Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula (1) is provided: wherein X represents a sulfur atom or —CH?CH—; A1 to A4 each independently represent a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, and at least one of A1 to A4 is a nitrogen atom; R1 represents any one of a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolyl group (or a 3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-quinolyl group), a 3,4-dihydro-4,4-dimethyl-1(2H)-quinolyl group, a 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepinyl group, or a substituent represented by the following formula (2): wherein R4 represents a 2,3,4-trifluorophenyl group, a 4-iodophenyl group, a 2,3-difluorophenyl group, a 3,5-difluorophenyl group, a 5-fluoro-2-methylphenyl group, a 3-pentafluorosulfanylphenyl group, a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group, a 4-benzyloxyphenyl group, a 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl group, a 4-tert-butylphenyl group, a 3-methoxyphenyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted pyridyl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted naphthyl group; R5 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkenyl group, a l

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a compound inhibiting the binding between ALS-related mutant SOD1 and Derlin-1, a medicament comprising the compound, and a method for treating ALS by administering the medicament to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a partial peptide comprising the functional domain of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence which is the same or substantially the same as an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4; a screening method and a kit therefor for a substance which regulates ASK1 activation, or a prophylactic or therapeutic substance for diseases associated with apoptosis or inflammation, which comprises using the protein or the partial peptide or a cell which produces the same, and optionally ASK1 or a partial peptide thereof or a cell which produces the same; and an agent for regulating apoptosis or inflammatory cytokine production, or a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diseases associated with apoptosis or inflammation, which comprises a substance for regulating an activity of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence which is the same or substantially the same as an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for a prophylactic or therapeutic drug for apoptosis or an inflammation-associated disease, diabetes and complications thereof or a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), namely, a method for screening for a prophylactic or therapeutic drug for apoptosis or an inflammation-associated disease, diabetes and complications thereof or COPD, which includes (1) comparing the activities of a protein having an amino acid sequence the same as or substantially the same as the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 2 or a partial peptide thereof or a salt thereof, between in the presence of a test substance and in the absence of the test substance, or (2) comparing the expressions of a protein having an amino acid sequence the same as or substantially the same as the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 2, a partial peptide thereof and a salt thereof in the cells having the ability to produce the protein, the partial peptide thereof and the salt thereof, be

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug for at least one of prevention and treatment of cardiac failure capable of suppressing cardiac depression and the onset of cardiac failure in ventricular remodeling, and a method for screening the drug. The drug for at least one of prevention and treatment of cardiac failure of the present invention contains a compound that inhibits a functional expression of ASK1 protein in a cardiomyocyte as an active ingredient, and a method for screening a drug for at least one of prevention and treatment of cardiac failure of the present invention includes selecting a medicinal component for at least one of prevention and treatment of cardiac failure from a drug candidate compound by using inhibition of a functional expression of ASK1 protein as an indication. As shown in FIG.

Abstract: The present invention provides a partial peptide comprising the functional domain of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence which is the same or substantially the same as an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4; a screening method and a kit therefor for a substance which regulates ASK1 activation, or a prophylactic or therapeutic substance for diseases associated with apoptosis or inflammation, which comprises using the protein or the partial peptide or a cell which produces the same, and optionally ASK1 or a partial peptide thereof or a cell which produces the same; and an agent for regulating apoptosis or inflammatory cytokine production, or a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diseases associated with apoptosis or inflammation, which comprises a substance for regulating an activity of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence which is the same or substantially the same as an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a protein which induces apoptosis, a base sequence encoding the protein, and an agent for use in the treatment of malignant tumors. The present invention is a protein (ASK1) which has protein kinase activity and enhances SEK1 kinase activity and/or MKK3 kinase activity, or a derivative thereof. Malignant tumors can be treated using the protein according to the present invention or the base sequence encoding the protein.

Abstract: The invention provides modified mammalian transforming growth factor (TGF)-.beta. type I receptors (T.beta.R-I) which substantially retain the ability of native T.beta.R-I to transduce signals for matrix protein production but which have a diminished capacity to transduce growth-inhibitory signals. The receptors of the invention are characterized by the replacement or deletion of one or more residues in the juxtamembrane region between the transmembrane and GS domains, e.g., the residues corresponding to Ser.sup.172 or Thr.sup.176 of hT.beta.R-I. The invention also provides recombinant expression systems for production of the modified receptors and assays using them for the identification of antiproliferative agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) nucleic acid sequences, amino acid sequences, homologies, structural features, and various other data characterizing morphogen cell surface receptors, particularly OP-1-binding cell surface receptors, e.g., ALK-1; (2) methods for producing receptor proteins, including fragments thereof, using recombinant DNA technology; (3) methods for identifying novel morphogen receptors and their encoding DNAs; (4) methods for identifying compounds capable of modulating endogenous morphogen receptor levels; and (5) methods and compositions for identifying and producing morphogen analogs useful in the design of morphogen agonists and antagonists for therapeutic, diagnostic, and experimental uses.

Abstract: A novel gene, DD-10, and its encoded polypeptide chain, DD-10, expressed during early onset of morphogen-induced mammalian tissue morphogenesis, now has been discovered. Accordingly, the invention identifies a new gene which is a novel biological marker of cell differentiation and tissue morphogenesis, particularly of chondroblast or osteoblast cell differentiation and bone tissue morphogenesis. Disclosed are: (a) methods and compositions for screening for and producing morphogen analogs; (b) novel morphogen analogs; (c) downstream inducers of morphogenesis; (d) a novel marker for evaluating morphogen or morphogen analog dosing; and (e) therapeutic methods and compositions using these analogs and/or downstream inducers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a family of substantially pure, receptor like TGF-.beta.1 binding glycoproteins. These molecules are characterized by molecular masses of 160 kd, 70-80 kd, and 30-40 kd as determined by SDS-PAGE, and the ability to bind the TGF-.beta.1 molecule. This family of molecules is useful in identifying and/or quantifying TGF-.beta.1 in a sample, as well as inhibiting its effect on cells. Also described are nucleic acid sequences which code for the protein monomer making up the molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a family of substantially pure, receptor like TGF-.beta.1 binding glycoproteins. These molecules are characterized by molecular masses of 160 kd, 70-80 kd, and 30-40 kd as determined by SDS-PAGE, and the ability to bind the TGF-.beta.1 molecule. This family of molecules is useful in identifying and/or quantifying TGF-.beta.1 in a sample, as well as inhibiting its effect on cells. Also described are nucleic acid sequences which code for the protein monomer making up the molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a family of substantially pure, receptor like TGF-.beta.1 binding glycoproteins. These molecules are characterized by molecular masses of 160 kd, 70-80 kd, and 30-40 kd as determined by SDS-PAGE, and the ability to bind the TGF-.beta.1 molecule. This family of molecules is useful in identifying and/or quantifying TGF-.beta.1 in a sample, as well as inhibiting its effect on cells.