Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of protein-protein interactions that are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, the present invention is directed to complexes of these proteins and/or their fragments, antibodies to the complexes, diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders (including diagnosis of a predisposition to and diagnosis of the existence of the disorder), drug screening for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins described herein, and identification of additional proteins in the pathway common to the proteins described herein.

Abstract: A method for selecting compounds capable of modulating protein-protein interactions is provided, in which two fusion proteins are prepared and allowed to interact with each other in the presence of test compounds. The interaction between the two fusion proteins leads to protein trans-splicing, producing an active reporter. Compounds that disrupt or enhance protein-protein interactions can be selected based on the presence or absence of the active reporter.

Abstract: An in vitro method for detecting protein-protein interactions is provided, in which two fusion proteins are prepared and allowed to interact with each other in a substantially cell free environment. The interaction between the two fusion proteins leads to protein trans-splicing, generating an active and detectable reporter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of novel protein-protein interactions that are involved in mammalian physiological pathways, including physiological disorders or diseases. Examples of physiological disorders and diseases include non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and the like. Thus, the present invention is directed to complexes of these proteins and/or their fragments, antibodies to the complexes, diagnosis of physiological generative disorders (including diagnosis of a predisposition to and diagnosis of the existence of the disorder), drug screening for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins described herein, and identification of additional proteins in the pathway common to the proteins described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of novel protein-protein interactions that are involved in mammalian physiological pathways, including physiological disorders or diseases. Examples of physiological disorders and diseases include non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and the like. Thus, the present invention is directed to complexes of these proteins and/or their fragments, antibodies to the complexes, diagnosis of physiological generative disorders (including diagnosis of a predisposition to and diagnosis of the existence of the disorder), drug screening for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins described herein, and identification of additional proteins in the pathway common to the proteins described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and to a method for extracting DNA. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition and to a method to extract DNA from dried biological samples on solid substrates, including but not limited to, buccal smears, semen and especially blood. The method can be conducted in a single-tube. The DNA extracted in accordance with the present invention can be used for DNA amplification reactions, DNA sequencing, DNA restriction analysis and DNA hyridization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of protein-protein interactions that are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, the present invention is directed to complexes of these proteins and/or their fragments, antibodies to the complexes, diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders (including diagnosis of a predisposition to and diagnosis of the existence of the disorder), drug screening for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins described herein, and identification of additional proteins in the pathway common to the proteins described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of protein-protein interactions that are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) Thus, the present invention is directed to complexes of these proteins and/or their fragments, antibodies to the complexes, diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders (including diagnosis of a predisposition to and diagnosis of the existence of the disorder), drug screening for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins described herein, and identification of additional proteins in the pathway common to the proteins described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of protein-protein interactions that are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, the present invention is directed to complexes of these proteins and/or their fragments, antibodies to the complexes, diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders (including diagnosis of a predisposition to and diagnosis of the existence of the disorder), drug screening for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins described herein, and identification of additional proteins in the pathway common to the proteins described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of protein-protein interactions that are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, the present invention is directed to complexes of these proteins and/or their fragments, antibodies to the complexes, diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders (including diagnosis of a predisposition to and diagnosis of the existence of the disorder), drug screening for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins described herein, and identification of additional proteins in the pathway common to the proteins described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of protein-protein interactions that are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, the present invention is directed to complexes of these proteins and/or their fragments, antibodies to the complexes, diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders (including diagnosis of a predisposition to and diagnosis of the existence of the disorder), drug screening for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins described herein, and identification of additional proteins in the pathway common to the proteins described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a human prostate cancer predisposing gene (HPC2), some alleles of which cause susceptibility to cancer, in particular prostate cancer. More specifically, the present invention relates to germline mutations in the HPC2 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to prostate cancer. The invention also relates to presymptomatic therapy of individuals who carry deleterious alleles of the HPC2 gene. The invention further relates to somatic mutations in the HPC2 gene in human prostate cancer and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human prostate cancer. Additionally, the invention relates to somatic mutations in the HPC2 gene in other human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. Specifically, the present invention relates to human CDC14A gene which has been found to be mutated in certain tumor cell lines. More specifically, the invention relates to a novel sequence for the human CDC14A gene. The present invention further relates to somatic mutations in the CDC14A gene in human cancer and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancer. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers which have a mutation in the CDC14A gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics. The invention further relates to the screening of drugs for cancer therapy. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of the CDC14A gene for mutations, which are useful for diagnosing the predisposition to cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the MMSC2 gene, its protein product and the use of the protein to (i) detect mutant MMAC1 proteins, (ii) screen for drugs which can be used for suppressing tumor growth and (iii) identify proteins which interact with the MMAC1 gene or are involved in the tumor suppression pathway of the MMAC1 gene.

Abstract: A specific region of chromosome 10 (10q23.3) has been implicated by series of studies to contain a tumor suppressor gene involved in gliomas, as well as a number of other human cancers. One gene within this region was identified, and the corresponding coding region of the gene represents a novel 47 kD protein. A domain of this product has an exact match to the conserved catalytic domain of protein tyrosine phosphatases, indicating a possible functional role in phosphorylation events. Sequence analyses demonstrated the a number of exons of the gene were deleted in tumor cell lines used to define the 10q23.3 region, leading to the classification of this gene as a tumor suppressor. Further analyses have demonstrated the presence of a number of mutations in the gene in both glioma and prostate carcinoma cells. Methods for diagnosing and treating cancers related to this tumor suppressor, designated as TS10q23.3, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is presented which uses a unique opposite strand joining strategy during PCR of an original DNA to generate a product which, when sequenced with a single sequencing primer yields the sequence of both strands of the original DNA. The PCR primers include 1) a modified oligomer corresponding to the 5′ end of a first strand of the DNA to be amplified wherein said modified oligomer includes the reverse complementary sequence to a sequence within said first strand of DNA and a specific PCR priming sequence which will specifically hybridize to a portion of the DNA to be amplified and 2) a second oligomer corresponding to the 5′ end of the second strand of the DNA to be amplified and which contains the priming sequence for the second strand of the DNA and will specifically hybridize to a portion of the DNA to be amplified. During PCR an intermediate product is formed where one end of one strand loops around to hybridize to its complement on the same strand.

Abstract: A method is presented which uses a unique opposite strand joining strategy during PCR of an original DNA to generate a product which, when sequenced with a single sequencing primer yields the sequence of both strands of the original DNA. The PCR primers include 1) a modified oligomer corresponding to the 5′ end of a first strand of the DNA to be amplified wherein said modified oligomer includes the reverse complementary sequence to a sequence within said first strand of DNA and a specific PCR priming sequence which will specifically hybridize to a portion of the DNA to be amplified and 2) a second oligomer corresponding to the 5′ end of the second strand of the DNA to be amplified and which contains the priming sequence for the second strand of the DNA and will specifically hybridize to a portion of the DNA to be amplified. During PCR an intermediate product is formed where one end of one strand loops around to hybridize to its complement on the same strand.

Abstract: Recent evidence indicates that the carboxy-terminal region of the tumor suppressor protein BRCA1 is a functionally significant domain. Using the yeast two-hybrid assay and an in vitro biochemical assay, it is here shown that a protein, B112, interacts specifically with the carboxy-terminal segment of human BRCA1 from residue 1602 to 1863. A germ line truncation mutation, 1853ter, that removes the last 11 amino acids from the carboxy-terminus of BRCA1 abolishes not only the transcription activation function, but also binding to B112. The B112 protein is apparently the same as an uncharacterized protein known as CtIP, the sequence of which was previously deposited in GenBank. Screenings of a panel of 92 tumor cell lines for mutations in the B112/CtIP sequence have identified a number of missense variants, including a non-conserved lysine to glutamic acid change at codon 337 in the pancreatic cancer line, BxPC3.

Abstract: Human coronary heart disease susceptibility gene (CHD1), some alleles of which are related to susceptibility to coronary heart disease. Germline mutations in the CHD1 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to coronary heart disease and to metabolic disorders, including hypoalphalipoproteinemia, familial combined hyperlipidemia, insulin resistant syndrome X or multiple metabolic disorder, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemic hypertension. Presymptomatic therapy of individuals who carry deleterious alleles of the CHD1 gene (including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy, and administration of protein mimetics and inhibitors). The screening of drugs for dyslipidemic therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to somatic mutations in the Multiple Tumor Suppressor (MTS) gene in human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancer. The invention further relates to germ line mutations in the MTS gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to melanoma, leukemia, astrocytoma, glioblastoma, lymphoma, glioma, Hodgkins lymphoma, CLL, and cancers of the pancreas, breast, thyroid, ovary, uterus, testis, kidney, stomach and rectum. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers which have a mutation in the MTS gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of drugs for cancer therapy.