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 affecting traumatized neurons is provided. The method entails treating traumatized neurons with a therapeutically effective dose of T-cadherin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting altered expression or localization of a cytoskeleton/basal lamina protein in a tissue sample obtained from an individual, wherein the altered expression or localization are associated with a muscular dystrophy such as Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD). The invention provides an immunohistochemical method for detecting the expression and localization in a tissue, such as muscle, of laminin M (merosin), which is a protein component of the basal lamina, wherein certain defined changes are diagnostic of individuals predisposed to FCMD. The invention also provides a prenatal diagnostic screening procedure, using a tissue such as placenta, wherein the screening procedure can identify an individual predisposed to FCMD. The invention further provides methods for identifying an individual predisposed to other muscular dystrophies such as Walker-Warburg Syndrome (WWS) and muscle-eye-brain disease of the Finnish type (MEB).

Abstract: A method for identifying a peptide useful for inhibiting platelet aggregation activity without substantially prolonging bleeding time comprising determining the IC.sub.50 value of the peptide in both a heparin assay and a citrate assay and then comparing the value of the IC.sub.50 from each assay.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of sensitizing a human tumor cell with adenovirus E1A. The methods involve treating a human tumor cell by, first, introducing into the tumor cell nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having adenovirus E1A activity, expressing the E1A active polypeptide in the cell, and then either contacting the E1A expressing tumor cell with a chemotherapeutic agent or irradiating the E1A-expressing tumor cell. The invention also provides methods of enhancing a subject's response to chemotherapy or irradiation by introducing into a subject's tumor cells nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having adenovirus E1A activity, expressing the E1A active polypeptide in the cells and finally, administering either a chemotherapeutic agent or irradiation. The invention also provides a method of treating cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding recombinant calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase. Expression vectors and host cells transformed or transfected with such vectors are also provided. The invention further provides multifunctional polypeptides containing amino acid sequences encoding for calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase and a second amino acid sequence encoding a reagent having specific reactivity with a ligand. The recombinant calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase or its active fragments and the multifunctional polypeptides can be used in the methods for determining the presence or concentration of a ligand.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding both a soluble and membrane-bound human .beta.-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, the I-branching enzyme (IGnT). The invention also provides vectors containing the isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding human IGnT as well as recombinant host cells transformed with the vectors. The invention further provides a method of preparing a membrane-bound form of human IGnT and methods of preparing and purifying soluble human IGnT and active fragments of either form. Also provided are antisense oligonucleotides complementary to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a human IGnT or an active fragment thereof, antibodies directed to the human IGnT, pharmaceutical compositions related to the human IGnT and transgenic nonhuman mammals expressing DNA encoding normal or mutant human IGnT. Also provided are methods for regulating the expression of human IGnT and methods for modifying a biological function mediated by the regulatory activity of human IGnT.

Abstract: Method for the isolation and characterization of a 140,000 dalton cell surface glycoprotein with the properties expected of a fibronectin receptor is described.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for detecting the presence of guanidinium ions in a sample solution. The detection process involves contacting a sample solution suspected of containing guanidinium ions with a cation exchange resin and eluting the guanidinium ions present in the sample solution with an aqueous buffer solution having a pH of about 1.5 to about 2. This is followed by contacting the eluant with a cation suppressor column and simultaneously flowing a suppressor regenerate solution in the opposite direction on the opposite side of the permeable membrane of the column, and finally, detecting the presence of guanidinium ions in the eluant from the ion exchange column which was contacted with the suppressor column by use of a conductivity detector.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of attaching peptides containing a biologically active site, for example RGD-containing adhesion peptides, to a solid surface through a hydrophobic domain, and peptides so attached. The hydrophobic domain can contain either hydrophobic amino acids, such as leucine, valine, isoleucine or phenylalanine, or fatty acids, such as, for example, myristic acid, palmitic acid, arachidic acid or other fatty acids. Additionally, spacers, such as amino acids, between the hydrophobic domain and the biologically active domain can improve the presentation of the biologically active site. Specific peptides of the invention includeGRGDSPASSKG.sub.4 RL.sub.6 RNH.sub.2 ;GRGDSPASSKS.sub.3 RL.sub.6 RNH.sub.2 ; andGRGDSPASSKSSKRL.sub.6 RNH.sub.2.

Abstract: The invention relates to the regultory role of cations on the dynamics of integrin-mediated cell adhesion and migration. In one aspect, methods of promoting or inhibiting the migration of integrin-expressing cells are provided by controlling the amount of cations, such as Mg.sup.2+ or Ca.sup.2+, in contact with the integrins of the cells. Methods of modifying the binding avidity of an integrin for its ligand are also provided by regulating the concentration of cations in contact with the integrin. The invention further relates to methods of using cations for a variety of applications and in particular for promoting wound healing.

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: Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding polysialyl transferases, and the polysialyl transferases themselves are disclosed. SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 7 and 8 present examples of these. The nucleic acid molecules and the proteins can be used diagnostically or therapeutically. Additionally, antisense oligonucleotides and antibodies are described, which can also be used diagnostically or therapeutically.

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 an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a portion of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding both a soluble and membrane-bound human .beta.-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, the I-branching enzyme (IGnT). The invention also provides vectors containing the isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding human IGnT as well as recombinant host cells transformed with the vectors. The invention further provides a method of preparing a membrane-bound form of human IGnT and methods of preparing and purifying soluble human IGnT and active fragments of either form. Also provided are antisense oligonucleotides complementary to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a human IGnT or an active fragment thereof, antibodies directed to the human IGnT, pharmaceutical compositions related to the human IGnT and transgenic nonhuman mammals expressing DNA encoding normal or mutant human IGnT. Also provided are methods for regulating the expression of human IGnT and methods for modifying a biological function mediated by the regulatory activity of human IGnT.

Abstract: A method of treating of glomerulonephritis in a patient by administering decorin.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding recombinant calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase. Expression vectors and host cells transformed or transfected with such vectors are also provided. The invention further provides multifunctional polypeptides containing amino acid sequences encoding for calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase and a second amino acid sequence encoding a reagent having specific reactivity with a ligand. The recombinant calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase or its active fragments and the multifunctional polypeptides can be used in the methods for determining the presence or concentration of a ligand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting an activity of a cell regulatory factor comprising contacting the cell regulatory factor with a purified polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises a cell regulatory factor binding domain of a protein. The protein is characterized by a leucine-rich repeat of about 24 amino acids. In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to the ability of decorin, a 40,000 dalton protein that usually carries a glycosaminoglycan chain, and more specifically to active fragments of decorin or its functional equivalents to bind TGF.beta.. The invention also provides a novel cell regulatory factor designated MRF. Also provided are methods of identifying, detecting and purifying cell regulatory factors and proteins which bind and affect the activity of cell regulatory factors.

Abstract: A method for selecting cell lines expressing increased cell adhesion properties or promoting cell differentiation by culturing cells in increasing concentrations of adhesion ligand containing media. Cell lines produced by such method.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a peptide having the amino acid sequence of the cytoplasmic domain of integrin subunit .beta..sub.3 ', KFEEERARAKWDTVRDGAGRFLKSLV, or subsequences thereof, and the nucleic acid encoding that peptide.

Abstract: The peptide X-Arg-Gly-Asp-R-Y wherein X is H or at least one amino acid and Y is OH or at least one amino acid, and R is an amino acid selected from Thr or Cys, or other amino acid, having the same cell-attachment activity as fibronectin and the peptide X-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Y, wherein X and Y, having said activity are disclosed.