Abstract: The present invention provides mammalian protein tyrosine phosphatases, human PTP-BAS type 4, human PTP-BAS type 5a and mouse PTP-BAS type 5b, each of which is a Fas-associated protein (FAP), nucleic acid molecules encoding a PTP-BAS type 4 or a PTP-BAS type 5 and antibodies specific for a PTP-BAS type 4 or for a PTP-BAS type 5. The invention also provides methods for identifying FAP's, which can associate with Fas and can modulate apoptosis. The invention also provides screening assays for identifying an agent that can effectively alter the association of a FAP with Fas and, therefore, can increase or decrease the level of apoptosis in a cell. The invention further provides methods of modulating apoptosis in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS or fragment of a PTP-BAS or an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a portion of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a subunit of a protein, the protein having an apparent molecular weight of about 800 kD, designated merosin. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode merosin fragments. Anti-merosin antibodies, vectors for the recombinant production of merosin, and the expression of recombinant proteins by use of a host vector system also are provided. The invention further provides the use of merosin to promote neurite growth and for certain diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human protein, SATB1, that binds matrix/scaffold-associating DNA regions (MARs). The novel human protein, predominantly expressed in the thymus, has an approximate molecular weight of about 85.9 kD. The SATB1 cDNA encodes a 763 amino acid sequence protein that is capable of binding to special AT rich sequences (ATC sequences). The invention further provides antibodies specifically reactive with such protein. Isolated nucleic acids encoding the novel MAR-binding protein are also provided, as well as vectors containing the nucleic acids and recombinant host cells transformed with such vectors. The invention further provides methods of detecting such nucleic acids by contacting a sample with a nucleic acid probe having a nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with the isolated nucleic acids of the present invention. Such probes can correspond to the ATC sequences.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for converting a pathologic hyperproliferative human cell to its non-malignant phenotype. The method comprises introducing into the cell a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having adenovirus E1A activity and growing the cell under conditions such that the polypeptide is produced. This invention also relates to a method of converting a population of pathologic hyperproliferative cells in a subject to a non-hyperproliferative state by expressing, in some but not all of the hyperproliferative cells, an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide having adenovirus E1A activity. In a further aspect, the invention relates to promoting differentiation of pathologically hyperproliferative cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies specifically reactive with T-cadherin, but not with N-, E- or P-cadherin. The present invention also provides methods of obtaining such antibodies by administering to an animal a synthetic peptide or a recombinant protein fragment having a partial sequence of T-cadherin. The present invention further provides antibodies obtained by such methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a purified polypeptide having substantially the same amino acid sequence and activity as the protein having the amino acid sequence of FIG. 1, or a characteristic fragment thereof. The polypeptide is a transcriptional activator. Nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and uses are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified mammalian trophinin which can mediate cell adhesion. The invention also provides substantially purified trophinin-assisting proteins, which interact with trophinin to mediate cell adhesion. The invention further provides antibodies that are specifically reactive with trophinin or a trophinin-assisting protein. In addition, the invention provides active fragments of trophinin or trophinin-assisting proteins. The invention further provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding trophinin or a trophinin-assisting protein, vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules and host cells containing the vectors. The invention also provides a nucleotide sequence that can hybridize to a nucleic acid molecule encoding trophinin or a trophinin-assisting protein. The invention further provides methods to detect trophinin or a trophinin-assisting protein or a nucleic acid molecule encoding trophinin or a trophinin-assisting protein in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides antithrombotic agents useful for the management of cardiovascular disease. The agents of the subject invention are novel cyclic peptides encompassed by the following formula:Y-X.sub.1 -X.sub.2 -G-D-X.sub.3 -X.sub.4 -X.sub.5 -Z(SEQ ID NO. 1). In the above formula, X.sub.2 and X.sub.3 are independently a hydrophobic amino acid and X.sub.4 is a positively charged amino acid. The X.sub.1 and X.sub.5 substituents are independently zero to five amino acids. The amino and carboxy terminal amino acids of a given peptide can be modified according to the substituents Y and Z, respectively. The peptides are cyclized through a bridge between the two amino acids with the peptide, excluding G, D and X.sub.3 in the formation of the bridge. Peptides encompassed by the above formula can be administered in a suitable physiologically acceptable carrier to therapeutically treat thrombosis and conditions resulting from the development of thrombi.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing or inhibiting wound contraction in a subject having a wound comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide or a polypeptide. The invention provides, for example, a method of reducing or inhibiting wound contraction comprising the administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide having more than three consecutive basic amino acids. The invention also provides a method of reducing or inhibiting wound contraction comprising the administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide containing the sequence arginine-glycine-aspartic acid and a basic amino acid sequence or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide containing therein a sequence of six consecutive amino acid residues of which at least about four of the six amino acid residues are basic amino acid residues.

Abstract: The present invention provides Arg-Gly-Asp peptides that can alter the binding of osteoclasts to a matrix such as bone or can selectively alter integrin receptor binding. The invention also provides methods of using the Arg-Gly-Asp peptides to alter .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 integrin receptor-mediated binding of a cell such as an osteoclast, endothelial cell or smooth muscle cell to a matrix. The invention further provides methods for ameliorating the severity of a pathology characterized, in part, by an undesirable level of bone resorption, angiogenesis or restenosis in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides DNA fragments derived from the 5' and 3' flanking regions of K18 gene which contain transciptional regulatory regions capable of conferring integration site independent and copy number dependent expression on a transgene when co-integrated 5' and 3' of the transgene. The present invention also provides vectors containing these DNA fragments, and transgenic animals containing the vectors.

Abstract: Bridged bicyclic aromatic compounds are provided having the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and n are as defined herein. The novel compounds are useful for modulating gene expression of retinoic acid receptors, vitamin D receptors and thyroid receptors. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for modulating gene expression are provided as well.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a subunit of a protein, the protein having an apparent molecular weight of about 800 kD, designated merosin. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode merosin fragments. Anti-merosin antibodies, vectors for the recombinant production of merosin, and the expression of recombinant proteins by use of a host vector system also are provided. The invention further provides the use of merosin to promote neurite growth and for certain diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The invention provides substantially purified T-cadherin polypeptides and isolated nucleic acids which encode the T-cadherin polypeptides. Antibodies reactive with various forms of T-cadherin, but not reactive with N-, E- or P-cadherin are also provided. The invention provides methods for detecting the various forms of T-cadherin in a subject as well as a method of detecting tumor growth which consists of inhibiting the activity of T-cadherin in a tumor. A method of effecting traumatized neurons is provided. The method entails treating traumatized neurons with a therapeutically effective dose of T-cadherin.

Abstract: The present invention provides fibronectin self-assembly sites. The invention provides a set of polypeptides derived from the first type III repeat of fibronectin which contain a fibronectin-fibronectin binding site. These polypeptides have been used to obtain a second set of polypeptides derived from the C-terminal type I repeats which contain a second fibronectin-fibronectin binding site which interacts with the first type III repeat of fibronectin. These polypeptides are capable of inhibiting fibronectin matrix assembly by interfering with fibronectin-fibronectin binding. These polypeptides are also capable of enhancing fibronectin matrix assembly and inducing disulfide cross-linking of fibronectin molecules in vitro. In addition, these polypeptides are capable of inhibiting migration of tumor cells. The polypeptides of the present invention have a number of related uses as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mammalian retinoblastoma protein-interacting zinc finger protein and active fragments thereof, which bind retinoblastoma protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting cell migration and tissue regeneration. The composition contains a ligand for the .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 integrin and a ligand for the insulin receptor, the PDGF receptor, the IL-4 receptor, or the IGF receptor, combined in a matrix. The combination of .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 ligand and growth factor produces an unexpected synergistic effect in enhancing wound healing compared with the effect of each component separately. The present invention also provides a method of wound healing and a method of inducing tissue regeneration by applying the compositions of the present invention to the site of the wound.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening a substance for the ability to effect the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer comprising combining the substance and a solution containing retinoid X receptors and determining the presence of homodimer formation. Also provided is a method of screening a substance for an effect on a retinoid X receptor homodimer's ability to bind DNA comprising combining the substance with the homodimer and determining the effect of the compound on the homodimer's ability to bind DNA. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor heterodimer comprising increasing the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer, thereby preventing the retinoid X receptor from forming a heterodimer and preventing the resulting heterodimer activity is also provided. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor homodimer is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides cyclic peptides that recognize the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif characteristic of many integrin ligands. These cyclic RGD-binding peptides, which comprise the motif (W/P)DD(G/L)(W/L)(W/L/M), have a structure that functionally mimics the RGD-binding site on an integrin. The invention further provides an antibody selectively reactive with a cyclic RGD-binding peptide containing the sequence (W/P)DD(G/L)(W/L)(W/L/M). The invention also provides a method to reduce or inhibit cell attachment to an RGD-containing ligand using a cyclic RGD-binding peptide of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding a mammalian retinoblastoma protein-interacting zinc finger (RIZ) protein, which binds retinoblastoma protein. In addition, the invention provides methods for reducing the growth of a tumor cell by introducing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a RIZ into the tumor cell.