Abstract: Methods for producing a protein extract from cells, such as cells or cellular samples containing viral proteins, are provided. In general terms, the methods may involve: increasing the pH of the cells to a pH of at least about pH 10.0 to produce an intermediate composition, and then, in the presence of a non-ionic detergent such as a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, neutralizing the pH of the intermediate composition to produce the protein extract. Such methods can be used in conjunction with methods for detecting one or more target proteins in a sample, such as viral proteins. Systems, kits and compositions for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing a protein extract from cells, such as cells containing viral proteins, are provided. In general terms, the methods involve: increasing the pH of the cells to a pH of at least about pH 10.0 to produce an intermediate composition, and then, in the presence of a non-ionic detergent, neutralizing the pH of the intermediate composition to produce the protein extract. Kits and compositions for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: The subject invention provides antibodies, including polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, that bind to E6 proteins from at least three oncogenic strains of HPV. In general, the antibodies bind to amino acids motifs that are conserved between the E6 proteins of different HPV strains, particularly HPV strains 16 and 18. The subject antibodies may be used to detect HPV E6 protein in a sample, and, accordingly, the antibodies find use in a variety of diagnostic applications, including methods of diagnosing cancer. Kits for performing the subject methods and containing the subject antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing a protein extract from cells, such as cells or cellular samples containing viral proteins, are provided. In general terms, the methods may involve: increasing the pH of the cells to a pH of at least about pH 10.0 to produce an intermediate composition, and then, in the presence of a non-ionic detergent such as a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, neutralizing the pH of the intermediate composition to produce the protein extract. Such methods can be used in conjunction with methods for detecting one or more target proteins in a sample, such as viral proteins. Systems, kits and compositions for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing a protein extract from cells, such as cells containing viral proteins, are provided. In general terms, the methods involve: increasing the pH of the cells to a pH of at least about pH 10.0 to produce an intermediate composition, and then, in the presence of a non-ionic detergent, neutralizing the pH of the intermediate composition to produce the protein extract. Kits and compositions for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present application describes methods for detecting influenza A and/or influenza B and/or distinguishing between pathogenic and seasonal influenza A subtypes. Many of these preferred formats employ pan-specific antibodies (i.e., that react with all or at least multiple strains within an influenza type) to detect presence of influenza A and/or influenza B and PDZ domains in combination with panspecific antibodies to influenza A to distinguish pathogenic and seasonal influenza A subtypes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating stroke and compositions for use in the same. The methods employ a chimeric peptide of an active peptide and an internalization peptide. The internalization peptide is a tat variant that promotes uptake of itself and a linked active peptide into a cell without substantial binding to N-type calcium channels. Use of the tat variant allows treating of stroke free of certain side effects associated with binding to N-type calcium channels. Tat variant peptides can also be linked to other active agent for use in treating other diseases.

Abstract: The present application describes methods for assessing influenza infection, including prognosis. An assay that determines the amount of the NS1 and NP proteins of influenza virus shows enhanced sensitivity and reliability compared to either antigen alone. Many formats employ pan-specific antibodies (i.e., that react with all or at least with multiple strains within an influenza type).

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating stroke and related conditions exacerbated by fever and/or hyperglycemia by administering peptides or peptidomimetics that inhibit binding of NMDAR 2B to PSD-95 to a patient.

Abstract: The present application describes methods for assessing influenza infection, including prognosis. An assay that determines the amount of the NS1 and NP proteins of influenza virus shows enhanced sensitivity and reliability compared to either antigen alone. Many formats employ pan-specific antibodies (i.e., that react with all or at least with multiple strains within an influenza type).

Abstract: The invention provides reagents and methods for inhibiting or enhancing interactions between proteins in hematopoietic cells and other cells involved in the mediation of an immune response. Reagents and methods provided are useful for treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions mediated by immune system cells.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating or effecting prophylaxis of a patient having or at risk of developing symptoms of anxiety in which an effective regime of an agent that inhibits specific binding of PSD95 to an NMDA receptor is administered to a patient.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of delivering pharmacologic agents linked to an internalization peptide, in which an inflammatory response inducible by the internalization peptide is inhibited by co-administration of an anti-inflammatory or by linking the internalization peptide to biotin or similar molecule. Such methods are premised in part on the results described in the examples whereby administration of a pharmacological agent linked to tat high dosages is closely followed by an inflammatory response, which includes mast cell degranulation, histamine release and the typical sequelae of histamine release, such as redness, heat, swelling, and hypotension.

Abstract: The invention provides reagents and methods for detecting pathogen infections in human samples. This detection utilizes specific proteins to detect the presence of pathogen proteins or abnormal expression of human proteins resulting from pathogen infections. Specific methods, compositions and kits are disclosed herein for the detection of oncogenic Human papillomavirus E6 proteins in clinical samples.

Abstract: The invention provides reagents and methods for detecting pathogen infections in human samples. This detection utilizes specific proteins to detect the presence of pathogen proteins or abnormal expression of human proteins resulting from pathogen infections. Specific methods, compositions and kits are disclosed herein for the detection of oncogenic Human papillomavirus E6 proteins in clinical samples.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of reducing inflammatory effects in mammalian cells by treatment with compounds that interfere with calcium activated chloride channel function. The invention discloses methods of treating these disorders by administering inhibitors that disrupt protein-protein interactions involved in these disorders, screening methods to identify such inhibitors and specific compositions useful for treating these disorders.

Abstract: A change in strain of flu and consequently pandemic potential can be determined by assessing the presence or absence of a PL motif. The 2009 swine flu illustrates the utility of such a test. The swine flu is a subtype H1N1 influenza A. Swine flu differs from the vast majority of influenza H1N1 subtype strains from 1981-2008 or H3N2 strains from 1985 to the present in that its NS1 protein lacks a PL motif. PDZ polypeptides can be used to identify such strains and distinguish them from strains in which PL motifs are present.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of reducing the damaging effect of an injury to mammalian cells by treatment with compounds which reduce cell death or dysfunction, including cellular damage following episodes of tissue ischemia, trauma, epilepsy, and acute or chronic degeneration. The invention discloses methods of treating these disorders by administering inhibitors that disrupt protein-protein interactions involved in these disorders, screening methods to identify such inhibitors and specific compositions useful for treating these disorders.

Abstract: Methods for modulating immune cell signaling are provided. In general such methods involve modulating an interaction between a PDZ protein and a PDZ ligand protein whose interaction affects the composition and/or distribution of lipid rafts in an immune cell. Modulators that enhance or inhibit such interactions are also disclosed, as well as methods of screening for such modulators.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating a patient having epilepsy in which an effective regime of an agent that inhibits specific binding of PSD-95 to an NMDA receptor is administered to a patient.