Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds which inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and are useful for the prevention or treatment of diabetes, especially type II diabetes, as well as hyperglycemia, Syndrome X, hyperinsulinemia, obesity, atherosclerosis, and various immunomodulatory diseases.

Abstract: A method for reducing the particle size of amino acid crystals using ultrasound is discussed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated or purified polynucleotide that encodes human endosulfine polypeptide. Isoforms of human endosulfine are also disclosed. The invention also provides methods of making recombinant human endosulfine using the polynucleotides and host cells transformed with the polynucleotides.

Abstract: Site-specific isotopically-labeled valine, leucine, and isoleucine and biosynthetic precursors for these amino acids are provided. The amino acids are labeled with 13C or 14C at the methyl group carbon atom(s) most remote from the carboxyl group. Also disclosed are the biochemical precursors of these labeled amino acids, 2-keto-4-(nC)butyric acid and 2-keto-3-(nC-methyl)-4-(nC)-butyric acid in which n, at each occurrence, is 13 or 14. Also disclosed are proteins, protein fragments, and polypeptides containing these site-specifically isotopically labeled amino acids, and methods for preparing the biochemical precursors, the amino acids, and the proteins, protein fragments, and polypeptides.

Abstract: Hepatitis GB Virus (HGBV) nucleic acid and amino acid sequences useful for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, kits for using the HGBV nucleic acid or amino acid sequences, HGBV immunogenic particles, and antibodies which specifically bind to HGBV. Also provided are methods for producing antibodies, polyclonal or monoclonal, from the HGBV nucleic acid or amino acid sequences.

Abstract: Mammalian kringle 5 fragments and kringle 5 fusion proteins are disclosed as a compounds for treating angiogenic diseases. Methods and compositions for inhibiting angiogenic diseases are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved assay for detecting the presence of an antibody to an HCV antigen in a sample by contacting the sample with at least one polypeptide containing at least one epitope of an HCV antigen. Preferred assay formats include a confirmatory assay, a combination assay, a synthetic polypeptide-based assay, an immunodot assay and a competition assay.

Abstract: Hepatitis GB Virus (HGBV) nucleic acid and amino acid sequences useful for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, kits for using the HGBV nucleic acid or amino acid sequences, HGBV immunogenic particles, and antibodies which specifically bind to HGBV. Also provided are methods for producing antibodies, polyclonal or monoclonal, from the HGBV nucleic acid or amino acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of synthesizing genes encoding unique HIV-1 and HIV-2 envelope proteins and their fragments, thereby allowing overexpression of these proteins in E. coli. The HIV envelope proteins and their fragments have been expressed at high levels as individual proteins or in fusion with other proteins. The HIV envelope proteins thus expressed in E. coli can be effectively used for the detection of exposure to HIV as well as the discrimination of HIV-1 and HIV-2.

Abstract: An improved method for detecting antibodies is disclosed. The method employs a recombinant denatured bacterial enzyme. The invention also relates to a test kit useful for performing an immunoassay which comprises a container containing a denatured recombinant bacterial enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for directly measuring apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB) or cholesterol associated with very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in a fluid sample. In one embodiment the method involves the specific capture of intact VLDL particles from a fluid sample with a specific VLDL binding agent. The quantity of VLDL-apoB present in the sample is then measured by detecting the amount of VLDL-apoB bound to the binding agent-VLDL complexes formed in the reaction. In an alternative embodiment of the method, intact VLDL particles from a fluid sample are also captured with a specific VLDL binding agent and thereafter the cholesterol associated with the bound VLDL is determined. The cholesterol contained in the binding-agent-VLDL complexes can be detected by reacting the complexes with labeled cholesterol specific binding agents and measuring the amount of label bound therto, or by releasing the cholesterol in the complexes and measuring the amount of cholesterol released.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to improvements in nucleic acid isolation, and more particularly, relates to modifications to the subtractive hybridization method and to reagents such as oligonucleotides that are useful when performing the method.

Abstract: Hepatitis GB Virus (HGBV) nucleic acid and amino acid sequences useful for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, kits for using the HGBV nucleic acid or amino acid sequences, HGBV immunogenic particles, and antibodies which specifically bind to HGBV. Also provided are methods for producing antibodies, polyclonal or monoclonal, from the HGBV nucleic acid or amino acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a novel human T-cell lymphotropic, or leukemia, virus type II (HTLV-II) isolate designated NRA. HTLV-IINRA was originally isolated from a patient with atypical hairy cell leukemia. Preliminary restriction analysis of this isolate demonstrated that it differs genetically from the prototypical HTLV-II isolate Mo. HTLV-IINRA proviral molecular clones were obtained and the entire nucleotide sequence of the virus ascertained. The claimed invention is particularly directed toward the gp46 and p21e envelope proteins encoded by the env gene. Methods and kits for the detection of HTLV-II antibodies employing these envelope proteins are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences encoding human matrix metalloprotease proteins (MMP-ABT). The present invention also provides recombinant DNA molecules encoding human matrix metalloprotease polypeptides and processes for producing the novel proteins. The cDNA is cloned into expression vectors for expression in recombinant hosts. The cDNA is useful to produce recombinant full length MMP-ABTs or fragments thereof. The cDNA and the recombinant proteins derived therefrom and/or antibodies to the proteins are useful in diagnostic assays and for the development of therapeutic agents that affect MMP function.

Abstract: Mammalian kringle 5 fragments are disclosed as a compounds for treating angiogenic diseases. Methods and compositions for inhibiting angiogenic diseases are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies specific for kringle 5 of apo(a) and hybridomas secreting such antibodies. The invention also relates to assay methods for directly measuring concentrations of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in a plasma sample. In one embodiment, the method involves the specific capture of Lp(a) from a plasma sample with a monoclonal antibody developed against kringle 5 of apo(a), which is non-cross-reactive with plasminogen and kringle 4 of apo(a). The quantity of the Lp(a) present in the sample is then measured by detecting the amount of Lp(a)-anti-kringle 5 complex that has formed in the reaction. Alternatively, the Lp(a) may be captured non-specifically and then detected with the monoclonal antibody specific for kringle 5 of apo(a). The invention also provides competitive assays using the above-mentioned kringle 5 specific monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: The invention provides novel erythromycin derivatives in which methyl groups on the macrolactone ring have been substituted with —H, -Et, and/or —OH. The invention also provides reagents such as isolated polynucleotides, vectors comprising the polynucleotides and host cells transformed with the vectors for making the novel compounds. Methods for making the compounds utilizing genetic engineering techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides unique recombinant antigens representing distinct antigenic regions of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genome which can be used as reagents for the detection of antibodies and antigen in body fluids from individuals exposed to HCV. The present invention also provides an assay for detecting the presence of an antibody to an HCV antigen in a sample by contacting the sample with the recombinant antigens. Preferred assay formats include a screening assay, a confirmatory assay, a competition or neutralization assay and an immunodot assay.

Abstract: The invention is an improved immunoassay and method for detection of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). The improved assay comprises the addition of a reducing agent to decrease the number of false positive reactions in the assay.