Abstract: The present inventors have now 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 it also directly regulates cell motility in prostatic carcinoma cells. The present invention is directed to an isolated cDNA encoding the human thymosin .beta.15 gene (SEQ ID NO: 1) and have deduced the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2).

Abstract: A transformant, which harbors a recombinant vector containing a DNA which codes for human nerve growth factor 2 and a DNA which codes for the pro-region of a nerve growth factor at 5'-terminal of said DNA, produces human nerve factor 2 in stable and large amount in a culture medium.

Abstract: Disclosed in a system for instructing note and chord finger placement on a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings and frets arranged along a fingerboard comprising at least one instruction element adapted to be positioned adjacent to the fingerboard of the stringed instrument and having thereon a first indicia corresponding to the frets and a second indicia corresponding to the strings and frets, said second indicia denoting notes capable of being sounded by the instrument when a string depression is made at a corresponding location on the fingerboard.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to building modules, each having a portion of an ellipse as seen in cross-section, which can be interconnected to form a modular building structure having substantially unrestricted interior space, comprising at least two each having a portion of an ellipse as seen in cross-section without the use of interior supports. The shape of each building module of the present invention is selected such that when two are connected, the resulting building structure defines three spaces each having a portion of an ellipse as seen in cross-section. When four are connected, the resulting building structure defines six each having a portion of an ellipse as seen in cross-section. Similarly, additional building modules can be added, providing a system for preparing a building structure with a multitude of spaces each having a portion of an ellipse as seen in cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glia activating factor (GAF) in which 33 to 49 N-terminal amino acids are deleted from the N-terminus of the GAF polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3, as well as an anti-GAF antibody which is highly sensitive to assay the GAF and is capable of neutralizing GAF's activity, is produced.Using the antibody, GAF and its biological activity can be assayed easily with high sensitivity. Further, the neutralizing antibody can be expected to have preventive and curative effects on diseases caused by GAF's excessive action. Furthermore, the GAF polypeptide disclosed herein is more stable to acids and heat than the conventional GAFs, therefore, it can be used as a platelet-increasing agent, etc., more advantageously than the previously known GAFs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for regulating formation of a complex of a plasminogen activator, its receptor and one of its inhibitors. More specifically, this method involves contacting a target cell having a plasminogen activator receptor with a compound which interacts with a component of the complex such that a change in target cell cytoskeletal stiffness results.