Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method of detecting secretory granules (SGs) of different ages in a cell by differentially labelling said SGs according to their age comprising (a) contacting a cell capable of forming SGs and expressing 1. a (poly)peptide specific for SGs, wherein said (poly)peptide has a binding site common for at least three different substances A, B and C covalently binding thereto or 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method of detecting secretory granules (SGs) of different ages in a cell by differentially labelling said SGs according to their age comprising (a) contacting a cell capable of forming SGs and expressing 1. a (poly)peptide specific for SGs, wherein said (poly)peptide has a binding site common for at least three different substances A, B and C covalently binding thereto or 2.

Abstract: Assays for the detection of diabetes and prediabetic status rely on exposing patient serum samples to purified ligand capable of binding autoantibodies specific for a 64kD autoantigen present on pancreatic ?-cells. The purified ligand is usually purified glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) or a fragment or analog thereof. Preferably, the assays will detect the presence of antibodies to both lower molecular weight GAD and higher molecular weight GAD since diabetic and prediabetic status may be associated with only one of these two forms. The assays can be performed using conventional protocols, such as radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and enzyme assay. Methods for treating diabetes comprise administering pharmaceutical compositions including the purified ligand, particularly when coupled to an immunoglobulin or lymphoid cell to induce tolerance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for stimulating expression of peptide hormones in peptide-hormone secreting endocrine cells or neurons comprising the step of promoting in said cells or neurons the presence or activity (aa) of (i) ICA512; or (ii) a derivative thereof having ICA512 function; or (iii) a fragment of ICA512 that may be cleaved by ?-calpain giving rise to a C-terminal fragment of ICA512 wherein said C-terminal fragment has the capability of being targeted to the nucleus; or (iv) a derivative of said fragment of (iii) that may be cleaved by ?-calpain giving rise to a derivative of said C-terminal fragment of ICA512 wherein said derivative of said C-terminal fragment has the capability of being targeted to the nucleus; or (v) a fragment or derivative of ICA512 that may be cleaved by ?-calpain giving rise to a C-terminal fragment of ICA512 or derivative thereof wherein said C-terminal fragment or derivative thereof has the capability of interacting with a PIAS protein in said cells or neuron

Abstract: Assays for the detection of diabetes and prediabetic status rely on exposing patient serum samples to purified ligand capable of binding autoantibodies specific for a 64 kD autoantigen present on pancreatic &bgr;-cells. The purified ligand is usually purified glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) or a fragment or analog thereof. Preferably, the assays will detect the presence of antibodies to both lower molecular weight GAD and higher molecular weight GAD since diabetic and prediabetic status may be associated with only one of these two forms. The assays can be performed using conventional protocols, such as radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and enzyme assay. Methods for treating diabetes comprise administering pharmaceutical compositions including the purified ligand, particularly when coupled to an immunoglobulin or lymphoid cell to induce tolerance.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptide or fragments thereof which interact with autoantigens of autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes, and nucleic acid sequences which encode those polypeptide. The invention is also directed to methods for screening for autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes, and methods and compositions for modulating hormone and neuropeptide secretion using proteins which interact with autoantigens of autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Assays for the detection of diabetes and prediabetic status rely on exposing patient serum samples to purified ligand capable of binding autoantibodies specific for a 64 kD autoantigen present on pancreatic .beta.-cells. The purified ligand is usually purified glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) or a fragment or analog thereof. Preferably, the assays will detect the presence of antibodies to both lower molecular weight GAD and higher molecular weight GAD since diabetic and prediabetic status may be associated with only one of these two forms. The assays can be performed using conventional protocols, such as radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and enzyme assay. Methods for treating diabetes comprise administering pharmaceutical compositions including the purified ligand, particularly when coupled to an immunoglobulin or lymphoid cell to induce tolerance.