Abstract: A novel splice-variant of gp 130 is disclosed, together with DNA sequence coding for it, pharmaceutical formulations comprising it, and its use ensuring the correct development of pre-implantation embryos.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides and fragments of oncogene protein products which elicit T cellular immunity, for use in cancer vaccines and compositions for anti-cancer treatment.

Abstract: A process for preparing human insulin, which comprises the steps of: preparing a DNA encoding a human proinsulin derivative having the following formula (I); inserting the DNA into a vector to construct an expression vector for the expression of the human proinsulin derivative; transforming a host cell with the expression vector; culturing the resulting transformant under a condition that allows the expression of the human proinsulin derivative; purifying human proinsulin derivative from the culture; and preparing human insulin from the human proinsulin derivative by an enzymatic hydrolysis:B chain-Z-A chain (I)Wherein,said A and B chains are respectively human insulin chains;Z is a peptide of formula U-U-X-P-J-(X')n-U-U;U is an arginine or lysin residue;X and X' are independently any amino acid residue;P is a proline residue;J is a glycine, arginine or lysine residue; andn is 0 or an integer of 1 to 5.

Abstract: A device for surface sterilization of objects includes a housing, a conveyor assembly including a frame, a conveyor bed selectively movably connected to the frame and a plurality of legs spacedly disposed beneath and supporting the frame above a support surface. At least part of the conveyor bed is located longitudinally within the housing to thereby movably support objects to be surface sterilized as they are passed through the housing from a contaminated area to a clean area. An air filtration system is in communication with the housing, and at least one ultraviolet light assembly is located within of the housing to decontaminate the object to be surface sterilized within the sterilization device as the object is transferred via the conveyor through the housing and into the clean area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting a biologically active substance that affects intracellular processes mediated through a protein kinase or second messenger, which comprises incubating a cell with a test substance and measuring any change caused by the test substance in the fluorescence of (i) green fluorescent protein (GFP) having a protein kinase recognition site or (ii) GFP that has been modified to contain a second messenger binding domain.

Abstract: The invention provides a human DPl homolog (DPlh)) and polynucleotides which identify and encode DPlh. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of DPlh.

Abstract: Human monoclonal antibodies against a human cytokine (such as a human interleukin, e.g., human IL-1.alpha.) and fragments of such antibodies are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods employing the human monoclonal antibodies and fragments, methods for screening for human monoclonal antibodies against a human protein, methods for producing a cDNA library enriched in DNA encoding V.sub.H and/or V.sub.L chains of a human monoclonal antibody, cell lines for making the human monoclonal antibodies, and isolated DNA for making the human monoclonal antibodies and fragments of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotides encoding IRP (integrin regulatory protein) polypeptides which regulate .beta..sub.2 and .beta..sub.7 integrins and which are contemplated to participate in integrin signaling and/or recycling pathways. Also provided are methods for identifying modulators of IRP activities and methods for identifying other proteins which interact with IRP polypeptides in signaling pathways. Modulators of IRP interactions are contemplated to be useful, for example, in monitoring and treating inflammatory processes involving leukocytes.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods of increasing stability of biological substances during drying and the dried compositions derived therefrom. The compositions have improved storage stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human dosage compensation-associated protein (HDCAP) and polynucleotides which encode HDCAP. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HDCAP and a method for producing HDCAP. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding HDCAP, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HDCAP. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HDCAP for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HDCAP. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding HDCAP.

Abstract: An analytical or preparatory system comprised as a base unit, an adapter, and a substrate. The adapter is attached to an attachment region on the base unit, and the substrate is attached to an attachment region on the adapter. The adapter permits the base unit to be interfaced with a wide variety of different substrates to perform chemical and biological analytical analyses and preparatory procedures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human regulator of G-protein signaling (HRGS) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HRGS. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HRGS and a method for producing HRGS. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding HRGS, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HRGS. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HRGS for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HRGS. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding HRGS.

Abstract: In vivo and in vitro assays for the detection and quantification of substances, which are carcinogenic, but not genotoxic or mutagenic, by measuring a correlative change in cyclin dependent kinases (CDK).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assessing the ability of a compound to modulate the formation of a complex between a potassium channel and a protein tyrosine kinase. The method comprises the steps of (1) contacting a first polypeptide comprising the proline-rich binding region of the potassium channel, a second protein comprising the SH3 binding domain of the protein tyrosine kinase and the compound to be assessed; and (2) measuring the extent of complex formation between the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide.

Abstract: Site-directed in vitro mutagenesis is obtained utilizing a specially-engineered plasmid vector. The vector is engineered to contain an inactivated genetic marker which marker is capable of being reverted to functional expression. Additionally, the vector contains a second genetic marker, a polylinker region and an f1 replication origin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human retinoid binding protein (Hu-RBP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode Hu-RBP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of Hu-RBP, as well as diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A domain of Bcl-2 that suppresses apoptosis by allowing cell survival permits cell proliferation when mutated. The wild type domain includes amino acid residues 51 to 97 (SEQ ID NO: 13) of Bcl-2. Peptides including the domain and nucleotides encoding the domain are useful in molecular screening of human tumors for the presence of mutations that allow proliferation of cells that were otherwise marked for apoptosis. The peptides are also useful to screen for proteins that play a role in the modulation of cellular proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel VEGF receptor proteins comprising amino acid sequences derived from the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors flt-1, FLT4, and KDR, including the murine homologue to the human KDR receptor FLK-1, wherein said chimeric VEGF receptor proteins bind to VEGF and antagonize the endothelial cell proliferative and angiogenic activity thereof. The present invention is also directed to nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding these chimeric VEGF receptor proteins, host cells harboring such expression vectors, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising such proteins, methods of preparing such proteins and to methods utilizing such proteins for the treatment of conditions associated with undesired vascularization.

Abstract: Oligopeptides having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a receptor's extracellular domain, and having sequence similarity to regulatory peptides from MHC class I antigens, enhance the physiological response of ligand binding to the corresponding receptor. The oligopeptides are used in diagnosis and therapy of diseases that involve inadequate or inappropriate receptor response as well as in the screening of drug candidates that affect surface expression of receptors. Also useful for drug screening is a modified receptor molecule, where the sequence corresponding to the regulatory peptide is modified or deleted.

Abstract: Novel TNF receptor death domain ("TNF-R1-DD") ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting TNF-R death domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of TNF-R death domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.