Abstract: The invention relates to truncated growth factors and variants thereof. The invention also relates to methods of making and using the truncated growth factors.

Abstract: This invention relates to modified IGF-II binding domains of the Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 Receptor (IGF2R) which have enhanced binding affinity for IGF-II relative to the wild type IGF-II binding domain. Suitable IGF-II binding domains may be modified, for example, by substituting residue E1544 for a non-acidic residue. These modified domains may be useful in the sequestration of Insulin-like Growth Factor II (IGF-II), for example, in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cancer. More specifically, the present invention provides compositions and methods useful for treating cancer characterized by the expression of mutant FAM190A proteins. In a specific embodiment, a method for treating a patient having a cancer characterized by a FAM190A intragenic rearrangement comprises the step of administering to the patient an agent that inhibits a biological function or reduces the level or expression of the FAM190A protein.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for modulating the quality of a selected phenotype that is displayed by an organism or part thereof and that results from the expression of a polypeptide-encoding polynucleotide by replacing at least one codon of that polynucleotide with a synonymous codon that has a higher or lower preference of usage by the organism or part thereof to produce the selected phenotype than the codon it replaces. The present invention is also directed to the use of a codon-modified polynucleotide so constructed for modulating the quality of a selected phenotype displayed by an organism or part thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a set of genetic constructs which comprises at least a first recombinogenic construct (i) with at least two portions homologous to the genomic regions preceding and following the DNA target site of a site specific endonuclease and also comprising both a negative selection and positive selection mark interposed with the homologous portions as well as a region into which a sequence of interest can be cloned adjacent to the positive selection marker; and a second construct (ii, iii or iv) comprising the meganuclease. The present invention also relates to a kit comprising these constructs and methods to use this set of constructs to introduce into the genome of a target cell, tissue or organism a sequence of interest.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of preparing a nucleic acid sequence with a modified splice site usage profile, which employs the use of a nucleic acid sequence comprising a cryptic splice donor site. The invention also provides a method of producing an alternate form of an RNA molecule encoded by a nucleic acid sequence, which nucleic acid sequence comprises a cryptic splice donor site, a heterologous nucleic acid sequence, and a splice acceptor site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new methods to promote sialylation of glycoconjugates, including recombinant glycoproteins, in glycoconjugate production systems. The invention relates to methods to promote efficient glycoconjugate sialylation in recombinant expression systems, by providing simpler and more economical ways to produce large intracellular pools of sialic acid precursors. The invention is directed to nucleic acids, vectors, and cells harboring vectors comprising nucleic acids encoding enzymes involved in the synthesis of sialic acid precursors, and cells harboring these nucleic acids in combination with nucleic acids encoding glycosyltransferases, including sialyltransferases, to facilitate the production of humanized recombinant glycoproteins in bacterial, fungal, plant, and animal cell expression systems.

Abstract: Recombinant protein constructs are described that comprises a membrane protein whose N- or C-terminus in the native state is recombinantly linked through a membrane-spanning linker polypeptide to a reporter polypeptide. The reporter polypeptide may be a fluorogen activating protein capable of binding a fluorogen to detect the location and relative abundance of the membrane protein, and more specifically to detect protein trafficking to the cell surface using a cell impermeant fluorogen probe.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel mammalian alpha-kinase proteins: melanoma alpha-kinase (MK), heart alpha-kinase (HK), kidney alpha-kinase (KK), skeletal muscle alpha-kinase (SK), and lymphocyte alpha-kinase (LK). In particular, a novel kinase type is herein provided, characterized by the presence of an alpha-kinase catalytic domain and an ion channel domain. Isolated nucleic acids of the alpha-kinases MK, HK, KK, SK and LK are provided. Methods for making the novel alpha-kinases, cells that express the alpha-kinases and methods for treating an animal in need of either increased or decreased activity of the alpha-kinases are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of immunology. More particularly, aspects of the invention concern the discovery of several T cell receptors (TCRs) that are specific for an immunodominant CTL epitope of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Embodiments include TCRs, DNAs encoding TCRs, methods of making TCRs, and methods of using TCRs to treat, prevent or inhibit hepatitis C virus (HCV) proliferation.

Abstract: Isolated protein complexes are provided comprising growth factors such as IGF-I, IGF-II, EGF, bFGF, or KGF and fibronectin, or at least domains thereof that enable binding to and activation of both a growth factor receptor, and an integrin receptor-binding domain of fibronectin. These protein complexes include synthetic proteins where the growth factor and fibronectin sequences are joined by a linker sequence. Also provided are uses of these protein complexes for stimulating or inducing cell migration and/or proliferation in wound healing, tissue engineering, cosmetic and therapeutic treatments such as skin replacement, skin replenishment and treatment of burns where epithelial cell migration is required. In other embodiments, the invention provides inhibition of cancer cell metastasis, particularly in relation to breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising retroviral vectors, transduced cells, and methods of using the same for gene therapy. In particular, the present invention relates to lentiviral vectors and cells transduced with those vectors to provide gene therapy to subjects having an adrenoleukodystrophy and/or adrenomyeloneuropathy.

Abstract: Mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), of phosphatidylinositol 3?-kinase (“PI3K”), and of B-Raf are described. Methods of treating tumors containing mutated EGFr with human monoclonal antibodies against EGFr are described. Methods and kits for ascertaining the presence of one or more mutant EGFr, mutant PI3K, and/or mutant B-Raf in a sample and for treating disorders or conditions related to the presence of mutant EGFr, mutant PI3K, and/or mutant B-Raf are also described. Methods of treating tumors containing mutant EGFr, mutant PI3K, and/or mutant B-Raf are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: Isolated peptides composed of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 or fragments thereof that bind to HLA antigens and have cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) inducibility and thus are suitable for use in the context of cancer immunotherapy, more particularly cancer vaccines are described herein. The present invention further provides peptides that include one, two, or several amino acid insertions, substitutions or additions to the aforementioned peptides or fragments, but yet retain the requisite cytotoxic T cell inducibility. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding any of these aforementioned peptides as well as pharmaceutical agents, substances and compositions including any of the aforementioned peptides or nucleic acids. The peptides, nucleic acids, pharmaceutical agents, substances and compositions of this invention find particular utility in the treatment of cancers and tumors.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and construction of a gene encoding an encephalogenic epitope of proteolipid protein (PLP), design and construction of a gene encoding an encephalogenic epitope of myelin based protein (MBP), to methods of expression of a PLP epitope, to methods of expression of a MBP epitope, to methods of in vivo secretion of a PLP epitope, and to methods of transferring the partial PLP gene to a host to ameliorate the progression of an immune response to self antigens derived from myelin proteins, to methods of in vivo secretion of a MBP epitope, and to methods of transferring the partial MBP gene to a host to ameliorate the progression of an immune response to self antigens derived from myelin proteins.

Abstract: This invention relates to nucleic acid molecules comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding for a peptide or protein of interest, at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding for a selectable marker, and at least one IRES sequence, wherein the at least one IRES sequence is located between the at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding for the peptide or protein of interest and the at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding for the selectable marker. Furthermore, this invention relates to host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecule and to methods of recombinant protein expression using such host cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ficolin-associated polypeptides, and polypeptides derived from these ficolin-associated polypeptides for the use in the treatment of conditions associated with inflammation, apoptosis, autoimmunity, coagulation, thrombotic or coagulopathic related diseases, as well as the use as biomarkers. The present invention further relates to anti-bodies recognising such novel ficolin-associated polypeptides, and polypeptides derived thereof, nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides, vectors and host cells used in the production of the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a splice variant of a human sodium channel alpha subunit and methods and compositions for making and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treatment, screening, diagnosis and prognosis of cancer including bladder cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer and thyroid cancer.

Abstract: A fusion protein that includes a polypeptide binding specifically to a constant region of an antibody and a stabilization protein linked to a terminus of the polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein, a cell including the polynucleotide, a method of preparing the fusion protein, and a method of isolating an antibody by using the fusion protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of disorders of the peripheral or central nervous system, in particular, Alzheimer's disease, and the prevention and/or treatment thereof. In particular, the invention relates to ARF6 and/or ARF6 effector proteins as new targets in Alzheimer's disease, and based thereon, screening methods for compounds that reduce amyloid beta peptide formation in mammalian cells by affecting ARF6-mediated endosomal sorting.

Abstract: The present invention relates antidotes to anticoagulants targeting factor Xa. The antidotes are factor Xa protein derivatives that bind to the factor Xa inhibitors thereby substantially neutralizing them but do not assemble into the prothrombinase complex. The derivatives describe herein lack or have reduced intrinsic coagulant activity. Disclosed herein are methods of stopping or preventing bleeding in a patient that is currently undergoing anticoagulant therapy with a factor Xa inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods of use for identifying modulators of NOTUM, e.g., NOTUM inhibitors. In some aspects, identified compounds are useful for modulating Wnt signaling at sites of tissue damage. The invention further provides methods of promoting regeneration by inhibiting NOTUM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reprogramming a somatic cell to produce an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell which is capable of differentiating into somatic cells derived from ectoderm, mesoderm or endoderm. The present invention also relates to the aforementioned iPS cells, methods of generating and maintaining iPS cells, and methods of using iPS cells.

Abstract: Immunogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (0157) proteins expressed during infection of a mammal, are described. In particular, 0157 proteins expressed specifically in vivo during human and cattle infection were identified. These proteins, mapped to the backbone, O-islands (OIs) and pO157. Because these-proteins are expressed during infection, and might help pathogens adapt to and counter hostile in vivo environments, those proteins identified in this study are useful as targets for drug and vaccine development. Also, such proteins are useful as markers of 0157 infection in stool specimens. Also described are methods of identifying immunogenic proteins.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing olefins are described herein. The olefins can be used to produced biofuels.

Abstract: Present invention concerns the use of Cathepsin H. Other aspects of the invention concern methods for screening pharmaceuticals, for diagnosing pain susceptibility and for the treatment of pain.

Abstract: A purified anti-cancer peptide consisting of amino acids 266 to 287 of Genbank Accession No. O68604 (SEQ ID No. 4), and modified and homologous forms of the peptide are described. The modified or and homologous forms of the peptide include more than contiguous amino acids having at least 75% amino acid sequence identity with at least 8 contiguous amino acids of amino acids 266-287 of Genbank Accession No. O68604 (SEQ ID No.4) defining a motif selected from the group consisting of RRRVQQ (SEQ ID No. 5) and RGRAK (SEQ ID No.1). The peptide(s) can be produced by B. linens, a Brevibacterium commonly used in the production of cheese. There is also provided method for prophylaxis or treatment of cancer in a mammal, comprising treating the mammal with an effective amount of the peptide, or a protein the pepsin cleavage of which yields the peptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunogenic conjugates comprising an immunogenic region of human papilloma virus E7 protein and the fibronectin EDA region, as well to compositions comprising said conjugates and to dendritic cells obtained by stimulation with said conjugates and compositions. Moreover, the invention relates to methods for the treatment of diseases caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) using said conjugates, compositions and dendritic cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to the transient expression of heterologous polypeptides in mammalian cell lines. Specifically it relates to an expression-enhanced cell line derived from a parent cell line, the expression-enhanced cell line comprising nucleic acid encoding Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 or a functional derivative, analogue, or variant thereof; and further comprising: (a) a nucleic acid encoding an exogenous glutamine synthetase; (b) a nucleic acid encoding an endogenous glutamine synthetase, wherein the endogenous glutamine is arranged to have enhanced enzymatic activity and/or enhanced expression relative to the parent cell line under comparable conditions; or (c) both (a) and (b).

Abstract: The invention generally features compositions and methods that are useful for modulating blood vessel formation, as well as methods that provide for the systematic and efficient identification of angiogenesis modulators. As described in more detail below, a systematic computational methodology based on bioinformatics was used to identify novel peptide modulators of angiogenesis that have been characterized in vitro and/or in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method to obtain McCoy cells persistently infected with Lawsonia intracellularis bacteria, comprising infecting McCoy cells with Lawsonia intracellularis bacteria, growing the infected McCoy cells in a suitable medium at an oxygen concentration less than 18% to arrive at a culture of McCoy cells infected with Lawsonia intracellularis bacteria, passing at least a part of the said culture to fresh medium, and without adding uninfected McCoy cells to the medium, growing the infected McCoy cells contained in the said at least part in the fresh medium at an oxygen concentration less than 18%, to obtain the persistently infected McCoy cells. The invention also pertains to the use of such persistently infected cells to grow and obtain these bacteria in purified form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides, nucleic acids and pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the treatment of ErbB2 dependent-cancers, in particular of tumors overexpressing ErbB2 or expressing mutated forms of the ErbB2 gene.

Abstract: This invention features methods and compositions useful for treating and diagnosing diseases of the nervous system, retina, skin, muscle, joint, and cartilage using a Dragon family protein. Protein and nucleic acid sequences of human, murine, zebrafish, and C. elegans Dragon family members are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention features methods and compositions useful for treating and diagnosing diseases of the nervous system, retina, skin, muscle, joint, and cartilage using a Dragon family protein. Protein and nucleic acid sequences of human, murine, zebrafish, and C. elegans Dragon family members are also disclosed.

Abstract: Transgenic mammals, cells derived from the animals, and methods of using these to monitor the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response are provided. In some embodiments, the methods allow for monitoring the ER stress response in real time. Some of the methods allow non-invasive in vivo visualization of ER stress response. Also provided are methods of screening molecules and/or treatment conditions for the ability to modulate the ER stress response, methods of treating diseases characterized by ER stress response activity, and methods of detecting the toxicity or therapeutic ratio of molecules that modulate the ER stress response.

Abstract: The invention relates to newly identified selectable marker systems, cells for use in a selectable marker system, and methods for using the selectable marker systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Volvox carteri-derived light-receiving channel rhodopsin with an improved expression efficiency on a cell membrane. Specifically disclosed is a modified Volvox carteri-derived light-receiving channel rhodopsin protein. The protein is modified to contain an N-terminal region of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii-derived channel rhodopsin-1 at the N-terminal of the Volvox carteri-derived light-receiving channel rhodopsin protein, wherein the N-terminal region is involved in cell membrane-localized expression and contains no transmembrane domain of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii-derived channel rhodopsin-1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic regulator of protein function, which regulator is a light-sensitive regulator. The present invention further provides a light-regulated polypeptide that includes a subject synthetic regulator. Also provided are cells and membranes comprising a subject light-regulated polypeptide. The present invention further provides methods of modulating protein function, involving use of light. The present invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate protein function.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the rapid and reversible destabilizing of specific proteins using cell-permeable, synthetic molecules are described. Stability-affecting proteins, e.g., derived from FKBP and DHFR proteins are fused to a protein of interest and the presence or absence of the ligand is used to modulate the stability of the fusion protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of polypeptides from phytopathogenic fungi having the biological activity of an aurora kinase and the function of an aurora kinase activator, to nucleic acids coding therefore, to the use of the polypeptides and nucleic acids for identifying modulators of an aurora kinase, to processes for identifying such modulators and to the use of these modulators as fungicides.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide encoding a modified luciferase polypeptide and substrates. The OgLuc variant polypeptide has at least 60% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and at least one amino acid substitution at a position corresponding to an amino acid in SEQ ID NO: 1. The OgLuc variant polypeptide has at least one of enhanced luminescence, enhanced signal stability, and enhanced protein stability relative to the corresponding polypeptide of the wild-type Oplophorus luciferase.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic and prophylactic compositions for use in treating and preventing disorders involved epithelial cell apoptosis, such as gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) in a subject, such as a human patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel androgen receptor splice variants (AR3, AR4, AR4b, AR5 and AR8) and variants and fragments thereof which have a role in the progression of androgen independent prostate cancer. The invention further relates to compositions and methods which can be used to identify and treat prostate cancer based on these novel androgen receptor splice variants, as well as methods for screening agents which modulate the activity and/or expression of the androgen receptor splice variants. Vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same and transgenic animals are also provided.

Abstract: A full-length cDNA encoding novel proteins involved in the control of cell proliferation (human Gros1-L and S) was successfully isolated from the human testis cDNA libraries. A full-length cDNA encoding the mouse homologues of the human Gros1 (mouse Gros1-L and S) was also isolated. The colony forming activity of cells exogenously expressing Gros1-L was significantly reduced, while that of cells expressing Gros1 antisense RNA was significantly increased.

Abstract: Use of a biological photoreceptor as light-controlled ion channel for the alteration of the ion conductivity of a membrane by means of light. The photoreceptor used comprises an apoprotein and a light-sensitive polyene covalently bound to the apoprotein, said polyene interacting with the apoprotein and functioning as a light-sensitive gate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human gene ZNFN3A1 whose expression is markedly elevated in a great majority of HCCs compared to corresponding non-cancerous liver tissues. The gene encodes a protein having a zinc finger domain as well as a SET domain and has been found to form a regulatory complex with RNA helicase and RNA polymerase.

Abstract: The invention provides functional mutants of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) protein that have increased activity as compared to a wild-type AID protein. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding the functional AID mutants, and vectors and cells comprising the nucleic acids. The invention further provides methods of using the functional mutant AID proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a kit for assaying a TSH receptor antibody, which are easy to manipulate and are safe. Specifically, the present invention provides a composition comprising a genetically modified cell forced to co-express a TSH receptor, a cyclic nucleotide responsive calcium channel, and a luminescent protein aequorin. Use of the composition enables the assay of a TSH receptor antibody contained in a sample.