Patent ID: 7022513

Claim:
A recombinant yeast cell comprising: a mutated Fus3 yeast protein comprising an amino acid substitution at positions 42, 180 or 182, or at positions 180 and 182 as compared to wild type Fus3, and wherein said yeast protein is operatively linked to a chimeric transcription factor; a heterologous receptor selected from the group consisting of melatonin receptor 1a, galanin receptor 1, neurotensin receptor, adenosine receptor 2a, somatostatin receptor 2, and corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1, wherein said receptor is functionally integrated into a pheromone response pathway of the yeast cell; and a gene which produces a detectable protein, wherein said yeast protein is responsive to said yeast pheromone response pathway of the cell; and wherein the activity of said yeast protein is modulated indirectly upon stimulation of said pathway, and wherein upon modulation of said yeast protein, said chimeric transcription factor causes a detectable signal to be generated.