Abstract: The invention concerns GENSET polynucleotides and polypeptides. Such GENSET products may be used as reagents in forensic analyses, as chromosome markers, as tissue/cell/organelle-specific markers, in the production of expression vectors. In addition, they may be used in screening and diagnosis assays for abnormal GENSET expression and/or biological activity and for screening compounds that may be used in the treatment of GENSET-related disorders.

Abstract: The sequence of a cDNA encoding Claudin-50 and sequence of Claudin-50 protein are disclosed. The cDNA can be used to express the protein or portions thereof or to obtain antibodies capable of specifically binding to the secreted protein. The cDNA may also be used in diagnostic, forensic, gene therapy, and chromosome mapping procedures. The cDNA may also be used to design expression vectors and secretion vectors.

Abstract: Purified human SDF-5 proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. DNA molecules encoding the human SDF-5 proteins are also disclosed. The proteins may be used in regulating the binding of Wnt genes to their receptor. In preferred embodiments, the proteins may be used for inducing formation, growth, differentiation, proliferation and/or maintenance of chondrocytes and/or cartilage tissue, and for other tissue repair, such as pancreatic tissue repair.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing vascular-associated disorders.

Abstract: Methods for inducing a population of T cells to proliferate by activating the population of T cells and stimulating an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule are described. T cell proliferation occurs in the absence of exogenous growth factors or accessory cells. T cell activation is accomplished by stimulating the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex or the CD2 surface protein. To induce proliferation of an activated population T cells, an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells, such as CD28, is stimulated with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule. The T cell population expanded by the method of the invention can be genetically transduced and used for immunotherapy or can be used in methods of diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated GL50 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel GL50 polypeptides. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing GL50 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a GL50 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated GL50 polypeptides, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-GL50 antibodies. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention encompasses polypeptides and polynucleotides of three novel bipolar disorder-associated potassium channel polypeptides, KCNQ2-15bx, KCNQ2-15by and KCNQ2-15bz. The invention further relates to the use of potassium channels comprising KCNQ2 subunits for screening for modulators thereof, the use of these modulators for treating mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression, and drugs comprising these modulators. The invention also discloses biallelic markers located in the KCNQ2 gene and their use for diagnosing mental disorders.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is the genomic sequence and the nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides of Chlamydia trachomatis, such as cellular envelope polypeptides, which are secreted or specific, or which are involved in metabolism, in the replication process or in virulence, polypeptides encoded by such sequences, as well as vectors including the said sequences and cells or animals transformed with these vectors. The invention also relates to transcriptional gene products of the Chlamydia trachomatis genome, such as, for example, antisense and ribozyme molecules, which can be used to control growth of the microorganism. The invention also relates to methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides and kits for diagnosing Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The invention also relates to a method of selecting compounds capable of modulating bacterial infection and a method for the biosynthesis or biodegradation of molecules of interest using the said nucleotide sequences or the said polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention concerns the genomic sequence of the purH gene. The invention also concerns biallelic markers of a purH gene and the association established between these markers and cancer, particularly prostate cancer. The invention provides means to determine the predisposition of individuals to cancer as well as means for the diagnosis of cancer and for the prognosis/detection of an eventual treatment response to agents acting on cancer.

Abstract: The nucleotide and polypeptide sequences of two novel human flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) enzymes are presented: hFMO2 and hFMOx. Vectors and host cells for cloning and/or expression of hFMO2 and hFMOx are described, as are methods of preparing hFMO2 and hFMOx polypeptides. Also included are methods for selecting compounds, diagnosing predisposition to pathologies and/or deficiencies related to FMO's, and pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds for treating and/or preventing these pathologies.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention are novel compositions and methods for obtaining concentrated preparations of IL-11 and formulations of IL-11 suitable for storage and administration.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides of human megakaryocyte stimulating factors (MSFs). Pharmaceutical compositions containing same, and methods for their preparation and use are provided.

Abstract: Purified human SDF-5 proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. DNA molecules encoding the human SDF-5 proteins are also disclosed. The proteins may be used in regulating the binding of Wnt genes to their receptor. In preferred embodiments, the proteins may be used for inducing formation, growth, differentiation, proliferation and/or maintenance of chondrocytes and/or cartilage tissue, and for other tissue repair, such as pancreatic tissue repair.

Abstract: The invention concerns the genomic sequence of the purH gene. The invention also concerns biallelic markers of a purH gene and the association established between these markers and cancer, particularly prostate cancer. The invention provides means to determine the predisposition of individuals to cancer as well as means for the diagnosis of cancer and for the prognosis/detection of an eventual treatment response to agents acting on cancer.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing immune responses in which soluble forms of costimulatory molecules, e.g., B7 molecules, are administered to augment immune responses to antigens, e.g., to tumor cells and infectious agents are provided. The subject methods are useful for both prophylactic and therapeutic immunization of subjects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorescent probes which can be used in multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization, and mainly chromosome painting. The probes intended for labeling a chromosome are such that they are composed of a set of DNA segments which are more represented in certain chromosome bands and which are obtained by IRS-PCR amplification from said chromosomes using PCR primers specific for the repeated and dispersed Alu and LINE DNA sequences. The invention comprises, in addition, methods of producing said probes, multicolor FISH methods which can use said probes as well as diagnostic kits comprising them. Finally, the invention comprises combinations of fluorophores and optical filters.

Abstract: The invention concerns GENSET polynucleotides and polypeptides. Such GENSET products may be used as reagents in forensic analyses, as chromosome markers, as tissue/cell/organelle-specific markers, in the production of expression vectors. In addition, they may be used in screening and diagnosis assays for abnormal GENSET expression and/or biological activity and for screening compounds that may be used in the treatment of GENSET-related disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotides including biallelic markers derived from genes involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics such as drugs and from genomic regions flanking those genes. Primers hybridizing to regions flanking these biallelic markers are also provided. This invention also provides polynucleotides and methods suitable for genotyping a nucleic acid containing sample for one or more biallelic markers of the invention. Further, the invention provides methods to detect a statistical correlation between a biallelic marker allele and a phenotype and/or between a biallelic marker haplotype and a phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods of screening for new compounds for the treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases and disorders, as well as methods of treating obesity-related diseases and disorders, based on the discovery of the role of the leptin-LSR interaction in obesity.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing vascular-associated disorders.