Abstract: Human choline acetyltransferase polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for the treatment of cognitive and neurological deficiencies or mental disturbances such as degenerative nervous system disorders, for example, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS and other cholinergic defects, and antagonists for treating Parkinson's Disease and other disorders relating to an over-expression of acetylcholine. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the human Choline Acetyltransferase nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered novel receptors in the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptor family. In particular, receptors having homology to the type 2 TNF receptor (TNF-RII) are provided. Isolated nucleic acid molecules are also provided encoding the novel receptors of the present invention. Receptor polypeptides are further provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a novel member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of cytokines. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the endokine alpha protein. Endokine alpha polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. Also provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods concerning TNF family-related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human apoptosis related polypeptides and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such polypeptides. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human apoptosis related polypeptides. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human apoptosis related polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to NKAF II polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, methods for producing the polypeptides, in particular by expressing the polynucleotides, and agonists and antagonists of the polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods for utilizing such polynucleotides, polypeptides, agonists and antagonists for applications, which relate, in part, to research, diagnostic and clinical arts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein belonging to an ADAM family, a partial peptide thereof or a salt thereof, a DNA encoding the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the DNA, a transformant, a method for producing the protein, a medicine comprising the protein or the DNA, an antibody against the protein, a method/kit for screening for a compound or a salt thereof which promotes or inhibits the protease activity or the extracellular metric degrading enzyme activity (preferably, the peptidoglycan degrading enzyme activity) of the protein, a compound obtained by the screening, and a medicine comprising the compound. The present protein and a DNA encoding it can be used, for example, as an agent for treating or preventing various diseases such as disc herniation, ischialgia, glomerular nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, hepatic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis or osteopetrosis. In addition, the present antibody can be used for quantitating the present protein in a test solution.

Abstract: Human breast specific gene polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polynucleotides or polypeptides as a diagnostic marker for breast cancer and as an agent to determine if breast cancer has metastasized. Also disclosed are antibodies specific to the breast specific gene polypeptides which may be used to target cancer cells and be used as part of a breast cancer vaccine. Methods of screening for antagonists for the polypeptide and therapeutic uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A human epidermal differentiation factor polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for treating and/or preventing skin diseases. Diagnostic assays for detecting mutations in a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences for HC gp-39L are provided. Methods of detecting altered expression of tissue remodeling proteins and diagnosing tissue remodeling disorders are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that immunospecifically bind to TRAIL receptor, TR4. Such antibodies have uses, for example, in the prevention and treatment of cancers and other proliferative disorders. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-TR4 antibodies, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids, and methods for producing the same. The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder, especially cancer and other hyperproliferative disorders, comprising administering to an animal, preferably a human, an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments or variants thereof, or related molecules, that immunospecifically bind to TRAIL receptor TR4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel CK?-5 protein which is a member of the alpha chemokine family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human CK?-5 protein. CK?-5 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of CK?-5 activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel I-FLICE-1 or I-FLICE-2 protein which is a novel inhibitor of TNFR-1 and CD-95 induced apoptosis. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human I-FLICE-1 or I-FLICE-2 protein. I-FLICE-1 or I-FLICE-2 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of I-FLICE-1 or I-FLICE-2 activity. Also provided are therapeutic methods for treating diseases and disorders associated with apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel vaccines for the prevention or attenuation of infection by Streptococcus pneunoniae. The invention further relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding antigenic polypeptides of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antigenic polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention additionally relates to diagnostic methods for detecting Streptococcus nucleic acids, polypeptides and antibodies in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human secreted proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antiproliferative genes. More specifically, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human B-cell translocation genes 2 and 3 (BTG-2 and BTG-3). BTG-2 and BTG-3 polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel HLF protein which is a member of the heregulin family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human HLF protein. HLF polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of HLF activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting disorders of the regulation of cell growth and therapeutic methods for treating disorders of the regulation of cell growth.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to VEGF-2 polynucleotides and polypeptides and methods of using such polynucleotides and polypeptides. In particular, provided are methods of treating retinal disorders with VEGF-2 polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Abstract: A human EMAP III polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for preventing and/or treating neoplasia. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention for detecting diseases, for example, cancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel galectin 11 proteins which are members of the galectin superfamily. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human galectin 11 proteins. Galectin 11 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of galectin 11 activity. Also provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1) polypeptide (previously termed MIP-3 and chemokine ?8 (CK?8 or ckb-8)); a human monocyte-colony inhibitory factor (M-CIF) polypeptide (previously termed MIP1-? and chemokine ?1 (CK?1 or ckb-1)), and a macrophage inhibitory protein-4 (MIP-4), as well as MPIF-1, M-CIF and/or MIP-4 polypeptides themselves, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.