Abstract: The disclosed nucleic acid primer sets, used in combination with quantitative amplification (PCR) of tissue cDNA, can indicate the presence of specific proteases in a tissue sample. The detected proteases are themselves specifically overexpressed in certain cancers, and their presence may serve for early detection of associated ovarian and other malignancies, and for the design of interactive therapies for cancer treatment.

Abstract: The disclosed nucleic acid primer sets, used in combination with quantitative amplification (PCR) of tissue cDNA, can indicate the presence of specific proteases in a tissue sample. The detected proteases are themselves specifically overexpressed in certain cancers, and their presence may serve for early detection of associated ovarian and other malignancies, and for the design of interactive therapies for cancer treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of compounds having structural formulas 1

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel cis-acting regulatory element that is required for maximal induction of the human low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene following depletion of cellular sterols in HepG2 cells. In vivo dimethyl sulfate footprinting of the human LDL receptor promoter before and after transcriptional induction in HepG2 cells revealed protection of the sequence 5'-GAGCTTCACGGGTTAAAAAG-3' (SEQ ID NO.1), corresponding to nucleotides -126 to -145, (referred to as FP1). Further, presence of the FP1 sequence resulted in significant enhancement of luciferase reporter gene expression (approximately 375%) in response to low levels of sterols in HepG2 cells using promoter luciferase constructs. In addition, the enhancement was markedly attenuated on nucleotide substitutions within the FP1 site. Thus, the present invention discloses a novel regulatory element, FP1, in the human LDL receptor promoter and a vector containing this element.