Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical polypeptide compositions that promote proteoglycan synthesis, and promote the activity of chondrocyte cells, thereby treating arthritis. Methods of providing these compositions to treat arthritis are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical polypeptide compositions that promote proteoglycan synthesis, and promote the activity of chondrocyte cells, thereby treating arthritis. Methods of providing these compositions to treat arthritis are also provided.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods and compositions for increasing or decreasing collagen 1A1 expression and/or ?-smooth muscle actin expression in lung fibroblasts using SERPINE2 and antagonists of SERPINE2. The invention also encompasses methods and compositions for increasing or decreasing the formation of myofibroblasts. The invention further provides methods and compositions for treatment of lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: Quinazolinones of formulae (a, b, c and d) are disclosed. They are useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases and disorders associated with KSP kinesin activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides high throughput screening systems for identifying compounds that modulate the biological activity of a biochemically functional sarcomere. The method can be performed in plurality simultaneously with fluorescence or absorbance readouts.

Abstract: Quinazolinones of formulae 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d are disclosed. They are useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases and disorders associated with KSP kinesin activity.

Abstract: Described herein are methods which identify candidate agents as binding to a protein or as a modulator of the binding characteristics or biological activity of a protein. Generally, the methods involve the use of ADP or phosphate. The assays can be used in a high throughput system to obviate the cumbersome steps of using gels or radioactive materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays for detecting ADP, GDP and inorganic phosphate. These assays can be used directly to detect the presence of ADP, GDP and inorganic phosphate or can be used as part of a number of methods for identifying candidate agents that bind to a target protein or serve as modulators of the biological activity of a target protein.

Abstract: Phenothiazine derivatives of formula (I) are disclosed. The compounds are inhibitors of the mitotic kinesin KSP and are useful in the treatment of cellular proliferative diseases, such as cancer, hyperplasias, restenosis, cardiac hypertrophy, immune disorders and inflammation.

Abstract: Methods for assaying for actin polymerization are described, as are the use of the assays to screen for modulators of actin polymerization. The screening methods can be utilized to identify active agents that interact with actin, the polymerization state of actin and other proteins or cellular components whose function is naturally or artificially coupled to actin polymerization or depolymerization. Protein constructs and kits useful in performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides high throughput screening systems for identifying compounds that modulate the biological activity of a biochemically functional sarcomere. The method can be performed in plurality simultaneously with fluorescence or absorbance readouts.

Abstract: Quinazolinones of formulae 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d are disclosed. They are useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases and disorders associated with KSP kinesin activity.

Abstract: By providing a focal region of light onto a particle, a laser-based light source can provide enough radiation pressure to position the particle at any desired location in space. In one application, the particle can be a micrometer-sized bead, called a handle, attached to a sample. When the sample under examination, such as an actin filament, interacts with other molecules, such as myosin, the forces generated may displace the sample, and thus the handle, out of its original position. To correct for the off-target position (or in other words, to increase the stiffness of the handle), a feedback loop that utilizes a quadrant photodiode detector and a focal region location means such as an acousto-optic modulator or galvanometer mirror is incorporated in the optical trap system. Use of two other light sources for brightfield illumination and epifluorescence allows the simultaneous viewing of the sample in real time. In other embodiments, the optical trap system can trap and manipulate particles.