Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel Siah-Mediated-Degradation-Proteins (SMDPS) and/or SCF-Complex Proteins (SCPs). Nucleic acid sequences encoding such proteins and assays employing same are also disclosed. The invention SMDPs and/or SCPs can be employed in a variety of ways, for example, for the production of anti-SMDP and/or SCP antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions, and methods employing such proteins and/or antibodies for drug screening, functional genomics and other applications. Also provided are transgenic non-human mammals that express the invention protein. Also provided are compositions and methods for targeting the destruction of selected polypeptides in eukaryotic cells based on the ubiquitin-independent mechanism by which ornithine decarboxylase is degraded by the 26S proteasome.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conjugate containing a moiety linked to a homing molecule that selectively homes to tumor lymphatic vasculature. The invention also provides a method of directing a moiety to tumor lymphatic vasculature in a subject by administering to the subject a conjugate containing a moiety linked to a homing molecule that selectively homes to tumor lymphatic vasculature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide, which specifically homes to the intracranial, early stage astrocytoma model that grows as islets and harbors co-opted tumor vessels in the brain. The peptide finds its use in targeted delivery of therapeutic substances to invasive brain cancer or metastatic brain lesions as such and in combination with conventional therapies, such as surgery and radiation, and anti-angiogenic therapies, and as a tool in diagnosis of, e.g., invasive brain cancer or metastatic brain lesions.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having the general structure I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein X is a six-member ring selected from phenyl, pyridine, or pyrimidine; Y is H, an alkenyl, a substituted alkenyl, or alkynyl, and R is H or alkyl. Pharmaceutical compositions for treating various disorders such as cancers, the compositions including compound I are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds that can efficiently and specifically inhibit bacterial toxins, such as inhibit the lethal factor (LF) protease activity of anthrax toxin and/or botulinum neurotoxin type A. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting proteases, such as lethal factor protease, as well as methods for treating bacterial infections, such as anthrax and botulinum.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are Janus particles, where each particle includes a first component and second component that are exposed to the surface of the particle. Also, disclosed are methods and systems for making a composition of nanoparticles. Finally, a method of treating a mammal by administering a composition of nanoparticles is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compound having the general structure A or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: Het-L-P??(A) wherein Het is an aromatic moiety comprising a heterocyclic structure mimicking ATP, P is a docking site derived peptide or a docking site peptide mimetic, and L is a linking moiety, wherein L links the ATP mimetic to the docking site peptide moiety. The compounds having the general structure A can serve as inhibitors of kinases, such as the kinases JNK, Erk and p38.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for screening for compounds that modulate insulin promoter activity. Vectors that express green fluorescent protein under the control of the human insulin promoter are introduced into mouse and human cells in which the insulin promoter is expressed in a glucose-responsive manner. Such cells are then used to screen for compounds that modulate insulin promoter activity.

Abstract: There are provided methods of inhibiting growth and metastasis of melanoma, methods of sensitizing melanoma cells to apoptosis, and methods of treating a subject having melanoma using acetyl isogambogic acid, celastrol, or a derivative thereof. There are further provided derivatives of celastrol and compositions comprising acetyl isogambogic acid, celastrol, or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides Bcl-G polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids. Bcl-G polypeptides include Bcl-GL and Bcl-GS. The invention also provides mouse Bcl-G. The invention also provides vectors containing Bcl-G nucleic acids, host cells containing such vectors, Bcl-G anti-sense nucleic acids and related compositions. The invention additionally provides Bcl-G oligonucleotides that can be used to hybridize to or amplify a Bcl-G nucleic acid. Anti-Bcl-G specific antibodies are also provided. Further provided are kits containing Bcl-G nucleic acids or Bcl-G specific antibodies. Such kits and reagents can be used to diagnose cancer, monitor response to therapy, or predict the prognosis of a cancer patient. The invention additionally provides methods of modulating apoptosis using Bcl-G polypeptides, encoding nucleic acids, or compounds that modulate the activity or expression of Bcl-G polypeptides. The methods for modulating apoptosis can be used to treat diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a family of BAG-1 related proteins from humans (BAG-1L, BAG-1, BAG-2, BAG-3, BAG-4 and BAG-5), the invertebrate C. elegans (BAG-1, BAG-2) and the fission yeast S. pombe (BAG-1A, BAG-1B) and the nucleic acid molecules that encode them.

Abstract: Compositions useful for inhibiting the growth of bacteria, including bacteria that can cause gastric ulcers, are provided. In addition, transgenic organism that can produce such compositions are provided. Methods of using the compositions to treat or prevent gastric ulcers in a subject, including a human subject, also are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing polypeptides, CARD, NB-ARC, ANGIO-R, LRR and SAM domains therefrom, as well as encoding nucleic acid molecules and specific antibodies. The invention also provides related screening, diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for producing neural cells from stem cells and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conjugate that contains a therapeutic moiety linked to a homing peptide or peptidomimetic which selectively homes to vasculature of pre-malignant dysplastic skin and which includes the amino acid sequence SRPRR (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a conservative variant or peptidomimetic thereof. The present invention further provides a conjugate containing a therapeutic moiety linked to a homing peptide or peptidomimetic which selectively homes to vasculature of malignant skin and which includes the amino acid sequence CGKRK (SEQ ID NO: 6) or the amino acid sequence CDTRL (SEQ ID NO: 7), or a conservative variant or peptidomimetic of one of these sequences.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel TRAF-Protein-Binding-Domain polypeptides (TPBDs). The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding TPBDs, vectors containing these nucleic acid molecules and host cells containing the vectors. The invention also provides antibodies that can specifically bind to invention TPBDs. Such TPBDs and/or anti-TPBD antibodies are useful for discovery of drugs that suppress autoimmunity, inflammation, allergy, allograph rejection, sepsis, and other diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods useful for targeting and internalizing molecules into cells of interest and for penetration by molecules of tissues of interest. The compositions and methods are based on peptide sequences that are selectively internalized by a cell, penetrate tissue, or both. The disclosed internalization and tissue penetration is useful for delivering therapeutic and detectable agents to cells and tissues of interest.

Abstract: There are provided methods of inhibiting growth and metastasis of melanoma, methods of sensitizing melanoma cells to apoptosis, and methods of treating a subject having melanoma using acetyl isogambogic acid, celastrol, or a derivative thereof. There are further provided derivatives of celastrol and compositions comprising acetyl isogambogic acid, celastrol, or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that efficiently and specifically inhibit lethal factor (LF) protease activity of anthrax toxin.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions relating to antagonists of HNF4?.