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 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 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: Disclosed is a novel gene termed ART which is expressed primarily in selected regions of the brain, as well as adrenal and lung tissues. Polypeptides encoded by ART are also disclosed, as are methods for preparing ART DNA and amino acid sequences.

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: There are provided compounds, compositions and methods of use thereof in the modulation of feeding behavior, obesity, diabetes, cancer (tumor), inflammatory disorders, depression, stress related disorders, Alzheimer's disease and other disease conditions.

Abstract: Selected novel substituted pyridine compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as TNF-&agr;, IL-1&bgr;, IL-6 and/or IL-8 mediated diseases, and other maladies, suchas pain and diabetes. The inventin encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving inflammation, pain, diabetes, cancer and the like. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermedates useful in such processes.

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 present invention comprises a new class of novel aryl and heteroaryl substituted fused pyrrole compounds useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases or conditions, such as TNF-&agr;, IL-1&bgr;, IL-6 and/or IL-8 mediated diseases, and other maladies, such as pain and diabetes. In particular, the compounds of the invention are useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases or conditions involving inflammation. Accordingly, the invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, methods for the prophylaxis and treatment of inflammation and other maladies, such as pain and diabetes, using the compounds and compositions of the invention, and intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.

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: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides that specifically bind telomerase RNA. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.

Abstract: Selected novel substituted pyridine and pyridazine compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as TNF-&agr;, IL-1&bgr;, IL-6 and/or IL-8 mediated diseases, and other maladies, such as cancer, pain and diabetes. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving inflammation, cancer, pain, diabetes and the like. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.

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: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding novel cyclin E2 polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acids encoding novel neurotrophic factors, designated NNT-1. Also disclosed are amino acid sequences for NNT-1 polypeptides, methods for preparing NNT-1 polypeptides, and other related aspects. Such polypeptides are active in stimulating B-cell and/or T cell production, as well as reducing inflammatory responses.

Abstract: Selected novel azepine and larger medium ring compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of inflammation, tissue degradation and related diseases. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of inflamation, tissue degradation and related diseases. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.

Abstract: Method for identifying novel secreted mammalian proteins in yeast are described. Reporter polypeptides which allow detection of signal sequences by growth selection are also described.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising (a) an effective amount of controlled release polymer and (b) an effective amount of a proteinaceous IL-1 inhibitor. The composition exhibits a therapeutic effect on inflammation and is useful for treating IL-1 mediated inflammatory diseases, particularly diseases of the joint.