Abstract: DNA primers effective in screening G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNA fragments are provided. The primers which are complementary to nucleotide sequences that are in community with (homologous to) the nucleotide sequences encoding amino acid sequences corresponding to or near the first membrane-spanning domain or the sixth membrane-spanning domain each of known various G protein coupled receptor proteins were designed and synthesized. Methods of amplifying G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNAs using the above DNA primers, and novel target G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNAs are also provided. Screening of DNA libraries can be efficiently carried out. Human pituitary gland or amygdala-derived and mouse pancreas-derived G protein coupled receptor proteins, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the unexpected discovery that a molecule having as its major repeating units N-acetylglucosamine alternating in sequence with 2-O-sulfated uronic acid, inhibits FGF mitogenicity, and thus is useful in inhibiting angiogenesis. Additionally, the molecule has low toxicity and inhibits FGF mitogenicity without affecting anticoagulant activity. One preferred molecule is a glycosaminoglycan such as archaran sulfate. The molecules are in pharmaceutical compositions that can be used in the treatment of diseases which are angiogenesis-dependent.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, EC progenitors can be used in a method for regulating angiogenesis, i.e., enhancing or inhibiting blood vessel formation, in a selected patient and in some preferred embodiments for targetting specific locations. For example, the EC progenitors can be used to enhance angiogenesis or to deliver an angiogenesis modulator, e.g. anti- or pro-angiogenic agents, respectively to sites of pathologic or utilitarian angiogenesis. Additionally, in another embodiment, EC progenitors can be used to induce reendothelialization of an injured blood vessel, and thus reduce restenosis by indirectly inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: This invention discloses a PACAP receptor protein or a salt thereof, a DNA comprising a DNA fragment coding for the protein, a method for preparing the protein, antibody against the protein and use of the protein, DNA and antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cathepsin L inhibitor containing a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an arylalkyl, heterocyclic-alkyl or lower alkyl group which may be substituted; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently are a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; R.sup.4 is an alkanoyl, sulfonyl, carbonyloxy, carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl group which may be substituted; X is formula: --CHO or --CH.sub.2 OB (wherein B is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group of hydroxyl group); m and n independently are an integer of 0 or 1; provided that R.sup.4 is an alkanoyl group substituted by aryl, a sulfonyl group substituted by aryl having more than 9 carbon atoms or by lower alkyl, or a carbamoyl or thiocarbamoyl group which may be substituted when R.sup.1 is an unsubstituted lower alkyl, arylalkyl on methylthioethyl group, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently are a lower alkyl or arylalkyl, X is --CHO, m is 1 and n is 0 or 1, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptor protein or a salt thereof which is capable of binding PACAP and a method for preparing said receptor protein or salt thereof.

Abstract: A recombinant non-glycosylated mammalian growth factor (BTC-GF) stimulates proliferation of human smooth muscle cells. Especially, the amino acid sequence of the protein deduced from the nucleotide sequence coding for human BTC-GF is as that comprising the amino acids No. 1 to No. 147 of FIG. 10 (SEQ ID NO:5) or the amino acids No. 1 to 80 of FIG. 10 (SEQ ID NO:18), and the amino acid sequence of the protein deduced from the nucleotide sequence coding for mouse BTC-GF is as that comprising the amino acids No. 1 to No. 146 of FIG. 9 (SEQ ID NO:17).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of measuring a cloud point of polyglycerol-fatty acid ester comprising;adding polyglycerol-fatty acid ester to an aqueous solution of a salt, a polyhydric alcohol, or a mixture thereof to prepare a homogeneous aqueous polyglycerol-fatty acid ester solution;heating the obtained homogeneous aqueous solution to allow to change the homogeneous aqueous solution into a heterogeneous aqueous solution; andmeasuring a temperature at which the homogeneous aqueous solution changes into the heterogeneous aqueous solution.

Abstract: DNA sequences coding for a human metalloproteinase are described together with the corresponding antisense DNA and RNA. The DNA may be used to produce the metalloproteinase which may be used to generate antibodies thereto and to obtain other compounds capable of regulating the action of the metalloproteinase in vivo.

Abstract: A nonlinear device of the present invention includes: a first electrode and a second electrode at least partially opposing each other; and a nonlinear resistant layer made of a material mainly containing zinc sulfide, formed so as to be in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is made of an electrode material satisfying a relationship .DELTA.G.sub.M -.DELTA.G.sub.Zn >0, where .DELTA.G.sub.M is standard free energy of a generation reaction of a sulfide of the electrode material and .DELTA.G.sub.Zn is standard free energy of a generation reaction of a sulfide of zinc.

Abstract: A human receptor protein capable of binding TRH, a DNA coding for said protein, use of the proetein and DNA, a method for preparing said protein, and antibodies to the protein are described.The human TRH receptor protein and the DNA coding for the protein of the present invention are useful as (1) a diagnostic composition for neuropathy (particularly, dementia), (2) a pharmaceutical composition for neuropathy and (3) a material used for screening a TRH receptor agonist or antagonist.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel calpain having a proteolytic activity, its partial peptide or a salt either of them, a DNA coding for the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the DNA, a transformant carrying the recombinant vector, a process for producing the protein, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the DNA, an antibody against the protein, a method for screening for a compound which activates or inhibits a proteolytic activity of the protein, a kit for screening for the compound, and a compound which activates or inhibits a proteolytic activity of the protein which is identified by the screening method or the kit. The DNA coding for the protein of the present invention can be used as a therapeutic and prophylactic composition for a variety of diseases including tumor, cerebral apoplexy, cerebral infarction, subarachnoid hemorrhage, Alzheimer's disease, myodystrophy, cataract, ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, arthritis, and collagen disease.

Abstract: This invention concerns a monoclonal antibody having binding specificity for an antigenic determinant site on core structural protein from Non-A,Non-B hepatitis virus (NANBV); a hybridoma cell line capable of producing the monoclonal antibody; a process for the preparation of the monoclonal antibody; an immunoassay of NANBV-related antigens by use of the monoclonal antibody; and a test kit for use in the immunoassay. The preferred monoclonal antibody is 5E3, 5F11, 515S or 1080S. The monoclonal antibody can specifically recognize the NANBV core structural protein in sera from patients with Non-A,Non-B hepatitis thereby being served extensively as an antibody in various immunological reagents for definitive diagnosis of Non-A, Non-B hepatitis.

Abstract: A container having a removable indicator tag which is releasably attachable thereto. The tag can be attached to a peripheral rim, pedestal, lid, under a peripheral rim or to the sidewall.

Abstract: A cysteine-free peptide is produced by producing a fused protein comprising a protein having cysteine at its N-terminal and a cysteine-free peptide ligated to the N-terminal and subsequently subjecting the fused protein to a reaction for cleaving the peptide linkage.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that humans have a gene that encodes a novel protein of the thymosin .beta. family. This novel protein, herein referred to as thymosin .beta.15, has the ability to bind and sequester G-actin, like other members of the thymosin .beta. family, but unlike what is known about other members also directly regulates cell motility in prostatic carcinoma cells. A cDNA of the human thymosin .beta.15 gene (SEQ ID NO: 1) and having the deduced the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2) was isolated. The present inventors have shown that enhanced transcripts (mRNA) and expression of the thymosin .beta.15 gene in non-testicular cells has a high correlation to disease state in a number of cancers, such as prostate, lung, melanoma and breast cancer, particularly metastatic cancers. Accordingly, discovering enhanced levels of transcript or gene product in non-testicular tissues can be used in not only a diagnostic manner, but a prognostic manner for particular cancers.

Abstract: This invention discloses a PACAP receptor protein or a salt thereof, a DNA comprising a DNA fragment coding for the protein, a method for preparing the protein, antibody against the protein and use of the protein, DNA and antibodies. A PACAP receptor protein was purified from the bovine cerebrum. DNAs coding for PACAP receptor proteins were isolated from bovine, rat and human cDNA libraries, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. The PACAP receptor proteins and the DNAs coding for the proteins of the present invention can be used for (1) acquisition of antibodies and antisera, (2) construction of expression systems of recombinant receptor proteins, (3) development of receptor binding assay systems using said expression systems and screening of potential compounds for drugs, (4) execution of drug design based on the comparison of ligands and receptors which are structurally similar to each other, (5) preparation of probes and PCR primers in gene diagnosis, and the like.

Abstract: The invention pertains to self-assembled replication defective hybrid virus-like particles having capsid and membrane glycoproteins from at least two different virus types and method of making same. Recombinant viral vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: We have now discovered a helper virus free herpesvirus packaging system. This system can be used to package a wide range of desired nucleotide segments, preferably a DNA segment, into an empty herpesvirus particle because of the large genomes of herpesviruses. Preferably, the herpesvirus is an alpha herpesvirus. More preferably, the herpesvirus is an alpha herpesvirus such as Varicella-Zoster virus, pseudorabies virus, or a herpes simplex virus such as HSV-1 or HSV-2. Another preferred herpesvirus is Epstein-Barr virus.

Abstract: A mutein resulting from substitution of cysteins for at least one of the constitutional amino acids has a high stability, and can serve well as a pharmaceutical, such as a healing promoting agent for wounds.