Abstract: The present invention relates to the polypeptides known as muscle calcineurin interacting proteins (MCIPs). These molecules binding to calcineurin and, in so doing, modulate its functions, which includes phosphate removal as part of a pathway coupling Ca2+ to cellular responses in muscle. MCIPs form a physical complex with the catalytic subunit of calcineurin, and increased levels of MCIPs correspond to a reduced ability of calcineurin to stimulate transcription of certain target genes. Methods to exploit these observation are provided and include screening for modulators of MCIP expression and binding to calcineurin, methods of diagnosis of MCIP defects, and methods for treating cardiomyopathies, including cardiac hypertrophy.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying evolutionarily significant polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences in human and/or non-human primates which may be associated with a physiological condition, such as enhanced resistance to HCV infection. The invention also provides methods for identifying evolutionarily significant polynucleotides with mutations that are correlated with susceptibility to diseases, such as BRCA1 exon 11. The methods employ comparison of human and non-human primate sequences using statistical methods. Sequences thus identified may be useful as host therapeutic targets and/or in screening assays.

Abstract: The instant invention provides for proteins, polypeptides, nucleic acid sequences, constructs, expression vectors, host cells, pharmaceutical compositions of, and methods for using human placental bikunin, serine protease inhibitor domains, and fragments thereof.

Abstract: Genetic and biochemical characterization of the leinamycin biosynthesis gene cluster from Streptomyces atroolivaceus S-140 revealed two PKS genes, lnmI and lnmJ, that encode six PKS modules, none of which contains a cognate AT domain. The AT activity is provided in trans by a discrete protein, LnmG, which loads the malonyl coenzyme A extender unit onto the ACP domains of all six PKS modules. This finding provides a basis for methods of engineering modular polyketide synthases and polyketide synthase/nonribosomal peptide synthetases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence in which at least one amino acid is deleted, substituted or added in an amino acid sequence of isopropylmalate isomerase derived from a microorganism belonging to coryneform bacteria, wherein a coryneform bacterium which produces the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as the sole isopropylmalate isomerase exhibits a partial leucine requirement in a minimal medium; a DNA encoding the polypeptide, a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA, a microorganism transformed with the recombinant DNA, and a process for producing an L-amino acid using the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention is a kit and method for purifying a protein of interest.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing substance PF1022 derivatives, in particular PF1022-220 and PF1022-260, by a direct fermentation method, and a transformant to be used for this method. According to the present invention, there is provided a transformant producing substance FF1022 derivatives, which can be obtained by introducing a genes involved in a biosynthetic pathway from chorismic acid to p-aminophenylpyruvic acid, including a papA gene encoding 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate synthase. which gene comprises the DNA sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; a papB gene encoding 4-amino-4-deoxyclaismate mutase, which gene comprises the DNA sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4; and a papC gene encoding 4-amino-4-deoxyprepbenate dehydrogenase, which gene comprises the DNA sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, into a phenylalanine auxotrophic host induced from an organism that produces a substance PF1022.

Abstract: Protein engineered CrtO ketolases isolated from Rhodococcus erythropolis AN12 are provided having increased carotenoid ketolase activity. Methods using the present CrtO ketolases are also provided for increasing ketocarotenoid production in suitable production hosts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production process of biotin by fermentation using genetically engineered microorganisms, including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas mutabilis, and DNA sequences and vectors to be used in such process.

Abstract: FP-1 is a protein that is specifically expressed in the follicular papilla of the hair follicle. The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of FP-1, as well as antibodies that specifically bind FP-1 are provided. In addition, methods of isolating follicular papilla cells and methods of modulating hair growth are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition consisting of a series of novel biologically active 33-mer peptides.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods of producing milligram quantities of three forms of purified Stat1 protein from recombinant DNA constructs. In addition, the Stat proteins may be isolated in their phosphorylated or nonphosphorylated forms (Tyr 701). The proteins can be produced in baculovirus infected insect cells, or E. coli. A compact domain in the amino terminus of Stat1? was isolated and found to enhance DNA binding due to its ability to interact with a neighboring Stat protein. A relatively protease-resistant recombinant truncated form of the Stat protein was isolated in 40-50 mg quantities. Purification of the Stat proteins were performed after modifying specific cysteine residues of the Stat proteins to prevent aggregation. Activated EGF-receptor partially purified from membranes by immunoprecipitation was shown to be capable of in vitro catalysis of the phosphorylation of the tyrosine residue of Stat1 known to be phosphorylated in vivo.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for producing a chimaeric human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 polypeptide containing a heterologous peptide, and in particular, a HPV L2 peptide. The method comprises the steps of introducing a DNA sequence coding for the heterologous peptide into a DNA sequence coding for the L1 polypeptide; introducing the DNA sequence including the sequences for the L1 polypeptide and heterologous peptide into a host cell in which the DNA sequence can be expressed; causing expression of the DNA sequence; and recovering the resulting chimaeric L1 polypeptide which includes the heterologous peptide. Typically, the nucleotides encoding the heterologous peptide replace the nucleotides of the L1 polypeptide at the point of insertion. The invention also describes a vector for use in the method, a host cell containing the vector, and a vaccine including the chimaeric HPV L1 polypeptide produced according to the method.

Abstract: New lipase enzymes (both nucleic acids and polypeptides) are provided. Compositions which include these polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant cells, as well as methods involving the enzymes, antibodies to the enzymes, and methods of using the enzymes are also provided.

Abstract: Novel formulations containing exendins, exendin agonists and/or exendin analogs are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides of the telomerase complex. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel peptides and compositions capable of modulating apoptosis in cells, and to methods of modulating apoptosis employing the novel peptides and compositions of the invention. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a novel peptide designated the “GD domain,” which is essential both to Bak's interaction with Bcl-xL, and to Bak's cell killing function. Methods of identifying agonists or antagonists of GD domain function are provided. The GD domain is responsible for mediating key protein/protein interactions of significance to the actions of multiple cell death regulatory molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enriching cell surface proteins by oxidizing glycosylated protein with periodate. The present invention further provides that the cell surface proteins are obtained from intact cells either from cell lines or from tissues. The present invention provides a method not only capable of obtaining increased quantities of the cell surface proteins, but also capable of obtaining a wide ranges of proteins that are not detectable by other means.

Abstract: The present invention provides the novel L-NAME-related actin cytoskeletal protein (LACS) and genes encoding the protein.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a new protein derived from the silkworm middle silk gland and a DNA encoding said protein. The present invention relates to a protein of the following (a) or (b): (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a protein comprising a modified amino acid sequence of the amino acid sequence described in (a) above, in which one or more amino acid residues are deleted, substituted, inserted or added, and having protease activity.