The present invention relates to DNA molecules encoding splice variants of
the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC-R1) protein belonging to the rhodopsin
sub-family of G-protein coupled receptors, recombinant vectors comprising
DNA molecules encoding MC-R1B protein, recombinant host cells which
contain a recombinant vector encoding MC-R1B, the human MC-R1B protein
encoded by the DNA molecule, and methods of identifying selective agonists
and antagonists of MC-R1B proteins disclosed throughout this
specification.
