Abstract: Novel genes significantly homologous to organic cation transporters OCT1 and OCT2 have been successfully isolated by screening a fetal gene library by random sequencing. Proteins encoded by these genes function as transporters of various organic cations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a culture medium for culturing an animal cell, which is characterized by containing a peptide comprising, as a constituent unit, an amino acid residue selected from the amino acid group consisting of serine, tyrosine and cysteine. The culture medium is suitable for the high level production of a protein by an animal cell.

Abstract: For the first time, the present invention provides antibodies that enhance the generation of activated blood coagulation factor VIII. The antibodies enhance the cleavage of blood coagulation factor VIII at the Arg of position 372 and suppress the cleavage at the Arg of position 336 by recognizing and binding to the A2 domain of blood coagulation Factor VIII. Such antibodies are expected to be useful in preventing or treating diseases that develop or progress due to decrease or loss of the blood coagulation factor VIII activity, for example, hemophilia A, acquired hemophilia, and von Willebrand's disease.

Abstract: A compound represented by formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, which can inhibit a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family kinase in cancer tissues. (In the formula, A represents a 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl group, or a C6-10 aryl group; R1 and R2 independently represent H, OH, X, CN, NO2, a C1-4 haloalkyl group, a C1-6 alkyl group, or the like <R1 and R2 together form a (substituted) 3- to 10-membered heterocyclyl group or a (substituted) 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl group>; R3 represents H, a C1-5 alkyl group, a C6-10 aryl group, a C1-5 alkyl group, or a C1-4 haloalkyl group; and R4 represents H, X, a C1-3 alkyl group, a C1-4 haloalkyl group, OH, CN, NO2, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel tumor antigen peptide and its cancer vaccine, specifically, a peptide dimer wherein two peptide monomers consisting of 7-30 amino acids including at least one cysteine residue and being capable of producing a tumor antigen peptide are bound each other through a disulfide bond.

Abstract: Novel fetal genes (fls353 and fls485) have been successfully isolated from human fetal liver-derived cDNAs. These genes were specifically expressed in tissues including fetal tissues which are thought to contain a large number of undifferentiated cells and actively differentiating/proliferating cells. High levels of expression of these genes were observed also in a variety of cancer cells. The proteins and genes encoding the proteins can be used as the tool for developing drugs for the treatment of tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble modified HA practically used as a drug carrier and a production method thereof. The present invention provides: a water-soluble modified hyaluronic acid, the residence time in blood of which is elongated to a practical level, which is produced by introducing a substituent into the carboxy group of the glucuronic acid of hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof, via an amide bond, at a lower limit of an introduction ratio of 5 mole % or more, using a BOP condensing agent in an aprotic polar solvent; and a production method thereof. Moreover, by cross-linking the modified hyaluronic acid, the present invention provides a hyaluronic acid gel capable of extremely long drug sustained-release even at the same cross-linking functional group introduction ratio as that of the conventionally known gel.

Abstract: There are provided a novel process for producing [{(5Z,7E)-(1S,3R,20S)-1,3-dihydroxy-9,10-secopregna-5,7,10(19),16-tetraen-20-yl}oxy]-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)acetamide, which process is characterized by irradiating a compound represented by the formula: with UV to ring-open the compound, and then isomerizing the resulting compound; an intermediate useful for carrying out the process; and a process for producing the intermediate.

Abstract: Provided are a compound represented by Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group which may be substituted, a C7-14 aralkyl group which may be substituted and —C(?O)Rx; n denotes an integer selected from 1 and 2; and ring Ar is selected from the groups represented by the following Formula (a) to (f). or a prodrug thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as well as a pharmaceutical agent and a pharmaceutical composition containing such a compound or a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A full-length cDNA encoding novel proteins involved in the control of cell proliferation (human Gros1-L and S) was successfully isolated from the human testis cDNA libraries. A full-length cDNA encoding the mouse homologues of the human Gros1 (mouse Gros1-L and S) was also isolated. The colony forming activity of cells exogenously expressing Gros1-L was significantly reduced, while that of cells expressing Gros1 antisense RNA was significantly increased.

Abstract: Compounds represented by formula (1) shown below, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds are provided.

Abstract: The gene responsible for systemic carnitine deficiency was found to be the OCTN2 gene involved in the transportation of organic cations. This invention enables tests for this disease by detecting whether or not the OCTN2 gene has a mutation. Furthermore, systemic carnitine deficiency can be treated using the normal OCTN2 gene and its protein.

Abstract: The present inventors examined the inhibitory activity against HCV replicon of myriocin, fumonisin B1, and ceramide trafficking inhibitor HPA-12, which are compounds derived from microorganisms such as those of the genus Aureobasidium, and found that these compounds have the effect of inhibiting the replication of HCV replicon RNAs or inhibiting the expression of HCV proteins. The present inventors further performed serine palmitoyltransferase knockdown experiments using siRNAs, and results showed that HCV replicon activity and HCV protein expression were significantly inhibited in cells with suppressed LCB1 expression. Thus, sphingolipid biosynthesis was found to be involved in HCV infection. This showed that HCV infection can be treated or prevented by inhibiting enzyme activities involved in the process of sphingolipid biosynthesis by adding compounds or knocking down a gene.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to decrease the immunogenicity of mouse-derived anti-AXL antibodies in humans by humanizing them. The present invention provides antibodies that can bind to a specific region in Anexelekto (AXL) and humanized antibodies that are produced based on such antibodies. The anti-AXL antibodies of the present invention have high antitumor activity, and are useful as agents for decreasing the AXL expression level, antitumor agents, and diagnostic agents for cancer.

Abstract: There are provided a novel process for producing [{(5Z,7E)-(1S,3R,20S)-1,3-dihydroxy-9,10-secopregna-5,7,10(19),16-tetraen-20-yl}oxy]-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)acetamide, which process is shown in the following reaction scheme: an intermediate useful for carrying out the process, and a process for producing the intermediate.

Abstract: A blood vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level-lowering agent comprising an interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonist as an active ingredient.

Abstract: To identify antigens of the 2D7 antibody, the present inventors cloned the 2D7 antigen. The results suggested that the 2D7 antigen is an HLA class I molecule. Based on this finding, the present inventors examined whether the 2D7 antibody has cell death-inducing activity. Nuclei fragmentation was observed when the 2D7 antibody was cross-linked with another antibody, indicating that cell-death was induced. Further, diabodies of the 2D7 antibody were found to have very strong cell death-inducing activities, even without the addition of another antibody. These results indicate that minibodies of an HLA-recognizing antibody can be used as cell death-inducing agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a compound represented by the following formula (I): [wherein Y1 and Y4 represent a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; either one of Y2 and Y3 represents —NR1R2, and the other represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; X represents an aryl group or a heteroaryl group that may be substituted; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, or a C1-8 alkyl group that may be substituted; and R2 represents a C1-8 alkyl group that is substituted with one or more substituents, —COOR3, —COR4, —COSR5, —CONR6R7, —NR22R23, or —C?NR24R25; or R1 and R2, together with a nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, may form a 4- to 10-membered hetero ring containing at least one nitrogen atom (wherein the hetero ring may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from Group C)], a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutical, a pharmaceutical composition, or the like, which comprises the compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble modified HA practically used as a drug carrier and a production method thereof. The present invention provides: a water-soluble modified hyaluronic acid, the residence time in blood of which is elongated to a practical level, which is produced by introducing a substituent into the carboxy group of the glucuronic acid of hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof, via an amide bond, at a lower limit of an introduction ratio of 5 mole % or more, using a BOP condensing agent in an aprotic polar solvent; and a production method thereof. Moreover, by cross-linking the modified hyaluronic acid, the present invention provides a hyaluronic acid gel capable of extremely long drug sustained-release even at the same cross-linking functional group introduction ratio as that of the conventionally known gel.

Abstract: By altering amino acid sequences, the present inventors successfully produced constant regions that can confer antibodies with particularly favorable properties for pharmaceutical agents. When used to produce antibodies, the altered constant regions produced according to the present invention significantly reduce heterogeneity. Specifically, the antibody homogeneity can be achieved by using antibody heavy chain and light chain constant regions introduced with alterations provided by the present invention. More specifically, the alterations can prevent the loss of homogeneity of antibody molecules due to disulfide bond differences in the heavy chain. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention can improve antibody pharmacokinetics as well as prevent the loss of homogeneity due to C-terminal deletion in antibody constant region.