Abstract: A modified factor VIIa is provided. The modified factor has increased amidolytic activity in the absence of T.F. and a higher affinity for T.F. when compared to the native factor VIIa but does not have substantially altered proteolytic activity when bound to T.F. Nucleic acid molecules that encode the factor, expression vectors that contain the nucleic acid molecules, cells that contain the nucleic acid molecules, and cells transformed with the expression vector are also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the modified factor is a human factor VIIa.

Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention is an isolated nucleic acid encoding a phage abortive defense protein, the isolated nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of: (a) isolated nucleic acid having the sequence or coding sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 (by “coding sequence” is meant nucleotides 373 to 1668 therein); (b) isolated nucleic acid encoding a phage abortive defense protein and which hybridizes to an nucleic acid having the sequence or coding sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or having a sequence at least 60, 70, 80, 90, 92 or 95 percent identical to the sequence or coding sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1; and (c) isolated nucleic acid encoding a phage abortive defense protein encoded by an isolated nucleic acid of (a) or (b) above, but differing in sequence therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code (e.g., a nucleic acid encoding the protein given in SEQ ID NO: 2).

Abstract: The present application relates to methods for growing crystals of both the uncomplexed and complexed forms of ?-secretase (BACE) polypeptide. Polypeptides used herein are derived from human BACE which is also known by the synonyms “mamapsin 2”, “human ?-site APP-cleaving enzyme, and Asp2”. The present application also relates to crystalline forms of uncomplexed BACE and the three-dimensional structure of BACE, as determined from the crystals. In addition, the present application relates to the use of crystalline forms of BACE to identify ligands, preferably inhibitors (antagonists), which bind to, and preferably inhibit the enzymatic activity of, BACE. Furthermore, the present application relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding BACE polypeptide, and methods for making BACE in greater quantity than prior methods, resulting in more effective crystallization.

Abstract: A crystallizable composition, comprising an human papillomavirus (HPV-11) E2 transactivation domain (TAD)-like polypeptide of SEQ ID NO. 2 complexed with an inhibitor L (sodium (2R,3R,4S,5R)-5-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5?-methyl-1?,3?-dioxo-4-({[4-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-4-yl)phenyl]amino}carbonyl)-1?,3?,4,5-tetrahydro-3H-spiro[furan-2,2?-indene]-3-carboxylate). The invention also provides a method for producing the crystallized HPV E2 TAD-inhibitor complex (HPV E2 TAD-L) comprising: a) mixing purified HPV E2 TAD, contained in a purification buffer, with solublized inhibitor L to generate a complex solution containing the HPV E2 TAD-L complex; and b) crystallizing the complex from a) in a crystallization buffer. The invention also provides a method for producing crystallized apo HPV E2 TAD, comprising: a) mixing apo HPV E2 TAD, contained in a purification buffer, with a crystallization buffer. X-ray crystal structure coordinates the HPV E2 TAD-L complex, are also provided, which define an inhibitor binding pocket.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding novel chromo/fluoroproteins and mutants thereof, as well as the encoded proteins, are provided. The subject proteins of interest are proteins that are colored and/or fluorescent, where this feature arises from the interaction of two or more residues of the protein. The subject proteins are further characterized in that they are either obtained from non-bioluminescent Cnidarian, e.g., Anthozoan, species or are obtained from non-Pennatulacean (sea pen) species. Specific proteins of interest include proteins obtained from the following specific Anthozoan species: Anemonia majano (NFP-1), Clavularia sp. (NFP-2), Zoanthus sp. (NFP-3 & NFP-4), Discosoma striata (NFP-5), Discosoma sp. “red”(NFP-6), Anemonia sulcata (NFP-7), Discosoma sp “green” (NFP-8), and Discosoma sp. “magenta” (NFP-9). Also interest are proteins that are substantially similar to, or mutants of, the above specific proteins.

Abstract: A ubiquitin-specific protease occurring in the brain and a DNA encoding it, which are useful for research on the molecular mechanism of the neuroplasticity expression and so on.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme exhibiting endo-beta-1,4-glucanase activity (EC 3.2.1.4), which is a) a polypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence of positions 1 to 2322 of SEQ ID NO: 1; b) a polypeptide produced by culturing a cell comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 under conditions wherein the DNA sequence is expressed; c) an endo-beta-1,4-glucanase enzyme having a sequence of at least 97% identity to the amino acid sequence of position 1 to position 773 of SEQ ID NO: 2; and fragments thereof exhibiting endo-beta-1,4-glucanase activity, and d) a polypeptide having endo-beta-1,4-glucanase activity that is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes with the nucleotide sequence shown in positions 1–2322 of SEQ ID NO: 1, is useful for detergent and textile applications.

Abstract: The interaction of ATM and related protein kinases such as ATR and DNA-PK with p53 is disclosed, in particular the phosphorylation of Ser15 and Thr18 by these proteins. The activity of the proteins is shown to increase in the presence of DNA. Assays for modulators of phosphorylation by the interaction between the proteins and p53 or other proteins having similar phosphorylation sites are provided. Methods of purifying ATM or ATR employing DNA or NTA are also disclosed.

Abstract: Isolated fragments of an Erwinia hypersensitive response elicitor protein or polypeptide that elicit a hypersensitive response in plants and isolated DNA molecules that encode those fragments are disclosed. Isolated fragments of hypersensitive response elicitor proteins or polypeptides, which elicit a hypersensitive response, and the isolated DNA molecules that encode them can be used to impart disease resistance to plants, to enhance plant growth, and/or to control insects on plants, either by applying the hypersensitive response eliciting fragments to plants or plant seeds or by providing transgenic plants or plant seeds transformed with a DNA molecule encoding a hypersensitive response eliciting fragment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated archael and bacterial heme binding protein which reversibly binds oxygen with a low affinity. The heme binding protein may be utilized as a blood substitute. The invention also provides a method for controlled storage of oxygen by contacting a bacterial heme binding protein with oxygen allowing the protein to bind and store oxygen. The also provides methods to sense gaseous ligands using the heme binding protein. In other embodiments, the invention provides chimeric proteins having a heme-binding domain of an isolated heme binding archael bacterial protein and a heterologous signaling domain.

Abstract: A method of preparing an ultra-cleansed lactoferrin preparation, termed treatment for contaminant reduction (TCR) is provided which includes the steps of treating commercial lactoferrin preparation with at least one each of surfactants, antioxidants and polyphenols to form purified lactoferrin (LF-TCR) and drying the LF-TCR. Additionally a therapeutic lactoferrin composition is provided which contains LF-TCR and optionally surfactants, antioxidants, polyphenols, tissue/membrane diffusion facilitating agents and anionic compounds. The therapeutic lactoferrin composition can additionally contain bioactive agents, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals/functional foods, prophylactic agents, therapeutic agents and probiotic lactic acid bacteria.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (SEQ ID NO:1), which are useful for treating conditions that arise from or are exacerbated by angiogenesis, are described. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of treatment using these compounds, and methods of inhibiting angiogenesis.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides comprising a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV, and compositions comprising such cyclic peptides, are provided. Methods for using such peptides for modulating cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: Specific amino acid loci of human factor VIII interact with inhibitory antibodies of hemophilia patients who have developed such antibodies after being treated with factor VIII. Modified factor VIII is disclosed in which the amino acid sequence is changed by a substitution at one or more of the specific loci. The modified factor VIII is not inhibited by inhibitory antibodies against the A2 or C2 domain epitopes. The modified factor VIII is useful for hemophiliacs, either to avoid or prevent the action of inhibitory antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel engineered derivatives of green fluorescent protein (GFP) which have an amino acid sequence which is modified by amino acid substitution compared with the amino acid sequence of wild type Green Fluorescent Protein. The modified GFPs exhibit enhanced fluorescence relative to wtGFP when expressed in non-homologous cells at temperatures above 30° C., and when excited at about 490 nm compared to the parent proteins, i.e. wtGFP. An example of a preferred protein is F64L-S175G-E222G-GFP. The modified GFPs provide a means for detecting GFP reporters in mammalian cells at lower levels of expression and/or increased sensitivity relative to wtGFP. This greatly improves the usefulness of fluorescent proteins in studying cellular functions in living cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising factor VII or a factor VII-related polypeptide and alpha2-antiplasmin or an alpha2-antiplasmin-related polypeptide, and the use thereof for treating bleeding episodes.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing non-glycosylated, single-chain and two-chain pro-urokinase (pro-UK) mutants. The methods include cultivating a specific E. coli type B strain that has been transformed with specific plasmids carrying a cDNA sequence that encodes pro-UK mutants and carries specific promoter sequences. Products produced by the methods have medical use for thrombolysis performed while sparing hemostatic clots, e.g., for particular applications such as after a stroke or heart attack.

Abstract: A new family of antimicrobial proteins is described. Prototype proteins can be isolated from Macadamia integrifolia as well as other plant species. DNA encoding the protein is also described as well as DNA constructs which can be used to express the antimicrobial protein or to introduce the antimicrobial protein into a plant. Compositions comprising the antimicrobial protein or the antimicrobial protein per se can be administered to plants or mammalian animals to combat microbial infestation.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of the formula I AcPhe-Aib-Aib-Aib-x-w-Leu-y-Aib-Hyp-Gln-z-Hyp-Aib-Pro-R ??(I) in which R is Phe-ol or Phe-al and w, x, y, and z have the following meanings: a) w is Gly or Ala; x is Aib and y and z are Iva; b) w is Gly; x, y and z are Iva; c) w is Gly; x and z are Aib and y is Iva; d) w is Gly; x, y and z are Aib; or e) w is Gly; x and y are Aib and z is Iva; or of the formula II AcPhe-Iva-Gln-Aib-lle-Thr-Aib-Leu-Aib-x-Gln-Aib-Hyp-Aib-Pro-Phe-Ser, ??(II) wherein x is Hyp or Pro, which are synthesized by Acremonium tubakii FH 1685 DSM 12774 during fermentation and released into the culture medium, a process for the isolation of the cephaibols from the culture medium, and their purification, and the use of the cephaibols as pharmacologically active compounds, in particular for the control of parasites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion peptide wherein a self cell-penetrating Tat peptide having a self penetrating signal is bound to a human parathyroid hormone-derived peptide, a preparation thereof, and a skin slimming cosmetic composition comprising the same. Since the fusion peptide wherein the Tat peptide is bound to the human parathyroid hormone-derived peptide has high stability and superior skin absorption, the present invention provides a skin slimming agent having superior lipolysis effects and improved durability of the effects.