Inventors:
Roy G. Smith - Houston TX
Leonardus H. T. Van der Ploeg - Scotch Plains NJ
Andrew D. Howard - Park Ridge NJ
Hui Zheng - Houston TX
Karen Kulju McKee - Middletown NJ
Michael M. Jiang - Edison NJ
Assignee:
Merck Co., Inc. - Rahway NJ
International Classification:
C12N 510
US Classification:
435 691, 435 711, 4353201, 435471, 4352523, 435325, 530351, 536 235
Abstract:
A mouse growth hormone secretagogue receptor has been isolated, cloned and sequenced. This receptor is characteristic of the G-protein family of receptors. Mouse growth hormone secretagogue receptors may be used to screen and identify compoumds which bind to the mouse growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Such compounds may be used in the treatment of conditions which occur when there is a shortage of growth hormone, such as observed in growth hormone deficient children, elderly patients with musculoskeletal impairment and those recovering from hip fracture and osteoporosis. Targeted disruption of the mouse GHS-R gene may prove useful in elucidation of the mechanism of action and role of the growth hormone secretagogues in human and animal physiology.
