Abstract: The present invention relates to lyophilized formulations of Stem Cell Factor (SCF) with increased stability. The formulations of lyophilized SCF include amino acid buffers and sucrose. Methods of producing said formulations are also disclosed in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel secreted polypeptide, termed Osteoprotegerin, which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor super family and is involved in the regulation of bone metabolism. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding Osteoprotegerin, polypeptides, recombinant vectors and host cells for expression, antibodies which bind Osteoprotegerin, and pharmaceutical compositions. The polypeptides are used to treat bone diseases characterized by increased resorption such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel secreted polypeptide, termed Osteoprotegerin, which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and is involved in the regulation of bone metabolism. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding Osteoprotegerin, polypeptides, recombinant vectors and host cells for expression, antibodies which bind Osteoprotegerin, and pharmaceutical compositions. The polypeptides are used to treat bone diseases characterized by increased resorption such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel secreted polypeptide, termed Osteoprotegerin, which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and is involved in the regulation of bone metabolism. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding Osteoprotegerin, polypeptides, recombinant vectors and host cells for expression, antibodies which bind Osteoprotegerin, and pharmaceutical compositions. The polypeptides are used to treat bone diseases characterized by increased resorption such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel secreted polypeptide, termed Osteoprotegerin, which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and is involved in the regulation of bone metabolism. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding Osteoprotegerin, polypeptides, recombinant vectors and host cells for expression, antibodies which bind Osteoprotegerin, and pharmaceutical compositions. The polypeptides are used to treat bone diseases characterized by increased resorption such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for preventing and/or treating injury or degeneration of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons by administering a neurturin neurotrophic factor protein product. The invention relates more specifically to methods for treating sensorineural hearing loss.

Abstract: The in vivo circulating life and/or absorption of cationic therapeutic proteins, including but not limited to basic proteins such as NT-3, can be increased by generating analogs that have a lower isoelectric point and, preferably, also a lower protein charge relative to the protein of native sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (“G-CSF”) analogs and compositions containing such analogs which retain the three-dimensional structure of the internal core of the four alpha helical bundle of G-CSF. In another aspect, such G-CSF analogs can also be attached with biologically active proteins to form hybrid molecules and still retain G-CSF structural integrity. Also provided are methods for determining and preparing analog or hybrid molecules and modifications.

Abstract: A fibrinolytically active metalloproteinase polypeptide (called “novel acting thrombolytic”) which is useful for blood clot lysis in vivo and methods and materials for its production by recombinant expression are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of polyol/thickened oil suspensions containing a biologically active agent, for the sustained delivery of the biologically active agent. The described protein/glycerol/oil suspensions show sustained release of protein, e.g., G-CSF, of up to at least one week.

Abstract: A novel neurotrophic factor referred to as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been identified. Genes encoding GDNF have been cloned and sequenced. Methods and devices are disclosed for the delivery of GDNF using either an implantable cell which expresses human GDNF or a biocompatible semipermeable membrane containing genetically engineered cells which express and secrete the neurotrophic factor.

Abstract: The invention concerns eukaryotic cells useful in protein expression comprising (a) an inserted nucleic acid encoding a cyclin D gene product and (b) an inserted nucleic acid encoding a protein of interest, wherein the cyclin D gene product and the protein of interest are expressed in the cell. The invention also concerns a process for producing a protein of interest, which comprises (a) inserting into a eukaryotic cell a nucleic acid encoding a cyclin D gene product and a nucleic acid encoding a protein of interest; (b) culturing the cell under conditions permitting the expression of the protein of interest; and (c) isolating the protein of interest. The cells are preferably mammalian, with CHO cells most preferred. The cyclin D gene product is preferably of human origin. Suitable proteins of interest include erythropoietin (EPO), osteoprotegerin (OPG), OPG-Fc, leptin, Fc-leptin, and Novel Erythropoiesis Stimulating Protein (NESP).

Abstract: The in vivo circulating life and/or absorption of the cationic therapeutic protein BDNF can be increased by generating analogs that have a lower isoelectric point and, preferably, also a lower protein charge relative to the protein of native sequence.

Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to chemical modification of biologically active proteins or analogs thereof. More specifically, the present invention describes novel methods for site-specific chemical modification of various proteins, and resultant compositions having improved biocompatibility and bioactivity.

Abstract: Polypeptide growth factors, termed PDPFs, are described which are derived from placental tissue and promote the proliferation, growth and survival of prostate cells and epithelial cells. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides are also described which are useful in recombinant methods for the production of the polypeptides.

Abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder which is pathologically characterized by the presence of intracytoplasmic Lewy bodies, the major component of which are filaments consisting of &agr;-synuclein. The present invention provides &agr;-synuclein mutations which accelerate &agr;-synuclein aggregation and can thus be utilized for transgenic animal production and generation of the first progressive PD model. Also provided is an in vitro aggregation assay which can be utilized to identify &agr;-synuclein nucleation inhibitors for the treatment of PD.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel proteins, referred to as truncated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (truncated GDNF) proteins, that promote dopamine uptake by dopaminergic cells and promote the survival of nerve cells. Also disclosed are processes for obtaining the truncated GDNF proteins by recombinant genetic engineering techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to recombinant methods and materials for effecting the microbial production of useful polypeptides. More particularly, the invention relates to expression vector systems which utilize a translational repressor system, and transcriptional control proteins to provide a highly efficient, tightly regulated, staged inducible promoter system capable of expressing exogenous genes, including toxic genes, in E. coli.

Abstract: Polypeptides which bind to one or more EPH-like receptors, particularly the HEK4 receptor, are described. The polypeptides are designated HEK4 binding proteins. Nucleic acids encoding HEK4 binding proteins, and expression vectors, host cells and processes for the production of the polypeptides are also described. The polypeptides are useful for modulating the growth and/or differentiation of a variety of tissues, including those from liver, kidney, lung, skin, digestive tract and nervous system and may be used to regenerate damaged or depleted tissue and to treat cancer or nervous system disorders.

Abstract: Methods for identifying novel secreted mammalian proteins in mammalian host cells are described. Reporter polypeptides which allow detection of signal sequences by growth selection or by enzymatic activity are also described.