suitable buffer such as phosphate buffered saline Production and use of antibodies that bind to human VR3 receptor Monospecific antibodies to human VR3 receptor are purified from mammalian antisera containing antibodies reactive against human VR3 receptor or are prepared as monoclonal antibodies reactive with human VR3 receptor using the technique oπginally descπbed by Kohler and Mil stem, Nature 256 495-497 (1975) Immunological techniques are well know n in the art and descπbed in, for example, Antibodies A laboratory manual published by Cold Spπng Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spπng Harbor, NY, ISBN 0879693142 Monospecific antibody as used herein is defined as a single antibody species or multiple antibody species with homogenous binding characteπstics for human VR3 receptor Homogenous binding as used herein refers to the ability of the antibody species to bind to a specific antigen or epitope, such as those associated with the human VR3 receptor, as descπbed above Human VR3 receptor specific antibodies are raised by immunizing animals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats, horses and the like, with rabbits being preferred with an appropπate concentration of human VR3 receptor either with or without an immune adjuvant Preimmune serum is collected pπor to the first immunization Each animal receives between about 0 001 mg and about 100 mg of human VR3 receptor associated with an acceptable immune adjuvant Such acceptable adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Freund's complete. Freund's incomplete, alum-precipitate, water in oil emulsion containing Corynebactenum parvu and tRNA The initial immunization consists of human VR3 receptor in, preferably. Freund's complete adjuvant at multiple sites either subcutaneous! y (SC). mtrapeπtoneally (IP) or both Each animal is bled at regular intervals, preferably weekly, to determine antibody titei The animals may or may not receive booster injections following the initial immunization Those animals receiving booster injections are generally giv en an equal amount of the antigen in Freund's incomplete adjuvant by the same route Booster injections are given at about three-week interv als until maximal titers are obtained. At about 7 days after each booster immunization or about weekly after a single immunization, the animals are bled, the serum collected, and a quots are stored at about -20°C Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) reactive with human VR3 receptor are prepared by immunizing inbred mice, preferably Balb/c, with human VR3 receptor The mice are immunized by the IP or SC route with about 0 001 mg to about 1.0 mg, preferablv about 0.1 mg, of human VR3 receptor m about 0 1 ml buffer or saline incorporated in an equal volume of an acceptable adjuvant, as discussed above Freund's adjuvant is preferred, with Freund's complete adjuvant being used for the initial immunization and Freund's incomplete adjuvant used thereafter The mice receive an initial immunization on day 0 and are rested for about 2 to about 30 weeks. Immunized mice are given one or more booster immunizations of about 0 001 to about 1.0 mg of human VR3 receptor in a buffer solution such as phosphate buffered saline by the intravenous (IV) route Lymphocytes, from antibody positive mice, preferably splenic lymphocytes, are obtained by removing spleens from immunized mice by standard procedures known in the art Hybπdoma cells are produced by mixing the splenic lymphocytes with an appropπate fusion partner, preferably myeloma cells, under conditions that will allow the formation of stable hybπdomas. Fusion partners may include, but are not limited to: mouse myelomas P3/NS l/Ag 4-l ; MPC-11; S- 194 and Sp2/0. with Sp2/0 being generally preferred The antibody producing cells and myeloma cells are fused in polyethylene glycol. about 1000 mol wt., at concentrations from about 30% to about 50% Fused hybπdoma cells are selected bv growth in hypoxanthine, thymidme and aminopteπn supplemented Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) by procedures known the art. Supernatant fluids are collected from growth positive wells on about days 14. 18. and 21 and are screened for antibody production by an immunoassay such as solid phase immunoradioassay (SPIRA) using human VR3 receptor as the antigen The culture fluids are also tested in the Ouchterlony precipitation assay to determine the isotype of the mAb Hybπdoma cells from antibody positive wells are cloned by a technique such as the soft agar technique of MacPherson, Soft Agar Techniques, in Tissue Culture Methods and Applications, Kruse and Paterson, Eds . Academic Press, 1973 or by the technique of limited dilution Monoclonal antibodies are produced in vivo by injection of pπstane pπmed Balb/c mice, approximately 0.5 ml per mouse, with about 1 x 10" to about 6 x 10" hybπdoma cells at least about 4 days after pπming Ascites fluid is collected at approximately 8-12 days after cell transfer and the monoclonal antibodies are puπfied by techniques known in the art In vitro production of anti-human VR3 receptor mAb is earned out by growing the hybπdoma in tissue culture media well known in the art High density in vitro cell culture may be conducted to produce large quantities of anti-human VR3 receptor MAbs using hollow fiber culture techniques, air lift reactors, roller bottle, or spinner flasks culture techniques well known in the art The mAb are puπfied by techniques known in the art Antibody titers of ascites or hybπdoma culture fluids are determined by vaπous serological or immunological assays which include, but are not limited to, precipitation, passive agglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent antibody (ELISA) technique and radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques. Similar assays are used to detect the presence of human VR3 receptor in body fluids or tissue and cell extracts. It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the above descπbed methods for producing monospecific antibodies may be utilized to produce antibodies specific for human VR3 receptor polypeptide fragments, or full-length nascent human VR3 receptor polypeptide, or the individual human VR3 receptor subunits. Specifically, it is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that monospecific antibodies may be generated which are specific for only one human VR3 receptor subunit or the fully functional human VR3 receptor protein. It is also apparent to those skilled in the art that monospecific antibodies may be generated that inhibit normal function of human VR3 receptor protein Human VR3 receptor antibody affinity columns are made by adding the antibodies to a gel support such that the antibodies form covalent linkages with the gel bead support. Preferred covalent linkages are made through amine, aldehyde, or sulfhydryl residues contained on the antibody. Methods to generate aldehydes or free sulfhydryl groups on antibodies are well known in the art; amine groups are reactive with, for example, N-hydroxysuccimmide esters Kit compositions containing human VR3 receptor specific reagents Kits containing human VR3 receptor DNA or RNA, antibodies to human VR3 receptor, or human VR3 receptor protein may be prepared. Such kits are used to detect DNA that hybπdizes to human VR3 receptor DNA or to detect the presence of human VR3 receptor protein or peptide fragments in a sample. Such characteπzation is useful for a vaπety of purposes including but not limited to forensic analyses, diagnostic applications, and epidemiological studies This invention relates to the use of human VR3 polynucleotides for the use as diagnostic reagents. Detection of a mutated form of human VR3 gene associated with a dysfunction will provide a diagnostic tool that can add to or define a diagnosis of a disease or susceptibility to a disease which results from under-expression or over- expression of human VR3 Individuals carrying mutations in the human VR3 gene may be detected at the DNA level by a vaπety of techniques well known in the are, and descπbed herein The DNA molecules, RNA molecules, recombinant protein and antibodies of the present invention may be used to screen and measure levels of human VR3 receptor DNA, human VR3 receptor RNA or human VR3 receptor protein The recombinant proteins, DNA molecules, RNA molecules and antibodies lend themselves to the formulation of kits suitable for the detection and typing of human VR3 receptor. Such a kit would compnse a compartmentalized earner suitable to hold in close confinement at least one container The earner would further compnse reagents such as recombinant human VR3 receptor protein or anti-human VR3 receptor antibodies suitable for detecting human VR3 receptor The earner may also contain a means for detection such as labeled antigen or enzyme substrates or the like Gene therapy Nucleotide sequences that are complementary to the human VR3 receptor encoding DNA sequence can be synthesized for antisense therapy These antisense molecules may be DNA. stable denvatives of DNA such as phosphorothioates or methylphosphonates, RNA, stable denvatives of RNA such as 2'-( -alkylRNA, or other Human VR3 receptor antisense o gonucleotide mimetics Human VR3 receptor antisense molecules may be introduced into cells by microinjection, hposome encapsulation or by expression from vectors harboπng the antisense sequence Human VR3 receptor antisense therapy may be particularly useful for the treatment of diseases where it is beneficial to reduce human VR3 receptor activity Human VR3 receptor gene therapy may be used to introduce human VR3 receptor into the cells of target organisms The human VR3 receptor gene can be gated into viral vectors that mediate transfer of the human VR3 receptor DNA by infection of recipient host cells Suitable viral vectors include retrovirus, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, herpes virus, vaccinia virus, po ovirus and the like Alternatively, human VR3 receptor DNA can be transferred into cells for gene therapy by non-viral techniques including receptor-mediated targeted DNA transfer using gand-DNA conjugates or adenovirus-hgand-DNA conjugates, hpofection membrane fusion or direct microinjection These procedures and vaπations thereof are suitable for ex vivo as well as in vivo human VR3 receptor gene therapv Human VR3 receptor gene therapy may be particularly useful for the treatment of diseases where it is beneficial to elevate human VR3 receptor activitv Protocols for molecular methodology of gene therapy suitable for use with the human VR3 receptor gene is descπbed in Gene Therapy Protocols, edited by Paul D Robbms, Human press, Totawa NJ, 1996 Pharmaceutical compositions Pharmaceutically useful compositions compπsing human VR3 receptor DNA, human VR3 receptor RNA, or human VR3 receptor protein, or modulators of human VR3 receptor activity, may be formulated according to known methods such as by the admixture of a pharmaceutically acceptable earner Examples of such earners and methods of formulation may be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences To form a pharmaceutically acceptable composition suitable for effective administration, such compositions will contain an effective amount of the protein. DNA, RNA, or modulator. Therapeutic or diagnostic compositions of the invention are administered to an individual in amounts sufficient to treat or diagnose disorders in which modulation of Human VR3 receptor-related activity is indicated The effective amount may vary according to a vaπety of factors such as the individual's condition, weight, sex and age Other factors include the mode of administration The pharmaceutical compositions may be provided to the individual by a vaπety of routes such as subcutaneous, topical, oral and intramuscular The term "chemical deπvative" descnbes a molecule that contains additional chemical moieties that are not normally a part of the base molecule. Such moieties may improve the solubility, half-life, absorption, etc of the base molecule. Alternatively the moieties may attenuate undesirable side effects of the base molecule or decrease the toxicity of the base molecule. Examples of such moieties are descπbed in a vanety of texts, such as Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences Compounds identified according to the methods disclosed herein may be used alone at appropπate dosages defined by routine testing in order to obtain optimal inhibition of the human VR3 receptor or its activity while minimizing any potential toxicity. In addition, co-administration or sequential administration of other agents may be desirable. The present invention also has the objective of providing suitable topical, oral, systemic and parenteral pharmaceutical formulations for use in the novel methods of treatment of the present invention. The compositions containing compounds or modulators identified according to this invention as the active ingredient for use in the modulation of human VR3 receptor can be administered in a wide vanety of therapeutic dosage forms in conventional vehicles for administration. For example, the compounds or modulators can be administered in such oral dosage forms as tablets, capsules (each including timed release and sustained release formulations), pills, powders, granules, elixirs, tinctures, solutions, suspensions, syrups and emulsions, or by injection. Likewise, they may also be administered in intravenous (both bolus and infusion), intrapeπtoneal, subcutaneous, topical with or without occlusion, or intramuscular form, all using forms well known to those of ordinary skill in the pharmaceutical arts An effective but non-toxic amount of the compound desired can be employed as a human VR3 receptor-modulating agent. The daily dosage of the products may be vaned over a wide range from 0 01 to 1.000 mg per patient, per day For oral administration, the compositions are preferably provided in the form of scored or unscored tablets containing 0 01, 0 05. 0 1. 0 5, 1 0, 2 5, 5.0, 10 0, 15 0, 25 0, and 50 0 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated An effective amount of the drug is ordinaπly supplied at a dosage level of from about 0 0001 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg of body weight per da> The range is more particularly from about 0 001 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg of body weight per day The dosages of the human VR3 receptor modulators are adjusted when combined to achieve desired effects On the other hand, dosages of these various agents may be mdependentlv optimized and combined to achieve a synergistic result wherein the pathology is reduced more than it would be if either agent were used alone Advantageously, compounds or modulators of the present invention may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three or four times daily Furthermore, compounds or modulators for the present invention can be administered in intranasal form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal routes, using those forms of transdermal skin patches well known to those of ordinary skill in that art To be administered in the form of a transdermal delivery system, the dosage administration will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen For combination treatment with more than one active agent, where the active agents are in separate dosage formulations, the active agents can be administered concurrently, or they each can be administered at separately staggered times The dosage regimen utilizing the compounds or modulators of the present invention is selected in accordance with a vaπety of factors including type, species, age. weight, sex and medical condition of the patient; the seventy of the condition to be treated; the route of administration; the renal and hepatic function of the patient, and the particular compound thereof employed A physician or vetennaπan of ordinary skill can readily determine and prescπbe the effective amount of the drug required to prevent, counter or arrest the progress of the condition Optimal precision in achieving concentrations of drug within the range that yields efficacy without toxicity requires a regimen based on the kinetics of the drug's availability to target sites This involves a consideration of the distnbution, equi bπum. and elimination of a drug. In the methods of the present invention, the compounds or modulators herein descπbed in detail can form the active ingredient, and are typically administered admixture with suitable pharmaceutical diluents, excipients or earners referred to herein as "earner" matenals) suitably selected with respect to the intended form of administration, that is, oral tablets, capsules, elixirs, syrups and the like, and consistent with conventional pharmaceutical practices For instance, for oral administration in the form of a tablet or capsule, the active drug component can be combined with an oral, non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable inert earner such as ethanol, glycerol, water and the like. Moreover, when desired or necessary, suitable binders, lubπcants, disintegrating agents and coloπng agents can also be incorporated into the mixture Suitable binders include, ithout limitation, starch, gelatin, natural sugars such as glucose or beta-lactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, tragacanth or sodium algmate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, waxes and the like. Lubncants used in these dosage forms include, without limitation, sodium oleate. sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloπde and the like. Disintegrators include, without limitation, starch, methyl cellulose, agar, bentomte, xanthan gum and the like. For liquid forms the active drug component can be combined in suitably flavored suspending or dispersing agents such as the synthetic and natural gums, for example, tragacanth, acacia, methyl-cellulose and the like. Other dispersing agents that may be employed include glyceπn and the like. For parenteral administration, steπle suspensions and solutions are desired Isotonic preparations, which generally contain suitable preservatives, are employed when intravenous administration is desired Topical preparations containing the active drug component can be admixed with a vaπety of earner mateπals well known in the art. such as, e.g., alcohols, aloe vera gel, allantom, glycenne, vitamin A and E oils, mineral oil. PPG2 mynstyl propionate, and the like, to form, e.g , alcoholic solutions, topical cleansers, cleansing creams, skin gels, skm lotions, and shampoos cream or gel formulations The compounds or modulators of the present invention can also be administered in the form of posome deliver) systems, such as small umlamellar vesicles, large umlamellar vesicles and multilamellar vesicles Liposomes can be formed from a vanety of phosphohpids, such as cholesterol, stearylamine or phosphatidylcholmes. Compounds of the present invention may also be delivered by the use of monoclonal antibodies as individual earners to which the compound molecules are coupled The compounds or modulators of the present invention may also be coupled with soluble polymers as targetable drug earners. Such polymers can include polyvmyl-pyrrohdone, pyran copolymer, polyhydroxypropylmethacryl-amidephenol, polyhydroxy-ethylaspartamidephenol, or polyethyl-eneoxidepolylysme substituted with palmitoyl residues. Furthermore, the compounds or modulators of the present invention may be coupled to a class of biodegradable polymers useful in achieving controlled release of a drug, for example, polylactic acid, polyepsilon caprolactone, polyhydroxy butyπc acid, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, polydihydro-pyrans, polycyanoacrylates and cross-linked or amphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels For oral administration, the compounds or modulators may be administered in capsule, tablet, or bolus form or alternatively they can be mixed m the animals feed The capsules, tablets, and boluses are compπsed of the active ingredient in combination with an appropπate earner vehicle such as starch, talc, magnesium stearate, or di-calcium phosphate These unit dosage forms are prepared by intimately mixing the active ingredient with suitable finely-powdered inert ingredients including diluents, fillers, disintegrating agents, and/or binders such that a uniform mixture is obtained An inert ingredient is one that will not react with the compounds or modulators and which is non-toxic to the animal being treated Suitable inert ingredients include starch, lactose, talc, magnesium stearate, vegetable gums and oils, and the like These formulations may contain a widely vanable amount of the active and inactive ingredients depending on numerous factors such as the size and type of the animal species to be treated and the type and seventy of the infection The active ingredient may also be administered as an additive to the feed by simply mixing the compound with the feedstuff or by applying the compound to the surface of the feed Alternatively the active ingredient may be mixed with an inert earner and the resulting composition may then either be mixed with the feed or fed directly to the animal. Suitable inert earners include corn meal, citrus meal, fermentation residues, soya gnts, dπed grains and the like. The active ingredients are intimately mixed with these inert earners by gnnding, stirnng, milling, or tumbling such that the final composition contains from 0.001 to 5% by weight of the active ingredient The compounds or modulators may alternatively be administered parenterally via injection of a formulation consisting of the active ingredient dissolved in an inert liquid earner. Injection may be either intramuscular, intraruminal, mtratracheal, or subcutaneous. The mjectable formulation consists of the active ingredient mixed with an appropnate inert liquid earner. Acceptable liquid earners include the vegetable oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil and the like as well as organic solvents such as solketal, glycerol formal and the like. As an alternative, aqueous parenteral formulations may also be used The vegetable oils are the preferred liquid earners The formulations are prepared by dissolving or suspending the active ingredient in the liquid earner such that the final formulation contains from 0 005 to 10% by weight of the active ingredient Topical application of the compounds or modulators is possible through the use of a liquid drench or a shampoo containing the instant compounds or modulators as an aqueous solution or suspension These formulations generally contain a suspending agent such as bentonite and normally will also contain an antifoaming agent Formulations containing from 0.005 to 10% by weight of the active ingredient are acceptable Preferred formulations are those containing from 0 01 to 5% by weight of the instant compounds or modulators The following examples illustrate the present invention without, however, limiting the same thereto EXAMPLE 1 Generation of human prostate and pituitary cDNA libraπes cDNA synthesis- First strand synthesis: Approximately 5 μg of human prostate or pituitary mRNA (Clontech) was used to synthesize cDNA using the cDNA synthesis kit (Life Technologies). Two microliters of Notl pπmer adapter was added to 5μl of mRNA and the mixture was heated to 70 ° C for 10 minutes and placed on ice The following reagents were added on ice: 4μl of 5x first strand buffer (250mM TRIS-HC1 (pH8.3), 375mM KC1, 15mM MgCl 2 ), 2μl of 0.1M DTT, lOmM dNTP (nucleotide tnphosphates) mix and lμl of DEPC treated water The reaction was incubated at 42 C for 5mιnutes. Finally, 5μl of Superscπpt RT II was added and incubated at 42 °C for 2 more hours. The reaction was terminated on ice. Second strand synthesis: The first strand product was adjusted to 93μl with water and the following reagents were added on ice: 30 μl of 5x 2nd strand buffer (100 mM TRIS-HC1 (pH6.9), 450 mM KC1, 23 mM MgCl 2 , 0.75 mM β-NAD+, 50mM (NH 4 ) 2 S0 4 ), 3μl of 10 mM dNTP (nucleotide tnphosphates), lμl E. coh DNA hgase (lOunits) lμl RNase H (2unιts), 4 μl DNA pol I (10 units). The reaction was incubated at 16°C for 2 hours. The DNA from second strand synthesis was treated with T4 DNA polymerase and placed at 16°C to blunt the DNA ends. The double stranded cDNA was extracted with 150 μl of a mixture of phenol and chloroform (1 : 1, v:v) and precipitated with 0.5 volumes of 7.5 M NH40Ac and 2 volumes of absolute ethanol. The pellet was washed with 70% ethanol and dned down at 37°C to remove the residual ethanol. The double stranded DNA pellet was resuspended in 25 μl of water and the following reagents were added; 10 μl of 5x T4 DNA hgase buffer, 10 μl of Sai l adapters and 5 μl of T4 DNA hgase. The ingredients were mixed gently and hgated overnight at 16° C. The ligation mix was extracted with phenol:chloroform:ιsoamyl alcohol, vortexed thoroughly and centπfuged at room temperature for 5 minutes at 14,000 x g to separate the phases. The aqueous phase was transferred to a new tube and the volume adjusted to 100 ml with water. The puπfied DNA was size selected on a chromaspm 1000 column (Clontech) to eliminate the smaller cDNA molecules. The double stranded DNA was digested with Notl restπction enzyme for 3-4 hours at 37° C. The restπction digest was electrophoresed on a 0.8 % low melt agarose gel. The cDNA in the range of 1-5 kb was cut out and purified using Gelzyme (InVitrogen). The product was extracted with phenokchloroform and precipitated with NH 4 OAC and absolute ethanol The pellet was washed with 70% ethanol and resuspended in 10 ml of water. Li ation of cDNA to the Vector: The cDNA was split up into 5 tubes (2μl each) and the ligation reactions were set up by adding 4.5 μl of water. 2 μl of 5x ligation buffer, lμl of p-Sport vector DNA (cut with Sal-1 / Notl and phosphatase treated) and 0.5 μl of T4 DNA hgase. The ligation was incubated at 40° C overnight. Introduction of Ligated cDNA into E. co by Electroporation: The ligation reaction volume was adjusted to a total volume of 20 μl with water. Five milliliters of yeast tRNA, 12.5 ml of 7.5M NHtOAc and 70 ml of absolute ethanol (- 20°C) was added. The mixture was vortexed thoroughly, and immediately centrifuged at room temperature for 20 minutes at 14000 xg. The pellets were washed in 70% ethanol and each pellet was resuspended in 5 ml of water. All 5 ligations (25ml) were pooled and lOOμl of DH10B electro-competent cells (Life Technologies) were electroporated with 1 ml of DNA (total of 20 electroporations), then plated out on ampicillin plates to determine the number of recombinants (cfu) per microliter. The entire library was seeded into 2 liters of Super Broth and maxipreps were made using Promega Maxi Prep kit and purified on cesium chloride gradients. EXAMPLE 2: Library Screening / human VR3 A+B+ Generation Human pituitary gland library screening: One-microliter aliquots of the human pituitary glandjibrary were electroporated into Electromax DH10B cells (Life Technologies). The volume was adjusted to 1 ml with SOC media and incubated for 45 minutes at 37°C with shaking. The library was then plated out on 150cm" plates containing LB to a density of 20000 colonies per plate. These cultures were grown overnight at 37°C. A human VR3 receptor probe was generated by polymerase chain reaction using the following primer pair: 5' oligo (SEQ.JD. NO.: l): 5' ACCGGCCTATCCTCTTTGACATCGTG 3' oligo (SEQ.ID.NO. :2): 5' TGTCCGCCTTCTTGTGGGGGTTCTC The probe was generated by PCR using regular PCR conditions using 5' and 3' probe oligos (lOOng each) and 10 ng of diluted miniprep DNA. The resulting 493 bp fragment was run on 1% agarose gel and purified using a QUIAquick Gel extraction kit (Quiagen). About 100 ng of the purified probe was labeled with alpha 32P using oligolabelmg kit from Pharmacia and the labeled DNA was puπfied with S-200 columns (Pharmacia) The library colonies were lifted on Protran nitrocellulose filters (Scheicher & Schuel) and the DNA was denatured in 1.5 M NaCl, 0.5 M NaOH The filter disks were neutralized with 1.5 M NaCl, 1 0 M Tπs-HCl, pH 7 5 and then UV crosshnked to the membrane using a UV-Strata nker (Stratagene). The filters were washed several times in wash solution (1 M Tπs-HCl, pH 8.0; 5 M NaCl: 0.5 M EDTA; 20% SDS) at 42°C Then the disks were incubated in lx southern pre-hybndization buffer (5'-3' Inc) containing 50% formamide and 100 ug/ml of sheared salmon sperm DNA (5 ' - 3' Inc) for 6 hours at 42 C Finally, hybπdization was performed overnight at 42C in lx hybndization buffer (5'-3') containing 50% formamide, lOOng of sheared salmon sperm DNA in the presence of labeled probe (5xl0 5 to lxlO 6 cmp/ml of hybπdization buffer). The disks were washed twice in 2xSSC, 0.2% SDS at room temperature (20 minutes each) and once in 0.2xSSC, 0.1%SDS at 50C for 30 minutes. The membranes were than placed on sheets of filter paper, wrapped in the plastic wrap and exposed to the film at -20C overnight. Positive clones were identified and collected by conng the colonies from the oπginal plate. The colonies were incubated in LB for 1 hour at 37°C. Dilutions of the cultures were plated onto LB agar plates and the filter-lifting, hybπdizing, washing, colony-picking procedure was repeated Individual clones from the second screen were picked and digested with Sall/Notl to determine the size of the inserts, and the inserts were sequenced. The full length clone was generated by PCR with Pfu polymerase using 10 ng of the sequenced library clone as a template and full length oligos with Kpnl (FL 5 'oligo SEQ.ID.N0.3) and Notl (FL 3' oligo SEQ.ID.NO.4) sites. FL 5' ohgo (SEQ.ID.N0.3): AACGTTGGTACCGCCACCATGGCGGATTCCAGCGAAGGCCCCCGCGCG FL3' o go: (SEQ.ID.NO.4) TAAAGCGGCCGCTTCAGGAGGGACATCGGTGAGCCTCAC The PCR product was digested with Kpnl and Notl enzymes and cloned into a pSP64T.GC expression vector. Large-scale preparation of DNA was done using a MEGA prep kit (Quiagen) EXAMPLE 3: Library Screening / human VR3 A+B- and human VR3 A-B- Generation Human prostate library screening One microhter a quots of the human prostate library were electroporated into Electromax DH10B cells (Life Technologies). The volume was adjusted to 1 ml with SOC media and incubated for 45 minutes at 37°C with shaking. The library was then plated out on 150cm 2 plates containing LB to a density of 20000 colonies per plate. These cultures were grown overnight at 37°C A human VR3 receptor probe was generated by polymerase chain reaction using the following pnmer pair: 5' ohgo (SEQ.ID. NO.:13): 5' CTACCTGACGGAGAACCCCCACAAG 3' ohgo (SEQ.ID.NO.:14): 5' GTAGTAGGCGGTGAGACTGAAGATGA The probe was generated by PCR using regular PCR conditions using 5' and 3' probe oligos (lOOng each) and 10 ng of diluted mimprep DNA The resulting 387 bp fragment was run on 1% agarose gel and puπfied using a QUIAquick Gel extraction kit (Quiagen). About 100 ng of the puπfied probe was labeled with alpha 32P using oligolabelmg kit from Pharmacia and the labeled DNA was puπfied with S-200 columns (Pharmacia). The library colonies were lifted on Protran nitrocellulose filters (Schleicher & Schuel) and the DNA was denatured in 1.5 M NaCl, 0.5 M NaOH. The filter disks were neutralized with 1.5 M NaCl, 1.0 M Tπs-HCl, pH 7.5 and then UV cross nked to the membrane using a UV-Stratalinker (Stratagene). The filters were washed several times in wash solution (1 M Tπs-HCl, pH 8.0, 5 M NaCl; 0.5 M EDTA, 20% SDS) at 42°C Then the disks were incubated m ix southern pre-hybπdization buffer (5' -3' Inc) containing 50% formamide and 100 ug/ml of sheared salmon sperm DNA (5' - 3' Inc) for 6 hours at 42 C. Finally, hybπdization was performed overnight at 42C in lx hybridization buffer (5 '-3') containing 50% formamide, lOOng of sheared salmon sperm DNA in the presence of labeled probe (5xl0 3 to lxlO 6 cmp/ml of hybndization buffer) The disks were washed twice in 2xSSC, 0.2% SDS at room temperature (20 minutes each) and once in 0.2xSSC, 0.1%SDS at 50C for 30 minutes The membranes were than placed on sheets of filter paper, wrapped in the Saran wrap and exposed to the film at -20C overnight. Positive clones were identified and collected by conng the colonies from the oπginal plate The colonies were incubated in LB for 1 hour at 37°C. Dilutions of the cultures were plated onto LB agar plates and the filter-lifting, hybπdizing, washing, colony-picking procedure was repeated Individual clones from the second screen were picked and digested with EcoRI/Notl to determine the size of the inserts. and the inserts were sequenced. The full length clone was generated by PCR with Pfu polymerase using 10 ng of the sequenced library clone as a template and full length oligos with Notl (FL 5 'ohgo SEQ.ID.NO.: 15) and Xbal (FL 3' o go SEQ.ID.NO.: 16) sites. FL 5' ohgo (SEQ.ID.NO.: 15). 5'AACGTTGGCGGCCGCGCCACCATGGCGGATTCCAGCGAAGGCCCCCGCGC G FL3' ohgo: (SEQ.ID.NO.: 16): 5 ' AACGTTTCTAGACTGGGCTGCAGTCCCTAG The PCR product was digested with Notl and Xbal enzymes and cloned into a pGem HE expression vector. Large-scale preparation of DNA was done using a MEGA prep kit (Quiagen). EXAMPLE 4- Cloning human VR3 receptor cDNA into a Mammalian Expression Vector The human VR3 receptor cDNAs (collectively refeπed to as hVR3) were cloned into the mammalian expression vector pcDNA3.1/Zeo(+). The cloned PCR product was purified on a column (Wizard PCR DNA purification kit from Promega) and digested with Not I and EcoRI (NEB) to create cohesive ends. The product was purified by electrophoresis on a low melting point agarose gel. The pcDNA3.1/Zeo(+) vector was digested with Notl and Xbal ( except for hVR3 A+B+, which was cloned into BamHI / Notl sites) enzymes and subsequently purified on a low melting point agarose gel. The linear vector was used to ligate to the human VR3 cDNA inserts. Recombinants were isolated, designated human VR3 receptor, and used to transfect mammalian cells (HEK293, COS-7 or CHO-Kl cells) using the Effectene non-liposomal lipid based transfection kit (Quiagen). Stable cell clones were selected by growth in the presence of zeocin. Single zeocin resistant clones were isolated and shown to contain the intact human VR3 receptor gene. Clones containing the human VR3 receptor cDNAs were analyzed for hVR3 protein expression. Recombinant plasmids containing human VR3 encoding DNA were used to transform the mammalian COS or CHO cells or HEK293 cells. Cells expressing human VR3 receptor, stably or transiently, are used to test for expression of human VR3 receptor and for Η-RTX binding activity. These cells are used to identify and examine other compounds for their ability to modulate, inhibit or activate the human VR3 receptor and to compete for radioactive Η-RTX binding Cassettes containing the human VR3 receptor cDNA in the positive oπentation with respect to the promoter are hgated into appropπate restπction sites 3 of the promoter and identified by restπction site mapping and/or sequencing These cDNA expression vectors aie introduced into fibroblastic host cells for example COS- 7 (ATCC# CRL1651), and CV-1 tat [Sackevitz et al , Science 238 1575 (1987)], 293 L (ATCC# CRL6362)] by standard methods including but not limited to electropoiation, or chemical procedures (cationic liposomes, DEAE dextran calcium phosphate) Transfected cells and cell culture supernatants are harvested and analyzed for human VR3 receptor expression as descπbed herein All of the vectors used for mammalian transient expression can be used to establish stable cell lines expressing human VR3 receptor Unaltered human VR3 receptor cDNA constructs cloned into expression vectors are expected to program host cells to make human VR3 receptor piotein The transfection host cells include, but are not limited to, CV-l-P [Sackevitz et al , Science 238 1575 (1987)], tk-L [Wigler, et al Cell 11 223 (1977)], NS/0, and dHFr- CHO [Kaufman and Sharp, J Mol Biol ]59 601, (1982)] Co-transfection of any vector containing human VR3 receptor cDNA with a drug selection plasmid including, but not limited to G418, am oglycoside phosphotransferase, hygromycm, hygromycin-B phospholransferase, APRT, xanthine-guanme phosphoπbosyl-transferase, will allow for the selection of stably transfected clones Levels of human VR3 receptor are quantitated by the assays descnbed herein Human VR3 receptor cDNA constructs are also hgated into vectors containing amp fiable drug-resistance markers for the production of mammalian cell clones synthesizing the highest possible levels of human VR3 receptor Following introduction of these constructs into cells, clones containing the plasmid are selected with the appropπate agent, and isolation of an over-expressing clone with a high cop} number of plasmids is accomplished by selection in increasing doses of the agent The expression of recombinant human VR3 receptor is achieved by transfection of full-length human VR3 receptor cDNA into a mammalian host cell EXAMPLE 5- Charactenzation of functional protein encoded by pVR3R in Xenopus oocytes Xenopus laevis oocytes were prepared and injected using standard methods previousl) descπbed and known in the art (Fraser et al , 1993) Ovaπan lobes from adult female Xenopus laevis (Nasco, Fort Atkinson, WI) were teased apart, nnsed several times in nominally Ca-free saline containing- 82 5mM NaCl, 2.5mM KC1, ImM MgCh, 5 mM HEPES, adjusted to pH 7.0 with NaOH (OR-2), and gently shaken in OR-2 containing 0.2% collagenase Type 1 (ICN Biomedicals, Aurora, Ohio) for 2-5 hours When approximately 50% of the follicular layers were removed, Stage V and VI oocytes were selected and nnsed in media consisting of 75% OR-2 and 25% ND-96 The ND-96 contained. 100 mM NaCl, 2 mM KC1, 1 mM MgCl 2 , 1.8 mM CaC^, 5 mM HEPES, 2 5 mM Na pyruvate, gentamicin (50 ug/ml), adjusted to pH 7 0 with NaOH The extracellular Ca +2 was gradually increased and 1.8 mM CaCl 2 , 5 mM HEPES, 2.5 mM Na pyruvate, gentamicin (50 ug ml), adjusted to pH 7.0 with NaOH The extracellular Ca +2 was gradually increased and the cells were maintained in ND-96 for 2-24 hours before injection For in vitro transcnption, pGEM HE (Liman et al., 1992) containing human VR3 was hneaπzed with Nhel and transcπbed with T7 RNA polymerase (Promega) in the presence of the cap analog m7G(5')ppp(5')G. The synthesized cRNA was precipitated with ammonium acetate and isopropanol, and resuspended in 50μl nuclease-free water. cRNA was quantified using formaldehyde gels (1% agarose, lxMOPS , 3% formaldehyde) against 1.2 and 5 μl RNA markers (Gibco BRL, 0.24 - 9.5 Kb) Oocytes were injected with 50 nl of the human VR3 receptor RNA (0 3 - 5 ng) with or without co-injection of VRl (2-3 ng). Control oocytes were injected with 50 nl of water. Oocytes were incubated for 1-13 days in ND-96 before analysis for expression of the human VR3. Incubations and collagenase digestion were earned out at room temperature. Injected oocytes were maintained in 48 well cell culture clusters (Costar; Cambndge, MA) at 18°C. Whole cell agonist-induced currents were measured 1-14 days after injection with a conventional two-electrode voltage clamp (GeneClamp500, Axon Instruments, Foster City, CA) using standard methods previously descπbed and known in the art (Dascal, 1987). The microelectrodes were filled with 3 M KC1. which had resistances of 1 and 2 MΩ Cells were continuously perfused with ND96 at -10 ml/mm at room temperature unless indicated Membrane voltage w as clamped at -70 mV unless indicated Oocytes were challenged with a vaπety of gands, low pH, and depolanzmg as well as hyperpolaπzing voltage steps but there were no detectable differences in membrane conductance between human VR3-expressιng oocytes and control oocytes [see Table 1]. However, human VR3 injected oocytes had properties that were different from controls in 4 respects. First, injection of VR3 A+B- cRNA caused oocytes to die. The viability of oocytes injected with VR3 isoforms having the A insert was significantly reduced compared to sister controls 3-4 days after injection (Figure 9). Second, all three isoforms of VR3 enhanced the heat-induced response (Figure 10) Third, A+B- co- injection with human VRl produced a ruthenium red sensitive perfusion-induced current (i perfus i on ) (Figure 11). Fourth, human VR3 A+B- cRNA co-injection with human VRl cRNA altered the responsiveness of the oocytes to 1 uM capsaicin, an agonist at the VRl receptor (Figure 12). TABLE 1 TABLE 1 Viability' Functional expression of human VR3 isoforms in Xenopus oocytes is shown viability of oocytes maintained in ND-96 containing 2 Ca 2+ was significantly diminished 4-6 days after injection with VR3 A+B- (3.25 ng) and VR3 A+B+ (5 ng) but not VR3 A-B- (1.5 ng) cRNA Data for VR3 A+B- and control water-injected ootyes were similar in 5 separate expeπments and combined Dead oocytes were determined visually using a Bauch and Lomb dissecting microscope Data were analyzed using Chi square analysis VR3 A+B- injected oocytes were the least viable' only about 9% of oocytes survived to 4-6 days after injection About 33% of oocytes injected with human VR3 A+B+ survived to 4-6 days after injection About 67% of sister water-mjected control oocytes survived the same time peπod under essentially identical conditions. VR3 A-B- injected oocytes revealed similar viability to water injected controls Similar data were obtained from 2 separate batches of cRNA. Heat responsiveness. Functional expression of human VR3 isoforms in Xenopus oocytes is shown activation by heat. a). Shown is the mean peak current elicited by a heat ramp from 25 deg C to 46 deg C and maintained at 46 degC for at least 15 sec Voltage ramps were applied from -120 to +80 mV over 400 msec at a sampling rate of 2 sec The current shown was the increase in current over and above the initial current elicited at +80 mV (the nghtmost point on the current voltage curve shown m (b)). Oocytes were injected with 3.25, 1.5 and 5 ng VR3 A+B-, A-B-, and A+B+ cRNA, respectively, and recorded up to 6 days later. Solid bar: water-injected controls (n=8); clear bar: VR3 A+B- isoform (n= 11); hatched bar: VR3 A-B- isoform (n= 8), stippled bar: VR3 A+B+ isoform (n=5). All isoforms showed a significant increase over water controls (p= 0.001, 0.03 and 0.007, respectively) The heat-mduced response was about 2-fold larger in the A+B- isoform compared to the other 2 isoforms, but the differences were not significant (p= 0.051 and p= 0.16, for A+B- compared to A-B- and A+B+. respectively). Data were obtained from 2 sets of injected oocytes. Data shown is the mean and standard eπ-or of the mean, (b) Voltage-ramp induced currents were recorded duπng application of increasing heat to oocytes injected with water (top), VR3 A+B- (second from top), VR3 A-B- (3 rd from top), and VR3A+B+ (bottom) Oocytes were constantly perfused with Ca2+ ND-96 and the solution was heated by an inline heater device (TC-324B in conjunction with the SH-27A in line heater; Warner Instrument Corp.). Ramp induced currents (in microAmperes, as indicated on the y-axis) obtained at temperatures from 37 deg C to 46 deg C are displayed; only current traces at the higher temperatures are labeled with the corresponding temperature. Perfusion induced currents I p prfi nn: Figure 11) The onset of bath perfusion elicited an increase in membrane conductance in oocytes that had been injected with RNA transcπbed from the cloned human VRl with and without RNA transcπbed from VR3A+B- receptor cDNA as shown in FIGURE 11. An oocyte injected with VRl cRNA (a) was challenged with voltage ramps between -120 and +80 mV over 400 msec The ramp-induced currents were inci eased after onset of perfusion of the oocyte at a rate of 10 ml/mm Control ramp induced currents from oocytes still extracellular saline (C ) were recorded pnor to the onset of bath perfusion of Ca2+ ND-96 Dunng perfusion, the ramp induced currents increased, indicating an increase in conductance (P). Subsequent perfusion of 10 uM ruthenium red (RR) did not block the perfusion induced current (P) m VR1- expressmg oocytes. Thus, the perfusion-induced current observed in oocytes expressing VRl alone was insensitive to 10 uM ruthenium red (A, "RR"). However, the perfusion-induced current elicited in oocytes expressing VR3A+B- and VRl were dramatically inhibited by 10 uM ruthenium red (B, "RR") This difference was observed in 6 oocytes. The block was partially reversible (not shown), (b). An oocyte injected with VRl cRNA together with VR3 A+B- was challenged with voltage ramps between -120 and +80 mV over 400 msec. The ramp-induced currents were increased after onset of perfusion of the oocyte at a rate of 10 ml/mm. Perfusion activated currents had similar magnitudes in both sets of oocytes. Vrev for the RR inhibited current was about -13 mV (arrow). The currents induced by both agonists were strongly outwardly rectifying, as reported previously for the rat VRl (Catenna et al., 1997). Capsaicm induced currents in oocvtes expressing human VRl in the presence or absence of human VR3 A+B- (Figure 12). Currents elicited by 1 uM capsaicin (FIGURE 12) were measured at a holding voltage of +50 mV since responses were largest at this voltage due to profound outward rectification of the capsaicm-induced currents (Cateπna et al , 1997) Shown are 3 examples of oocytes injected with VRl and water (a control for VR3 injection) (a) and oocytes injected with VRl cRNA and VR3 A+B- cRNA (b) Capsaicin was bath applied duπng the time indicated by the solid hoπzontal bar The magnitude of the pnmary response to 1 uM capsaic was diminished when VRl cRNA was co-expressed with VR3 A+B- cRNA at equal ratios (2 9 ng each) The most notable difference was the magnitude and decay rate of the secondary response, the second hump that was usuallv obtained at the beginning of the washout of capsaicm EXAMPLE 6 Charactenzation of Human VR3 in mammalian cell lines Human HEK293, CHO-Kl and COS-7 cells are transfected with human VR3 isoforms pVR3A+B-R, pVR3A-B-R, or pVR3A+B+R, Transient transfections 1 μg of pVR3R per 10 6 cells per 100 mm dish are performed using the Effectene tranfection kit (Quiagen; 301425) Three days after transfection, cells are plated onto 96-well plates (Biocoat, poly-D-lysine coated black/clear plate, Becton Dickinson part # 354640) After one day, wells are nnsed with F12/DMEM, then incubated in Fluo-4 (2 μM) with Pluromc F-127 (20%, 40μl used in 20 mis total volume) for 1 hour at room temperature Plates are assayed using the FLIPR (Molecular Devices, FL-101) Cells are challenged with solutions of different osmolaπty (40 μl added to 80 μl at a velocity of 50 μl/sec) Some wells are vigorously mixed to simulate increased perfusion of the cells with extracellular solution Transfections with vector alone are used as controls After three days the cells are selected in the presence of neomycin (200 μg/ml) and grown through three 1 10 dilution passages for approximately two weeks Individual colonies are picked and grown in 6-well dishes Cells are then plated onto 96-well plates (Biocoat, poly-D-lysine coated black/clear plate, Becton Dickinson part # 354640) and grown to confluence for three days Wells are nnsed with F12/DMEM, then incubated in Fluo-4 (2 μM) with Pluronic acid (20%, 40μl used in 20 mis total volume) for 1 hour at room temperature Plates are assayed using the FLIPR (Molecular Devices FL-101 ) Cells are challenged with agonists (at 3-fold concentration 40 μl added to 80 μl at a velocity of 50 μl/sec) The whole cell patch clamp technique (Hamill et al , 1981) is used to record gand- mduced currents from HEK293 stably expressing human VRl receptor maintained for >2 days on 12 mm covers ps Cells are visualized using a Nikon Diaphot 300 w ith DIC Nomarski optics Cells are continuously perfused in a physiological saline (~0 5 ml/mm) unless otherwise indicated The standard physiological saline ("Tvrodes") contains 130 mM NaCl, 4 mM KCl, 1 mM CaC , 1.2mM MgCb, and lOmM hemi-Na-HEPES (pH 7 3 295-300 mOsm as measured using a Wescor 5500 vapor-pressure (Wescor. Inc , Logan, UT) Recording electrodes are fabncated from borosihcate capillary tubing (R6, Garner Glass, Claremont, CA), the tips are coated with dental peπphery wax (Miles Laboratones, South Bend, IN), and have resistances of 1-2 MΩ when containing intracellular saline 100 mM K-gluconate, 25 mM KCl, 0 483 mM CaCb, 3 mM MgCl2, 10 mM hemi-Na-HEPES and 1 mM K4-BAPTA (lOOnM free Ca +2 ), pH 7 4, with dextrose added to achieve 290 mOsm) Liquid junction potentials are -18 mV using standard pipette and bath solutions as determined both empincally and using the computer program JPCalc ((Barn, . 1994)) All voltages shown are corrected for liquid junction potential Current and voltage signals are detected and filtered at 2 kHz with an Axopatch ID patch-clamp amplifier (Axon Instruments, Foster City, CA), digitally recoided with a DigiData 1200B laboratory interface (Axon Instruments), and PC compatible computer system and stored on magnetic disk for off-line analysis Data acquisition and analysis are performed with PClamp software. Slow changes in holding current are detected and filtered at 2 kHz, and recorded with a LPF202A DC amplifier (Warner, Hamden, CT) and VR10B digital data recorder (Instrutech, Great Neck, NY) onto video tape The signal is later analyzed at 10 Hz using Axotape software The total membrane capacitance (C ) is determined as the difference between the maximum current after a 30 V hyperpolaπzing voltage ramp from -68 mV generated at a rate of 10 mV/ms and the steady state current at the final potential (-98 mV) (Dub et al., 1999) Apparent reversal potentials (V re v) of ligand- duced conductance changes are determined using a voltage-ramp protocol (Dubm et al., 1999) Voltage ramps are applied every 1 second and the resulting whole cell ramp-induced currents were recorded Usually the voltage was ramped from negative to positive to negative values The current required to clamp the cells at -68 mV is continuously monitored Ligand-mduced conductances are determined from whole-cell currents elicited by a voltage-ramp protocol in the presence and absence of hgand Voltage ramp-induced currents measured before (control) and in the presence of hgand are compared to reveal the effect of the hgand on the channel to modulate the channel current output. The voltage at which there is no net ligand-mduced current is determined (V rev ) EXAMPLE 7 -Pnmary Structure Of The Human VR3 receptor Protein The present invention descπbes 3 isoforms of hVR3. A+B-, A-B-, and A+B+. The nucleotide sequences of human VR3 receptor cDNAs revealed single large open reading frame of about 2616. 2436 and 2229 base pairs encoding 871, 811, and 742 amino acids for human VR3 A+B-, A-B- and A+B+, respectively. The cDNA for VR3 A+B- has 5' and 3 '-untranslated extensions of about 337 and about 547 nucleotides. The cDNA for VR3 A+B+ has 5' and 3'-untranslated extensions of about 836 and about 994 nucleotides The first in-frame methionine was designated as the initiation codon for an open reading frame that predicts human VR3 receptor proteins with an estimated molecular mass (M r ) of about 98,242 Da, 91,294 Da and 83,310 Da for the isoforms A+B-, A-B- and A+B+, respectively. The A+B- isoform encodes a protein of 871 ammo acids. The VR3 A-B- contains a deletion of 60 amino acids from ammo acid 382 to 441 of VR3A+B-. VR3 A+B+ is identical to A+B- until ammo acid 736 after which there are 6 divergent amino acids and a stop codon The VR3 A+B+ isoform extends 20 ammo acids after the putativ e TM6 The predicted human VR3 receptor proteins were aligned with nucleotide and protein databases and found to be related to the vanilloid receptor family (VRl and VR2) There are several conserved motifs found in this family of receptor including a large putative N-termmal hydrophilic segment (about 467 amino acids), three putative ankyπn repeat domains in the N-terminus region. 6 predicted transmembrane regions and a pore region VR3 A+B- is 43 % identical to human VRl. 39% identical to both human VRL-1 (AF129112) and human VRL (AF103906) Thus the VR3 receptoi descπbed herein is clearly a novel gene of the vanilloid receptor family VR3A+B- and VR3A-B- forms are very similar to the rat stretch-mhibitable channel SIC [genbank accession ABO 15231] from amino acid 694 to the end SIC, ecoded by 529 amino acids, is thought to form an ion channel inhibited by stretch. It lacks the large N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the VR family but contains a sequence homologous to the A exon pnor to the putative TM1 The complete genomic sequence of the VR3 coding regions descnbed herein appears to be found in a 380512 base pair sequence submission to genbank (homo sapiens clone RPCI1-7G5 (AC007834), direct submission by Worley.K.C.) This genbank entry list many fragments of DNA sequence and a proposed contiguous sequence, but lacks any analysis of the nucleic acid sequence and fails to charactenze the features of the VR3 nucleic acid sequences, or descπbe the presence of the VR3 gene 1 Compaπson of the sequences the present invention and the genomic sequence reveal that VR3 gene is composed of at least 15 exons "A" is a 60 amino acid insert in the putative N-terminal cytoplasmic domain that found in cDNAs obtained from both pituitary and prostate cDNA hbranes There are intron/exon border sequences at the A and B inserts The A+B- and A+B+ isoforms contain a domain in the N-termmal putative cytoplasmic region with homology to ankyπn repeat domain consensus sequences Thus, the VR3 A+ isoforms appear to have a similar architecture as that predicted for VRl The first domain was significantly similar to the consensus sequence (E= 2.6 e- 5) The next 2 domains are not significant taken by themselves (e= 37 and E= 2.7) however taken as a whole, this region is likely to contain 3 ankyπn binding domains The A- isoform is missing 20 amino acids of the putative 3 rd ankryn repeat domain and the juxtaposed sequence does not conform to an ankynn repeat domain The VR3 A+B- isoform has two potential myπstoylation sites: [GPGGE] in N terminal and between TM4 and TM5. Putative phosphorylation sites include- 7 potential PKC phosphorylation sites: T112, S134, T175, T190, T380, S403. S688 [however, S688 is in a putative extracellular region], 1 potential PKA and PKG phosphorylation site: T181; 12 potential casein kinase II phosphorylation sites: T89, S162, T181, T395, S416, S422. S432, T426, S432, S441, T740, S836; 3 potential mammary gland casein kinase phosphorylation sites (SxE): S4, S726, S758; 1 potential tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site: Y411 [present in the "A" insert]; and 1 potential N-hnked glycosylation site: N651, [N201, N207 are in the putative intracellular N-terminal domain and are unlikely to be glycosylated]. There are no putative CaM binding domains in any isoform descπbed in the present invention. In the A- isoform lacking the "A" insert 2 PKC phosphorylation sites. 6 casein kinase II phosphorylation sites, and the only putative tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site is lacking. The A+B+ isoform encodes a putative protein that lacks 2 casein kinase II phosphorylation sites in the C-termmal putative intracellular region. EXAMPLE 8- Expression of human VR3 m tissues. Expression using a DNA array (Luo et al., 1999). DNA array distribution analysis indicates that human VR3 mRNAs were expressed in a variety of tissues, and there was some overlap of expression with VRl at a whole tissue level [Figure 13]. The cRNA from the tissue type indicated m the left column contained sequences encoding the human VR3 (middle column) Expression of human VRl is shown in the πght column and in most cases overlapped with VR3 expression NOTE NS was nonsignificant expression of human VRl The sequence of human VR3 DNA immobilized on the DNA array was (SEQ ID NO 17) CCACCATCCTGGACATTGAGCGCTCCTTCCCCGTATTCCTGAGGAAGGCCTTC CGCTCTGGGGAGATGGTCACCGTGGGCAAGAGCTCGGACGGCACTCCTGACC GCAGTGGTGCTTCAGGGTGGATGAGGTGAACTGGTCTCACTGGAACCAGAAC TTGGGCATCATCAACGAGGACCCGGGCAAGAATGAGACCTACCAGTATTATG G CTTCTCGCATACCGTGGGCCGCC This DNA sequence is not present in A+B+, only A+B- and A-B- isoforms Note that the cDNA species was cloned from prostate gland (*, Figure 13) Northern blot analysis revealed expression of VR3 in whole brain, placenta, lung, kidney, pancreas and prostate EXAMPLE 9-Clonιng human VR3 receptor cDNA into E coli Expression Vectors Recombinant human VR3 receptor is produced in E_ coh following the transfer of the human VR3 receptor expression cassette into E_ coh expression vectors, including but not limited to, the pET seπes (Novagen) The pET vectors place human VR3 receptor expression under control of the tightly regulated bacteπophage T7 promoter Following transfer of this construct into an E_ coh host that contain a chromosomal copy of the T7 RNA polymerase gene dnven by the inducible lac promoter, expression of human VR3 receptor is induced when an appropnate lac substrate (IPTG) is added to the culture The levels of expressed human VR3 receptor are determined by the assays descπbed herein The cDNA encoding the entire open reading frame for human VR3 receptor is inserted into the Ndel site of pET [16 ] 1 la Constructs m the positive oπentation are identified by sequence analysis and used to transform the expression host strain BL21 Transformants are then used to inoculate cultures for the production of human VR3 receptor protein Cultures may be grown in M9 or ZB media, whose formulation is known to those skilled in the art After growth to an OD 6 oo= 1.5, expression of human VR3 receptor is induced with 1 mM J TG for 3 hours at 37°C EXAMPLE 10-Clonιng human VR3 receptor cDNA into a Baculovirus Expression Vector for Expression in Insect Cells Baculovirus vectors, which are deπved from the genome of the AcNPV virus, are designed to provide high level expression of cDNA in the Sf9 line of insect cells (ATCC CRL# 1711). Recombinant baculoviruses expressing human VR3 receptor cDNA is produced by the following standard methods (InVitrogen Maxbac Manual) the human VR3 receptor cDNA constructs are hgated into the polyhedπn gene in a vanety of baculovirus transfer vectors, including the pAC360 and the BlueBac vector (InVitrogen). Recombinant baculoviruses are generated by homologous recombination following co-transfection of the baculovirus transfer vector and linearized AcNPV genomic DNA [Kitts, P. A , Nuc Acid. Res. 18: 5667 (1990)] into Sf9 cells. Recombinant pAC360 viruses are identified by the absence of inclusion bodies in infected cells and recombinant pBlueBac viruses are identified on the basis of β-galactosidase expression (Summers, M. D. and Smith, G. E., Texas Agnculture Exp. Station Bulletin No. 1555). Following plaque puπfication, human VR3 receptor expression is measured by the assays descπbed herein. The cDNA encoding the entire open reading frame for human VR3 receptor is inserted into the BamHI site of pBlueBacII. Constructs in the positive oπentation are identified by sequence analysis and used to transfect Sf9 cells in the presence of linear AcNPV mild type DNA. Authentic, active human VR3 receptor is found in the cytoplasm of infected cells Active human VR3 receptor is extracted from infected cells oy hypotomc or detergent lysis. EXAMPLE 11 -Cloning human VR3 receptor cDNA into a yeast expression vector Recombinant human VR3 receptor is produced in the yeast S. cerevisiae following insertion of the optimal human VR3 receptor cDNA cistron into expression vectors designed to direct the intracellular or extracellular expression of heteroiogous proteins. In the case of intracellular expression, vectors such as EmBLyex4 or the like are hgated to the human VR3 receptor cistron [Rinas. U et al.. Biotechnology 8 543-545 (1990); Horowitz B. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265- 4189-4192 (1989)]. For extracellular expression, the human VR3 receptor cistron is hgated into yeast expression vectors which fuse a secretion signal (a yeast or mammalian peptide) to the NH 9 terminus of the human VR3 receptor protein [Jacobson, M A., Gene 85: 511-516 (1989); Riett L. and Bellon N. Biochem. 28: 2941-2949 (1989)] These vectors include, but are not limited to pAVEl>6, which fuses the human serum albumin signal to the expressed cDNA [Steep O. Biotechnology 8: 42- 46 (1990)], and the vector pL8PL which fuses the human lysozyme signal to the expressed cDNA [Yamamoto. Y., Biochem. 28: 2728-2732)] In addition, human VR3 receptor is expressed in yeast as a fusion protein conjugated to ubiquitin utilizing the vector pVEP [Ecker, D. J., J. Biol. Chem. 264. 7715-7719 (1989), Sabm, E. A., Biotechnology 7: 705-709 (1989), McDonnell D. P., Mol. Cell Biol. 9: 5517- 5523 (1989)]. The levels of expressed human VR3 receptor are determined by the assays descπbed herein. EXAMPLE 12-Punfιcatιon of Recombinant human VR3 receptor Recombinantly produced human VR3 receptor may be punfied by antibody affinity chromatography Human VR3 receptor antibody affinity columns are made by adding the anti- human VR3 receptor antibodies to Affιgel-10 (Bio-Rad), a gel support that is pre- activated with N-hydroxysuccmimide esters such that the antibodies form covalent linkages with the agarose gel bead support The antibodies are then coupled to the gel via amide bonds with the spacer arm The remaining activated esters are then quenched with 1M ethanolamme HCl (pH 8) The column is washed with water followed by 0.23 M glycine HCl (pH 2 6) to remove any non-conjugated antibody or extraneous protein The column is then equilibrated in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7 3) together with appropriate membrane solubihzing agents such as detergents and the cell culture supernatant or cell extract containing solubihzed human VR3 receptor is slowly passed through the column The column is then washed with phosphate- buffered saline together with detergents until the optical density (A280) falls to background, then the protein is eluted with 0.23 M glycine-HCl (pH 2 6) together with detergents The puπfied human VR3 receptor protein is then dialyzed against phosphate buffered saline References Bevan, S., Hothi, S., Hughes, G., James, I. F., Rang, H. P., Shah, K., Walpole, C. S. J., and Yeats, J. C. (1992). Capsazepine: a competitive antagonist of the sensory neuron excitant capsaicin. Br. J. Pharmacol. 107, 544-52. Bevan, S., and Szolcsanyi, J. (1990). Sensory neuron-specific actions of capsaicm: mechanisms and applications. Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 11, 330-3. Blackstone, C, and Sheng, M. (1999). Protein targeting and calcium signaling microdoma s in neuronal cells. Cell Calcium 26, 181-192 Catenna, M. J., Rosen, T. A., Tominaga, M., Brake, A. J., and Julius, D. (1999). A capsaicin-receptor homolog with a high threshold for noxious heat. Nature (London) 395, 436-441. Cateπna, M. J., Schumacher, M. A., Tominaga, M., Rosen, T. A., Levine, J. D., and Julius, D. (1997). The capsaicm receptor: a heat-activated ion channel in the pain pathway. Nature (London) 389, 816-824. Fraser, S. P., Moon, C, and Djamgoz, M. B. A. (1993). Electrophysiologv of Xenopus oocvtes: An expression system in molecular neurobiology., D. Wallis, ed. (Oxford, UK: IRL). Gupta, P. D., and Pushkala, K. (1999). Importance of the role of calcium in programmed cell death: a review. Cytobios 99, 83-95. Lu, M., and Wong, F. (1987). A DNA deletion associated with multiple impaired transcπpts in the visual mutant tip. Invest. Ophthalmol. Visual Sci. 28, 2092-5. Luo, L., Salunga, R. C, Guo, H, Bitner, A., Joy, K. C. Galmdo, J. E., Xiao, H., Rogers, K. E., Wan, J. S., Jackson, M. R., and Erlander, M. G. (1999). Gene expression profiles of laser-captured adjacent neuronal subtypes Nat. Med. (N. Y.) 5, 117-121. Minke, B., and Sehnger, Z (1996). The roles of trp and calcium in regulating photoreceptor function in Drosophila. In Curr Opin. Neurobwl., pp. 459-466 Oh, U., Hwang, S W., and Kim, D. (1996). Capsaicm activates a nonselective cation channel in cultured neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. J. Neurosci. 16, 1659-67. Suzuki, M., Sato, J., Kutsuwada, K., Ooki, G., and Imai, M. (1999) Cloning of a stretch-mhibitable nonselective cation channel. J. Biol. Chem. 274, 6330-6335. Szallasi, A. (1995). Autoradiographic visualization and pharmacological charactenzation of vanilloid (capsaicin) receptors in several species, including man. Acta Physiol. Scand., Suppl. 155, 1-68. Szolcsanyi, J. (1993). Actions of capsaicin on sensory receptors. In Capsaicin Study Pain, J. N. Wood, ed.: Academic, London, UK), pp. 1-26. Szolcsanyi, J. (1996). Capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerve terminals with local and systemic efferent functions: facts and scopes of an unorthodox neuroregulatory mechanism. Prog. Brain Res. 113, 343-359. Szolcsanyi, J., Szallasi, A., Szallasi, Z., Joo, F., and Blumberg, P. M. (1991) Resiniferatoxm. An ultrapotent neurotoxin of capsaicin-sensitive pπmary afferent neurons. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 632, 473-5. Tominaga, M., Catenna, M. J., Malmberg, A. B.. Rosen, T. A., Gilbert, H, Skinner, K., Raumann, B., Basbaum, A. I., and Julius, D. (1998) The cloned capsaicin receptor integrates multiple pain-producmg stimuli. Neuron 21. 531-543. van Haasteren, G., Li, S., Muda, M., Susim, S., and Schlegel, W. (1999). Calcium signalling and gene expression. In J Recept. Signal Transductwn Res., pp 481-492. Wall, P. D., and Melzack, R. (1994). Textbook of Pain (New York- Churchill Livingstone). Wood, J. N., Winter, J., James, I. F., Rang, H. P., Yeats, J., and Bevan, S. (1988) Capsaicin-induced ion fluxes in dorsal root ganglion cells in culture. J. Neurosci. 8, 3208-20.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS- 1. An isolated and puπfied DNA molecule which encodes a human VR3 receptor protein 2. The isolated and puπfied DNA molecule of claim 1. having a nucleotide sequence selected from a group consisting of- (SEQ.ID.NO. :5), (SEQ.ID.NO.:6); (SEQ.ID.NO.:8), (SEQ.ID NO.- 10) and (SEQ.ID NO.: 11) 3. The isolated and puπfied DNA molecule of claim 1. wherein said DNA molecule is genomic DNA. 4. An expression vector for expression of an human VR3 receptor protein in a recombinant host, wherein said vector compπses a DNA sequence encoding human VR3 receptor protein. 5. The expression vector of claim 4, wherein the DNA sequence encoding human VR3 receptor protein is selected from a group consisting of: (SEQ.ID.NO.:5); (SEQ.ID.NO.:6); (SEQ.ID.NO.:8); (SEQ.ID.NO.: 10) and (SEQ.ID.NO.: 11). 6. The expression vector of claim 4, wherein the expression vector contains genomic DNA encoding human VR3 receptor protein 7. A recombinant host cell compπsmg the expression vector of claim 4. 8 The recombinant host cell of claim 7, wherein said expression vector compπses a nucleotide sequence selected from a group consisting of: (SEQ ID. NO. "5), (SEQ.ID NO.:6), (SEQ.ID.NO.:8), (SEQ.ID NO.-10) and (SEQ.ID.NO.:ll) 9 The recombinant host cell of claim 7, wherein said expression vector compπses genomic DNA encoding a human VR3 receptor 10 A protein, in substantially pure form which functions as human VR3 receptor protein 11 The protein according to claim 10, having an amino acid sequence selected from a group consisting of. (SEQ.ID NO..7) (SEQ.ID.NO.:9) and (SEQ.ID.NO.: 12). 12. A monospecific antibody immunologically reactive with human VR3 receptor protein 13. The antibody of Claim 12, wherein the antibody blocks activity of the human VR3 receptor 14. A process for expression of human VR3 receptor protein in a recombinant host cell compnsing: (a) transferπng the expression vector of Claim 4 into suitable host cells, and (b) cultuπng the host cells of step (a) under conditions which allow expression of the human VR3 receptor protein from the expression vector. 15. A method of identifying compounds that modulate human VR3 receptor protein activity, compnsing: (a) combining a modulator of human VR3 receptor protein activ lty with human VR3 receptor protein, and (b) measuπng an effect of the modulator on the human VR3 receptor protein. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the effect of the modulator on the protein is inhibiting or enhancing binding of human VR3 receptor ligands 17 The method of claim 15, wherein the effect of the modulator on the human VR3 receptor protein is stimulation or inhibition of human VR3 receptor activity protein 18 A compound active in the method of Claim 15 19. A compound active in the method of Claim 15, wherein said compound is an agonist or antagonist of a human VR3 receptor. 20. A compound active in the method of Claim 15, wherein said compound is a modulator of expression of a human VR3 receptor. 21 A pharmaceutical composition compnsing a compound active in the method of Claim 15. 22. A method of treating a patient in need of such treatment for a condition which is mediated by a human VR3 receptor, compnsing administration of a compound active in the method of Claim 15.

Inventors: DUBIN ADRIENNE ELIZABETH, ERLANDER MARK G, GLASS CHARLES A, HUVAR ARNE, DUBIN, ADRIENNE, ELIZABETH, ERLANDER, MARK, G., GLASS, CHARLES, A., HUVAR, ARNE
Applicants: ORTHO MCNEIL PHARM INC, ORTHO-MCNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: C07K14
IPC codes: A61K31, A61K38, A61K39, A61K45, A61K48, A61P1, A61P3, A61P11, A61P13, A61P19, A61P25, A61P29, A61P31, A61P35, C07K14, C07K16, C12N1, C12N5, C12N15, C12P21, C12Q1, G01N33