Abstract: Hypersecretion of mucus in the lungs is inhibited by the administration of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) antagonist. The EGF-R antagonist may be in the form of a small organic molecule, an antibody, or portion of an antibody that binds to and blocks the EGF receptor. The EGF-R antagonist is preferably administered by injection in an amount sufficient to inhibit formation of goblet cells in pulmonary airways. The degranulation of goblet cells that results in airway mucus production is thereby inhibited. Assays for screening candidate agents that inhibit goblet cell proliferation are also provided.

Abstract: Neurological dysfunction is prevented or treated by the administration of ligands that activate the GPR30 receptor. Ligands include, but are not limited to, estrogens and structurally related molecules. In a preferred embodiment, the GPR30 ligand is an orally available drug that can cross into the brain from blood. Of particular interest are ligands that do not activate other estrogen receptors, and therefore do not have the classical estrogenic effects attributable to these receptors.

Abstract: TSG101 is a tumor susceptibility gene whose homozygous functional knock out in fibroblasts leads to transformation and the ability of these cells to form metastatic tumors in nude mice. The cellular transformation that results from inactivation of TSG101 is reversible by restoration of TSG101 function. Decreased expression of TSG101 is associated with the occurrence of certain human cancers, including breast carcinomas. The TSG101 nucleic acid compositions find use in identifying homologous or related proteins and the DNA sequences encoding such proteins; in producing compositions that modulate the expression or function of the protein; and in studying associated physiological pathways. In addition, modulation of the gene activity in vivo is used for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, such as treatment of cancer, identification of cell type based on expression, and the like.

Abstract: Ku(Ku70 and Ku80) of yeast and mammalian cells and other components of the Ku-associated DNA repair pathway are involved in retrotransposon and retroviral integration into cellular nucleic acids. Agents which inhibit activity of the pathway are useful for inhibition of retroviruses. Such agents are obtainable using assays involving the Ku-associated DNA repair pathway and one or more components thereof.