Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating obesity in a subject by administering an inhibitor of UBE2L6 or an activator of adipocyte triglyceride lipase to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for determining which microRNAs bind to a target mRNA where the methods comprise the steps of (a) creating a bait sequence from the target mRNA, where the bait sequence comprises a label that binds to a binding agent; (b) adding a mixture of microRNAs to the bait sequence; (c) separating the microRNAs that bind to the bait sequence from those microRNAs that do not bind; and (d) identifying the microRNAs that bind to the bait sequence, wherein the microRNAs identified are those that bind to the target mRNA.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed which inhibit SIR2 base exchange more than deacetylation, thus enhancing SIR2 deacetylation activity. Methods of using the compounds for enhancing SIR2 deacetylation activity and increasing longevity of an organism are also disclosed. Methods for screening for compounds that enhance SIR2 deacetylation activity and increase longevity of an organism are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides PEGylated hemoglobins and PEGylated albumins comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated to hemoglobin or to albumin, wherein the PEG is a maleimide PEG, an alkylamide PEG, an iodoacetamide PEG, a p-nitro thio-phenyl PEG, a vinyl sulfone PEG, or a mixed disulfide PEG; and PEGylated albumins and PEGylated hemoglobins comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) attached to a thiolated amino group of albumin or hemoglobin, wherein the amino group is thiolated using dithio sulfo succinimidyl propionate (DTSSP) or dithiosuccinimidyl propionate (DTSP) or dithiobispropionimidate. The invention also provides methods of preparing PEGylated hemoglobins and PEGylated albumins comprising a) reacting hemoglobin or albumin with a thiolating agent and with a PEGylating agent, and b) capping unPEGylated reactive thiols of hemoglobin or albumin with N-ethyl maleimide.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed that enhance delivery of nitric oxide (NO) by combining nitric oxide releasing nanoparticles (NO-np) with exogenous glutathione (GSH), as well as therapeutic uses of the methods and compositions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a compound that binds to a BCL6 lateral groove and prevents binding of a corepressor to the lateral groove. The present invention is further directed to methods for blocking corepressor binding to a BCL6 lateral groove, methods for inhibiting BCL6 repression in a mammalian cell, and methods for treating a mammal with cancer, wherein the cancer requires BCL6 repression. The present invention is further directed to polypeptides comprising a portion of the corepressor binding site for BCL6 and related polynucleotides and vectors.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for rapid functional analysis of gene variants based on analysis of protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a cancer in a subject comprising administering to the subject an agent which inhibits expression of an HLX gene in the subject, or an agent which inhibits activity of an expression product of the HLX gene, and also for diagnosing a subject as likely to develop a cancer comprising determining whether a stem cell obtained from the subject expresses a HLX gene at a level in excess of predetermined control level. Kits therefor are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods of using humanin and humanin analogs to treat a mammal exhibiting or at risk for insulin resistance, increase insulin sensitivity in a mammal exhibiting or at risk for insulin resistance, treat type-2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegeneration, treat and prevent myocardial injury, and determine longevity.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification of a predominant ligand of CD8+ T cells that are responsible for type 1 diabetes. That ligand is islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP). Several CD8+ T cell-binding peptides from IGRP are identified, including the peptide comprising amino acids 206-214 of the IGRP sequence, which has high avidity to the most prevalent T cell receptor of pathogenic CD8+ T cells in autoimmune diabetes. The invention thus provides oligopeptide and polypeptide compositions comprising YLKTN(A/I/L/V)FL (SEQ ID NO:3), FLWSVFWLI (SEQ ID NO:4), (T/A)YY(G/T)FLNFM (SEQ ID NO:5), LR(L/V)(F/L)(G/N)IDLL (SEQ ID NO:6), KWCANPDWI (SEQ ID NO:7), and SFCKSASIP (SEQ ID NO:8). Also provided are oligopeptide compositions 8-10 amino acids in length and completely homologous with a mammalian IGRP, where the oligopeptide is capable of binding a human MHC class I molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides PEGylated hemoglobins and PEGylated albumins comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated to hemoglobin or to albumin, wherein the PEG is a maleimide PEG, an alkylamide PEG, an iodoacetamide PEG, a p-nitro thio-phenyl PEG, a vinyl sulfone PEG, or a mixed disulfide PEG; and PEGylated albumins and PEGylated hemoglobins comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) attached to a thiolated amino group of albumin or hemoglobin, wherein the amino group is thiolated using dithio sulfo succinimidyl propionate (DTSSP) or dithiosuccinimidyl propionate (DTSP) or dithiobispropionimidate. The invention also provides methods of preparing PEGylated hemoglobins and PEGylated albumins comprising a) reacting hemoglobin or albumin with a thiolating agent and with a PEGylating agent, and b) capping unPEGylated reactive thiols of hemoglobin or albumin with N-ethyl maleimide.

Abstract: A method of treating a tumor in a subject, or reducing or preventing metastasis of a tumor in a subject, is provided comprising administering to the subject an amount of a bacteria labelled with, or comprising, one or more radionuclides so as to treat the tumor in the subject, or so as to reduce or prevent metastasis of the tumor in the subject. Radiobacteria-containing compositions and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for imaging molecular interactions in living cells at high resolution, low light levels and high acquisition speeds.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating fibrosis of a tissue, including fibrosis of the liver, using combinations of antagomirs and/or locked nucleic acids. Compositions therefor are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for inhibiting metastasis of a tumor in a subject, or of inhibiting progression of a primary tumor in a subject which requires macrophages for progression.

Abstract: Methods of treating a disease in a subject are provided comprising administering to the subject an amount of an agent which reduces, or prevents, interaction of a G?? with a pi 110? effective to treat the disease. Methods are also provided for identifying an inhibitor of interaction between a G?? and a ?110?. Compositions are provided comprising a peptide comprising amino acid residues having the KAAEIASSDSANVSSRGGKKFLPV (SEQ ID NO:6).

Abstract: Provided are peptides or mimetics that block corepressor binding to a BCL6 lateral groove. Also provided are methods or blocking corepressor binding to the BCL6 lateral groove. Additionally, methods of inhibiting BCL6 repression in a mammalian cell, and methods of treating a mammal with cancer are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of using of the sizes and levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, the ?641 allele of the promoter of the gene encoding apolipoprotein C-3 (APOC-3), the 405 allele of the gene encoding cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), and plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), adiponectin, CETP and APOC-3, for determining and increasing an individual's likelihood of longevity and of retaining cognitive function during aging, and for determining and decreasing an individual's likelihood of developing a cardiovascular-, metabolic- or age-related disease.

Abstract: Provided are hemoglobins having at least two chemical modifications that lower oxygen affinity, hemoglobins chemically modified by the addition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, and hemoglobins having at least two specific chemical modifications. PEGylated versions of these hemoglobins are also provided, as are certain tetraPEGylated and diPEGylated hemoglobins. Methods of modifying a hemoglobin are additionally provided, as are methods of making a hemoglobin. Pharmaceutical compositions and blood substitutes using these hemoglobins are further provided, as are methods of treating a subject using these pharmaceutical compositions and blood substitutes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of regulating smooth muscle tone in a subject, comprising the introduction, into smooth muscle cells of the subject, of a DNA sequence encoding a potassium channel protein involved in the regulation of smooth muscle tone, and expression of the DNA sequence in a sufficient number of smooth muscle cells of the subject to regulate smooth muscle tone in the subject. The invention provides methods of gene transfer for treating erectile dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, and other smooth muscle disorders.