Abstract: The present invention relates to single domain ligands derived from molecules in the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily, receptors comprising at least one such ligand, methods for cloning, amplifying and expressing DNA sequences encoding such ligands, preferably using the polymerase chain reaction, methods for the use of said DNA sequences in the production of Ig-type molecules and said ligands or receptors, and the use of said ligands or receptors in therapy, diagnosis or catalysis.

Abstract: A naturally occurring protein isolated from the saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis is described which strongly binds to collagen thus acting as an inhibitor of natural platelet adhesion to collagen. The protein has a molecular weight of about 12,000, an acidic isoelectric point and contains six cysteins. The protein was sequenced and the gene was cloned from a H. medicinalis cDNA-library. Procedures for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. The recombinant and the natural occurring proteins are potent inhibitors of collagen-dependent platelet adhesion and therefore useful for the therapeutic treatment of various conditions related to heart disease and diseases of the circulation system. Furthermore, the protein is useful for coating natural or artificial collagen surfaces in order to render them nonadhesive for cells and prevent the activation of cells.

Abstract: A naturally occurring protein isolated from the saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis is described which strongly binds to collagen thus acting as an inhibitor of natural platelet adhesion to collagen. The protein has a molecular weight of about 12,000, an acidic isoelectric point and contains six cysteins. The protein was sequenced and the gene was cloned from a H. medicinalis cDNA-library. Procedures for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. The recombinant and the natural occurring proteins are potent inhibitors of collagen-dependent platelet adhesion and therefore useful for the therapeutic treatment of various conditions related to hard disease and diseases of the circulation system. Furthermore the protein is useful for coating natural or artificial collagen surfaces in order to render them nonadhesive for cells and prevent the activation of cells.

Abstract: A naturally occurring protein isolated from the saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis is described which strongly binds to collagen thus acting as an inhibitor of natural platelet adhesion to collagen. The protein has a molecular weight of about 12,000, an acidic isoelectric point and contains six cysteins. The protein was sequenced and the gene was cloned from a H. medicinalis cDNA-library. Procedures for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. The recombinant and the natural occurring proteins are potent inhibitors of collagen-dependent platelet adhesion and therefore useful for the therapeutic treatment of various conditions related to heart disease and diseases of the circulation system. Furthermore, the protein is useful for coating natural or artificial collagen surfaces in order to render them nonadhesive for cells and prevent the activation of cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single domain ligands derived from molecules in the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily, receptors comprising at least one such ligand, methods for cloning, amplifying and expressing DNA sequences encoding such ligands, preferably using the polymerase chain reaction, methods for the use of said DNA sequences in the production of Ig-type molecules and said ligands or receptors, and the use of said ligands or receptors in therapy, diagnosis or catalysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel purified recombinant &agr;v&bgr;3 adhesion receptor which shows an unimpaired ligand binding activity, and a process for preparing said soluble non-membrane bound receptor in excellent yields by recombinant techniques using a baculovirus-insect cell expression system. The so-synthesized soluble receptor may be used very easily as screening tool for new therapeutic compounds which may inhibit the natural &agr;v&bgr;3 adhesion receptor. Such therapeutic compounds which can be discovered very easily, fast and without health risk by means of the souluble receptors according to the invention may be, for example, RGD peptides or non-peptidic compounds mimicking the natural ligand epitopes. The invention relates, furthermore, to a corresponding process for preparing recombinant full-length &agr;v&bgr;3 adhesion receptor in excellent yields, additionally using detergents to dissolve the membrane bound receptor from the surface of the host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single domain ligands derived from molecules in the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily, receptors comprising at least one such ligand, methods for cloning, amplifying and expressing DNA sequences encoding such ligands, preferably using the polymerase chain reaction, methods for the use of said DNA sequences in the production of Ig-type molecules and said ligands or receptors, and the use of said ligands or receptors in therapy, diagnosis and catalysis.