A novel mammalian neuropeptide Y receptor and method of making the receptor are provided. The invention includes DNA encoding the receptor, the receptor, assays employing the receptor, cells expressing the receptor, antibodies which bind specifically to the receptor, RNA encoded by the DNA sequence or its complementary sequence, and single-stranded DNA with a sequence complementary to the RNA which encodes the receptor. The receptor and assays employing the receptor are useful for identifying compounds which bind to the receptor, including specific modulators of the receptor. Such compounds are useful for treating a variety of disease conditions, including obesity, diabetes, anxiety, hypertension, cocaine withdrawal, congestive heart failure, memory enhancement, cardiac and cerebral vasospasm, pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroblastoma, and Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.