Abstract: Methods and devices for determining the nuclear packing efficiency (NPE) of a cell nucleus and other biological particles. An NPE can be determined by correlating at least one biochemical component, such as DNA content, to nuclear volume using a variety of mathematical techniques. Flow cytometry is particularly useful for measuring nuclear volume in terms of the electronic nuclear volume (ENV). The NPE can then be used to characterize individual cells and cell populations in terms of species and tissue source, sexing, stage of the cell division cycle, differentiation and apoptosis, as well as differentiating among benign, malignant and metastatic states to diagnose cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated PR Family Member (PFM) nucleic acid molecule that contains a PFM PR domain nucleotide sequence, a PFM ZF domain nucleotide sequence, or a modification thereof. The invention also provides an isolated PFM nucleic acid molecule that contains a nucleotide sequence that encodes a PFM PR domain polypeptide, or that encodes a PFM ZF domain polypeptide, or that encodes an immunologically equivalent modification thereof. Also provided are isolated PFM oligonucleotides. The invention also provides methods for detecting a PFM nucleic acid molecule in a sample. Further provided is a method of modulating cell growth by expressing an encoded PFM polypeptide in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides tumor homing molecules, which selectively home to a tumor. The invention also provides methods of using a tumor homing molecule to target an agent such as a drug to a selected tumor or to identify the target molecule expressed by the tumor. The invention also provides methods of targeting a tumor containing angiogenic vasculature by contacting the tumor with a molecule that specifically binds an &agr;v-containing integrin. The invention further provides molecules that can selectively home to angiogenic vasculature. In addition, the invention provides a target molecule, which is specifically bound by a tumor homing molecule and is expressed by angiogenic vasculature. The invention also provides antibodies that bind to the target molecule and peptidomimetics that competitively inhibit binding of a ligand to the target molecule.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided isolated mammalian Acetyl-Coenzyme A Transporter (AT) proteins, anti-AT antibodies, therapeutic compositions, and nucleic acids encoding such. Bioassays and therapeutic methods employing invention AT proteins are also provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward mutated DNA, proteins, or protein fragments and particles from the L-2 cell line. The invention is also directed to diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic methods of making and using the DNA, proteins and particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a compound that modulates a mammalian vestibular system. The method consists of administering a test compound to an invertebrate, and measuring a geotactic behavior of the invertebrate, where a compound that modulates the geotactic behavior of the invertebrate is characterized as a compound that modulates a mammalian vestibular system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting ectopic calcification in an individual. The method consists of administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of osteopontin or a functional fragment thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of radiosensitizing a tumor in a subject by contacting the tumor with a cytokine or a nucleic acid molecule encoding a cytokine. The invention also provides a method of radiosensitizing a tumor in a subject by administering, at a site other than the tumor, a cell genetically modified to express a cytokine. The invention further provides a method of reducing the severity of a cancer in a subject by administering a cytokine at the site of the tumor or by immunizing the subject at a site other than the tumor with tumor cells genetically modified to express a cytokine, and treating the tumor with radiotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of sensitizing a human tumor cell with adenovirus E1A. The methods involve treating a human tumor cell by, first, introducing into the tumor cell nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having adenovirus E1A activity, expressing the E1A active polypeptide in the cell, and then either contacting the E1A expressing tumor cell with a chemotherapeutic agent or irradiating the E1A-expressing tumor cell. The invention also provides methods of enhancing a subject's response to chemotherapy or irradiation by introducing into a subject's tumor cells nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having adenovirus E1A activity, expressing the E1A active polypeptide in the cells and finally, administering either a chemotherapeutic agent or irradiation. The invention also provides a method of treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified nucleic acid molecules encoding Bax inhibitor protein-1 (BI-1; SEQ ID NO: 1) or Bax inhibitor protein-2 (BI-2; SEQ ID NO: 4), nucleic acid molecules complementary thereto (SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 5, respectively), portions of such nucleic acid molecules, vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing the vectors. The invention also provides methods of using such nucleic acid molecules to identify the presence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Bax inhibitor protein in a sample or to increase or decrease the level of expression of a Bax inhibitor protein in a cell. In addition, the invention provides substantially purified BI-1 (SEQ ID NO: 3) and BI-2 (SEQ ID NO: 6) polypeptides, portions of such polypeptides, and antibodies specific for BI-1 or BI-2.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated population of cells containing an expressible nucleic acid encoding proinsulin containing a proinsulin cleavage site and a glucose-regulated expressible nucleic acid encoding a protease capable of cleaving the proinsulin cleavage site to produce insulin. The invention also provides an isolated population of cells which further express a hexosamine synthetic pathway enzyme. The invention additionally provides vectors containing an expressible nucleic acid encoding proinsulin containing a proinsulin cleavage site and a glucose-regulated expressible nucleic acid encoding a protease capable of cleaving the proinsulin cleavage site to produce insulin. The invention further provides a method of treating or preventing diabetes by implanting into an individual cells coexpressing proinsulin containing a proinsulin cleavage site and a glucose-regulated protease capable of cleaving the proinsulin cleavage site to produce insulin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microbial UC pANCA antigens. The invention provides methods of diagnosing ulcerative colitis (UC) and methods of inducing tolerance in a pANCA-positive patient with UC using a histone H1-like antigen. The invention further provides methods of diagnosing UC and methods of inducing tolerance in a pANCA-positive patient with UC using a porin antigen. Methods of diagnosing UC and methods of inducing tolerance in a pANCA-positive patient with UC using a Bacteroides antigen also are provided.

Abstract: A novel association between certain tumor necrosis factor microsatellite alleles and Crohn's disease has been discovered. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided methods for screening for Crohn's disease comprising detecting the presence or absence of nucleic acid of a subject encoding TNF microsatellite alleles associated with Crohn's disease, wherein the presence of nucleic acid encoding three or more of the alleles is indicative of Crohn's disease. Kits useful for screening for Crohn's disease are also provided which comprise nucleic acid encoding TNF microsatellite alleles associated with Crohn's disease.

Abstract: Methods for treating sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction or sexual arousal disorder, with a compound having the generic formula X1—X2-(D)Phe-Arg-(D)Trp-X3. A particularly useful compound is HP-228, which has the formula Ac-Nle-Gln-His-(D)Phe-Arg-(D)Trp-Gly-NH2. The invention also provides methods for selecting melanocortin receptor-3 ligands by determining whether a compound modulates the activity of MC-3 as an agonist or antagonist. These methods can be used to screen compound libraries for ligands to treat MC-3-associated conditions. Such conditions include sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and sexual arousal disorder.

Abstract: The invention provides enhanced LM609 grafted antibodies exhibiting selective binding affinity to &agr;V&bgr;3, or a functional fragment thereof. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding the enhanced LM609 grafted antibodies. Additionally provided are methods of inhibiting a function of &agr;V&bgr;3 by contacting &agr;V&bgr;3 with an enhanced LM609 grafted antibody.

Abstract: The present invention provides angiogenic vasculature homing molecules that bind to NG2/HM proteoglycan, including, for example, a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence TAASGVRSMH (SEQ ID NO:1) or LTLRWVGLMS (SEQ ID NO:2). The invention also provides conjugates comprising an angiogenic vasculature homing molecule linked to a moiety such as a drug, a cytotoxic agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a detectable agent. The invention additionally provides a method of targeting angiogenic vasculature in a tumor in vivo by contacting the angiogenic vasculature with an angiogenic vasculature homing molecule that selectively homes to a NG2/HM proteoglycan, wherein the angiogenic vasculature homing molecule is not an antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analogs of indolicidin, which is a naturally occurring peptide having the amino acid sequence Ile-Leu-Pro-Trp-Lys-Trp-Pro-Trp-Trp-Pro-Trp-Arg-Arg-NH2 (“Indol 1-13;” SEQ ID NO: 1). The indolicidin analogs of the invention include, for example, analogs such as Indol 2-13 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and Indol 3-13 (SEQ ID NO: 3), which are truncated at the amino terminus by one and two amino acids, respectively, as compared to Indol 1-13 (SEQ ID NO: 1); analogs in which at least one Trp residue in an amino terminal truncated indolicidin analog is replaced by a Phe residue (“Indol/F”) “analogs”); indolicidin analogs comprising, at the carboxy terminus, a homoserine residue; and fusion polypeptides comprising an indolicidin analog. In addition, the invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding the indolicidin analogs of the invention or precursors of such analogs.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of identifying therapeutic compounds in a genetically defined setting. The method consists of contacting a cell indicative of a pathological condition from a diseased individual and a cell from a genetically related normal individual with a plurality of candidate therapeutic compounds under suitable assay conditions, and identifying a compound that preferentially alters a predetermined property of the cell from the diseased individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of oligonucleotide synthesis. More particularly, it concerns the assembly of genes and genomes of completely synthetic artificial organisms. Thus, the present invention outlines a novel approach to utilizing the results of genomic sequence information by computer directed gene synthesis based on computing on the human genome database. Specifically, the present invention contemplates and describes the chemical synthesis and resynthesis of genes defined by the genome sequence in a host vector and transfer and expression of these sequences into suitable hosts.

Abstract: The invention provides cyclic peptides which inhibit platelet aggregation without causing prolonged bleeding time. The invention provides RGD or KGD containing peptides which are cyclized and contain hydrophobic amino acids adjacent to the carboxy terminus of the RGD sequence. Peptides of this nature are also provided which contain in addition to the hydrophobic amino acid an adjacent positively charged amino acid. Such peptides have a high affinity for the receptor IIb/IIIa and a low affinity for the fibronectin and vitronectin receptors. Such peptides can be administered in a suitable physiologically acceptable carrier to therapeutically treat thrombosis.