Abstract: The present invention relates to novel sequences for use in detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including cancer. The invention provides novel splice products of human DKKL-1 gene. The present invention provides methods of using polynucleotides having the novel splice products of the human DKKL-1 sequences, their corresponding gene products and modulators of the DKKL-1 splice products for the detection, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of associated cancers.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, models of bone metastasis, methods for identifying agents that modulate skeletal related events and metastasis, methods for modulating skeletal related events and metastases, and methods for detecting skeletal related events and metastases. The methods and models generally comprise co-culturing cancer cells and host cells and comparing biological markers from such co-cultured cells to control cells.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of cancer-related genes. Specifically it relates to methods for detecting cancer or the likelihood of developing cancer based on the presence or absence of the SEM A4D gene or proteins encoded by this gene. The invention also provides methods and molecules for upregulating or downregulating the SEMA4D gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel sequences for use in diagnosis and treatment of carcinomas, especially lymphoma carcinomas. In addition, the present invention describes the use of novel compositions for use in screening methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel sequences for use in detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancers, especially lymphomas. The invention provides cancer-associated (CA) polynucleotide sequences whose expression is associated with cancer. The present invention provides CA polypeptides associated with cancer that are present on the cell surface and present novel therapeutic targets against cancer. The present invention further provides diagnostic compositions and methods for the detection of cancer. The present invention provides monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific for the CA polypeptides. The present invention also provides diagnostic tools and therapeutic compositions and methods for screening, prevention and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions of matter useful for the enhancement of apoptosis in mammals and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of alleviating prostate disorders by activation of the Notch1 receptor. Also provided herein are methods for detecting and diagnosing prostate disorders, wherein the specific disorder is prostate cancer.

Abstract: Agonist antibodies are disclosed which bind to the extracellular domain of receptor protein tyrosine kinases pTKs, and thereby cause dimerization and activation of the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain thereof. The antibodies are useful for activating their respective receptor and thereby enabling the role of the tyrosine kinase receptor in cell growth and/or differentiation to be studied. Chimeric proteins comprising the extracellular domain of the receptor pTKs and an immunoglobulin constant domain sequence are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to interleukin-22 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to the &agr;v&bgr;3 integrin receptor known to be expressed in large amounts on the surface of osteoclasts and accordingly, associated with bone resorption. The disclosed monoclonal antibodies are believed to recognize unique epitopes on &agr;v&bgr;3 and are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with excessive bone resorption and/or in the inhibition of tumor cell growth.

Abstract: An assay for measuring activation (i.e., autophosphorylation) of a tyrosine kinase receptor of interest is disclosed. (a) A first solid phase is coated with a substantially homogeneous population of cells so that the cells adhere to the first solid phase. The cells have either an endogenous tyrosine kinase receptor or have been transformed with DNA encoding a receptor or “receptor construct” and the DNA has been expressed so that the receptor or receptor construct is presented in the cell membranes of the cells. (b) A ligand is then added to the solid phase having the adhering cells, such that the tyrosine kinase receptor is exposed to the ligand. (c) Following exposure to the ligand, the adherent cells are solubilized, thereby releasing cell lysate. (d) A second solid phase is coated with a capture agent which binds specifically to the tyrosine kinase receptor, or, in the case of a receptor construct, to the flag polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neuronal formation and methods of treating diseases characterized by abnormalities in the activity of dopaminergic (DA) and serotonergic (5HT) neurons. In particular, the invention relates to a method of forming serotonergic neurons in vitro by contacting neuroprogenitor cells to an effective amount of native sequence, variants and functional fragments of FGF-4, FGF-8 and Shh. Additionally, disclosed is a method for forming dopaminergic neurons by contacting neuroprogenitor cells to an effective amount of FGF-8 and Shh. Further described are compositions, cell culture compositions and medical devices which contain sufficient amount of FGF-8, Shh or FGF-8, Shh and FGF-4 to stimulate differentiation into dopaminergic or serotonergic neurons, respectively.

Abstract: An activator of the Rse receptor protein tyrosine kinase has been identified which is encoded by growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6). Accordingly, the present invention provides variant gas6 polypeptides, compositions comprising variant gas6 polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding variant gas6 polypeptides, vectors comprising those nucleic acids and host cells comprising those vectors. The present invention is further directed to methods for making variant gas6 polypeptides.

Abstract: An activator of the Rse receptor protein tyrosine kinase has been identified which is encoded by growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6). Accordingly, the present invention provides compositions comprising gas6 polypeptides wherein the gas6 polypeptides are present in an amount effective for activating the Rse receptor. The present invention is further directed to articles of manufacture comprising gas6 polypeptides such as kits and containers containing gas6 polypeptide compositions and gas6 polypeptide In a liposome or adsorbed to a membrane.

Abstract: Uses for Wnt polypeptides in hematopoiesis are disclosed. In particular, in vitro and in vivo methods for enhancing proliferation, differentiation or maintenance of a hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell using a Wnt polypeptide, and optionally another cytokine, are described.