Patent 7365163 was granted and assigned to Human Genome Sciences on April, 2008 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The present invention relates to a novel GABAA receptor ε subunit (GABRE) and an alternative transcript thereof (ET2). More specifically, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding human GABRE and ET2 receptor subunits. ET2 and GABRE polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of ET2 and GABRE activities. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting aberrant GABRE and ET2 expression, as well as therapeutic methods for treating disorders involving ET2 and GABRE.