Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods of characterization of the properties and functions of SV2 proteins. The invention further includes methods of identifying compounds or agents which modulate the activity of SV2 proteins. Included in these methods is the identification of compounds or agents which modulate the binding of levetiracetam to SV2 proteins, including SV2A. Additionally, the present invention provides biotinylated ligands as a tool to screen chemical libraries and characterize the SV2 proteins. Further, the present invention provides a method of solubilizing and purifying functionally active membrane associated proteins, such as SV2.

Abstract: Human chemokine Alpha-3 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such chemotactic cytokines and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such chemotactic cytokines for the treatment of leukemia, tumors, chronic infections, auto-immune disease, fibrotic disorders, sepsis, wound healing and psoriasis and to stimulate stem cell mobilization. Antagonists against such chemotactic cytokines and their use as a therapeutic to treat rheumatoid arthritis, auto-immune and chronic and acute inflammatory and infective diseases, allergic reactions, prostaglandin-independent fever, ARDS and bone marrow failure are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to mutations in the nucleic acid sequences and altered concentrations of the polypeptides.

Abstract: A vaccine for reducing disease progression, and/or protection of motor nerve degeneration, and/or protection from glutamate toxicity in motor neurone disease (MND), particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), patients, comprising an active agent selected from the group consisting of Cop 1, a Cop 1-related peptide, a Cop 1-related polypeptide, and poly-Glu, Tyr. The active agent is preferably Cop 1 or poly-Glu, Tyr, and can be administered with or without an adjuvant.

Abstract: A family of fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs) mediate transport of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) across cell membranes into cells. These proteins exhibit different expression patterns among the organs of mammals. Nucleic acids encoding FATPs of this family, are described. Also described are methods to test FATPs for fatty acid transport function, and methods to identify inhibitors or enhancers of transport function. The altering of LCFA uptake by administering to the mammal an inhibitor or enhancer of FATP transport function of a FATP can decrease or increase calories available as fats, and can decrease or increase circulating fatty acids. The organ specificity of FATP distribution can be exploited in methods to direct drugs, diagnostic indicators and so forth to an organ.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated TANGO 268 nucleic acid molecules and polypeptide molecules. TANGO 268 encodes a polypeptide that represents glycoprotein VI, a platelet membrane glycoprotein that is involved platelet-collagen interactions. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and non-human transgenic animals in which a nucleic acid molecule of the invention has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated polypeptides, fusion polypeptides, antigenic peptides and antibodies. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are ligands for the receptor tyrosine kinase, Flt4. Also provided are cDNAs and vectors encoding the ligands, pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: VEGF-D, a new member of the PDGF family of growth factors, which among other things stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability, as well as nucleotide sequences encoding it, methods for producing it, antibodies and other antagonists to it, transfected or transformed host cells for expressing it, pharmaceutical compositions containing it, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to strains of E coli adapted to produce bovine growth hormone, being the result of extraction of RNA from bovine pituitaries, transcription of DNA on such RNA templates, splicing of DNA into plasmids, insertion of spliced plasmid into microorganisms, and further subjecting the microorganisms to selection and isolating the colonies producing the desired fused or modified growth hormone and to modified bovine growth hormone obtained by the cultivation of such modified E. coli strains and recovery of the desired product.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor receptor proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding TNF receptors, and processes for producing TNF receptors as products of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are ligands for the receptor tyrosine kinase, Flt4. Also provided are cDNAs and vectors encoding the ligand, pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: This invention provides peptide compounds that bind to either a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) or a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and, accordingly, are useful for modulating FGFR activity. Preferably, the FGFR is FGFR2-IIIC. Preferably, the FGF is basic FGF. Preferably the peptide compound comprises an amino acid sequence: (Y/F)-(L/F/I)-(R/D/E/S/Y/G)-(Q/L/Y)-Y-(M/L/K/R)-(L/M/D/E/N/S)-(R/L/S/T)-(L/F/M/V) (SEQ ID NO: 1). The invention further comprises pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptide compounds of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention still further provides methods of modulating FGFR activity using the peptide compounds of the invention.

Abstract: Novel peptide hormones which influence the release of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland in fish are disclosed. Methods in which such peptides may be administered to fish to control their reproduction are also described. Furthermore, novel isolated cDNA encoding the precursor of the novel gonadotropin-releasing hormone is disclosed. The use of such cDNA in controlling the gonadal development and spawning of fish is also described.

Abstract: An activator of the Rse receptor protein tyrosine kinase has been identified which is encoded by growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6). Accordingly, the present invention provides compositions comprising gas6 polypeptides wherein the gas6 polypeptides are present in an amount effective for activating the Rse receptor. The present invention is further directed to articles of manufacture comprising gas6 polypeptides such as kits and containers containing gas6 polypeptide compositions and gas6 polypeptide In a liposome or adsorbed to a membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for obtaining purified, monomeric, intact, correctly-folded insulin-like growth factor-I (also known as somatomedin-C). The improvements, consisting primarily of the addition of an IGF-I unfolding/refolding step and the substitution of a reverse phase chromatography step for a gel filtration chromatography step result in a three-fold increase in final yield. The process includes the following steps, in order: first cation exchange, unfolding/refolding, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, second cation exchange, and reverse phase chromatography.

Abstract: A colony stimulating factor, CSF-1, is a lymphokine useful in regulating the immune system, is a lymphokine useful in overcoming the immunosuppression induced by chemotherapy or resulting from other causes. CSF-1 is obtained in usable amounts by recombinant methods, including cloning and expression of the murine and human DNA sequences encoding this protein. Both “long” and “short” forms of this protein and muteins corresponding to the cDNA-encoded forms are disclosed.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent capable of of binding to the F′-G′ loop of domain 4 of the common c Chain of the receptor for GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5. The amino acid Tyr421 which is located in the F′-G′ loop is critical in the high affinity binding and stimulation of function of GM-CSF, IL-3 and IL-5 to the common c chain of the receptors. Other receptors for cytokines also show hydrophobic amino acids in analogous positions and it is probable that they too play a pivotal role in binding of respective cytokines to them and in modulating function. Agents capable of binding to the F′-G′ loops are suggested and should be of therapeutic value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent, composed of canine interferon-&ggr;, for canine intractable dermatitis and a treatment for canine intractable dermatitis using the agent.

Abstract: Polypeptide growth factors, termed PDPFs, are described which are derived from placental tissue and promote the proliferation, growth and survival of prostate cells and epithelial cells. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides are also described which are useful in recombinant methods for the production of the polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention relates the use of glucagon-like peptides such as GLP-1, a GLP-1 analog, or a GLP-1 derivative in methods and compositions for reducing body weight.

Abstract: A colony stimulating factor, CSF-1, is a lymphokine useful in regulating the immune system. is a lymphokine useful in overcoming the immunosuppression induced by chemotherapy or resulting from other causes. CSF-1 is obtained in usable amounts by recombinant methods, including cloning and expression of the murine and human DNA sequences encoding this protein. Both "long" and "short" forms of this protein and muteins corresponding to the cDNA-encoded forms are disclosed.