Abstract: The present invention relates to proteins, polypeptides and nucleotides related to the human homologue of the Drosophila suppressor of fused gene, which is involved in the transduction of signals in the HH-PTC pathway. The invention also relates to antibodies raised against the polypeptides according to the invention. The molecules according to the present invention are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic methods relating to conditions associated with defects in said pathway, especially certain malformations and cancer. Other fields of application of the molecules according to the invention are e.g. studies of embryonic development, gene transcription and tissue repair.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for screening a modulating agent which when combined with antitumor therapeutic agent increases apoptosis in tumor cells. This invention also provides methods for screening antitumor therapeutic agents suitable for combination therapy with a protein kinase C inhibitors capable of potentiating apoptosis in tumor cells. This invention further provides different combination therapies comprising the specific protein kinase C inhibitors and the antitumor therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are oligomers that bind Ku protein. These oligomers are useful for inhibiting activation of DNA-PK, treating certain forms of autoimmune disease, detection and purification of Ku protein, and identification of proteins that interact with Ku protein. Preferably, the oligomers are composed of nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, or a combination. Most preferably, the oligomers are composed of ribonucleotides. Also disclosed is a method of inhibiting DNA repair, a method of identifying cellular proteins that interact with Ku protein, and a method of treating autoimmune disease in patients with anti-Ku antibodies. The disclosed oligomers can have several preferred features, either alone or in combination, in addition to Ku binding. One such feature, referred to herein as inhibition activity, is inhibition of DNA-PK kinase activity. Another preferred feature, referred to herein as aptamer motifs, is the presence of one or more of the base sequences GCUUUCCCANNNAC, A(A/C)AUGA, and AACUUCGA.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating cell cycle and cell proliferation are provided. Additionally the compositions find use in enhancing disease resistance and increasing transformation efficiency in plants. The method involves transforming a plant with a sense or antisense prohibitin sequence. The prohibitin sequence acts to regulate cell division in the plant cell. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided having enhanced disease resistance.

Abstract: Binding units such as avidin or biotin are placed on tightly defined areas of a solid planar support surface. Polymer sequences such as oligonucleotides are synthesized with a complementary binding unit attached, preferably via a linker moiety. The polymer/linker/binding units are then placed on the binding units on the support surface and an array is formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of resensitizing an anti-drug-resistant infectious agent to a drug. Also disclosed are synthetic oligonucleotides having a nucleotide sequence complementary to a region of pfmdr1 nucleic acid, and methods of down-regulating the expression of pfmdr nucleic acid using such oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of TGF-&bgr;. Antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding TGF-&bgr; are preferred. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of TGF-&bgr; expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of TGF-&bgr; are also provided. Methods of sensitizing cells to apoptotic stimuli are also provided.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of RECQL4. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding RECQL4. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of RECQL4 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of RECQL4 are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymatic RNA molecules which cleave ICAM-1 mRNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of several human genes as cellular targets for the design of therapeutic agents for suppressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. These genes encode intracellular products which appear to be necessary for HIV replication, as evidenced by an inhibition of HIV infection in cells in which the expression of these genes is down-regulated. Therefore, inhibitors of these genes and their encoded products may be used as therapeutic agents for the treatment and/or prevention of HIV infection. In addition, the invention also relates to methods for identifying additional cellular genes as therapeutic targets for suppressing HIV infection, and methods of using such cellular genes and their encoded products in screening assays for selecting additional inhibitors of HIV.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to at least a portion of HCV RNA and specifically hybridizable therewith. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the replication of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro and to treat Hepatitis C virus-associated disease. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus.

Abstract: An antisense oligonucleotide characterized in that it hybridizes specifically with chromosomal DNA and/or RNA encoding CXCR4 protein to thereby inhibit the expression of the CXCR4 protein, and a HIV infection inhibitor comprising the antisense oligonucleotide, are disclosed.

Abstract: A new polypropylene terephthalate composition is provided. The polypropylene terephthalate is comprised of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalate. The 1,3-propanediol is produced by the bioconversion of a fermentatble carbon source, preferable glucose. The resulting polypropylene terephthalate is distinguished from petrochemically produced polymer on the basis of dual carbon-isotopic fingerprinting which indicates both the source and the age of the carbon.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of Phosphorylase kinase alpha 1. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding Phosphorylase kinase alpha 1. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of Phosphorylase kinase alpha 1 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of Phosphorylase kinase alpha 1 are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a plant functional gene profile, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining a change in phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, and a method of determining the presence of a trait in plant. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a plant into a host plant to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant. A viral vector functional genomic screen has been developed to identify nucleotide sequences in transfected plants by systemically knocking out endogenous gene expression in an antisense mechanism. Once the presence of a trait in a plant is identified by phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant, the nucleic acid insert in the cDNA clone or in the vector that results in the changes is then sequenced. The present invention exemplifies that genes encoding GTP binding proteins in one plant can silence endogenous gene expression in a different plant.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for treating both the early and late phases of allergic asthma by introducing naked polynucleotides which operatively encode for the asthma-initiating antigen into the host. The antigen-encoding polynucleotides are administered to host tissues which contain a high concentration of antigen presenting cells (e.g., skin and mucosa) relative to other host tissues. Expression of the asthma-initiating antigen encoding polynucleotides of the invention inside of antigen presenting cells (without substantial secretion therefrom) induces antigen tolerance while suppressing IgE antibody formation in the early phase of the disease, and also suppresses cytokine-mediated eosinophil accumulation in the late phase of the disease. Devices and compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: Genetic modification or selection of avians requires that large numbers of birds be genetically analyzed for sequences of interest. Typically, DNA is extracted on an individual basis from samples taken from the birds. Current methods of DNA extraction extract the DNA from blood or other tissues using tedious and time-consuming procedures. The present invention provides a high throughput screening assay for detecting a genetic sequence in multiple samples. The assay further provides a DNA extraction method that allows DNA to be extracted rapidly from multiple avian samples, such as red blood cells. The extraction method is extremely reliable and does not require that each sample be quantitated post-extraction. The extracted DNA can be used for a variety of genetic assays, including a high throughput screening assay to identify insertion of a transgene. The present invention is particularly useful for extracting DNA from nucleated RBCs.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oligonuclegtides comprising nucleotide sequences sufficiently complementary to conserved regions of human immunodeficiency virus genetic material such that when bound to said region, the oligonucleotides effectively prevent expression of the genetic material.

Abstract: There is disclosed an assay system for determining therapeutic activity for treating restenosis, atherosclerosis, chronic rejection syndrome and graft versus host disease (GVHD) by measuring inhibition of cell migration activity in smooth muscle cells expressing a US28 receptor from the CMV genome. Specifically, there is disclosed a method for measuring inhibition of cell migration in isolated cells transfected with US28 or infected with CMV and stimulated with a ligand. There is further disclosed a method for treating atherosclerosis, restenosis, chronic rejection syndrome and graft versus host disease (GVHD), comprising administering an effective amount of an agent that is a US28 receptor antagonist, wherein a US28 receptor antagonist comprises an inhibitor compound that prevents transduction of US28 receptor signal stimulated by a US28 receptor ligand, wherein a US28 receptor ligand is selected from the group consisting of RANTES, MIP-1&agr; and MCP.