Abstract: The present invention relates to biologically active single chain relaxin polypeptides comprising a relaxin B chain derived from relaxin-3, the polypeptides being truncated by one or more amino acids at the C-terminus of the relaxin-3 B chain. Typically the single chain relaxin polypeptides are antagonists of the RXFP3 receptor, and in some embodiments are selective antagonists of the RXFP3 receptor.

Abstract: Provided herein are modified relaxin polypeptides wherein the B chain comprises the core amino acid sequence CGR-XXX-R-XX-I/V-XX-CG (SEQ ID NO:1), where X is any amino acid. Also provided are modified relaxin polypeptides comprising at least an A and a B chain, wherein the A and B chains are derived from different naturally occurring relaxins and wherein the B chain comprises the core amino acid sequence CGR-XXX-R-XX-I/V-XX-CG (SEQ ID NO:1), where X is any amino acid.

Abstract: Human H3 preprorelaxin, human H3 prorelaxin, human H3 relaxin, human relaxin analogues having a modified A chain and/or a modified B chain are described. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoded human H3 preprorelaxin, human H3 prorelaxin, human H3 relaxin, human relaxin analogues. Also described are methods for the treatment of conditions responsive to administration of H3 relaxin or analogues thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biologically active single chain relaxin polypeptides comprising a relaxin B chain derived from relaxin-3, the polypeptides being truncated by one or more amino acids at the C-terminus of the relaxin-3 B chain. Typically the single chain relaxin polypeptides are antagonists of the RXFP3 receptor, and in some embodiments are selective antagonists of the RXFP3 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biologically active relaxin polypeptides comprising a relaxin A chain and a B chain derived from a relaxin superfamily member, wherein the A chain comprises no intra-chain disulphide bonds. In particular embodiments the modified polypeptides comprise relaxin-3 derived A and B chains, and truncations of the A and/or B chains from the N-termini and/or C-termini. In particular embodiments the polypeptides of the invention are selective agonists or antagonists of the RXFP3 receptor.

Abstract: Novel flavonoid compounds having anti-oxidant activity are described. The compounds and compositions have been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant properties and are particularly useful in the treatment of ischemia and reperfusion injuries. The invention also describes a method to chemically synthesize such flavonoid compounds and test their efficacy. Such compounds and corresponding pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and/or salts have uses in the areas of pharmaceuticals, nutraceutical, and veterinary applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for the treatment and prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases and conditions. More particularly, the present invention contemplates the treatment or prophylaxis of neurological conditions involving oligodendrocyte cytotoxicity or cell cycle arrest, demyelination and/or axonal or neuronal degeneration. Agents, medicaments and pharmaceutical compositions useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of neurodegenerative conditions and disorders also form part of the present invention.

Abstract: Novel flavonoid compounds having anti-oxidant activity are described. The compounds and compositions have been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant properties and are particularly useful in the treatment of ischemia and reperfusion injuries. The invention also describes a method to chemically synthesize such flavonoid compounds and test their efficacy. Such compounds and corresponding pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and/or salts have uses in the areas of pharmaceuticals, nutraceutical, and veterinary applications.

Abstract: Treatment, detection and monitoring of disease of the nervous system, especially trauma or hypoxia, in particular in the central nervous system and the eye by up-regulation or increasing levels of Ndfip1 (also known as Nedd4-WW Domain Binding Protein 5 or N4WBP5). Prophylaxis of such conditions in pre-term infants, coronary artery bypass graft, chemotherapy, tumor irradiation and other patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibitors of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) and methods for inhibiting same, as well as compositions comprising said inhibitors. In particular, the inhibitors of the present invention may be useful in therapeutic applications including enhancing memory and learning functions, regulating cellular glucose uptake and homeostasis, inducing labour and lactation, and other disorders or conditions wherein excessive or undesirable IRAP activity is implicated.

Abstract: Monomeric, cyclic peptide analogues of relaxin superfamily proteins, based on B-chains of relaxin superfamily proteins, and methods of making them, are described, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods of utilising them.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence and location in animal or plant tissue of a specific polynucleotide population comprising: (a) preparing a section of the tissue to be examined; (b) contacting the tissue section under hybridization conditions with a synthetic, labelled oligonucleotide probe which is complementary to a representative portion of the target polynucleotide; (c) removing unhybridized probe material from the tissue section; and (d) detecting or identifying the locations in the tissue section where labelling or hybridization of the labelled probe has occurred. A diagnostic kit for use in performance of the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel oligonucleotide-polyamide conjugates preferably having a free 3' hydroxl moiety, and wherein the polyamide is coupled to the oglionucleotide through its carboxyl terminus. A nucleotide polymer conjugate of the formula (I): Nu--NUC--C.dbd.C--X.sup.1 --NH--X.sup.2 --X.sup.3 where X.sup.1 is an unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylene group, in which one or more carbons may optionally be replaced by --NH--, --O-- or --S--; X.sup.2 is a bond, or an unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylene group, in which one or more carbons may optionally be replaced by --NH--, --O-- or --S--; the optional substituents in X.sup.1 or X.sup.2 are selected from a variety of groups; X.sup.3 is an amino acid or a polyamide linked via its carboxy terminus; NUC is a nucleoside group of any one of formulas (a), (b), (c), (d) where.fwdarw.indicates the bond to the --C--C-- group in formula (I), and X.sup.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the hybridization of a target polynucleotide with a conjugate. The conjugate comprises an oligonucleotide covalently bound to a linker that is covalently bound to an amino acid or a polyamide. The oligonucleotide portion of the conjugate comprises an anti-sense sequence which is complementary to and hybridizes with the target polynucleotide. The method is useful for detecting the presence of viral or bacterial target polynucleotides.

Abstract: Isolated DNA molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding murine son of sevenless gene 1 (mSOS1) polypeptide and comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding murine son of sevenless gene 2 (mSOS2) polypeptide are disclosed, as well as isolated mSOS1 polypeptide and isolated mSOS2 polypeptide, and diagnostic methods using the same.

Abstract: Conjugates of the type Z--X--L are described wherein Z is a solid phase matrix, X is a single amino acid or a polyamide of two or more amino acid residues, and L is a linker that is capable of linking between the amino terminus of X and a 3'-phosphate of a nucleotide. Conjugates may also be synthesized by assembling a polyamide on a solid support matrix, adding a suitable linker molecule, followed by synthesis of an oligonucleotide thereon. Methods for detecting specific polynucleotides with oligonucleotide-polyamide conjugates are also described.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence and location in animal or plant tissue of a specific polynucleotide population comprising: (a) preparing a section of the tissue to be examined; (b) contacting the tissue section under hybridization conditions with a synthetic, labelled oligonucleotide probe which is complementary to a representative portion of the target polynucleotide; (c) removing unhybridized probe material from the tissue section; and (d) detecting or identifying the locations in the tissue section where labelling by hybridization of the labelled probe has occurred. A diagnostic kit for use in performance of the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nucleoside derivative of formula (1), characterized in that: Y is H or OH or a protected hydroxy group; X is H, a phosphonate group or a phosphoramidite group of formula (II), where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different, and are selected from alkyl and substituted alkyl, which may be branched or unbranched; and Q is a phosphate protecting group; Z is H, a phosphate or triphosphate group or hydroxy protecting group; X' is a C.sub.1-15 alkyl group which may be branched or unbranched; R is an amino protecting group or a fluorophore, or other non-radioactive detectable marker; or the group Y'NHA, where Y' is an alkyl (C.sub.1-40) carbonyl group which may be branched or unbranched, and A is an amino protecting group or a fluorophore or other non-radioactive detectable marker. Methods for the synthesis and sequencing of polynucleotides utilizing compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: Oligonucleotide-polyamide conjugates of the formula X--L--Y, where X is a polyamide, Y is an oligonucleotide, and L is a linker which forms a covalent bond with the amino-terminus of the polyamide X and the 3' phosphate group of the oligonucleotide Y. Conjugates may be synthesized by assembling a polyamide on a solid support matrix, adding a suitable linker molecule, followed by synthesis of the oligonucleotide. Methods for detecting specific polynucleotides with oligonucleotide-polyamide conjugates are also described.

Abstract: Genes and DNA transfer vectors for the expression of human preprorelaxin; sub-units thereof, including genes and transfer vectors for expression of human prorelaxin and the individual A, B and C peptide chains thereof; and equivalents of all such genes. Methods for synthesis of the peptides involving recombinant DNA techniques.