Abstract: A protein which inhibits osteoclast differentiation and/or maturation and a method for producing the protein. The protein is produced by human embryonic lung fibroblasts and has a molecular weight of about 60 kD and about 120 kD under non-reducing conditions and about 60 kD under reducing conditions on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein can be isolated and purified from the culture medium of fibroblasts. Furthermore, the protein can be produced by gene engineering. The present invention includes cDNA for producing the protein by gene engineering, antibodies having specific affinity for the protein or a method for determining protein concentration using these antibodies.

Abstract: A protein which inhibits osteoclast differentiation and/or maturation and a method of production of the protein. The protein is produced by human embryonic lung fibroblasts and has molecular weight of about 60 kD and about 120 kD under non-reducing conditions and about 60 kD under reducing conditions on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. The protein can be isolated-and purified from culture medium of the said fibroblasts. Furthermore, the protein can be produced by gene engineering. The present invention includes cDNA for producing the protein by gene engineering, antibodies having specific affinity to the protein or a method for determination of the protein concentration using the antibodies.

Abstract: A novel protein which binds to Osteoclastogenesis Inhibitory Factor (OCIF-binding molecule; OBM), a process for preparing the same, DNA encoding said protein, a protein having an amino acid sequence encoded by this DNA, a method for producing said protein by genetic engineering technique, and a pharmaceutical composition containing said protein. Screening methods for a substance for controlling expression of said protein using said protein and the DNA, a substance which inhibits or modulates the biological activity of said protein, or a receptor which transmits the action of said protein through binding to said protein, the substance obtained by the screening methods, and a pharmaceutical composition which contains this substance. An antibody for said protein, a process for preparing the same, a measuring method of said protein using the antibody, and a medicine comprising this antibody.

Abstract: A method for treating obesity includes administering to humans or animals a pharmaceutically effective amount of stanniocalcin in the form of a pharmaceutical composition. Stanniocalcin has an excellent activity of inhibiting the differentiation and maturation of adipocytes and therefore is useful as a drug for treating obesity.

Abstract: A protein which inhibits osteoclast differentiation and/or maturation and a method of production of the protein. The protein is produced by human embryonic lung fibroblasts and has molecular weight of about 60 kD and about 120 kD under non-reducing conditions and about 60 kD under reducing conditions on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively.

Abstract: A protein which inhibits osteoclast differentiation and/or maturation and a method of production of the protein. The protein is produced by human embryonic lung fibroblasts and has molecular weight of about 60 kD and about 120 kD under non-reducing conditions and about 60 kD under reducing conditions on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively.

Abstract: A novel protein which binds to Osteoclastogenesis Inhibitory Factor (OCIF-binding molecule; OBM), a process for preparing the same, DNA encoding said protein, a protein having an amino acid sequence encoded by this DNA, a method for producing said protein by genetic engineering technique, and a pharmaceutical composition containing said protein.

Abstract: A novel protein which binds to Osteoclastogenesis Inhibitory Factor (OCIF-binding molecule; OBM), a process for preparing the same, DNA encoding said protein, a protein having an amino acid sequence encoded by this DNA, a method for producing said protein by genetic engineering technique, and a pharmaceutical composition containing said protein.

Abstract: A protein which inhibits osteoclast differentiation and/or maturation and a method of production of the protein. The protein is produced by human embryonic lung fibroblasts and has molecular weight of about 60 kD and about 120 kD under non-reducing conditions and about 60 kD under reducing conditions on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively.

Abstract: A protein which inhibits osteoclast differentiation and/or maturation and a method of production of the protein. The protein is produced by human embryonic lung fibroblasts and has molecular weight of about 60 kD and about 120 kD under non-reducing conditions and about 60 kD under reducing conditions on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively.

Abstract: A diploid hybrid bakers' yeast belonging to Saccharomyces cerevisiae having at least strong fermentative ability of non-sugar bread dough and strong freeze-resistance and frozen bread dough containing the same are provided.

Abstract: A novel 25-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.3 amino acid derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is C.sub.1-10 alkylene, is produced by removing a protective group for the amino group, e.g. 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl, in the presence of a base in an inert solvent. A radioisotope iodine-labeled residue is then attached to the amino group to produce a derivative useful in the assay of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.3 in a specimen.

Abstract: A novel 25-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.3 amino acid derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is C.sub.1-10 alkylene, is produced by removing a protective group for the amino group, e.g. 9-fluorenylmethyl-oxycarbonyl, in the presence of a base in an inert solvent. A radioisotope iodine-labeled residue is then attached to the amino group to produce a derivative useful in the assay of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.sub.3 in a specimen.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing an immunoassay, comprises in combination a reaction tube closed at its bottom, and in the reaction tube a molded element having on its surface material having specific binding ability for a component in a liquid specimen to be assayed. The shape of the surface of the element adjacent the interior surface of the tube is the complement of the shape of the interior surface of the tube. A spacer rib is provided on the element, in contact with the interior surface of the tube. This rib holds the element in such position in the tube that the surfaces of complementary shape of the element and tube are shaped from each other a small but constant distance. A thin layer of constant thickness of a liquid specimen for immunoassay is thus receivable between the complementary surfaces. This arrangement increases the contact surface of the liquid medium in the reaction tube by the element, by establishing a homogeneous uniform layer of liquid medium.

Abstract: A novel peptide of the formulaH--Ser--Arg--Arg--Ala--Gln--Asp--Phe--Val--Gln--Trp--Leu--Met--Asn--Thr--OHis the 16-29 fragment of glucagon and can be conjugated with a protein such as albumin or modified albumin using glutaraldehyde or 3-(2'-benzothiazolyl-dithio) propionate succinimide ester as a conjugation reagent. The conjugated peptide can be used to sensitize a mammal by administering the conjugated peptide subcutaneously, after which the blood is collected from the mammal and antibodies concentrated from the blood, which antibodies are then useful in assay methods for trace amounts of glucagon in human blood.

Abstract: A peptide of the formulaR--Lys--Lys--Glu--Asp--Asn--Val--Leu--Val--Glu--Ser--His--Glu--Lys--Ser--Le u--Gly--Glu--Ala--Asp--Lys--Ala--Asp--Val--Asp--Val--Leu--Thr--Lys--Ala--Ly s--Ser--Gln--Ohwherein R is H, H--Tyr-- or R.sub.1 --Pro--Arg--, R.sub.1 is H, H--Tyr-- or R.sub.2 --Ala--Gly--Ser--Gln--Arg--, and R.sub.

Abstract: A peptide of the formulaR-SER-LEU-PRO-SER-PRO-SER-ARG-LEU-PRO-GLY-PRO-SER-ASP-THR-PRO-ILE-LEU-PRO-G LN-OHwhereinR: H or R.sub.1 -Ser-Ser-Ser-Ser-Lys-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro group,R.sub.1 : H or R.sub.2 -R.sub.3 -Asp-Asp-Pro-Arg-Phe-Gln-Asp group,R.sub.2 : H or R.sub.4 -Asp-His-Pro-Leu-Thr group,R.sub.4 : H-R.sub.5 -Gly-Gly-Pro-Lys group,R.sub.5 : Cys or Tyr group, andR.sub.3 : Cys or S-acetamidemethyl-Cys group,or salt thereof, has utility for the preparation of antibodies for assaying human chorionic gonadotropin or as a labelling reagent.

Abstract: A polyfunctional disulfide compound, useful as a cross-linking reagent having S--S exchange reactivity, of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is 2-benzothiazolyl or 2-pyridyl-N-oxide and X is a spacer group having an alkylene group directly bonded to each S--S group.

Abstract: A disulfide derivative, having S--S exchange reactivity, of the formulaR.sub.1 --S--S--R.sub.2 --CO--R.sub.3).sub.n R.sub.4 [I]wherein R.sub.1 is 2-benzothiazolyl or 2-pyridyl-N-oxide, R.sub.2 is alkylene having optionally free or protected functional groups, R.sub.3 is the carboxyl residue of an amino acid or lower polypeptide, R.sub.4 is carboxyl or a reactive derivative thereof or protected carboxyl or imidate, and n is 0 or 1.

Abstract: A peptide of the formulaR--Lys--Lys--Glu--Asp--Asn--Val--Leu--Val--Glu--Ser--His--Glu--Lys--Ser--Le u--Gly--Glu--Ala--Asp--Lys--Ala--Asp--Val--Asp--Val--Leu--Thr--Lys--Ala--Ly s--Ser--Gln--OHwherein R is H, H--Tyr-- or R.sub.1 --Pro--Arg--, R.sub.1 is H, H--Tyr-- or R.sub.2 --Ala--Gly--Ser--Gln--Arg--, and R.sub.2 is H, H--Cys-- or H--Tyr--, or a salt thereof, is useful for assaying human parathyroid hormone (h-PTH).