Abstract: The present invention relates to the cross-linked scuPA/suPAR complex and/or tcuPA/suPAR cross-linked complex, the process of preparation of the covalently bound single compound having fibrinolytic activity and use of the cross-linked scuPA/suPAR or tcuPA/suPAR complex in the prevention and/or treatment of thrombolytic disorders. The invention further relates to combination compositions and/or therapy regimens, comprising the cross-linked scuPA/suPAR complex or tcuPA/suPAR and one or more currently used plasminogen activators to achieve improved therapeutic efficacy and/or reduce side effects.

Abstract: A human AZU-1 gene, mutants, variants and fragments thereof. Protein products encoded by the AZU-1 gene and homologs encoded by the variants of AZU-1 gene acting as tumor suppressors or markers of malignancy progression and tumorigenicity reversion. Identification, isolation and characterization of AZU-1 and AZU-2 genes localized to a tumor suppressive locus at chromosome 10q26, highly expressed in nonmalignant and premalignant cells derived from a human breast tumor progression model. A recombinant full length protein sequences encoded by the AZU-1 gene and nucleotide sequences of AZU-1 and AZU-2 genes and variant and fragments thereof. Monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies specific to AZU-1, AZU-2 encoded protein and to AZU-1, or AZU-2 encoded protein homologs.

Abstract: Novel cytidine deaminase-like polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length cytidine deaminase-like proteins, the invention further provides isolated cytidine deaminase-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-cytidine deaminase-like antibodies. The invention also provides cytidine deaminase-like nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which an cytidine deaminase-like gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Increased expression of Chk1 is associated with drug resistance of certain cells (e.g., cancer cells). The invention provides methods for identifying drug resistant cells by measuring the expression or activity of Chk1, methods for identifying modulators of drug resistance, and methods for modulating drug resistance by modulating the expression or activity of Chk1.

Abstract: A novel human protein, CtIP, that interacts with the human cellular protein CtBP, and the nucleotide sequence encoding CtIP are provided. CtIP is useful in diagnostic methods for determining malignancy of cells and in methods for inhibiting neoplasia in patients. Use of CtIP in a method for identifying agents that can inhibit neoplasia of cells is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the early diagnosis of carcinomas and their preliminary stages, which comprises determining the overexpression of a cell cycle regulatory protein in a body sample. The invention also provides a kit usable for this purpose.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of determining whether test cells in a sample are cancerous or not and determining if lymphocytes are activated or not. The method measures the test cell's DNA ploidy and the cellular activity of an enzyme such as an esterase, which has altered expression in cancer cells. Esterase activity can be measured using fluorescent compounds such as fluorescein diacetate.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an assay for determining Bax degradation activity in a patient sample. The assay includes a labeled Bax protein which is incubated with a protein extract from the sample and a detector for detecting a signal from the labeled Bax protein, whereby decreased signals compared to a control indicates Bax degradation activity. Also provided by the present invention is a method for assaying a tissue for Bax degradation activity for determining aggressiveness of a tumor, for screening compounds for inhibitors of Bax degradation activity and for determining efficacy of proteasome inhibitors to prevent Bax degradation including the steps of incubating the sample with a labeled Bax protein and detecting the presence of a label generated signal whereby decrease signal compared to a control indicates Bax degradation activity. A method for screening potential proteasome inhibitors and anticancer drugs for efficacy in preventing Bax degradation activity.

Abstract: Nucleotide and amino acid sequences are provided for compounds which promote tissue growth, as well as methods for modulating tissue growth, for imaging tissues and organs, and for treating patients. Isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for Ret ligands are disclosed. Ret ligands encoded by the isolated nucleic acid sequences of the invention have a hydrophobic N-terminal signal sequence, a hydrophobic C-terminal sequence and a phosphatidylinositol glycan linkage motif. Vectors and host cells that include Ret ligands encoded by the isolated nucleic acid sequences of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a compound (agent) which modulates apoptosis in transformed cells. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of identifying a compound which selectively activates apoptosis in transformed cells. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention can be used as a method of identifying a compound which inhibits apoptosis in cells. The invention also relates to a method of selectively killing transformed cells, wherein the transformed cell is contacted with a compound which selectively activates apoptosis in transformed cells, as described herein. The invention also relates to methods of treating diseases associated with defective apoptotic machinery (e.g., cancer, neurodegenerative disease). The methods of the present invention are useful for defining the biochemical mechanisms of apoptosis.

Abstract: Novel transferrin binding proteins from Pasteurella haemolytica, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel proteins are disclosed. Antibodies against the novel proteins are disclosed. The invention also relates to vaccines containing the novel proteins of the invention. The invention also provides methods for identifying substances which affect the binding of transferrin to the proteins and methods for screening for agonists or antagonists of the binding of the proteins and transferrin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel CK&agr;-4 protein which is a member of the CXC chemokine family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human CK&agr;-4 protein. CK&agr;-4 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of CK&agr;-4 activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders.

Abstract: An EBV strain infecting epithelial cells and a stomach cancer cell line cancerated by EBV are established to clarify the mechanism of canceration of epithelial cells into stomach cancer by EBV and to develop a chemotherapeutic agent for stomach cancer cancerated by EBV. Further, a stomach cancer cell line stably producing EBV-related antigens is established to develop a diagnostic drug for stomach cancer cancerated by EBV. According to the present invention, GTC-4 cell line was established through culture of stomach cancer tissues. GTC-4 produced the EBV strain infecting epithelial cells and simultaneously produced EBV-related antigens stably in the supernatant.

Abstract: There is disclosed an initial identification of an N-terminally truncated HER-2/neu product. This product is a 95 kDa polypeptide having in vitro kinase activity (as determined by western blotting). Moreover, immunoprecipitations using domain specific antibodies was able to utilize this specific polypeptide from intracellular fragments as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of adenomacarcinomas without the severe dilution effects encountered by measuring ECD.

Abstract: Specific Ikaros mutations, as well as the correlation of the presence of the specific Ikaros mutations and other wild-type non-DNA binding Ikaros isoforms with lymphoid cell abnormality is provided in the in the invention. Methods for detecting and treating lymphoid cell abnormality, including hematoloic malignancy, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a murine homolog and a novel isoform of hD53, and a novel member of the D52 gene family, hD54. The genes and gene fragments of the present invention are themselves useful as DNA and RNA probes for gene mapping by in situ hybridization with chromosomes and for detecting gene expression in human tissues by Northern blot analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated SRK polypeptide, biologically-active polypeptide fragments thereof, and nucleic acids which code for it. This polypeptide has various activities in regulating cell signaling and signal transduction pathways, including, e.g., a protein kinase activity; an autophosphorylating activity; a cell survival promoting activity; a HAX-1 binding activity; an apoptosis suppression activity; a MAPKK stimulatory activity; a transcription modulatory activity, and a SRK-specific immunogenic activity. The invention relates to all aspects of SRK, or homologs thereof, including assays for modulators, activators, ligands, etc. The invention also relates to a cytolic or soluble HAX-1 which produces apoptosis when expressed in cells.

Abstract: AAC-11 polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding AAC-11 polypeptide and methods for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques. Also, methods of using the AAC-11 polynucleotides and/or polypeptides to inhibit apoptosis in cells. Further, methods of using agonists or antagonists to AAC-11 polypeptides to inhibit or induce apoptosis in cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel members of the Tumor Necrosis Factor family of receptors. The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding human TR11, TR11SV1, and TR11SV2 receptors. TR11, TR11SV1, and TR11SV2 polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of TR11, TR11SV1, and TR11SV2 receptor activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting disease states related to the aberrant expression of TR11, TR11SV1, and TR11SV2 receptors. Further provided are therapeutic methods for treating disease states related to aberrant proliferation and differentiation of cells which express the TR11, TR11SV1, and TR11SV2 receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to new members of the GAGE family referred to as GAGE-7B and GAGE-8. There are differences between these two molecules and the previously described members of the GAGE family on the genomic DNA, complementary DNA, and amino acid level.