Abstract: A method for capturing amplified target DNA on a solid substrate comprising incorporating a ligand into said DNA by a polymerase chain reaction using a set of primers wherein one of the primers bears the ligand, and contacting the so treated DNA with a solid substrate having a binding reagent for said ligand immobilized thereon.

Abstract: A gene encoding a cellular factor that binds to NFAT-like elements in the HIV-LTR has been obtained by .lambda.gt11 expression cloning using oligonucleotides corresponding to these binding motifs. This cDNA encodes a ubiquitously expressed 60 kD protein, termed interleukin binding factor (ILF), which binds specifically to such purine rich motifs in the HIV-LTR. ILF also binds to similar purine-rich motifs in the IL-2 promoter, although with lower affinity than to HIV-LTR sequences. Sequence analysis reveals the ILF DNA binding domain to have strong homology with the recently described fork head DNA binding domain of the Drosophila homeotic protein, fork head, and a family of hepatocyte-nuclear factors, HNF-3. Other domains found in ILF include a nucleotide binding site, an N-glycosylation motif, a signal for ubiquitin-mediated degradation, and a potential nuclear localization signal.

Abstract: Provided are functional peptide fragments of human caldesmon having calmodulin and actin-binding activity, the amino acid sequences and nucleic acid sequences therefor.

Abstract: Fusion proteins comprising the extracellular domain of the human MACIF (Membrane Attack Complex Inhibition Factor) gene product and a heterologous phosphatidylinositol (PI) anchor domain are provided.

Abstract: Highly purified Pluripotent hematopoietic colony-stimulating factor (pluripotent CSF), a glycoprotein (MW 19,600) constitutively produced by human tumor cells has been highly purified from low serum-containing conditioned medium to apparant homogeneity. Pluripotent CSF supports the growth of human mixed colonies (CFU-GEMM), granulocyte-macrophage colonies (CFU-GM), early erythroid colonies (BFU-E) and induces differentiation of human leukemic cells. The specific activity of the purified pluripotent CSF in the CFU-GM assay is 1.5.times.10.sup.8 U/mg protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of identifying ligands and antagonists of ligands. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of identifying ligands and antagonists of ligands which bind to cloned G.sub.s - or G.sub.i -coupled receptors. The present invention also relates to a cell that comprises a recombinant cyclic AMP sensitive reporter construct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor, the gene corresponding to this receptor, a recombinant eukaryotic expression construct capable of expressing a mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells and such cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells that synthesize mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor. The invention also provides methods for screening MSH.sup.R agonists and antagonists in vitro using preparations of receptor from such cultures of eukaryotic cells transformed with a recombinant eukaryotic expression construct comprising the MSH.sup.R receptor gene. The invention specifically provides human and mouse MSH.sup.R genes.

Abstract: Mammalian melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is isolated from rat tissue, purified and characterized. These MCH peptides are useful for treating skin disorders, for suppressing the proliferation of skin tumor cells, such as melanomas in mammals, and for modulating the secretion of ACTH. Generally, peptides are provided which have the following formula: ##STR1## or which are naturally occurring homologs of the peptide with said formula. The peptides which are the naturally occurring MCH homologs of mammalian species other than rat can also be obtained using the materials disclosed, as demonstrated specifically with human MCH, which is found to have the same structure as rat MCH. Also disclosed are the amino acid sequences of, and the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs which encode, the putative precursors of rat MCH and human MCH. These precursors may also include one or more biologically active peptides N-terminally of the mature MCH's.

Abstract: A cDNA and a chromosomal DNA coding for the human B-cell differentiation factor were provided and the entire nucleotide sequence of said DNAs as well as the entire amino acid sequences of the polypeptide portion of mature human B-cell differentiation factor and the leader peptide were revealed. The method for producing human B-cell differentiation factor by a recombinant gene technology was also provided.

Abstract: The invention features a method for inhibiting the ligand binding of an integrin in a cell involving introducing into the cell a compound which inhibits integrin activation, a method for identifying compounds which inhibit integrin activation, and chimeric integrin molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding human TIE-2 ligand. In addition, the invention provides for a receptor body which specifically binds human TIE-2 ligand. The invention also provides an antibody which specifically binds human TIE-2 ligand. The invention further provides for therapeutic compositions as well as a method of blocking blood vessel growth, a method of promoting neovascularization and a method of promoting the growth or differentiation of a cell expressing the TIE-2 receptor.

Abstract: Hek ligand (hek-L) polypeptides as well as DNA sequences, vectors and transformed host cells useful in providing hek-L polypeptides. The hek-L polypeptides bind to a cell surface receptor (hek) that is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family. Hek is expressed on cells that include certain tumor cell lines. The hek-L polypeptides also bind a distinct receptor tyrosine kinase known elk.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human Y4 receptor, an isolated protein which is a human Y4 receptor, vectors comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human Y4 receptors, mammalian cells comprising such vectors, antibodies directed to the human Y4 receptor, nucleic acid probes useful for detecting nucleic acid encoding human Y4 receptors, antisense oligonucleotides complementary to any sequences of a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a human Y4 receptor, pharmaceutical compounds related to human Y4 receptors, and nonhuman transgenic animals which express DNA a normal or a mutant human Y4 receptor. This invention further provides methods for determining ligand binding, detecting expression, drug screening, and treatment involving the human Y4 receptor.

Abstract: Biologically active deletion and substitution mutants of hIL-3 are provided. Preferred mutants are those having one or more deletions at the N-terminus (amino acids 1-14) and/or the C-terminus (amino acids 116-133, 120-130 and/or 130-133). Preferred substitution mutants include Cys.sup.16 .fwdarw.Ala.sup.16 and/or Cys.sup.84 .fwdarw.Ala.sup.84, Glu.sup.50 .fwdarw.Lys.sup.50 and Lys.sup.79 .fwdarw.Glu.sup.79. These mutants can be used to formulate pharmaceutical compositions. Also disclosed are antibodies directed against specific epitopes localized between amino acids 29 and 54.

Abstract: A novel prostaglandin receptor has been identified and DNA encoding the receptor has been isolated, purified, sequenced and expressed in host cells. This DNA encoding the novel prostaglandin receptor and host cells expressing the receptor are used to identify modulators of the prostaglandin receptor.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides are provided, together with methods for making and using them, and nucleic acids encoding them. These polypeptides are useful as cell surface adhesion molecules and ligands, and are useful in therapeutic or diagnostic compositions and methods.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods involving purified, isolated and/or synthetic G-protein coupled receptor (GPR) polypeptides that comprise fragments, derivatives and/or consensus peptides of transmembrane domains of G-coupled receptor proteins, wherein the GPR polypeptide has biological activity selected from binding of a GPR ligand to a GPR or modulating the binding of a GPR ligand to a GPR.

Abstract: A peptide according to the invention comprises the amino acid sequenceTrp--X--His--Pro--Gln--Phe--Y--Z,in which X represents any desired amino acid and Y and Z either both denote Gly, or Y denotes Glu and Z denotes Arg or Lys. A fusion protein according to the invention consists of the amino acid sequence of a complete protein, of a protein mutant such as a deletion mutant or substitution mutant, or of part of a protein linked to the sequence of a peptide of the invention. For the production of a recombinant protein by expression of a DNA sequence coding therefor in suitable host cells according to well-known methods, a DNA sequence is used which codes for a fusion protein and, if desired, the presence of the expression product is detected by means of a conjugate of streptavidin and a label or the desired protein is separated as a fusion protein by means of streptavidin affinity chromatography.

Abstract: A simple and highly efficient method for cloning cDNAs from mammalian expression libraries based on transient expression in mammalian host cells has been discovered. Novel expression vectors allowing highly efficient construction of mammalian cDNA libraries are disclosed. The cloning method of the invention which has been used to clone genes for cell surface antigens of human lymphocytes, has general application in gene cloning. Cell surface antigens cloned according to the present invention have been purified, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences determined. These antigens have diagnostic and therapeutic utility in immune-mediated infections in mammals, including humans.

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising a carrier and a desired peptide or protein linked to the carrier via an enzymatically excisable dipeptide, such as Lys-Arg, is produced in a host microorganism and then the desired peptide or protein is recovered by treating the fusion protein at least with a protease specifically recognizing the dipeptide and specifically hydrolyzing the peptide bond of the dipeptide. The fusion protein includes tandem-form fusion proteins in which desired peptide or protein molecules are linked together repeatedly. According to the cleavage site in the dipeptide, the protease may be used in combination with an aminopeptidase specifically releasing a basic amino acid from the N-terminal side of the dipeptide and/or a carboxypeptidase specifically releasing a basic amino acid from the C-terminal side of the dipeptide.