Abstract: The present disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to and block signaling by ACVR2A, i.e., ACVR2A but not ACVR2B, as well as methods for using the same. The antibodies may be used for the treatment of a number of conditions associated with muscle atrophy, as well as other conditions.

Abstract: This invention describes the design of bispecific antibodies that function as conditionally effective therapeutics by binding to a functionally silent epitope on one component of a targeted signaling complex and simultaneously binding to a second protein, whose expression or accessibility is cell- or disease environment-specific, and whose antibody-driven proximity to the signaling complex leads to an alteration of signal transduction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to and block signaling by ACVR2A, i.e., ACVR2A but not ACVR2B, as well as methods for using the same. The antibodies may be used for the treatment of a number of conditions associated with muscle atrophy, as well as other conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to and block signaling by ACVR2A, i.e., ACVR2A but not ACVR2B, as well as methods for using the same. The antibodies may be used for the treatment of a number of conditions associated with muscle atrophy, as well as other conditions.

Abstract: This invention describes the design of bispecific antibodies that function as conditionally effective therapeutics by binding to a functionally silent epitope on one component of a targeted signaling complex and simultaneously binding to a second protein, whose expression or accessibility is cell- or disease environment-specific, and whose antibody-driven proximity to the signaling complex leads to an alteration of signal transduction.

Abstract: A construct system for expressing a reporter protein, as well as a transgenic animal and a screening method employing the same, are provided. In certain embodiments, the construct system is a three component system in which expression of a reporter protein from a reporter construct is induced by a transcription factor that is produced using two other constructs, each producing a different part of the transcription factor. The parts of the transcription factor are ligated together. Expression of the reporter only occurs in tissues in which both of the parts of the transcription factor are produced.

Abstract: Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to a method that comprises contacting a mammalian cell with a glucocorticoid receptor ligand and a myostatin receptor ligand, thereby activating the glucocorticoid receptor and said myostatin receptor. A screening assay employing the same is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for production of a cyclic polymer in a cell free system. In general, the methods of the invention involve ligating first and second recombinant intein domains to a linear synthetic polymer to form a compound containing the structure: D1-X(n)-D2, where D1 is a first catalytic domain of an intein; D2 is a second catalytic domain of an intein; where the second catalytic domain has at its N-terminus a first reactive site for the intein; and X(n) is a polymer of a number n of monomer X, where the polymer N-terminus has a second reactive site for the intein. D1-X(n)-D2 compounds autocatalytically cyclize the X(n) polymer to produce a cyclic polymer. The invention finds use in a variety of drug discovery, clinical and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions utilizing inteins to generate libraries of cyclic peptides in vivo. The prevent invention also relates to methods for inhibiting protein-protein interaction.

Abstract: A construct system for expressing a reporter protein, as well as a transgenic animal and a screening method employing the same, are provided. In certain embodiments, the construct system is a three component system in which expression of a reporter protein from a reporter construct is induced by a transcription factor that is produced using two other constructs, each producing a different part of the transcription factor. The parts of the transcription factor are ligated together. Expression of the reporter only occurs in tissues in which both of the parts of the transcription factor are produced.

Abstract: A non-human animal model for muscle cell atrophy is provided. In certain embodiments, the animal comprises a cell comprising a nuclear genome comprising a biologically active atrogen gene in operable linkage with a reporter construct comprising: i. a first coding sequence for an optically detectable protein; and ii. a second coding sequence for a secreted reporter enzyme; wherein expression of the atrogen gene is induced upon initiation of muscle cell atrophy, thereby resulting in production of the secreted reporter enzyme and the first optically detectable protein by the cell. Screening assays that employ the non-human animal are also provided.

Abstract: Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to a method that comprises contacting a mammalian cell with a glucocorticoid receptor ligand and a myostatin receptor ligand, thereby activating the glucocorticoid receptor and said myostatin receptor. A screening assay employing the same is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for production of a cyclic polymer in a cell free system. In general, the methods of the invention involve ligating first and second recombinant intein domains to a linear synthetic polymer to form a compound containing the structure: D1-X(n)-D2, where D1 is a first catalytic domain of an intein; D2 is a second catalytic domain of an intein; where the second catalytic domain has at its N-terminus a first reactive site for the intein; and X(n) is a polymer of a number n of monomer X, where the polymer N-terminus has a second reactive site for the intein. D1-X(n)-D2 compounds autocatalytically cyclize the X(n) polymer to produce a cyclic polymer. The invention finds use in a variety of drug discovery, clinical and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for production of a cyclic polymer in a cell free system. In general, the methods of the invention involve ligating first and second recombinant intein domains to a linear synthetic polymer to form a compound containing the structure: D1-X(n)-D2, where D1 is a first catalytic domain of an intein; D2 is a second catalytic domain of an intein; where the second catalytic domain has at its N-terminus a first reactive site for the intein; and X(n) is a polymer of a number n of monomer X, where the polymer N-terminus has a second reactive site for the intein. D1-X(n)-D2 compounds autocatalytically cyclize the X(n) polymer to produce a cyclic polymer. The invention finds use in a variety of drug discovery, clinical and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: As noted above, certain aspects of this disclosure relate to a library of nucleic acid vectors, as well as a method for making the same. In certain embodiments, the library of nucleic acid vectors comprises: a plurality of nucleic acid molecules of the following formula: S1—R—S2 wherein, in each nucleic acid of the plurality: S1 and S2 are each at least 15 nucleotides in length; S1 and S2 are complementary to each other along their entire length; either S1 or S2 is complementary along its entire length to a sequence in eukaryotic mRNA; and R is a six base recognition site for a restriction endonuclease; and wherein S1 and S2 vary in nucleotide sequence between different members of the plurality. A method for amplifying a circular nucleic acid is also provided.

Abstract: As noted above, certain aspects of this disclosure relate to a library of nucleic acid vectors, as well as a method for making the same. In certain embodiments, the library of nucleic acid vectors comprises: a plurality of nucleic acid molecules of the following formula: S1—R—S2 wherein, in each nucleic acid of the plurality: S1 and S2 are each at least 15 nucleotides in length; S1 and S2 are complementary to each other along their entire length; either S1 or S2 is complementary along its entire length to a sequence in eukaryotic mRNA; and R is a six base recognition site for a restriction endonuclease; and wherein S1 and S2 vary in nucleotide sequence between different members of the plurality. A method for amplifying a circular nucleic acid is also provided.

Abstract: The present provides compounds capable of modulating IL-4 receptor-mediated IgE production, as well as IL-4 induced processes associated therewith, methods and kits for identifying such compounds that utilize a retinoid X receptor as a surrogate analyte and methods of using the compounds in a variety of in vitro, in vitro and ex vivo contexts.

Abstract: The present provides compounds capable of modulating IL-4 receptor-mediated IgE production, as well as IL-4 induced processes associated therewith, methods and kits for identifying such compounds that utilize a chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) as a surrogate analyte and methods of using the compounds in a variety of in vitro, in vitro and ex vivo contexts.

Abstract: The present invention provides heterocyclic compounds having a nine-membered ring of three repeating C—C—N subunits covalently bound to each other through amide bonds, and variable side groups linked to a central C of each subunit. Also described herein are cells containing the cyclic compounds, methods of screening those cells to identify a cyclic compound of interest, and libraries of cyclic compounds and their encoding nucleic acids. The subject compounds may be employed in a variety of research and medical applications, including methods of treating a patient for hepatitis C infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions utilizing diphtheria toxin for screening purposes. The invention is particularly useful in screening for modulators of IgE synthesis, secretion and switch rearrangement.