Abstract: The invention concerns the identification of proteomes of biological fluids and their use in determining the state of maternal/fetal conditions, including maternal conditions of fetal origin, chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the invention concerns a comprehensive proteomic analysis of human amniotic fluid (AF) and cervical vaginal fluid (CVF), and the correlation of characteristic changes in the normal proteome with various pathologic maternal/fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection, pre-term labor, and/or chromosomal defects. The invention further concerns the identification of biomarkers and groups of biomarkers that can be used for non-invasive diagnosis of various pregnancy-related disorders, and diagnostic assays using such biomarkers.

Abstract: There is disclosed an isolated cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) encoding a P4.33 polypeptide and comprising a coding region (SEQ ID NO:2) of the sequence described in SEQ ID NO:1, or a sequence having at least 90% homology with the coding region of SEQ ID NO:1. The P4.33 polypeptide functions as a specific cell-surface receptor for IGFBP-3, and undergoes nuclear translocation in combination with IGFBP-3. IGFBP-3 and P4.33 (IGFBP-3R) cooperatively suppress DNA synthesis and cell growth, and induce caspase activation and apoptosis in cancer cells, indicating that P4.33 is an important mediator of IGF-independent growth inhibitory actions of IGFBP-3. The P4.33:IGFBP-3 system of the present invention can be used, inter alia, in screening and diagnostic assays, and for therapeutic methods for cancer treatment and tumor suppression.

Abstract: The invention concerns the identification of proteomes of biological fluids and their use in determining the state of maternal/fetal conditions, including maternal conditions of fetal origin, chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the invention concerns the identification of the proteome of amniotic fluid (multiple proteins representing the composition of amniotic fluid) and the correlation of characteristic changes in the normal proteome with various pathologic maternal/fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection, or chromosomal defects.

Abstract: The invention concerns the identification of proteomes of biological fluids and their use in determining the state of maternal/fetal conditions, including maternal conditions of fetal origin, chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the invention concerns the identification of the proteome of amniotic fluid (multiple proteins representing the composition of amniotic fluid) and the correlation of characteristic changes in the normal proteome with various pathologic maternal/fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection, or chromosomal defects.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel mutant IGFBP-3 polypeptides and fragments thereof that have either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the human IGFBP-3 receptor (“P4.33”). The present invention provides novel mutant IGFBP-3 nucleic acid sequences, and expression systems. Additional embodiments provide for screening assays for identifying IGFBP-3 receptor antagonists or agonists, methods for modulating IGF-independent IGFBP-3 responses of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, A methods for inducing or potentiating apoptosis of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for treating solid tumors having cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, and compositions comprising polypeptides having either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the IGFBP-3 receptor.

Abstract: The invention concerns the identification of proteomes of biological fluids and their use in determining the state of maternal/fetal conditions, including maternal conditions of fetal origin, chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the invention concerns a comprehensive proteomic analysis of human amniotic fluid (AF) and cervical vaginal fluid (CVF), and the correlation of characteristic changes in the normal proteome with various pathologic maternal/fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection, pre-term labor, and/or chromosomal defects. The invention further concerns the identification of biomarkers and groups of biomarkers that can be used for non-invasive diagnosis of various pregnancy-related disorders, and diagnostic assays using such biomarkers.

Abstract: The invention concerns the identification of proteomes of biological fluids and their use in determining the state of maternal/fetal conditions, including maternal conditions of fetal origin, chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the invention concerns the identification of the proteome of amniotic fluid (multiple proteins representing the composition of amniotic fluid) and the correlation of characteristic changes in the normal proteome with various pathologic maternal/fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection, or chromosomal defects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the early non-invasive diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy. In particular, the invention concerns the diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy by identifying protein expression patterns characteristics of fetal aneuploidy in a maternal biological fluid, such as maternal serum or amniotic fluid.

Abstract: There is disclosed movel mutant IGFBP-3 polypeptides and fragments thereof that have either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the human IGFBP-3 receptor (“P4.33”). The present invention provides novel mutant IGFBP-3 nucleic acid sequences, and expression systems. Additional embodiments provide for screening assays for identifying IGFBP-3 receptor antagonists or agonists, methods for modulating IGF-independent IGFBP-3 responses of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, A methods for inducing or potentiating apoptosis of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for treating solid tumors having cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, and compositions comprising polypeptides having either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the IGFBP-3 receptor.

Abstract: The invention concerns the identification of proteomes of biological fluids and their use in determining the state of maternal/fetal conditions, including maternal conditions of fetal origin, chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the invention concerns the identification of the proteome of amniotic fluid (multiple proteins representing the composition of amniotic fluid) and the correlation of characteristic changes in the normal proteome with various pathologic maternal/fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection, or chromosomal defects.

Abstract: There is disclosed an isolated cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) encoding a P4.33 polypeptide and comprising a coding region (SEQ ID NO:2) of the sequence described in SEQ ID NO:1, or a sequence having at least 90% homology with the coding region of SEQ ID NO:1. The P4.33 polypeptide functions as a specific cell-surface receptor for IGFBP-3, and undergoes nuclear translocation in combination with IGFBP-3. IGFBP-3 and P4.33 (IGFBP-3R) cooperatively suppress DNA synthesis and cell growth, and induce caspase activation and apoptosis in cancer cells, indicating that P4.33 is an important mediator of IGF-independent growth inhibitory actions of IGFBP-3. The P4.33:IGFBP-3 system of the present invention can be used, inter alia, in screening and diagnostic assays, and for therapeutic methods for cancer treatment and tumor suppression.