Appeal No. 2001-1436 Page 3
Application No. 08/422,612
Claims 16-25, 41, and 44-53 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as
obvious over Dull, Koblika, Dohlman, Dietzel, and Lübbert.
We reverse.
Background
The specification discloses expression of mammalian G protein-coupled
receptors in single-celled hosts such as bacteria or yeast. “G proteins are
proteins having the capacity to interpose themselves structurally and functionally
between receptors and enzymes catalyzing the production of intracellular
mediators (such as adenylate cyclase . . .).” Specification, page 1. “These [G]
proteins have transduction and coupling functions and are characterized by a
monomeric structure composed of three protein subunits[:] alpha, beta, gamma.”
Id.
The G protein-coupled receptors “include regions exposed at the surface
of the host cells which have specific affinities for a large variety of ligands.” Id.,
pages 1-2. “A preferred family of receptors . . . comprises β1, β2, α1, and α2-
adrenergic receptors, muscarinic receptors belonging to the subtypes M1 to M4
and the receptor for the neuropeptide known as ‘substance K’. These receptors
appear to possess a common structural organization within the plasma
membrane, usually characterized by seven hydrophobic transmembrane
segments between which are inserted extra- and intra-cellular loops, by an
extracellular amino-terminal region and by a cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal
region.” Id., page 2 (reference numerals omitted).
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007