Abstract: The invention relates to novel mannosidase inhibitors, processes for their preparation and their use as therapeutic agents. The invention also relates to the use of compounds of the formula II as described herein as prodrugs.

Abstract: The invention features methods for measuring the total amounts of G protein-bound GDP and GTP in mammalian cells and tissue. The method of the invention is advantageous over conventional methods in that the cells need not be exposed to phosphate-free growth conditions, which can adversely affect the accuracy of the GTP determination. Moreover, the method does not require exposure of the cells to radiolabelled phosphate in the growth medium. Standardized amounts of G protein-bound GDP and GTP are determined relative to non-nuclear cellular protein content or cellular DNA content, allowing comparison of results across different cell types. The method is particularly applicable to the detection of Ras protein bound GTP and GDP.

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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-human chimeric mammal having characteristics of a functional human immune system and having functional human lymphocytes reconstituted in the mammal's lymphopoietic tissue, particularly the spleen. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a non-human chimeric mammal, having characteristics of a functional human immune system, by engraftment of human peripheral blood leukocytes into an immunocompromised mammal. Use of the chimeric mammal as a model of the human immune system is described.

Abstract: A serine/threonine kinase protein which is associated with mitotic and meiotic cell division and which is characterized by having a kinase domain in its N-terminus and three PEST regions in the C-terminus, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the protein. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods using the serine/threonine kinase protein and nucleic acid molecules are also described.

Abstract: A process is provided for screening for a malignant tumor. The process comprises the steps of determining the amount of GlcNAc transferase V activity in a tumor sample by reacting the GlcNAc transferase V in a tumor sample with an acceptor substrate and a sugar nucleotide donor to produce a detectable change, and detecting the change. The acceptor substrate is an oligosaccharide, a glycopeptide or a glycoprotein having the structure GlcNAc .beta.1-2Man .alpha.1-6Man-R.sub.1. R.sub.1 is GlcNAc .beta.1-4GlcNAc with or without fucose or a synthetic linker. The sugar nucleotide donor is uridine diphospho-N-acetylglycosamine. The amount of GlcNAc transferase V activity in the sample is thereby determined. A determination of the malignancy of the tumor is made by comparing the amount of GlcNAc transferase V activity in the sample with an amount of GlcNAc transferase V associated with normal tissues or with known malignant tumors. A diagnostic kit for screening for a malignant tumor is provided.

Abstract: A method of assaying for glycosyltransferase activity in a sample. In a first step, a sample is reacted with a first sugar donor and an acceptor substrate to produce a transferase product. The first sugar donor and acceptor substrate are selected such that the sugar from the first sugar donor is capable of being transferred to the acceptor substrate in the presence of the glycosyltransferase to be assayed. In a second step, the transferase product is reacted with a second sugar donor having a sugar which is labelled with a labelling agent and an enzyme which is capable of transferring the sugar from the second sugar donor to the transferase product to produce a labelled transferase product and which has a higher affinity for the glycosyltransferase product compared to the affinity of the glycosyltransferase for the acceptor substrate. The labelling agent activity of the labelled transferase product or unreacted second sugar donor is assayed to determine transferase activity in the sample.

Abstract: A novel transcriptional regulatory element which is capable of directing expression of a gene specifically in cells of the endothelial lineage. The transcriptional regulatory element may be used to target expression of a gene in cells of the endothelial lineage.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the determination of the malignant potential of a tumor. The process comprises the steps of determining the amount of BBO in a tumor sample by reacting the BBO in a tumor sample with a BBO-binding lectin or a BBO-specific antibody to form a BBO-lectin or a BBO-specific antibody complex. Then, the amount of BBO-lectin or BBO-antibody complex or of unreacted BBO can be measured.

Abstract: An attachment device for use with an exophthalmometer. The attachment device comprises positioning means attached to the exophthalmometer for abutting the forehead and nasion of the patient. The positioning means are adjustable for adjustably positioning the exophthalmometer on the face of the patient to permit measurement of exophthalmos in the absence of intact lateral orbital rims in a patient.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cartilage tissue reconstituted on a substrate; to a method for producing reconstituted cartilage tissue; and to cartilage tissue reconstituted in vitro from isolated chondrocytes cultured on a substrate.

Abstract: A novel composition for the preservation of organs intended for transplantation and a method of preserving organs intended for transplantation using the composition are described. The composition contains glucuronic acid or a physiologically tolerated salt or ester thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable organ preservation solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions containing an inhibitor of the Golgi enzyme .alpha.-mannosidase II and which may contain an interferon or interferon inducer and to methods of preventing and treating diseases, such as proliferative diseases, viral infections and neoplastic growth and metastasis with the compositions.