Abstract: The invention provides an isolated gene encoding Mch3, or functional fragment thereof. Also provided is an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding Mch3 or functional fragment thereof. The gene or nucleic acid sequence can be single or double stranded nucleic acids corresponding to coding or non-coding strands of the Mch3 nucleotide sequence. An isolated Mch3 polypeptide or functional fragment thereof is also provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel (N-substituted) indole ICE/ced-3-inhibitor compounds. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions of such indole compounds, plus the use of such compositions in the treatment of patients suffering inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, for the prevention of ischemic injury.

Abstract: The invention provides a single-well, microscale method of determining the specific apoptotic activity of a cell. The method consists of contacting a cell population of about 1×105 cells for a time period of between about 30 minutes and 4 hours with a sufficient volume of medium containing an apoptotic specific diagnostic reagent and a diagnostic accessory reagent so as to cover the cell population, and determining the activity of the apoptotic specific diagnostic reagent. The invention also provides a method of identifying a compound which induces apoptosis. The invention further provides a rapid method of identifying a compound which inhibits apoptosis.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel oxamyl dipeptide ICE/ced-3 family inhibitor compounds. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of patients suffering inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, for the prevention of ischemic injury, and for the preservation of organs that are to undergo a transplantation procedure.

Abstract: Genes and gene products of Blk, a pro-apoptotic protein in the Bcl-2 gene family, are provided. Effector molecules that either increase or decrease Blk and thus promote or inhibit apoptosis are described. The Blk genes and proteins and effector molecules may be used to treat diseases that have unwanted cell proliferation used to promote cell growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for expanding and increasing survival of hematopoietic cell populations, for prolonging viability of an organ for transplantation, and enhancing bioproduction, using interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for expanding and increasing survival of hematopoietic cell populations, for prolonging viablility of an organ for transplantation, and enhancing bioproduction, using interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel sulfonimide (substituted)acyl dipeptidyl ICE/ced-3 family inhibitor compounds having the following structure: wherein A, B, X, R, R1, R2, n, q, and r are as defined herein. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, as well as the use of such compositions in the treatment of patients suffering inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, for the prevention of ischemic injury, and for the preservation of organs that are to undergo a transplantation procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides a single-well, microscale method of determining the specific apoptotic activity of a cell. The method consists of contacting a cell population of about 1×105 cells for a time period of between about 30 minutes and 4 hours with a sufficient volume of medium containing an apoptotic specific diagnostic reagent and a diagnostic accessory reagent so as to cover the cell population, and determining the activity of the apoptotic specific diagnostic reagent. The invention also provides a method of identifying a compound which induces apoptosis. The invention further provides a rapid method of identifying a compound which inhibits apoptosis.

Abstract: This invention s directed to novel oxamyl dipeptide ICE/ced-3 family inhibitor compounds having the following structure: wherein A, B, R, R1, p and q are as defined herein. The invention s all directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of thee compound, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of patients suffering inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, for the prevention of ischemic injury, and for the preservation of organs that to undergo a transplantation procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated gene and an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding human Bad and functional fragments thereof. Also provided is an isolated human Bad polypeptide and functional fragments thereof. Methods of identifying human Bad binding partners and methods of screening for compounds which interfere with the association of human Bad interacting polypeptides with human Bad are also provided. Finally, methods for decreasing or increasing the viability of a cell are provided as well.

Abstract: Provided are isolated nucleic acids encoding a novel membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid expression vectors that produce membrane derived caspase-3 polypeptide may be introduced into host cells as a gene delivery vehicle. In other embodiments, methods are provided for treating pathological disorders caused by altered apoptosis, such as autoimmune disease, cancer, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Another aspect of the invention is the use of the isolated nucleic acid encoding membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom as a means for promoting or inhibiting programmed cell death.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel (N-substituted) indole ICE/ced-3-inhibitor compounds. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions of such indole compounds, plus the use of such compositions in the treatment of patients suffering inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, for the prevention of ischemic injury.

Abstract: Provided are isolated nucleic acids encoding a novel membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid expression vectors that produce membrane derived caspase-3 polypeptide may be introduced into host cells as a gene delivery vehicle. In other embodiments, methods are provided for treating pathological disorders caused by altered apoptosis, such as autoimmune disease, cancer, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Another aspect of the invention is the use of the isolated nucleic acid encoding membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom as a means for promoting or inhibiting programmed cell death.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for expanding and increasing survival of hematopoietic cell populations, for prolonging viability of an organ for transplantation, and enhancing bioproduction, using interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated gene encoding Mch3, or functional fragment thereof. Also provided is an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding Mch3 or functional fragment thereof. The gene or nucleic acid sequence can be single or double stranded nucleic acids corresponding to coding or non-coding strands of the Mch3 nucleotide sequence. An isolated Mch3 polypeptide or functional fragment thereof is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating infectious disease or suppressing inflammation associated therewith or ameliorating symptoms thereof by the suppression of the activity of a member of the interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family of proteases. Also provided are compositions useful for these purposes. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for expanding and increasing survival of hematopoietic cell populations, for prolonging viability of an organ for transplantation, and enhancing bioproduction, using interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel tricyclic ICE/ced-3 family inhibitor compounds. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions of such tricyclic compounds, plus the use of such compositions in the treatment of patients suffering inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, and for the prevention of ischemic injury.

Abstract: Provided are methods for detecting membrane derived apoptotic activity. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods for identifying membrane derived caspase activity. In other embodiments, drug discovery methods are provided for screening compounds that inhibit or enhance membrane derived caspase activity. In the various embodiments, heavy membrane fractions are utilized for the screening methodologies described herein.