Abstract: Provided herein are tissue protective peptides derived from or sharing consensus sequences with portions of cytokine receptor ligands, including Erythropoietin (EPO), that are generally located on or within the region of the cytokine receptor ligand that faces away from a receptor complex while the ligand is bound to the receptor. Also provide herein are fragments, chimeras, as well as peptides designed to mimic the spatial localization of key amino acid residues within the tissue protective receptor ligands, e.g., EPO; methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder using tissue protective peptides; and methods for enhancing excitable tissue function using tissue protective peptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method capable of producing a natural or recombinant protein in high yield. The present invention relates to a method of producing a polypeptide, comprising culturing a cell which strongly expresses cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase and has a transferred DNA encoding a desired polypeptide and thereby allowing the cell to produce the polypeptide. Hamster cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase, a DNA encoding the same, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell are also provided.

Abstract: Peptide vaccines against cancer are described herein. In particular, epitope peptides derived from the TTK gene that elicit CTLs are provided. Antigen-presenting cells and isolated CTLs that target such peptides, as well as methods for inducing the antigen-presenting cell, or CTL are also provided. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions containing as active ingredients peptides derived from TTK or polynucleotides encoding the peptides. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for the treatment and/or prophylaxis (i.e., prevention) of cancers (tumors), and/or the prevention of postoperative recurrence thereof, as well as methods for inducing CTLs, methods for inducing anti-tumor immunity, using the peptides derived from TTK, polynucleotides encoding the peptides, or antigen-presenting cells presenting the peptides, or the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or a variant, derivative or fusion thereof, which is capable of binding specifically to and lysing cells of Clostridium difficile, wherein the polypeptide exhibits greater lytic activity on cells of Clostridium difficile than the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention further provides means for producing the same, methods for killing bacterial cells such as cells of Clostridium difficile, as well as methods for diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases and conditions associated with infection of the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell comprising a cofilin-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequence. The host cell may further comprise a nucleic acid encoding a recombinant protein. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a recombinant protein by the host cell comprising a cofilin-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequence.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an auxin receptor protein involved in activation of proton pump in plasma membrane of a plant derived from rice, a gene encoding the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the gene, a host cell transformed with the recombinant vector, a method of improving traits of a plant by transforming the plant with the recombinant plant expression vector, a plant having improved traits by transformation with the recombinant plant expression vector and seeds of the plant, and a composition comprising the gene of the invention for improving traits of a plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a substance altering glucose uptake and/or GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane of a cell comprising contacting a test system comprising AKT substrate 160 kDa-protein (AS160-protein) with a test substance, and identifying a test substance as a substance altering glucose uptake of a cell by detecting a signal indicative for altered glucose uptake of a cell; a test system comprising a gene coding for the AKT substrate 160 kDa-protein (AS160-protein) and an inducible promoter providing for controllable expression of the gene; the use of the test system for the identification of a substance improving glucose uptake and/or GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane of a cell; and the use of AS 160-protein in a model for type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated peptides or the fragments derived from SEQ ID NO: 35, which bind to an HLA antigen and induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The peptides may include one of the above mentioned amino acid sequences with substitution, deletion, or addition of one, two, or several amino acids sequences. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions including these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated peptides or the fragments derived from SEQ ID NO: 45, which bind to an HLA antigen and induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The peptides may include the above mentioned amino acid sequence with substitution deletion, or addition of one, two, or several amino acids sequences. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions including these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used for diagnosing or treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides binding agents comprising peptides capable of binding myostatin and inhibiting its activity. In one embodiment the binding agent comprises at least one myostatin-binding peptide attached directly or indirectly to at least one vehicle such as a polymer or an Fc domain. The binding agents of the present invention produced increased lean muscle mass when administered to animals and decreased fat to muscle ratios. Therapeutic compositions containing the binding agents of the present invention are useful for treating muscle-wasting disorders and metabolic disorders including diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding Macaca fascicularis CCL17 (CynoCCL17), polypeptides obtainable from expression of these polynucleotides, recombinant cells, and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining if a test compound, or a mix of compounds, modulates the interaction between two proteins of interest. The determination is made possible via the use of two recombinant molecules, one of which contains the first protein a cleavage site for a proteolytic molecules, and an activator of a gene. The second recombinant molecule includes the second protein and the proteolytic molecule. If the test compound binds to the first protein, a reaction is initiated whereby the activator is cleaved, and activates a reporter gene.

Abstract: Recombinant microbial cells are provided which have been engineered to produce fatty acid derivatives having linear chains containing an odd number of carbon atoms by the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. Also provided are methods of making odd chain fatty acid derivatives using the recombinant microbial cells, and compositions comprising odd chain fatty acid derivatives produced by such methods.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a mammalian cell-based high-throughput assay for the profiling and screening of human epithelial sodium channel (hENaC) cloned from a human kidney c-DNA library and is also expressed in other tissues including human taste tissue. The present invention further relates to amphibian oocyte-based medium-throughput electrophysiological assays for identifying human ENaC modulators, preferably ENaC enhancers. Compounds that modulate ENaC function in a cell-based ENaC assay are expected to affect salty taste in humans.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing retroviruses or viral vectors with enhanced infectivity. The methods entail transfecting a retroviral vector into a packaging cell that has suppressed expression or inhibited enzymatic activity of a parvulin prolyl peptidyl isomerase (parvulin PPIase), and culturing the transfected packaging cell to allow production of viral particles. The invention also provides methods for enhancing efficiency of gene transfer with a recombinant retrovirus. These methods involve constructing a recombinant retroviral vector expressing a target gene, transfecting into a packaging cell that has suppressed expression or inhibited enzymatic activity of a parvulin prolyl peptidyl isomerase (parvulin PPIase), culturing the transfected packaging cell to allow production of recombinant retroviral particles, harvesting recombinant retroviral particles from supernatant of the cultured cell, and transducing the recombinant retroviral particles into a target cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure identifies pathways, mechanisms, systems and methods to confer chemoautotrophic production of carbon-based products of interest, such as sugars, alcohols, chemicals, amino acids, polymers, fatty acids and their derivatives, hydrocarbons, isoprenoids, and intermediates thereof, in organisms such that these organisms efficiently convert inorganic carbon to organic carbon-based products of interest using inorganic energy, such as formate, and in particular the use of organisms for the commercial production of various carbon-based products of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid comprising the following contiguous elements arranged in the 5 prime to 3 prime direction; a promoter; a selectable marker; a cloning site for receipt of a nucleic acid segment, said segment comprising a candidate miRNA target sequence; and a poly adenylation signal, said elements arranged such that a transcript directed by said promoter comprises said selectable marker, said candidate miRNA target sequence, and said poly adenylation signal in that order. Suitably the miRNA test sequence is or is derived from a 3?UTR. The invention also relates to methods for making and screening libraries.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the from the p15 region of chromosome 11 encoding human and tumor suppressing subtransferable candidate 4 (TSSC4) and methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified HIV-1 envelope proteins where one or more N-glycosylation sites have been deleted or modified, which produce a broadly cross reactive neutralizing response, their methods of use and antibodies which bind to these proteins. The invention also provides for nucleic acids, vectors, antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions that comprise said modified HIV-1 envelope proteins.

Abstract: As described below, the present invention features compositions and methods featuring Pdx-1 polypeptides and fragments thereof for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel tyrosinase protein and methods of use thereof. Specifically, the invention provides tyrosinase derived peptides and polynucleotides, and their ability to elicit an immune response and treat a melanoma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating pluripotent/multipotent stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood, characterized by culturing monocytes isolated from umbilical cord blood in a culture vessel containing fibronectin and then harvesting stem cells from the culture, the umbilical cord blood-derived pluripotent/multipotent stem cells isolated thereby; and a cell therapeutic agent containing the pluripotent/multipotent stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood or cells differentiated therefrom. The present invention also relates to a novel culture media for stem cells, a culture method for stem cells which is characterized by culturing and proliferating stem cells in the culture media, and a method for increasing stemness of stem cells which is characterized by a sphere culture or a three-dimensional culture of stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide comprising or consisting of the following amino acid sequence: A0-A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9-A10-A11-A12 (formula II), wherein A0 is a hydrophobic amino acid residue or is absent; A1, A4, A7, A8, A12 each are a hydrophobic amino acid residue; and A2, A6, A9, A10 each are a basic amino acid residue; A5 is an alanine or a basic amino acid residue; A3, A11 each are a basic amino acid residue, or a hydrophobic amino acid residue; or a peptidomimetic thereof; wherein the basic amino acid residues are selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and histidine; wherein the hydrophobic amino acid residues are selected from the group consisting of leucine, alanine, isoleucine, valine, methionine and phenylalanine; and wherein said peptide or peptidomimetic has antimicrobial and/or antiviral activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel cells and cell lines, and methods for making and using them.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the from the p15 region of chromosome 11 encoding human ribosomal protein L26 (RIBO26) and methods of use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) targeting a Systemic RNA Interference Defective-1 (SID-I) gene, and methods of using the dsRNA to inhibit expression of SID-1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating an RNA library or a (poly)peptide library comprising the steps of: (a) providing one or more nucleic acid molecules each comprising i) two or more coding elements (A) each giving rise to an RNA molecule upon transcription and/or a (poly)peptide upon transcription and translation; and ii) linking elements (B) arranged according to the general formula of B(AB)2+n, wherein said linking elements comprise one or more sequence motifs not found in said two or more coding elements allowing specific disruption of the linking elements (B); (b) cloning the nucleic acid molecule of step (a) into a vector; (c) transforming a host cell with the vector obtained in step (b) and propagating said transformed cell; (d) preparing vector DNA from the transformed and propagated cells of step (c); (e) (i) disrupting the vector DNA obtained in step (d) with one or more agents recognizing said one or more sequence motifs of the linking elements or (ii) performing an amplificati

Abstract: Objective methods for detecting and diagnosing bladder cancer (BLC) are described herein. In one embodiment, the diagnostic method involves determining the expression level of a BLC-associated gene that discriminates between BLC cells and normal cells. The present invention further provides means for predicting and preventing bladder cancer metastasis using BLC-associated genes having unique altered expression patterns in bladder cancer cells with lymph-node metastasis. Finally, the present invention provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of bladder cancer, methods of treating bladder cancer and method for vaccinating a subject against bladder cancer. In particular, the present application provides novel human genes C2093, B5860Ns and C6055s whose expression is markedly elevated in bladder cancers.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the p15 arm of chromosome 11 encoding HASH2 and methods of use.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the from the p15 region of chromosome 11 encoding human tumor suppressing subtransferable candidate 6 and methods of use.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the from the p15 region of chromosome 11 encoding human SMS3 (SMS3) and methods of use.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the p15 arm of chromosome 11 and methods of use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for determining a kinase activity of ERK for CDCA5 and methods of screening for modulators of this kinase activity. Also disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or treating lung cancer or esophageal cancer that use or include such modulators.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the prevention or treatment of one or more strains of Chikungunya virus, as well as other alphavirus-mediated diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to potato virus NIa protease variants or fragments thereof, polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using the foregoing.

Abstract: The present invention identifies a method for investigating the response of a cell membrane-associated protein in a living cell to a drug by labeling the protein with a visual marker, and also selectively labeling the membrane portion of the protein with another visual marker, such that upon exposure of the cell to a stimulus, the translocation of the cell membrane-associated protein may be observed directly.

Abstract: This invention, inter alia, relates to CD19 binding agents and methods of using such CD19 binding agents for treating disease.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for detecting exposure of a living subject to genotoxic agents, testing sensitivity to a genotoxic agent, and determining DNA damage caused by exposure to an agent, comprising detecting the presence of FANCD2-containing foci from a sample collected from said subject. The presence of concentrated foci is indicative of DNA damage, and the degree of foci formation is correlated with degree of exposure. Diagnostic reagents contain a ligand that binds to human FANCD2 associated with a detectable label. Kits for detecting DNA damage in a biological sample contain such diagnostic reagents and signal detection components. The invention further discloses methods for identifying agents which modulate the ability of FANCD2-containing foci to form. Among other things, such agents are potentially useful chemosensitizing agents or may confer protection against damage caused by genotoxic agents.

Abstract: Polypeptide sequences for inducing recombinant protein bodies are described. The sequences comprise a polyproline II (PPII) structure and/or a proline-rich sequence between two cysteine residues on either end. Recombinant protein bodies are useful for protein production because they allow for simple and efficient purification of high quantities of recombinant protein. In addition, other methods of using recombinant protein bodies, for example, in vaccination and food products, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention describes new mammalian expression vectors comprising a novel combination of regulatory elements and one or more selection marker gene(s). The vector allows for incorporation of at least one, preferably two or more genes of interest, its/their subsequent expression, and for selection of transfected cells using, e.g., G418 and/or MTX. The pDGP?GOI vector as an example for a mammalian expression vector according to the present invention exhibits a 9555 bp sequence, one strand of which is represented by SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding B7-related factors that modulate the activation of immune or inflammatory response cells, such as T-cells. Also provided are expression vectors and fusion constructs comprising nucleic acids encoding B7-related polypeptides, including BSL1, BSL2, and BSL3. The present invention further provides isolated B7-related polypeptides, isolated fusion proteins comprising B7-related polypeptides, and antibodies that are specifically reactive with B7-related polypeptides, or portions thereof. In addition, the present invention provides assays utilizing B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, or peptides. The present invention further provides compositions of B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, fusion proteins, or antibodies that are useful for the immunomodulation of a human or animal subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single-chain proteins of the formula HRS1-L1-HRS2-L2-HRS3, wherein HRS1, HRS2 and HRS3 are heptad repeat sequences and L1 and L2 are structurally flexible linker sequences, and wherein HRS1, HRS2 and HRS3 form a thermodynamically stable triple-stranded, antiparallel, alpha-helical coiled coil structure in aqueous solution. The invention also relates to amino acid sequence variants, conditions and methods to obtain such proteins and variants, and us ages thereof, especially their usage as scaffolds and as therapeutic products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor binding peptides, polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using the foregoing.

Abstract: Culture media comprising manganese and methods of culturing cells to improve sialylation and glycosylation of glycoproteins are provided.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide inhibitor of SuIfIa having a sequence which is a variant of Sulf1a, and which lacks sulfatase activity and lacks the ability to bind to the surface of a cell. The polypeptide inhibitor of SuIf1a may be the alternatively spliced isoform SuIf1b. An isolated polypeptide inhibitor of Sulf2a having a sequence which is a variant of Sulf2a, and which lacks sulfatase activity and lacks the ability to bind to the surface of a cell. The polypeptide inhibitor of Sulf2a may be the alternatively spliced isoform Sulf2b. A method of combating a cancer in which Wnt signalling is upregulated or of treating ischaemia in a patient, the method comprising administering to the patient a polypeptide inhibitor of Sulf1a and/or Sulf2a. A method of combating a cancer in which Wnt signalling is not upregulated, the method comprising administering to the patient an inhibitor of Sulf1b and/or Sulf2b.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polynucleotide sequences comprising genes that encode novel lipolytic enzymes, as well asfunctional equivalents of the gene or the amino acid sequences with high homology thereto. The invention also relates to methods of using these lipolytic enzymes in industrial processes, for example in the dairy or baking industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides, preferably from Drosophila melanogaster (DmShaI) as target for insecticides.

Abstract: In order to provide a method for producing neural stem cells easily and quickly by inducing differentiation of somatic cells directly into neurospheres, dedifferentiation factors are introduced into somatic cells, which are then cultured in suspension in the presence of growth factors to produce the neurospheres, thereby allowing the neural stem cells to be produced quickly without establishing iPS cells.

Abstract: Provided are methods for producing a reprogrammed fibroblast. The methods can include growing a plurality of fibroblasts in monolayer culture to confluency; and disrupting the monolayer culture to place at least a fraction of the plurality of fibroblasts into suspension culture under conditions sufficient to form one or more embryoid body-like spheres, wherein the one or more embryoid body-like spheres comprise one or more reprogrammed fibroblasts that express one or more markers not expressed by a fibroblast growing in the monolayer culture prior to the disrupting step. Also provided are reprogrammed fibroblasts produced by the disclosed methods, formulations that include reprogrammed fibroblasts, and methods for treating an injury to a tissue in a subject by administering to a subject in need thereof a composition of reprogrammed fibroblast cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.