Abstract: The invention relates to methods for improving renal (kidney) function. Methods for decreasing blood urea nitrogen (BUN), for increasing glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and for decreasing serum creatinine are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compounds for treating specific early stage aspects and late stage aspects of diabetic nephropathy. Methods and compounds for treating various physiological features associated with early stage and with late stage diabetic nephropathy are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compounds for regulating fat metabolism and achieving fat homeostasis in a subject. Methods and compound for regulating body weight, reducing body fat, and inducing weight loss are also provided, as are methods and compounds for treating or preventing obesity and for preventing or treating conditions associated with altered fat metabolism including, e.g., obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compounds for regulating glucose metabolism, achieving glucose homeostasis, and decreasing blood glucose levels. Methods and compounds for treating or preventing diabetes, hyperglycemia, and disorders and conditions associated with altered or impaired glucose metabolism are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing the presence and progress of pathologies characterized by an accumulation of the extracellular matrix components by measuring the level of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) in a sample. The method of the present invention is directed to diagnosing kidney fibrosis and associated renal disorders, in particular, complications associated with diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating impaired cardiac function. Methods for treating various physiological and pathological features associated with cardiac dysfunction by administering an agent that inhibits the expression or activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides two human p24 vesicle trafficking proteins (designated individually as Hp24-1 and Hp24-2 and collectively as Hp24) and polynucleotides which identify and encode Hp24. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding Hp24 and a method for producing Hp24. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding Hp24, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of Hp24. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding Hp24 for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of Hp24. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding Hp24.

Abstract: The invention provides a human phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 5-phosphatase (PBPP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode PBPP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of PBPP.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human dosage compensation-associated protein (HDCAP) and polynucleotides which encode HDCAP. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HDCAP and a method for producing HDCAP. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding HDCAP, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HDCAP. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HDCAP for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HDCAP. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding HDCAP.

Abstract: The invention provides a human translational regulator (TRANAC) and polynucleotides which identify and encode TRANAC. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of TRANAC.

Abstract: The invention provides a new human phosphatidylinositol transfer protein gamma (PITP.gamma.) and polynucleotides which identify and encode PITP.gamma.. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of PITP.gamma..

Abstract: The invention provides a human aflatoxin B1 aldehyde reductase (AFB1-hAR) and polynucleotides which identify and encode AFB1-hAR. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of AFB1-hAR.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel human ATPase inhibitor protein (HATPI) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HATPI. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acid sequences encoding HATPI. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing HATPI or antagonists to HATPI, and in the use of these compositions for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HATPI. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HATPI for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HATPI. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, to hybridize to the genomic sequence or transcripts of polynucleotides encoding HATPI or anti-HATPI antibodies which specifically bind to HATPI.

Abstract: The invention provides a human insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate (IRS-p53h) and polynucleotides which identify and encode IRS-p53h. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of IRS-p53h.

Abstract: The present invention provides two regulators of G-protein signaling (designated individually as RGPS-1 and RGPS-2, and collectively as RGPS) and polynucleotides which identify and encode RGPS. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. In addition, the invention also provides methods for producing RGPS and for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of RGPS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human growth factor receptor binding protein (GRBP) and polynucleotides which encode GRBP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antisense molecules, antibodies, or antagonists. The invention also provides methods for producing GRBP and for treating disorders associated with expression of GRBP.

Abstract: The present invention provides two human p24 vesicle trafficking proteins (designated individually as Hp24-1 and Hp24-2 and collectively as Hp24) and polynucleotides which identify and encode Hp24. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding Hp24 and a method for producing Hp24. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding Hp24, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of Hp24. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding Hp24 for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of Hp24. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding Hp24.

Abstract: The present invention provides three Rab proteins (designated individually as HRABS-1, HRABS-2, and HRABS-3, and collectively as HRABS) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HRABS. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HRABS and a method for producing HRABS. The invention also provides for use of HRABS and agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding HRABS, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HRABS. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HRABS for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HRABS. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding HRABS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide which identifies and encodes a novel human galectin-8. The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding human galectin-8. The invention also provides for the production and use of substantially purified human galectin-8 in pharmaceutical compositions to increase immune responses. The invention also provides for the use of antisense molecules and antibodies in pharmaceutical compositions to decrease immune response. The invention also describes diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide to hybridize with the transcripts and/or genomic DNA encoding human galectin-8 and anti-human galectin-8 antibodies which specifically bind to human galectin-8.