Abstract: The invention relates to vectors, compositions, and methods for identifying genes primarily expressed in selected lineages. The invention also relates to novel genes primarily expressed in selected lineages, proteins encoded by the novel genes and truncations, analogs, homologs, and isoforms of the proteins and uses of the proteins and genes.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating ubiquitin dependent proteolysis.

Abstract: A method of modulating the biological activity of a transmembrane ligand for an Elk-related receptor tyrosine kinase in a cell expressing the transmembrane ligand, comprising forming a complex between a purified and isolated oligomerized Elk-related receptor tyrosine kinase, or an isoform or an extracellular domain of the kinase, and a transmembrane ligand expressed on the cell, thereby affecting a pathway in the cell which is regulated by the transmembrane ligand.

Abstract: A biological material comprising a continuous layer of cartilaginous tissue reconstituted in vitro which contains components associated with cartilage mineralization. The biological material may be cultured with a mineralizing agent to form a mineralized biological material. The mineralized biological material is characterized by having a biochemical composition and physiological organization substantially similar to the deep and contiguous calcified cartilage zones of articular cartilage found in animals in vivo. Methods for preparing the biological materials and methods of using the biological materials are described.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with increased risk of preeclampsia. The methods involve measuring levels of TGF-&bgr;3, receptors of cytokines of the TG&bgr; family, or HIF-1&agr;.

Abstract: A biological material comprising a continuous layer of cartilaginous tissue reconstituted in vitro which contains components associated with cartilage mineralization. The biological material may be cultured with a mineralizing agent to form a mineralized biological material. The mineralized biological material is characterized by having a biochemical composition and physiological organization substantially similar to the deep and contiguous calcified cartilage zones of articular cartilage found in animals in vivo. Methods for preparing the biological materials and methods of using the biological materials are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating ubiquitin dependent proteolysis.

Abstract: A method of modulating the biological activity of a transmembrane ligand for an Elk-related receptor tyrosine kinase in a cell expressing the transmembrane ligand, comprising forming a complex between a purified and isolated oligomerized Elk-related receptor tyrosine kinase, or an isoform or an extracellular domain of the kinase, and a transmembrane ligand expressed on the cell, thereby affecting a pathway in the cell which is regulated by the transmembrane ligand.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with increased risk of preeclampsia. The methods involve measuring levels of TGF-&bgr;3, receptors of cytokines of the TG&bgr; family, or HIF-1&agr;.

Abstract: Novel receptor tyrosine kinase protein and isoforms thereof which are expressed in migrating axons, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel protein isoforms and parts thereof are disclosed. The invention also relates to methods for identifying substances which are capable of binding to the receptor protein and methods for screening for agonists or antagonists of the binding of the protein and substance. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods using the protein and nucleic acid molecules are also described.

Abstract: A fixation mechanism for use in a prosthesis implantable into bone comprises a main body defining an internal passageway and including a plurality of openings extending between the internal passageway and the exterior of the main body. The device has a plurality of bone engaging members, with each bone engaging member being mounted in a respective opening for movement between a retracted position in which the bone engaging member does not extend outside the body, and an extended position in which the bone engaging member extends through the respective opening into surrounding bone to secure the device. A plunger within the main body is adapted to directly or indirectly engage the bone engaging members to displace the bone engaging members out through their respective openings.

Abstract: A Shc protein which is characterized as follows: (a) containing a C-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, a central proline-rich region (CH1), and an N-terminal phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain; (b) it is predominantly expressed in the adult brain; (c) it binds through its SH2 domain to proteins containing the consensus sequence pTyr-(hydrophobic/Glu)-(hydrophobic/Met/Tyr/Ile)-(Ile/Leu/Met/Phe/Tyr); and (d) it associates through its PTB domain with proteins containing the consensus sequence Asn-Pro-X-pTyr where X is any amino acid; nucleic acids encoding the protein; and uses of the protein. The Shc proteins mediate signaling from tyrosine kinases in the nervous system.

Abstract: A peptide of the formula (I): X.sup.1 -A.sup.1 -A.sup.2 -X.sup.2 -Asn-X.sup.3 -X.sup.4 -P.Tyr-X.sup.5 -X.sup.6 -X.sup.7 -X.sup.8, wherein X.sup.1 represents Lys, Arg, His, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Leu, Val or Glu, A.sup.1 represents Trp, Leu, Ala, Ser, Ile, Glu, Met, Gly, Cys, Phe, Pro or Val, and A.sup.2 represents Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Ser, Met, Phe, Gly, Cys, Trp or Pro, X.sup.2 represents Glu, Asn, Tyr, Thr, Ser, Asp or Ile, X.sup.3 represents Pro, Met, Trp, Phe, Ala, Lys, Val, Leu, Ile, Gly or Ser, X.sup.6 represents Ser, Thr, Tyr, Asn, Glu, Met, Ala, Leu, Val or Gly, X.sup.7 represents Asp, Glu, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Gly, Cys, Phe, Trp, Met, Pro, Ser or Asn and X.sup.8 which may be present or absent represents Phe, Trp, Pro, Leu, Ala, Val, Ile, Gly, Cys, Met, Asp, Ser or Arg which interferes with the interaction of a PTB domain containing protein with a PTB domain binding site, and truncations and analogues of the peptide.

Abstract: Novel receptor tyrosine kinase protein and isoforms thereof which are expressed in cells of the endothelial lineage, and DNA segments encoding the novel protein and isoforms thereof are disclosed. Methods for identifying ligands which are capable of binding to the receptor protein and methods for screening for agonist or antagonist substances of the interaction of the protein and a ligand are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions consisting of at least one TGFb receptor II homo 1b (TRH1b) subdomain or at least one TGFb receptor II homology 1 (TRH1) domain and a carrier, auxiliary or excipient. The TRH1b subdomain has a sequence with the following amino acid pattern:Cys--X.sub.j --Lys/Arg--X.sub.k --Ser/Thr--X.sub.l --Cys--X.sub.m --Asp--X.sub.n --Asp/Glu, wherein X.sub.j, X.sub.k, X.sub.l, X.sub.m, X.sub.n, represent any amino acid and j is 4 to 5, k is 2 to 6, 1 is 4 to 9, m is 0 to 2, and n is 5 to 6. The TRH1 domain has a sequence with the following amino acid pattern:Cys--X.sub.h --Asn/Gln--X.sub.i --Cys--X.sub.i --Lys/Arg--X.sub.k --Ser/Thr--X.sub.l --Cys--X.sub.m --Asp--X.sub.n --Asp/Glu, wherein X.sub.h, X.sub.i, X.sub.j, X.sub.k, X.sub.l, X.sub.m, X.sub.n, represent any amino acid and h is 8 to 14, i is 12 to 16, j is 4 to 5, k is 2 to 6, l is 4 to 9, m is 0 to 2, and n is 5 to 6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of vanadate compounds, or analogues of vanadate compounds, to treat arthropathies, and to compositions containing vanadate compounds adapted for such use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of vanadate compounds, or analogues of vanadate compounds, as antiproliferative and anti-metastatic agents, and to compositions containing vanadate compounds adapted for such use in methods for the treatment of proliferative disorders, methods of reducing the ability of a tumor to metastasize and methods for treating drug resistant tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assaying for the presence of a substance that modulates a cytokine of the TGF.beta. superfamily. A substance which is suspected of modulating a cytokine of the TGF.beta. superfamily and a TGF.beta. binding compound which is not a TGF.beta. receptor and which contains a TRH1 domain, or a portion or mimetic thereof, is reacted with a cytokine of the TGF.beta. superfamily under conditions where the compound, portion or mimetic thereof, and the cytokine are capable of forming a complex. Complexes, free compound and/or cytokine are assayed and compared with a control. The invention also relates to a composition comprising at least one compound which is not a TGF.beta. receptor and which contains the TRH1 domain or a portion, or a mimetic thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, auxiliary or excipient and to methods of treatment using the composition. Further the invention relates to a method of enhancing the activity of growth factors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assaying for the presence of a substance that modulates a cytokine of the TGF.beta. superfamily. A substance which is suspected of modulating a cytokine of the TGF.beta. superfamily and a TGF.beta. binding compound which is not a TGF.beta. receptor and which contains a TRH1 domain, or a portion or mimetic thereof, is reacted with a cytokine of the TGF.beta. superfamily under conditions where the compound, portion or mimetic thereof, and the cytokine are capable of forming a complex. Complexes, free compound and/or cytokine are assayed and compared with a control. The invention also relates to a composition comprising at least one compound which is not a TGF.beta. receptor and which contains the TRH1 domain or a portion, or a mimetic thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, auxiliary or excipient and to methods of treatment using the composition. Further the invention relates to a method of enhancing the activity of growth factors.

Abstract: A method for assaying a medium for the presence of a substance that affects an SH2-phosphorylated ligand regulatory system. The method employs an SH2-like domain or a subdomain thereof and a phosphorylated ligand. The phosphophorylated ligand is capable of interacting with the SH2-like domain or a subdomain thereof to form an SH2-phosphorylated ligand complex. The SH2-like domain or subdomain and/or the phosphorylated ligand are present in a known concentration. The SH2-like domain or a subdomain thereof and the phosphorylated ligand are incubated with a substance which is suspected of affecting an SH2-phosphorylated ligand regulatory system. The method is carried out under conditions which permit the formation of the SH2-phosphorylated ligand complex. SH2-phosphorylated ligand complex, free SH2-like domain or subdomains thereof, or non-complexed phosphorylated ligand are assayed.