Abstract: The present invention provides a family of BAG-1 related proteins from humans (BAG-1L, BAG-1, BAG-2, BAG-3, BAG-4 and BAG-5), the invertebrate C. elegans (BAG-1, BAG-2) and the fission yeast S. pombe (BAG-1A, BAG-1B) and the nucleic acid molecules that encode them.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining a prognosis for survival for a patient with a prostate neoplastic condition. The method consists of (a) measuring the level of XIAP in a neoplastic prostate cell-containing sample from the patient, and (b) comparing the level of XIAP in the sample to a reference level of XIAP, where an increased level of XIAP in the sample correlates with increased survival of the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods relating to a peptide that inhibits Nod-like Receptors. Further provided are compositions and methods for treating or preventing inflammation, including diseases associated with inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and sepsis.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding PAAD-domain containing polypeptides and functional fragments thereof, including fragments containing PAAD domains, NACHT domains and ARED domains, encoded polypeptides, and antibodies. Also provided are methods of identifying polypeptides and agents that associate with a PAAD-domain containing polypeptide or fragment thereof, or that alter an association of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptides. Further provided are methods of identifying agents that modulate PAAD domain-mediated inhibition of NFKB activity, or modulate an activity of a NACHT domain of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide. Also provided are methods of modulating NFKB transcriptional activity in a cell, and methods of altering expression of a PAAD domain-containing polypeptide in a cell.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel TRAF-Protein-Binding-Domain polypeptides (TPBDs). The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding TPBDs, vectors containing these nucleic acid molecules and host cells containing the vectors. The invention also provides antibodies that can specifically bind to invention TPBDs. Such TPBDs and/or anti-TPBD antibodies are useful for discovery of drugs that suppress autoimmunity, inflammation, allergy, allograph rejection, sepsis, and other diseases.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to components and methods of using a high throughput screening (HTS) systems for intracellular proteases, using Caspases as a prototype. Genetic systems are disclosed for monitoring exogenous caspase activation pathways in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeast-based cellular systems permit facile expression of proteases (e.g., caspase) and protease-activating proteins in combinations that reconstitute entire mammalian pathways in these simple eukaryotes. Among the assay methods integrated into the yeast system are cleavable reporter gene activators, in which protease-mediated cleavage activates a transcription factor. Exemplary systems rely, singly or in concert, on exogenous recombinant caspases and exogenous upstream activators of caspases to cleave a chimeric protein giving rise to a transcription factor which induces the expression of the LacZ and LEU2 genes.

Abstract: Novel methods of regulating cellular apoptosis by affecting the interaction of hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP) with Survivin are described. More specifically, these novel methods of enhancing apoptosis of neoplastic cells comprises inhibiting interaction of hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP) with Survivin using siRNA or antisense compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides Bcl-G polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids. Bcl-G polypeptides include Bcl-GL and Bcl-GS. The invention also provides mouse Bcl-G. The invention also provides vectors containing Bcl-G nucleic acids, host cells containing such vectors, Bcl-G anti-sense nucleic acids and related compositions. The invention additionally provides Bcl-G oligonucleotides that can be used to hybridize to or amplify a Bcl-G nucleic acid. Anti-Bcl-G specific antibodies are also provided. Further provided are kits containing Bcl-G nucleic acids or Bcl-G specific antibodies. Such kits and reagents can be used to diagnose cancer, monitor response to therapy, or predict the prognosis of a cancer patient. The invention additionally provides methods of modulating apoptosis using Bcl-G polypeptides, encoding nucleic acids, or compounds that modulate the activity or expression of Bcl-G polypeptides. The methods for modulating apoptosis can be used to treat diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: A novel human member of the Bcl-2 family Bcl-B has been identified, which is closest in amino-acid sequence homology to the Boo (Diva) protein. The Bcl-B protein is widely expressed in adult human tissues. The Bcl-B protein modulates apoptosis. Bcl-B also binds Bcl-2. BCl-XL, and Bax but not Bak. Bcl-B displays a unique pattern of selectivity for binding and regulating the function of other members of the Bcl-2 family.

Abstract: The invention provides caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing polypeptides, CARD, NB-ARC, ANGIO-R, LRR and SAM domains therefrom, as well as encoding nucleic acid molecules and specific antibodies. The invention also provides related screening, diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a family of BAG-1 related proteins from humans (BAG-1L, BAG-1, BAG-2, BAG-3, BAG-4 and BAG-5), the invertebrate C. elegans (BAG-1, BAG-2) and the fission yeast S. pombe (BAG-1A, BAG-1B) and the nucleic acid molecules that encode them.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods of detecting Bcl-B expression in cancer cells to prognose, monitor, or select therapies for cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, or gastric cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for assaying ubiquitination independent of ubiquitin ligase (E3) or a target protein.

Abstract: A method to identify selective inhibitors of antigen receptor-mediated NF-?B activation is provided, as well as compositions having one or more of those inhibitors and methods of using those inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated Bcl-2 domain-containing polypeptides from Mycobacterial species, including M. tuberculosis, M. avium, M. bovis, M. leprae and M. smegmatis, and from Streptomyces species, including S. coelicolor, as well as modifications of such polypeptides, functional fragments therefrom, encoding nucleic acid molecules and specific antibodies. Also provided are methods for identifying polypeptides and compounds that associate with or modulate the activity of the Bcl-2 domain-containing polypeptides. Further provided are methods of modulating apoptosis and treating pathological conditions using the described nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides and compounds.

Abstract: Compounds that modulate the function of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL are identified. These compounds have the ability to convert the activity of Bcl-2-family member proteins from anti-apoptotic to pro-apoptotic. Methods for inducing apoptosis are described, together with methods for identifying molecules that induce apoptosis through interaction with Bcl-2-family members.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel Siah-Mediated-Degradation-Proteins (SMDPS) and/or SCF-Complex Proteins (SCPs). Nucleic acid sequences encoding such proteins and assays employing same are also disclosed. The invention SMDPs and/or SCPs can be employed in a variety of ways, for example, for the production of anti-SMDP and/or SCP antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions, and methods employing such proteins and/or antibodies for drug screening, functional genomics and other applications. Also provided are transgenic non-human mammals that express the invention protein. Also provided are compositions and methods for targeting the destruction of selected polypeptides in eukaryotic cells based on the ubiquitin-independent mechanism by which ornithine decarboxylase is degraded by the 26S proteasome.

Abstract: The cytotoxic natural product gambogic acid (GA) competes for BH3 peptide binding sites on several anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins and neutralizes the ability of these proteins to suppress release of apoptogenic proteins from isolated mitochondria. Structure-function analysis of GA using analogs suggested a general correlation between BH3 competition and cytoxicity activity. Compositions and methods are provided for using GA and its derivatives for treating cancer and for discovering other compounds that are useful for treating cancer through their interaction with Bcl-2-family proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a family of BAG-1 related proteins from humans (BAG-1L, BAG-1, BAG-2, BAG-3, BAG-4 and BAG-5), the invertebrate C. elegans (BAG-1, BAG-2) and the fission yeast S. pombe (BAG-1A, BAG-1B) and the nucleic acid molecules that encode them.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for determining a prognosis for survival for a cancer patient. One method involves (a) measuring a level of a TUCAN in a neoplastic cell-containing sample from the cancer patient, and (b) comparing the level of TUCAN in the sample to a reference level of TUCAN, wherein a low level of TUCAN in the sample correlates with increased survival of the patient. Another method involves (a) measuring a level of TUCAN in a neoplastic cell-containing sample from the cancer patient, and (b) classifying the patient as belonging to either a first or second group of patients, wherein the first group of patients having low levels of TUCAN is classified as having an increased likelihood of survival compared to the second group of patients having high levels of TUCAN.