Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding monkey and canine Melanin Concentrating Hormone (MCH) Type 2 receptors and chimeric polypeptides are provided. Vectors and cells for recombinant expression of such MCH receptor polypeptides, and isolated MCH receptor polypeptides are also provided. MCH receptor polynucleotides and polypeptides may be used, for example, to identify agents that specifically interact with MCH receptor. Such agents find use within therapies for humans and animals afflicted with conditions associated with MCH receptor activation.

Abstract: This invention provides modified phycobilisomes and phycobilisome complexes that are supramolecular complexes with diverse spectral properties, and which may optionally be immobilized on a manufactured solid support. The invention provides a versatile set of highly sensitive signal-generating systems and conjugates that may be used as highly detectable tracers and labels, or in biotransducers comprising phycobilisomes or phycobilisome complexes, and also provides methods for performing specific binding assays using signal-generating systems comprising phycobilisomes as detectable labels. The embodiments of the invention provide the art with an extremely sensitive, nonisotopic detection means for assaying analytes and for sensing molecular events and environmental conditions.

Abstract: The invention includes mouse serotonin 5-HT2c receptor isoforms having amino acid replacements at one or more positions of the natural mouse serotonin 5-HT2c receptor polypeptide sequence, specifically at one or more of positions 157, 159 and 161. The polypeptides are useful for identifying ligands which bind with the serotonin 5-HT2c receptor and modulators of the serotonin 5-HT2c, and for identifying drugs with affinity for 5-HT2 receptors which are used to treat schizophrenia, Parkinsonism, and anxiety disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes of the HPS protein with proteins identified as interacting with HPS protein by a modified yeast two hybrid assay system. The proteins identified to interact with HPS protein are 14-3-3 protein, Hrs, atrophin-1, DGS-I, nuclear factor NF90, HPIP1 and human HN1 homolog protein. Accordingly, the present invention discloses complexes of HPS protein and 14-3-3 protein, Hrs, atrophin-1, DGS-I, nuclear factor NF90, HPIP1 and human HN1 homolog protein, and derivatives, fragments and analogs thereof. Additionally, the present invention also discloses nucleic acids encoding the HPIP1 and human HN1 homolog protein, or derivatives, fragments and analogs thereof. Methods of screening the complexes or proteins for efficacy in treating and/or preventing certain diseases and disorders, particularly atopic diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative disease, cancer, pigmentation disorders, platelet dysfunction and viral diseases, are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions relating to the attachment of water soluble polymers to proteins. Provided are novel methods for N-terminally modifying proteins or analogs thereof, and resultant compositions, including novel chemically modified G-CSF compositions and related methods of preparation.

Abstract: A biomaterial is rendered storage stable by being incorporated into a water-soluble or swellable non-glass-forming composition which can be stored at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding an SSE1 protein. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the SSE1 protein, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the SSE1 protein in a transformed host cell. The present invention also relates to methods using the SSE1 protein in modulating formation of storage organelles and storage compounds in seeds, and in discovering compounds with potential herbicidal activity.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for regulating gene expression are provided. In particular, methods and compositions comprising localization domains, and fusions of localization domains with DNA binding domains and, optionally regulatory domains, are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing membranes is disclosed, and methods for making same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mammalian amino acid transporter proteins and the genes that encode such proteins. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the human amino acid transporter proteins EAAT1, EAAT2, EAAT3 and ASCT1. The invention specifically provides isolated complementary DNA copies of mRNA corresponding to each of these transporter genes. Also provided are recombinant expression constructs capable of expressing each of the amino acid transporter genes of the invention in cultures of transformed prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as such cultures of transformed cells that synthesize the human amino acid transporter proteins encoded therein. The invention also provides methods for screening in vitro compounds having transport-modulating properties using preparations of transporter proteins from such cultures of cells transformed with recombinant expression constructs.

Abstract: An immunoassay method including reacting a sample from a patient with a bispecific antibody, wherein the bispecific antibody includes one antibody specific for a compound to be detected and a second antibody specific for a compound foreign to said patient sample, and subsequently reacting the patient sample with a polymer probe, wherein the polymer probe includes a compound recognized by the second antibody in the bispecific antibody complex and further includes at least two detectable signals; the bispecific antibody; and the polymer probe of the immunoassay method are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a protein, namely determining the amino acid sequence of a protein is described. Trypsin is added to a protein to form a liquid phase mixture of trypsin and the protein. The disulfide linkages of the protein may be reduced and the resulting sulfhydryl groups alkylated either before or after the addition of trypsin. The trypsin is allowed to digest the protein long enough to cleave protein into tryptic fragments. A portion of the digested mixture is ionized by ion evaporation to produce gas phase ions of the tryptic fragments, the gas phase ions being predominantly doubly charged with one charge at each end of the doubly charged ions. The gas phase ions of the tryptic fragments are analyzed by sequentially selecting therefrom ions of a desired mass to charge ratio in a first mass analyzer. The selected ions are fragmented by collision in a second mass analyzer to produce daughter ions, and the daughter ions are then analyzed in a third mass analyzer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition that includes a material that is susceptible to degradation and a preserving agent in an amount effective to preserve the material comprising one or more reduced malto-oligosaccharide species. The preserving agent can include a single reduced malto-oligosaccharide species or a plurality of such species. Further disclosed is a method of preserving a material. The method generally includes contacting the material with a preserving agent containing a preserving effective amount of one or more reduced malto-oligosaccharide species. Solutions, powders, glasses, gels, and the like containing the chemically reactive material(s) and a preserving effective amount of one or more reduced malto-oligosaccharide species may be prepared.

Abstract: Methods of isolating and purifying caveolae, microdomains of GPI-anchored proteins, and membranes consisting essentially of caveolae associated with microdomains of GPI-anchored proteins from endothelial cell membranes are disclosed. The methods comprise coating a luminal surface of an endothelial cell membrane with an adherent first ionic material by perfusion from a luminal cavity adjacent to the endothelial cell membrane, forming a pellicle by contacting the first ionic material with a second ionic material, and isolating and purifying the pellicle. The pellicle is then processed to isolate the desired cellular component.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a new method of isolating and purifying a large quantity of neuropeptide containing secretory vesicles (dense core vesicles) from a specific brain region and subsequently isolating and identifying novel neuropeptides contained therein. The method of the invention has significant practical value. The availability of large quantities of such vesicles will enable the identification of novel peptides using highly sensitive techniques, e.g., mass spectroscopy. Such neuropeptides are highly likely to have novel biological effects.

Abstract: A method for removing a gas compound from a site comprising placing cells having gas vesicles under conditions that induce the cells to float to a surface of an aqueous medium, harvesting the cells from the surface of the medium, lysing the cells, separating the gas vesicles from the lysed cells, crosslinking the gas vesicles with a crosslinking agent, loading a gas with a lowered partial pressure for the gas compound to be removed into the gas vesicles, and placing the gas vesicles contacted with a medium such that the gas compound is removed from the site to the medium. Harvesting gas-vesicle-containing cells is achieved by placing the cells under conditions that induce the cells to rise to the surface of an aqueous medium. Then collecting the cells from the surface of the medium. Gas vesicles are isolated by lysing the cells and separating the gas vesicles from the lysate. Once the gas vesicles are isolated, they can be modified, such as by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde.

Abstract: Methods are provided relating to the enhanced cytoplasmic accumulation of amphipathic weakly basic or amphipathic cationic molecules in prokaryotes and eukaryotes under conditions of high extracellular pH. Furthermore, the methods relate to the unexpected synergistic effects of high extracellular pH and disrupted cellular efflux mechanisms on the cytoplasmic accumulation of amphipathic weakly basic or amphipathic cationic molecules in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Methods are also provided for increasing the therapeutic potency of amphipathic weakly basic or amphipathic cationic compounds, e.g. antiseptics and disinfectants by using the antiseptic or disinfectant in the presence of a multiple drug resistance inhibitor such as reserpine. Finally, methods also relate to the exploitation of the aforementioned discoveries in the screening of small molecules, and libraries thereof, for biological activity in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Abstract: Cytokines and their receptors have proven usefulness in both basic research and as therapeutics. The present invention provides a new human cytokine receptor designated as “Zcytor16.

Abstract: This invention provides modified phycobilisomes and phycobilisome complexes that are supramolecular complexes with diverse spectral properties, and which may optionally be immobilized on a manufactured solid support. The invention provides a versatile set of highly sensitive signal-generating systems and conjugates that may be used as highly detectable tracers and labels, or in biotransducers comprising phycobilisomes or phycobilisome complexes, and also provides methods for performing specific binding assays using signal-generating systems comprising phycobilisomes as detectable labels. The embodiments of the invention provide the art with an extremely sensitive, nonisotopic detection means for assaying analytes and for sensing molecular events and environmental conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coloring agent comprising glucan-containing yeast cell ghosts which comprise a proportion of substantially intact yeast cell walls and at least one color source. The color source is selected to give the desired color in the coloring agent and in any product in which the coloring agent is used and may be any dye or pigment. For uses such as in foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, the coloring agents must be acceptable for food and/or pharmaceutical use.

Abstract: Coupled polypeptides and fusion polypeptides for intracellular transport, and their preparation and use, include (i) an aminoacid sequence with the transport function of herpesviral VP22 protein (or a homologue, e.g. from VZV, BHV or MDV) and (ii) another protein sequence selected from (a) proteins for cell cycle control; (b) suicide proteins; (c) antigenic sequences or antigenic proteins from microbial and viral antigens and tumor antigens; (d) immunomodulating proteins; and (e) therapeutic proteins. The coupled proteins can be used for intracellular delivery of protein sequences (ii), to exert the corresponding effector function in the target cell, and the fusion polypeptides can be expressed from corresponding polynucleotides, vectors and host cells.

Abstract: SVP-1 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing SVP-1 polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

Abstract: SVP4b polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing SVP4b polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of diabetes involving free radicals. In particular, the present invention is directed to the treatment or prophylactic intervention of diabetes. The present invention demonstrates that MnSOD can play a protective role against cytokine killing, and provides strategies for engineering cell lines as islet surrogates for transplantation therapy of diabetes mellitus. Further, the present invention shows that &bgr;-cell destruction and dysfunction in adipogenic diabetes is mediated via fatty acids. Methods and compositions for ameliorating this disorder are provided herein.