Abstract: Novel proinsulins and glargine, aspart and Lis-Pro proinsulin analogs having specific amino acid and/or nucleic acid modifications suitable for improved methods of insulin production, as well as novel and highly efficient processes for preparing the same. The novel proinsulins and proinsulin analogs may be converted into human insulin and insulin analogs, respectively, that are useful in therapeutic preparations.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical compositions. More particularly it is directed to substance delivery system (or implant), such as scaffolds and membranes, comprising an anabolic drug, such as a Fibroblast Growth Factor 18 (FGF-18) compound, to methods of producing such delivery system, as well as use thereof. The implants according to the invention are for use for the treatment of cartilage disorders, such as osteoarthritis, cartilage injury or osteochondral defects.

Abstract: Provided herein are biologically active single chain relaxin peptides. In particular the present invention relates to single chain relaxin peptides comprising a B chain derived from relaxin-2, the peptide being truncated by one or more amino acid residues at the N-terminus with respect to the sequence of the B chain of native relaxin-2. Typically the single chain relaxin peptides selectively bind to the RXFP1 receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a protein conjugate with improved in vivo duration and stability and the use thereof. The protein conjugate includes a physiologically active polypeptide, a non-peptide polymer and an immunoglobulin Fc fragment. Since the three components are covalently linked, the protein conjugate has extended in vivo duration and enhanced stability for the physiologically active polypeptide. The protein conjugate maintains the in vivo activity at relatively high levels and remarkably increases the serum half-life for the physiologically active polypeptide, with less risk of inducing undesirable immune responses. Thus, the protein conjugate is useful for developing long-acting formulations of various polypeptide drugs.

Abstract: A method for the prevention or treatment of scoliosis in a human subject comprising: (a)(i) measuring osteopontin (OPN) protein expression in a biological fluid sample from the subject over time; or (ii) measuring osteopontin (OPN) protein expression in a biological fluid sample from the subject and comparing the OPN protein expression to an OPN protein expression in a control biological fluid sample; (b) identifying the subject as being at risk of developing scoliosis when OPN protein expression increases in the subject sample over time; or when OPN protein expression is higher in the subject sample than that in the control sample; and (c) reducing OPN protein levels in the subject identified as being at risk of developing a scoliosis, thereby aiding in the prevention or treatment of scoliosis.

Abstract: A method for purifying rHuEPO through the use of a multi-step filtration process which provides for a rHuEPO product having superior stability and shelf-life.

Abstract: The present invention provides Drosophila melanogaster GPCR (DmGPCR) polypeptides and polynucleotides which identify and encode such a DmGPCR. In addition, the invention provides expression vectors, host cells, and methods for its production. The invention also provides methods for the identification of homologs in other species and of DmGPCR agonists/antagonists useful as potential insecticides. The invention further provides methods for binding a DmGPCR, methods for identifying modulators of DmGPCR expression and activity, methods for controlling a population of insects with a DmGPCR antibody, a DmGPCR antisense polynucleotide, a DmGPCR binding partner or modulator, and methods of preventing or treating a disease or condition associated with an ectoparasite. Specifically, this invention discloses the matching of the orphan Drosophila drotachykinin, droleucokinin, and drostatin-C receptors with their cognate peptide ligands.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel potassium channels and genes encoding these channels. More specifically the invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding the KCNQ5 potassium channel subunit, cells transformed with these polynucleotides, transgenic animals comprising genetic mutations, and the use of the transformed cells and the transgenic animals for the in vitro and in vivo screening of chemical compounds affecting KCNQ5 subunit containing potassium channels.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a sucrose transport protein. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the sucrose transport protein, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the sucrose transport protein in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of skeletal dysplasias, comprising as an active ingredient at least one natriuretic peptide. Unexpectedly, it has been shown that the natriuretic factors may be effective for bone elongation in situations of abnormal bone growth especially for achondroplasia. The effects of the natriuretic peptide may be further enhanced by prolonging its residence time or action at the target site.

Abstract: Growth differentiation factor, Lefty-2, is disclosed along with its polynucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the Lefty-2 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The purified nerve growth factor consisting of 116 amino acids from the venom of Naja kaouthia snake was fragmented by trypsin digestion. The fragments were isolated individually by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thus separated fragments were tested for the biological activity of neurite growth on rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. The fragment which showed the most activity was named ADESH. Subsequently, ADESH was sequenced. Synthetic ADESH was constructed using ten amino acids N L G E H P V C D S (SEQ. ID. NO: 3) of the fragment from its N-terminal is designated as AD-10. Different versions of synthetic ADESH such as AD-15 and AD-5 consisting of 15 and 5 amino acids respectively were constructed; having the sequence: N L G E H P V C D S T D T W V (SEQ. ID. NO: 2) for AD-15 and N L G E H (SEQ. ID. NO: 4) for AD-5. The synthetic AD-15 and AD-5 mimic the biological activity of the natural NGF.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide, an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide, a cell transfected by the expression vector, a method for producing the polypeptide, and a convenient screening system for obtaining a substance useful in treating cell injuries due to postischemic reperfusion or an inflammatory disease, are disclosed. The polypeptide is a potassium-dependent sodium-calcium exchanger expressed in peripheral leukocytes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to preferred repeat sequences of Neural Thread Protein (NTP), peptides, mimetics, antibodies, and nucleic acids of the preferred sequences, and diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using such preferred NTP sequences.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of novel proteins exhibiting bonding activity for certain ligands, the so-called anticalins. To this end, the structure of peptides of the lipocalin family is modified by amino acid replacement in their natural ligand binding pocket using genetic engineering methods. A like immunoglobulin, the anticalin thus obtained can be used to identify or bond molecular structures.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated on the discovery of certain interactions between cellular growth factors and opposing actions that control differentiation and migration or invasion of cytotrophoblasts into the uterine endometrium during pregnancy. IGF-II and latent transforming growth factor beta (TGF?), the inactive precursor of TGF?, compete for binding to the CIM6P receptor. IGF-II prevents latent TGF? binding to the CIM6P receptor. The invention therefore offers a method of regulating and directing cytotrophoblast differentiation and function based on the interaction between IGF-II, latent TGF? and the CIM6P receptor. There is disclosed a method of regulating cytotrophoblast and stem cell differentiation and migration characterized by adjusting levels of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) available for binding to the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate (CIM6P) receptor. The discovery may be applied to embryonic or adult stem cells to control their differentiation and migratory behaviour.

Abstract: A novel receptor, “LDL-receptor-related protein-5” (“LRP-5”), is provided, along with encoding nucleic acid. The gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and experimental evidence provides indication that it is the IDDM susceptibility gene IDDM4. In various aspects the invention provides nucleic acid, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of diagnosis or prognosis, and other methods relating to and based on the gene, including methods of treatment of diseases in which the gene may be implicated, including autoimmune diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, diseases and disorders involving disruption of endocytosis and/or antigen presentation, diseases and disorders involving cytokine clearance and/or inflammation, viral infection, elevation of free fatty acids or hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

Abstract: A high-density lipoprotein-reactive peptide or a foam cell-reactive peptide as set forth in the following (a) or (b): (a) a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; and (b) a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence as specified in the above (a) by substitution, deletion, addition, or insertion of one or more amino acid residues and being capable of specifically binding to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or withdrawing cholesterol from foam cells. Thus, peptides having novel amino acid sequences and being capable of specifically binding to HDL cholesterol or withdrawing cholesterol from foam cells are provided. These peptides are useful as drugs for various diseases caused by arteriosclerosis, lipid metabolic errors, and peripheral cholesterosis.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a photoprotein which binds with a ligand specific for a substance to be detected at a binding ratio of 1:1 such that the luminescence activity is not reduced by binding with the ligand, a conjugate comprising the luminescent photoprotein and ligand, and a substance detection method which employs the conjugate as a marker. A calcium-binding photoprotein is produced having cysteine residue introduced within the 4th amino acid residue from the amino-terminus. A conjugate is formed by binding a ligand specific for a substance to be detected to the calcium-binding photoprotein, in a binding ratio of 1:1, via the introduced cysteine residue. The conjugate may be utilized as a marker for a substance to be detected.