Abstract: An isolated truncated desmoglein 4 (DSG4) polypeptide splice variant of the invention is characterized by an amino acid sequence that lacks a region encoded before exon 9 or beyond exon 10 of the DSG4 gene having the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75. Also disclosed is a method of diagnosing a cancer, or monitoring the course thereof, in a patient. The method comprises detecting in a tissue sample of a patient the expression of a tumor-associated antigen comprising the extracellular domain of a DSG4 polypeptide encoded by a DSG4 gene having the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75, or a truncated DSG4 polypeptide splice variant characterized by an amino acid sequence that lacks a region encoded before exon 9 or beyond exon 10 of the DSG4 gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enhancing RNA expression in a cell such as a cell transfected with RNA by reducing the activity of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). Thus, the present invention provides methods for expressing RNA in a cell comprising the step of reducing the activity of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) in the cell. Reducing the activity of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) in the cell increases the stability of RNA and/or increases the expression of RNA in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion molecules of antigens, the nucleic acids coding therefor and the use of such fusion molecules and nucleic acids. In particular, said invention relates to fusion molecules, comprising an antigen and the trans-membrane region and cytoplasmic region of a MHC molecule and/or the cytoplasmic region of a MHC or a SNARE molecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to identifying tumor-associated genetic products and encoding nucleic acids thereof. A therapy and diagnosis of diseases in which the tumor-associated genetic products are aberrantly expressed, proteins, polypeptides and peptides which are expressed in association with tumor and the encoding nucleic acids for said proteins, polypeptides and peptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to efficient methods for providing antigen-specific lymphoid cells. These lymphoid cells may be used to provide antigen specific T cell receptors having a defined MHC restriction and to identify immunologically relevant T cell epitopes. Furthermore, the present invention relates to antigen-specific T cell receptors and T cell epitopes and their use in immunotherapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are uses of microproteins preferably microproteins forming a cystine knot (i.e. belonging to the family of inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) polypeptides) or polynucleotides encoding said microproteins for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a disease that can be treated or prevented by inhibiting the activity of tryptase as well as corresponding methods of treatment. Also disclosed are uses of the microproteins for inhibiting tryptase activity, for purifying tryptase, as a carrier molecule for tryptase and for deleting or quantifying tryptase in a sample, including corresponding diagnostic applications. Furthermore disclosed are fusion proteins comprising an inactive barnase as well as fusion proteins comprising barnase and a microprotein. Also encompassed are nucleic acid molecules encoding such a fusion protein, as well as corresponding vectors, host cells, preparation methods and uses of the fusion protein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polypeptide comprising at least two microproteins, which preferably comprise an amino acid sequence having a specific binding activity to a target protein. Furthermore, disclosed are polynucleotides encoding such a polypeptide as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising said polypeptide or polynucleotide. Also disclosed herein are methods of treatments and second medical uses applying the disclosed polypeptide or polynucleotide. Additionally, the disclosure of the present application relates to a method for forming a covalent bond in a microprotein which can be used for producing the disclosed polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion molecules of antigens, the nucleic acids coding therefor and the use of such fusion molecules and nucleic acids. In particular, said invention relates to fusion molecules, comprising an antigen and the transmembrane region and cytoplasmic region of a MHC molecule and/or the cytoplasmic region of a MHC or a SNARE molecule.

Abstract: A polypeptide, with an amino acid sequence different from that of knottin protein, having a scaffold moiety with a helix moiety inserted in the scaffold moiety is described. The scaffold moiety comprises a knottin protein, or a fragment of knottin protein.