Abstract: The invention provides for DNA encoding Fas ligand muteins and chimeras and the proteins encoded thereby. The invention further includes the use of DNA and vectors to produce transformed cells expressing the mutant or chimeric Fas ligand. When the Fas ligand of the invention is a non cleavable form, the cells expressing the Fas ligand are useful in vitro for identifying Fas expressing cells and in vitro or in vivo for reducing populations of Fas expressing cells. Thus, in other embodiments, the present invention is also directed to a method for treating a patient, for example a mammal, for autoimmune disease or transplant rejection by administering a Fas ligand therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent is a polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide or a small molecule. The polypeptides include full-length Fas ligand polypeptide, or a biologically active variant, derivative, portion, fusion or peptide thereof.

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: Gene sequences as shown in SEQ ID NO:1-18 have been discovered and isolated, and found to be significantly associated with metastatic spread of breast and colon cancer cells to other organs. Methods are provided for determining the risk of metastasis of a breast or colon tumor, which involve determining whether a tissue sample from a tumor expresses a polypeptide encoded by a gene as shown in SEQ ID NOS:1-18, or a substantial portion thereof. One of the gene sequences encodes a novel aspartyl protease termed CSP56, which can be used to provide reagents and methods for determining which tumors are likely to metastasize and for suppressing metastases of these tumors. Clinicians can use this information to predict which tumors will metastasize to other organs and to provide relevant therapies to appropriate patients.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and uses of NRG4, and to variants thereof and to polynucleotides encoding NRG4, for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, particularly related to colon and pancreatic cancer. This invention also relates to therapeutic agents based on or derived from the polynucleotides and proteins, NRG4 inhibitors, particularly antibodies capable of specifically binding to NRG4.

Abstract: A stress-phosphorylated endoplasmic reticulum protein, Nogo B, is provided. The protein is hyperphosphorylated as a result of exposure of cells to stress. Two transcripts of Nogo B are identified in human tissues, and the longer transcript is predominant in human brain tumor samples.