Abstract: Methods are provided for designing and selecting antibodies against human antigens with high affinity and specificity in silico and in vitro. In some particular embodiments, methods are provided for designing and selecting humanized or fully human antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with high affinity and specificity. In another aspect of the invention, monoclonal antibodies against VEGF are provided. In particular, humanized or human anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies are provided with ability to bind to human VEGF with high affinity, inhibit VEGF-induced proliferation of endothelial cells in vitro and inhibit VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vivo. These antibodies and their derivative can be used in a wide variety of applications such as diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases such as cancer, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and other diseases derived from pathological angiogenesis.

Abstract: Isolated DNA encoding each of human calcium channel ?1-, ?2-, ?- and ?-subunits, including subunits that arise as splice variants of primary transcripts, is provided. Cells and vectors containing the DNA and methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of human calcium channels are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode NHL, a putative DNA helicase. The present invention in turn relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding NHL, substantially purified forms of associated NHL, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate NHL, which will be useful in the treatment of various neoplastic disorders. Both a genomic clone containing regulatory and intron sequences, as well as the exon structure and open reading frame of human NHL are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel polynucleotides encoding one of a uracil transport protein and a uracil phosphoribosyl transferase, each being derived from Salmonella typhimurium. The disclosed uracil phosphoribosyl transferase protein is useful in sensitizing human cancer cells to treatment with anti-cancer agents such as 5-Fluorouracil.

Abstract: DNA encoding human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha and beta subunits, mammalian and amphibian cells containing said DNA, methods for producing alpha and beta subunits and recombinant (i.e., isolated or substantially pure) alpha subunits (specifically ?6) and beta subunits (specifically ?3) are provided. In addition, combinations of a plurality of subunits (i.e., one or more of ?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5, ?6 and/or ?7 subunits in combination with one or more of ?3 subunits are provided.

Abstract: Protozoal cyclic GMP dependent protein kinases have been isolated and cloned. These enzymes may be used in screening assays to identify potential antiprotozoal agents.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha and beta subunits, mammalian and amphibian cells containing the nucleic acid molecules, and methods for producing alpha and beta subunits are provided. In particular, nucleic acid molecules encoding ?6 subunits and molecules encoding ?3 subunits of human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are provided. In addition, combinations of a plurality of subunits, such as one or more of ?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5, ?6 and/or ?7 subunits in combination with one or more of ?3 subunits or such as one or more of ?2, ?3 and/or ?4 subunits in combination with an ?6 subunit are provided.

Abstract: Novel human and mouse DNA sequences that encode the gene CG1CE, which, when mutated, is responsible for Best's macular dystrophy, are provided. Provided are genomic CG1CE DNA as well as cDNA that encodes the CG1CE protein. Also provided is CG1CE protein encoded by the novel DNA sequences. Methods of expressing CG1CE protein in recombinant systems are provided. Also provided are diagnostic methods that detect patients having mutant CG1CE genes.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acids encoding human NMDA receptor protein subunits and the proteins encoded thereby. In one aspect of the invention, the nucleic acids encode provides In a preferred embodiment, the invention nucleic acids encode MNDAR1, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, NMDAR2C and NMDAR2D subunits of human NMDA receptors. The disclosed nucleic acids are also useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art, to identify and isolate related human receptor subunits. Functional glutamate receptors can be assembled, in accordance with the present invention, from a plurality of one type of NMDA receptor subunit protein (homomeric) or from a mixture of two or more types of subunit proteins (heteromeric). Also provided are methods for using the disclosed receptor subunits to identify and characterize compounds which affect the function of such receptors, e.g., agonists, antagonists, and modulators of glutamate receptor function.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules, i.e., DNA or RNA encoding human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha and beta subunits, mammalian and amphibian cells containing said DNA, methods for producing ? and ? subunits and recombinant (i.e., isolated or substantially pure) ? subunits and ? subunits are provided. In addition, cells expressing various multimeric combinations of subunits (i.e., ?1, ?2 ?3 ?4 ?5 ?6 and/or ?7 in combination with at least one of an ? and ? subunit are also provided. A recombinant, non-human cell line expressing the human ?7 subunit of nAChR is disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided nucleic acids encoding human NMDA receptor protein subunits and the proteins encoded thereby. The NMDA receptor, subunits of the invention comprise components of NMDA receptors that have cation-selective channels and bind glutamate and NMDA. In one aspect of the invention, the nucleic acids encode NMDAR1 and KMDAR2 subunits of human NMDA receptors. In a preferred embodiment, the invention nucleic acids encode NMDAR1, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, NMDAR2C and NMDAR2D subunits of human NMDA receptors. In addition to being useful for the production of NMDA receptor subunit proteins, these nucleic acids are also useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art, without undue experimentation, to identify and isolate related human receptor subunits.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided nucleic acids encoding human NMDA receptor protein subunits and the proteins encoded thereby. The NMDA receptor subunits of the invention comprise components of NMDA receptors that have cation-selective channels and bind glutamate and NMDA. In one aspect of the invention, the nucleic acids encode NMDAR1 and NMDAR2 subunits of human NMDA receptors. In a preferred embodiment, the invention nucleic acids encode NMDAR1, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, NMDAR2C and NMDAR2D subunits of human NMDA receptors. In addition to being useful for the production of NMDA receptor subunit proteins, these nucleic acids are also useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art, without undue experimentation, to identify and isolate related human receptor subunits.

Abstract: The invention discloses a cDNA consisting of human cyclooxygenase-2 cDNA attached to 3′ flanking sequence of human cyclooxygenase-1 methods for increasing the expression of human cyclooxygenase-2 in transformed cells and assays for preferentially and independently measuring cyclogenase-2 in samples.

Abstract: Isolated DNA encoding each of human calcium channel &agr;1-, &agr;2-, &bgr;- and &ggr;-subunits, including subunits that arise as splice variants of primary transcripts, is provided. Cells and vectors containing the DNA and methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of human calcium channels are also provided.

Abstract: Protozoal cyclic GMP dependent protein kinases have been isolated and cloned. These enzymes may be used in screening assays to identify potential antiprotozoal agents.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha and beta subunits, mammalian and amphibian cells containing the nucleic acid molecules, and methods for producing alpha and beta subunits are provided. In particular, nucleic acid molecules encoding &agr;6 subunits and molecules encoding &bgr;3 subunits of human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are provided. In addition, combinations of a plurality of subunits, such as one or more of &agr;1, &agr;2, &agr;3, &agr;4, &agr;5, &agr;6 and/or &agr;7 subunits in combination with one or more of &bgr;3 subunits or such as one or more of &bgr;2, &bgr;3 and/or &bgr;4 subunits in combination with an &agr;6 subunit are provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided nucleic acids encoding human NMDA receptor protein subunits and the proteins encoded thereby. The NMDA receptor subunits of the invention comprise components of NMDA receptors that have cation-selective channels and bind glutamate and NMDA. In one aspect of the invention, the nucleic acids encode NMDAR1 and NMDAR2 subunits of human NMDA receptors. In a preferred embodiment, the invention nucleic acids encode NMDAR1, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, NMDAR2C and NMDAR2D subunits of human NMDA receptors. In addition to being useful for the production of NMDA receptor subunit proteins, these nucleic acids are also useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art, without undue experimentation, to identify and isolate related human receptor subunits.

Abstract: DNA encoding human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha and beta subunits, mammalian and amphibian cells containing said DNA, methods for producing alpha and beta subunits and recombinant (i.e., isolated or substantially pure) alpha subunits (specifically &agr;6) and beta subunits (specifically &bgr;3) are provided. In addition, combinations of a plurality of subunits (i.e., one or more of as &agr;1, &agr;2, &agr;3, &agr;4, &agr;5, &agr;6 and/or &agr;7 subunits in combination with one or more of &bgr;3 subunits are provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided nucleic acids encoding human metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes and the proteins encoded thereby. In a particular embodiment, the invention nucleic acids encode mGluR1, mGluR2, mGluR3 and mGluR5 subtypes of human metabotropic glutamate receptors. In addition to being useful for the production of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes, these nucleic acids are also useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art, without undue experimentation, to identify and isolate related human receptor subunits. In addition to disclosing novel metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes, the present invention also comprises methods for using such receptor subtypes to identify and characterize compounds which affect the function of such receptors, e.g., agonists, antagonists, and modulators of glutamate receptor function.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided nucleic acids encoding human NMDA receptor protein subunits and the proteins encoded thereby. The NMDA receptor subunits of the invention comprise components of NMDA receptors that have cation-selective channels and bind glutamate and NMDA. In one aspect of the invention, the nucleic acids encode NMDAR1 and NMDAR2 subunits of human NMDA receptors. In a preferred embodiment, the invention nucleic acids encode NMDAR1, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, NMDAR2C and NMDAR2D subunits of human NMDA receptors. In addition to being useful for the production of NMDA receptor subunit proteins, these nucleic acids are also useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art, without undue experimentation, to identify and isolate related human receptor subunits.