Abstract: Inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC)?, PKC? and PKC? are provided which are selective for those PKC isotypes. Combinatorial libraries for identifying protein kinases are also provided, as are methods of identifying protein kinases using those libraries. Additionally, methods of treating a mammal having a deleterious condition, where the condition is dependent on a protein kinase for induction or severity, are provided. Methods of inhibiting protein kinases are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated and purified DNA molecule comprising the coding region of a PCFT cDNA. Also provided is a segment of the above DNA molecule, capable of serving as a primer for amplifying at least a portion of the DNA molecule. Additionally provided is a pair of the above segments that can be used together as forward and reverse PCR primers for amplifying at least a portion of the above DNA molecule. Further provided is an isolated and purified human PCFT protein. Also provided is a method of evaluating the ability of a human to undergo intestinal folate absorption.

Abstract: Provided are non-human mammals treated with doxorubicin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), where the mammal exhibits a symptom characteristic of infantile spasms. Also provided are methods of making a non-human mammal exhibit a symptom of infantile spasms. Additionally, methods are provided for screening a compound for the potential to attenuate a symptom of infantile spasms.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating and preventing a skin rash secondary to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy, where the method comprises applying a vitamin K analog or a phosphatase inhibitor to the skin.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for assaying at the light microscopic level for the presence or absence of nucleolar channel systems (NCSs) in an endometrial tissue sample, as are methods for determining whether or not a postovulatory human endometrium is in a state that is receptive for implantation of a human embryo, where the presence of NCSs indicates that the endometrium is in a state that is receptive for implantation of an embryo and the absence of NCSs indicates that the endometrium is not in a state that is receptive for implantation of the embryo, and methods for determining the effectiveness of a contraceptive in a woman, comprising assaying an endometrial tissue sample for the presence or absence of NCSs.

Abstract: Peptides comprising an Rpt1 domain of an INI1/hSNF5 which inhibit HIV-1 production in a human cell, and vectors encoding those peptides are provided. Also provided are methods of inhibiting HIV-1 production in a cell, or spread of the HIV-1 to another cell, by treating the cells with the above peptides or vectors. Other methods of inhibiting HIV-1 production in a cell, or spread of the HIV-1 to another cell, by inhibiting production of INI1/hSNF5 are provided. Additionally, methods of determining whether a test compound inhibits HIV-1 virion production in a mammalian cell, or spread of the HIV-1 to another cell, are provided. Those methods comprise determining whether the test compound inhibits the production of INI1/hSNF5 or disrupts the interaction of HIV-1 integrase with INI1/hSNF5.

Abstract: Methods of determining whether a cancer is progressing by measuring surface-bound collagen VI?3 are provided. Also provided are methods of identifying hyperplasia in a tissue by measuring surface-bound collagen VI?3. Additionally, methods of identifying carcinoma in a tissue by measuring surface-bound collagen VI?3 are provided. Further provided are methods of imaging carcinoma in a tissue by staining the tissue with a specific binding partner to collagen VI?3. Methods of treating a cancer by preventing binding of collagen VI?3 onto cells of the cancer are additionally provided.

Abstract: Methods for treating a demyelinating condition in a subject in need of treatment are provided. In some aspects the methods encompass administering to the subject an amount of a Ca2+-channel blocker effective to treat the demyelinating condition. In other aspects, the methods encompass administering to the subject an amount of a glutamate inhibitor effective to treat the demyelinating condition. In additional aspects, the methods encompass administering to the subject a Ca2+-channel blocker in combination with a glutamate inhibitor, in amounts effective to treat the demyelinating condition. In still other aspects, the methods encompass administering to the subject a Ca2+-channel blocker in combination with a hypertensive agent, in amounts effective to treat the demyelinating condition. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions having a Ca2+-channel blocker, a glutamate inhibitor, and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding saitohin (STH), an isolated nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to said sequence, and a purified protein encoded by said nucleic acid sequences. The present invention also provides a purified STH protein, and a method of making STH protein. The present invention is further directed to an antibody specific for STH, and a method for producing said antibody. Additionally, the present invention discloses a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding STH, a host cell transformed with said vector, and transgenic nonhuman animals. The present invention further provides methods for determining whether a subject has, or is at increased risk for developing, a neurodegenerative disease, and for assessing said subject's prognosis. Finally, the present invention discloses kits for determining whether a subject has, or is at increased risk for developing, a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: Improved transition state analog inhibitors of ricin toxin-A are provided. Methods of using those inhibitors to inhibit ricin toxin-A and to prevent the toxic effects of ricin toxin-A in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: ?-Galactosylceramides and glycosylceramides (“ceramide-like glycolipids”) that modulate NK T cells. The ceramide-like glycolipids vary in the cytokines induced in NK T cells and vary in the antigen-presenting cells that are capable of efficiently presenting the compounds to NK T cells. Pharmaceutical compositions of the ceramide-like glycolipids are provided, as are pharmaceutical compositions of the ceramide-like glycolipids combined with dendritic cells. Methods utilizing the ceramide-like glycolipids in vaccines, to activate NK T cells, to stimulate the immune system, and to treat mammals are also provided. The invention also provides methods of evaluating a compound for its ability to activate an NK T cell in the presence of a cell expressing a CD1d protein.

Abstract: The invention is directed compositions and methods related to bacterial cells physically associated with ceramide-like glycolipids. The invention allows for delivery of ceramide-like glycolipid adjuvants directly to the same cells that become infected with a bacterial vaccine. The compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Abstract: This invention provides fluorescently-labeled peptide substrates for protein kinases; methods using the substrates for identifying compounds that inhibit protein kinases, for determining if particular protein kinases are active in cells, for diagnosing diseases, and for preparing compositions; and compositions comprising the substrates.

Abstract: A composition which comprises an animal cell population which contains immature animal cells. The immature animal cells are characterized by expression of alpha-fetoprotein or lack of essential expression of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin, and at least a portion of said immature animal cells or at least a portion of the progeny of said immature animal cells is capable of differentiating into cells which express albumin. The cell population is cultured under conditions which result in expansion of the cells. Expansion of the cells may be achieved by culturing the cells in the presence of an extracellular matrix and liver stromal cells; and preferably in the presence of growth factors. Such cells may be used for liver transplantation, artificial livers, and for toxicology and pharmacology studies. Such cells may also be genetically engineered to express proteins or polypepetides of interest.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring mycobacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are provided. These mycobacteria have a deletion of an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin, and exhibit attenuated virulence in a mammal when compared to the mycobacteria without the deletion. Also provided are non-naturally occurring mycobacteria that have a deletion of a region controlling production of lysine, and mycobacteria comprising two attenuating deletions. Vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are also provided, as are methods of protecting mammals from virulent mycobacteria using the vaccines. Also provided are methods of preparing these vaccines which include the step of deleting an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin or the amino acids leucine and lysine from a mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex. Embodiments of these mycobacteria, vaccines and methods, encompassing mycobacteria comprising a leucine auxotrophy and a pantothenate auxotrophy, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying an acetyltransferase substrate in a sample that includes the steps of: (a) contacting the sample with (i) a reagent comprising a thiol-containing compound, a halo-acetyl-CoA or a halo-acetyl-pantetheine, and (ii) an acetyltransferase, under conditions suitable for acetyltransferase enzyme activity, and (b) identifying a substrate that has formed a base-stable covalent bond to the reagent, wherein the reagent is labeled with a label and/or the acetyltransferase is labeled with an affinity tag, and the substrate is the acetyltransferase substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating and preventing a skin rash secondary to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy, where the method comprises applying a vitamin K analog or a phosphatase inhibitor to the skin.

Abstract: A novel compound, 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, is provided. The compound is a mixture of the 2? and 3? regioisomers of O-acetyl-ADP ribose, and is formed nonenzymatically from 2?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, which is the newly discovered product of the reaction of Sir2 enzymes with acetylated peptides and NAD+. Analogs of 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose are also provided. Additionally, methods of preparing 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, methods of determining whether a test compound is an inhibitor of a Sir2 enzyme, methods of detecting Sir2 activity in a composition, methods of deacetylating an acetylated peptide, and methods of inhibiting the deacetylation of an acetylated peptide are provided. Prodrugs of 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are compounds capable of covalently binding to a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP). The compounds comprise Formula A: Also provided are compositions comprising one of the above compounds covalently bound to a member of the PTP superfamily, methods of labeling a PTP using the compounds, methods of isolating a PTP from a mixture of proteins using the compounds, methods of evaluating whether a substance is an inhibitor of a PTP using the compounds, methods of evaluating the specificity of an inhibitor of a PTP using the compounds, methods of identifying a PTP involved in a disease in a mammal using the compounds, and methods of diagnosing a disease in a mammal using the compounds.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of using Rhenium radioisotopes to detect and treat tumors that express a Na+/I? symporter. The invention also provides compositions and methods of making compositions comprising Rhenium radioisotopes for detection and treatment of tumors that express a Na+/I? symporter.