Abstract: The present invention provides novel anticode oligomers and methods of using them for controlling the growth of cancer cells expressing the bcl-2 gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides mammalian protein tyrosine phosphatases, human PTP-BAS type 4, human PTP-BAS type 5a and mouse PTP-BAS type 5b, each of which is a Fas-associated protein (FAP), nucleic acid molecules encoding a PTP-BAS type 4 or a PTP-BAS type 5 and antibodies specific for a PTP-BAS type 4 or for a PTP-BAS type 5. The invention also provides methods for identifying FAP's, which can associate with Fas and can modulate apoptosis. The invention also provides screening assays for identifying an agent that can effectively alter the association of a FAP with Fas and, therefore, can increase or decrease the level of apoptosis in a cell. The invention further provides methods of modulating apoptosis in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS or an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a portion of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially purified bax promoter and a nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a gene product operably linked to a bax promoter. The invention also provides a substantially purified active fragment of a bax promoter and a nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a gene product operably linked to an active fragment of a bax promoter. Cell-based screening assays for identifying an effective agent such as a drug that regulates the level of expression of a gene operably linked to a bax promoter, or an active fragment thereof, also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting an interaction among proteins involved in regulating cell death. The invention also provides a drug screening assay useful for identifying agents that alter an interaction among proteins involved in controlling cell death. The invention further provides a method for identifying novel proteins that are involved in a cell death pathway.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding proteins and fragments thereof that bind to Bcl-2-related proteins. The invention also provides a Bcl-2-associated protein (BAP) such as Bcl-2-associated protein-1 (BAP-1), which binds to Bcl-2. The invention also provides antibodies that specifically bind to a BAP. The invention further provides methods for detecting agents such as drugs that alter the binding of a BAP such as BAP-1 or Raf-related protein with a Bcl-2-related protein and methods for detecting agents that induce dissociation of a bound complex formed by the association of a BAP and a Bcl-2-related protein. The invention further provides methods for modulating the activity of a Bcl-2-related protein in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid encoding a BAP or by introducing into the cell an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a region of a gene encoding a BAP.

Abstract: The present invention provides regulatory elements that are linked to genes involved in cell death. For example, the present invention provides a p53-RE.sup.D, which is involved in p53-mediated down-regulation of the bcl-2 gene, and the bax promotor, which contains a p53-RE.sup.U that is involved in p53-mediated up-regulation of the bax gene. The invention also provides screening assays for identifying agents such as drugs that effectively modulate expression of a gene that is involved in cell death. In addition, the invention provides methods for modulating the level of apoptosis in a cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding proteins and fragments thereof that bind to Bcl-2-related proteins. The invention also provides a Bcl-2-associated protein (BAP) such as Bcl-2-associated protein-1 (BAP-1), which binds to Bcl-2. The invention also provides antibodies that specifically bind to a BAP. The invention further provides methods for detecting agents such as drugs that alter the binding of a BAP such as BAP-1 or Raf-related protein with a Bcl-2-related protein and methods for detecting agents that induce dissociation of a bound complex formed by the association of a BAP and a Bcl-2-related protein. The invention further provides methods for modulating the activity of a Bcl-2-related protein in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid encoding a BAP or by introducing into the cell an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a region of a gene encoding a BAP.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bcl-2 gene inhibitory element (BIE), which can inhibit expression of a gene in position-dependent and orientation-dependent manner. The invention provides, for example, BIE-1, having the nucleotide sequence 5'-CAAGAATGCAA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 1), which acts in an orientation-dependent and position-dependent manner to down-regulate the expression of the bcl-2 gene. The invention also provides a BIE binding factor (BBF), which is a cellular factor that can bind to a BIE. The invention provides, for example, BBF-A, which binds to BIE-1, including a nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoding a portion of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 9) of BBF-A. The invention further provides an antibody that specifically binds BBF-A. The invention also provides screening assays for identifying agents that can increase or decrease the binding of a BBF to a BIE, modulate the expression of a nucleic acid molecule linked to a BIE or modulate apoptosis in a cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding proteins and fragments thereof that bind to Bcl-2-related proteins. The invention also provides a Bcl-2-associated protein (BAP) such as Bcl-2-associated protein-1 (BAP-1), which binds to Bcl-2. The invention also provides antibodies that specifically bind to a BAP. The invention further provides methods for detecting agents such as drugs that alter the binding of a BAP such as BAP-1 or Raf-related protein with a Bcl-2-related protein and methods for detecting agents that induce dissociation of a bound complex formed by the association of a BAP and a Bcl-2-related protein. The invention further provides methods for modulating the activity of a Bcl-2-related protein in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid encoding a BAP or by introducing into the cell an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a region of a gene encoding a BAP.

Abstract: The present invention provides mammalian protein tyrosine phosphatases, human PTP-BAS type 4, human PTP-BAS type 5a and mouse PTP-BAS type 5b, each of which is a Fas-associated protein (FAP), nucleic acid molecules encoding a PTP-BAS type 4 or a PTP-BAS type 5 and antibodies specific for a PTP-BAS type 4 or for a PTP-BAS type 5. The invention also provides methods for identifying FAP's, which can associate with Fas and can modulate apoptosis. The invention also provides screening assays for identifying an agent that can effectively alter the association of a FAP with Fas and, therefore, can increase or decrease the level of apoptosis in a cell. The invention further provides methods of modulating apoptosis in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS or fragment of a PTP-BAS or an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a portion of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a disease or pathological condition resulting in apoptotic cell death. The method includes increasing the activity of Bcl-2 in cells affected by the disease or pathological condition. Diseases or pathological conditions can include, for example, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and viral infections. Also provided is a method of prolonging the in vivo survival of transplanted cells for the treatment of a disease or pathological condition. The method includes increasing the activity of Bcl-2 in a population of cells and transplanting the population of cells having increased Bcl-2 activity into a subject. Diseases or pathological conditions can include, for example, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and viral infections. A method to enhance the sensitivity of malignant cells to therapy is provided that includes decreasing the activity of Bcl-2 in the malignant cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding proteins and fragments thereof that bind to Bcl-2-related proteins. The invention also provides a Bcl-2-associated protein (BAP) such as Bcl-2-associated protein-1 (BAP-1), which binds to Bcl-2. The invention also provides antibodies that specifically bind to a BAP. The invention further provides methods for detecting agents such as drugs that alter the binding of a BAP such as BAP-1 or Raf-related protein with a Bcl-2-related protein and methods for detecting agents that induce dissociation of a bound complex formed by the association of a BAP and a Bcl-2-related protein. The invention further provides methods for modulating the activity of a Bcl-2-related protein in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid encoding a BAP or by introducing into the cell an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a region of a gene encoding a BAP.

Abstract: A method and system for discriminating a target which presents a hazard to a motor vehicle moving in a first lane of traffic from a target moving in a second adjacent lane of traffic which does not present a hazard to the vehicle. The method includes the steps of utilizing an antenna mounted flush to a side of the vehicle to produce a radar beam having a beamwidth greater than 5-10 degrees to illuminate the target. At least a portion of the radar beam is produced along a first axis which is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the vehicle. The reflected signal is received from the illuminated target and a velocity of the illuminated target is estimated with a Kalman filter relative to the velocity of the vehicle in the direction of a second axis which is parallel to the direction of motion of the vehicle based on the reflected signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides regulatory elements that are linked to genes involved in cell death and are regulated by p53 tumor suppressor protein. Examples of such p53 responsive elements (p53-RE) include p53-RE.sup.D, which is involved in p53-mediated down-regulation of the Bcl-2 gene, and p53-RE.sup.U, which is involved in p53-mediated up-regulation of the Bax gene. The invention also provides screening assays for identifying agents such as drugs that effectively modulate expression of a gene that is involved in cell death and contains a p53-RE.

Abstract: A method of forming a decorative doll or figurine is disclosed that uses many parts such as the torso, upper and lower arm, upper and lower legs, feet, hands, head and an encasing mask that is placed over the head of the doll. The mask is easily removed from the doll and the single doll can be changed into many by changing the mask style to form a different decorative doll or figurine.

Abstract: A transceiver, such as a radar transponder, for receiving signals, converting the frequency of the input signals to a digital address and storing a signal representative of the amplitude of the input signal in a bin determined by the address. If the current amplitude exceeds a predetermined relationship with the stored amplitude a response is transmitted and if the current amplitude exceeds the stored amplitude the current amplitude is stored.

Abstract: The signal to be amplified is applied to a quadrature coupler which splits the signal equally to provide two output signals in phase quadrature. The quadrature signals are amplified equally, which generates a second harmonic in each of the signals 180 degrees out of phase. The amplified signals are combined in an in-phase power divider to provide a single amplified output signal wherein the out-of-phase second harmonic signals cancel.