Abstract: The invention relates to novel ninjurin proteins, nucleic acids, peptides, antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Described herein are results which show that an endothelin receptor antagonist, BQ788, increases pigmentation and significantly reduces the viability of 7 human melanoma cell lines in culture. Moreover, it is described herein that administration of BQ788 significantly slows melanoma tumor growth in nude mice, including a complete growth arrest in half of the mice treated systemically. Thus, inhibitors of endothelin receptor activity are described herein as beneficial for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of particles comprising binding ligands and electron transfer moieties (ETMs). Upon binding of a target analyte, a particle and a reporter composition are associated and transported to an electrode surface. The ETMs are then detected, allowing the presence or absence of the target analyte to be determined.

Abstract: The invention provides bifunctional detection agents comprising optical dyes covalently linked to at least one magnetic resonance image (MRI) contrast agent. These agents may include a linker, which may be either a coupling moiety or a polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel interferon-beta activity (IbA) proteins and nucleic acids. The invention further relates to the use of the IbA proteins in the treatment of IFN-&bgr; related disorders.

Abstract: Various compositions containing transfer factor in combination with nutraceuticals are provided including transfer factor in combination with zinc and essential fatty acids and transfer factor in combination with lactic acid generating bacteria. Also provided are methods for treating animal diseases and syndromes using these compositions.

Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acids comprising region(s) of Listeria monocytogenes genome that are unique to an individual serotype and genomic cluster are provided. Also provided are oligonucleotide probes and primers derived from the recombinant nucleic acid sequences and methods for their use in the detection and identification serovar 4 and genomic cluster IIB strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel, stable recombinant gamma interferons exhibiting in greater or less degree the antiviral and antiproliferative activity in humans and pH 2 labile properties characteristic of native human gamma interferon. The amino acid sequence of such an interferon comprises, from the N-terminus: X-Y-Asp . . . Thr   1   2       126 wherein X is a methionine residue or hydrogen and Y is a glutamine residue, or, where X is hydrogen, Y is either a glutamine or a pyroglutamate residue.

Abstract: Described herein are vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) variants having modifications in the C-terminus heparin binding domain. The variants exhibit reduced clearance rates for systemic administration generally at lower doses compared with native VEGF thus providing variants having longer availability for therapeutic effect.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for analyzing sequence variations in nucleic acid samples comprising multiple loci, each having two, three or more possible allelic sequences. The method involves combining at least a first and second pair of oligonucleotide probes with the nucleic acid sample. The first pair of probes is capable of hybridizing in proximity to each other within a segment of the nucleic acid sample comprising the first locus and the second pair is capable of hybridizing in proximity to each other within a segment of the nucleic acid sample comprising the second locus. The first member of each probe pair comprises a FRET donor and the second member comprises a FRET acceptor, the FRET acceptor of the first probe pair member having a different emission spectrum from the FRET acceptor of the second probe pair.

Abstract: The acid-labile sub-unit (ALS) of insulin like growth factor binding protein complex in biologically pure form is described. ALS has a molecular weight between 80-115 kd as determined by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, run under reducing conditions; and a partial N-terminal amino acid sequence as follows: Gly AspProGlyThrProGlyGluAlaGluGlyProAlaCysProAlaAlaCysAla wherein the first amino acid may be Gly or Ala. Also described are methods of producing ALS, compositions containing the in-vivo IGF protein complex, methods of detecting ALS in body fluids, recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding ALS, and expression vectors and host cells containing such nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: Probes and processes for their use for specific recognition and/or cleavage of double-stranded DNA or RNA at sequence specific desired loci through the intermediacy of a triple helix are disclosed. These probes may also be used as diagnostic chemotherapeutic agents through incorporation of a radiolabeled, fluorescing, or otherwise detectable molecule. Preferred assay conditions are also provided for recognition of homopurine-homopyrimidine double-helical tracts within large DNA by triple helix formation under physiological conditions. Hybridization probes for double-stranded recognition with binding site sizes that range >8 base pairs are also provided.

Abstract: Proteinaceous polymers having repetitive units from naturally occurring structural proteins are employed as backbones for functionalities for crosslinking to provide strongly adherent tissue adhesive compositions for bonding together separated tissue, and for sealing or filling tissue defects by injecting the compositions into the defects. Particularly, block copolymers having repeating units of elastin and fibroin are employed having lysine substitutions in spaced apart units, where the amino group can be crosslinked using difunctional crosslinking agents such as glutaraldehyde, activated diolefins, diisocyanates, acid anhydrides or diamines. The protein polymer contains at least 40 weight percent of repetitive units of 3 to 30 amino acids, preferably 3 to 15 amino acids, of at least one naturally occurring structural protein and at least two amino acids containing a functional group capable of reacting with the crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of matter comprising a polypeptide expressed from insect cells harboring a baculovirus vector the encodes the polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises amino acid sequences derived from the p42 fragment of the Plasmodium falciparum gp 195 protein or derivatives thereof. Such compositions of matter find use for example for inducing the production of anti-p42 antibodies both in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: Improved oligonucleotides and processes for their use for specific recognition of a target sequence in double-stranded nucleic acid through the formation of an alternate strand triple-helix. The triple-helix forming oligonucleotides bind in a parallel and antiparallel orientation, respectively, to target sequences on alternate strands of the double helical nucleic acid. The oligonucleotides are useful as diagnostic or therapeutic agents and can incorporate an appropriate moiety in one or more nucleotides in the triple-helix forming oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Described herein are vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) variants having structural alterations in the C-terminus heparin binding domain and methods of use. The variants exhibit reduced clearance rates for systemic administration generally at lower doses compared with native VEGF thus providing variants having longer availability for therapeutic effect.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for identifying and diagnosing individuals at risk for a disease state associated with aberrant Rad41 foci.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel chimeric VEGF receptor proteins comprising amino acid sequences derived from the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors flt-1 and KDR, including the murine homologue to the human KDR receptor FLK-1, wherein said chimeric VEGF receptor proteins bind to VEGF and antagonize the endothelial cell proliferative and angiogenic activity thereof. The present invention is also directed to nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding these chimeric VEGF receptor proteins, host cells harboring such expression vectors, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising such proteins, methods of preparing such proteins and to methods utilizing such proteins for the treatment of conditions associated with undesired vascularization.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided which are useful for delivering a biologically active substance to a localized site in vivo and for altering the physical dimensions of a body tissue. These method and compositions employ protein polymers having varying ratios of elastin-like collagen-like, keratin-like repeating units and repeating units which promote protein crystallization such as silk-like repeating units. By varying the length of segments of the repeating units and/or the concentration of the protein polymers in the composition, the rate of delivery of a biologically active substance to a localized site can be greatly varied. Moreover, because the compositions are capable of acquiring a non-liquid form under normal physiological conditions, they find use as biocompatible tissue augmentation products.

Abstract: Novel vectors are disclosed for expressing and secreting heterologous polypeptides from filamentous fungi. Such vectors are used in novel processes to express and secrete such heterologous polypeptides. The vectors used for transforming a filamentous fungus to express and secrete a heterologous polypeptide include a DNA sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide and a DNA sequence encoding a signal sequence which is functional in a secretory system in a given filamentous fungus and which is operably linked to the sequence encoding the heterologous polypeptide. Such signal sequences may be the signal sequence normally associated with the heterologous polypeptides or may be derived from other sources. The vector may also contain DNA sequences encoding a promoter sequence which is functionally recognized by the filamentous fungus and which is operably linked to the DNA sequence encoding the signal sequence.