Abstract: The present invention is directed to membrane penetrating peptides useful as in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro intracellular delivery devices for compound of interest. More particularly, the invention involves identification of membrane penetrating peptides which may be used as protein carriers for delivery of a compound of interest to cells, to methods of delivering a compound of interest attached to membrane penetrating peptides to cells.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a bioassay for determining the functionality of parathyroid hormone compounds. More particularly, this invention is directed to a bioassay wherein the compound to be tested is added to a culture of parathyroid hormone receptor expressing cells bearing a reporter gene under the transcriptional control of multiple c-AMP responsive elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents and methods for producing and utilizing targeted immunogens. In preferred embodiments, an immunogen is conjugated to an amino acid sequence that targets the immunogen to the MHC presentation pathway. Using the reagents and methods provided herein, immunization protocols may be enhanced resulting in increased immunity of the host.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to membrane penetrating peptides useful as in viv, ex vivo and in vitro intracellular delivery devices for compound of interest. More particularly, the invention involves identification of membrane penetrating peptides which may be used as protein carriers for delivery of a compound of interest to cells, to methods of delivering a compound of interest attached to membrane penetrating peptides to cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding the calcium sensor in human placenta and subsequent Northern blots confirming the mRNA expression also in human parathyroid and kidney tubule cells. Close sequence similarity is demonstrated with the rat Heymann nephritis antigen, a glycoprotein of the kidney tubule brush border with calcium binding ability. Immunohistochemistry substantiates a tissue distribution of the calcium sensor protein similar to that previously described for the Heymann antigen. It is proposed that the identified calcium sensor protein constitutes a universal sensor for recognition of variation in extracellular calcium, and that it plays a key role for calcium regulation via different organ systems. The calcium sensor protein belongs to the LDL-superfamily of glycoproteins, claimed to function primarily as protein receptors, but with functionally important calcium binding capacity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding the calcium sensor in human placenta and subsequent Northern blots confirming the mRNA expression also in human parathyroid and kidney tubule cells. Close sequence similarity is demonstrated with the rat Heymann nephritis antigen, a glycoprotein of the kidney tubule brush border with calcium binding ability. Immunohistochemistry substantiates a tissue distribution of the calcium sensor protein similar to that previously described for the Heymann antigen. It is proposed that the identified calcium sensor protein constitutes a universal sensor for recognition of variation in extracellular calcium, and that it plays a key role for calcium regulation via different organ systems. The calcium sensor protein belongs to the LDL-superfamily of glycoproteins, claimed to function primarily as protein receptors, but with functionally important calcium binding capacity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of bone growth factors as therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of pathological conditions involving bone tissue. The present invention provides biologically active proteinaceous factors comprising polypeptides containing the amino acid sequence M-A-G-L-G-D-E-F-G-D, [SEQ ID NO: 1], (X) F E T L F G A/V E D V I/D A L Q F V C G D, [SEQ ID NO: 2], or A-Y-I-P-I-E-T-L-E-G-I/G-E-L-V-D/Q-T-G/L-Q-F, [SEQ ID NO: 3], or biologically active fragments or sequence analogues thereof. Among the biological properties of the proteinaceous materials of the present invention is the capability to promote the growth and/or differentiation of osteoblastic cells.