Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of muscle research, in particular to the discovery of a compound effective for increasing muscle mass, muscle cell differentiation, and oxidation of free fatty acids in muscle, useful in methods of treating muscle-related diseases and disorders as well as for augmenting muscle mass in general. The muscle-related diseases or disorders envisaged to be treated by the methods of the invention include, but are not limited to, muscular dystrophy, and other conditions resulting in muscle atrophy or muscle wasting.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for modulating lipoprotein levels in vivo. The invention stems from the discovery that activity of the Lipolysis Stimulated Receptor (LSR) can be inhibited or enhanced by exogenous agents, including polypeptides.

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 the human sbg1, g34665, sbg2, g35017 and g35018 genes, polynucleotides, polypeptides biallelic markers, and human chromosome 13q31-q33 biallelic markers. The invention also concerns the association established between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and the biallelic markers and the sbg1, g34665, sbg2, g35017 and g35018 genes and nucleotide sequences. The invention provides means to identify compounds useful in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and related diseases, means to determine the predisposition of individuals to said disease as well as means for the disease diagnosis and prognosis.

Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotides including biallelic markers derived from genes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism 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 directed to a polynucleotide comprising open reading frames defining a coding region encoding a retinoblastoma binding protein (RBP-7) as well as regulatory regions located both at the 5′ end and the 3′ end of said coding region. The present invention also pertains to a polynucleotide carrying the natural regulation signals of the RBP-7 gene which is useful in order to express a heterologous nucleic acid in host cells or host organisms as well as functionally active regulatory polynucleotides derived from said regulatory region. The invention also concerns polypeptides encoded by the coding region of the RBP-7 gene. The invention also deals with antibodies directed specifically against such polypeptides that are useful as diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: An antisense or sense agent of the oligonucleotide type, includes a single-stranded oligonucleotide sequence having a binding affinity for DNA, RNA, or protein selected from the group consisting of (a) a sequence whose ends are linked to one another via covalent linkage to form a closed, single-stranded structure, and (b) a sequence wherein one free end is linked to an internal nucleotide via covalent linkage to form a closed, single-stranded branched structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to PG1, a gene associated with prostate cancer. The invention provides polynucleotides including biallelic markers derived from PG1 and from flanking genomic regions. Primers hybridizing to these biallelic markers and regions flanking are also provided. This invention 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 prostate cancer and between a haplotype and prostate cancer. The invention also relates to diagnostic methods of determining whether an individual is at risk for developing prostate cancer, and whether an individual suffers from prostate cancer as a result of a mutation in the PG1 gene.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for modulating lipoprotein levels in vivo. The invention stems from the discovery that activity of the Lipolysis Stimulated Receptor (LSR) can be inhibited or enhanced by exogenous agents, including polypeptides.

Abstract: The sequences of extended cDNAs encoding secreted proteins are disclosed. The extended cDNAs can be used to express secreted proteins or portions thereof or to obtain antibodies capable of specifically binding to the secreted proteins. The extended cDNAs may also be used in diagnostic, forensic, gene therapy, and chromosome mapping procedures. The extended cDNAs may also be used to design expression vectors and secretion vectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, software, and apparati for determining whether a genomic region harbors a gene associated with a detectable trait.

Abstract: Methods for amplifying and sequencing nucleic acids are disclosed. In addition, supports for the solid phase amplification or sequencing of nucleic acids are disclosed. The supports comprise a solid support, a linker arm having functional groups capable of binding to the solid support, and an oligonucleotide bound to the linker arm.

Abstract: A support for solid phase amplification or sequencing of nucleic acids has a functionalized solid support, a linker arm having functional groups covalently bound to the solid support through at least one binding site of the functional groups, and an oligonucleotide primer bound at its 5′ end to the linker, the primer, thereby, being immobilized on the solid support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to PG1, a gene associated with prostate cancer. The invention provides polynucleotides including biallelic markers derived from PG1 and from flanking genomic regions. Primers hybridizing to these biallelic markers and regions flanking are also provided. This invention 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 prostate cancer and between a haplotype and prostate cancer. The invention also relates to diagnostic methods of determining whether an individual is at risk for developing prostate cancer, and whether an individual suffers from prostate cancer as a result of a mutation in the PG1 gene.

Abstract: High throughput DNA sequencing vectors for generating nested deletions using enzymatic techniques and/or transposition-based techniques are disclosed. Methods of constructing contigs of long DNA sequences and methods of generating nested deletions are also disclosed. A truncated lacZ derivative useful in measuring the copy number of the lacZ derivative in a host cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nucleic acid detection assay is disclosed which assay comprises hybridizing a large nucleic acid probe (i.e. preferably more than 100 bp long) with a RNA or DNA target nucleic acid present in a biological sample. The probe in this method is to comprise both a detection element and a capture element and is to to be degradable by a suitable enzyme when it is single stranded. Following hybridization the sample is treated with a enzyme capable of degrading unhybridized nucleic acids. Then the hybrids are captured by contacting them with a solid support comprising an element capable of binding with the capture element of the probe. Finally the detection element of the probe is used to detect the probe, thereby indicating that the target nucleic acid is present in the biological sample.

Abstract: The sequences of 5′ ESTs derived from mRNAs encoding secreted proteins are disclosed. The 5′ ESTs may be to obtain cDNAs and genomic DNAs corresponding to the 5′ ESTs. The 5′ ESTs may also be used in diagnostic, forensic, gene therapy, and chromosome mapping procedures. Upstream regulatory sequences may also be otained using the 5′ ESTs. The 5′ ESTs may also be used to design expression vectors and secretion vectors.

Abstract: A double- or single-stranded oligonucleotide comprising one or more respectively inter- or intra-oligonucleotide covalent cross-linkages, wherein the or each covalent linkage consists of an amide bond between a primary amine group of one strand and a carboxyl group of the other strand or the same strand, respectively, said primary amine group being directly substituted in the 2′ position of the strand nucleotide monosaccharide ring, and said carboxyl group being carried by an aliphatic spacer group substituted on a nucleotide or nucleotide analog of the other strand or the same strand, respectively. A method for preparing such oligonucleotides, and nucleotide or non-nucleotide synthons useful for preparing an oligonucleotide of the above kind, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting a predisposition or susceptibility to prostate cancer in an individual using microsatellite markers. These markers are located on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 11 and 13.

Abstract: The present invention relates to PG1, a gene associated with prostate cancer. The invention also relates to methods of determining whether an individual is at risk for developing prostate cancer at a later date or whether an individual suffers from prostate cancer as a result of a mutation in the PG1 gene.