Abstract: The invention includes a DNA encoding a known translocatable protein, for example, human mpl, lacking secretory ability due to deletion of its secretory signal and the major part of the extracellular region thereof. This DNA is present in an expression vector into which a test cDNA from a cDNA library is ligated. The expression vector containing the known DNA and the test cDNA expresses a chimeric protein encoded by these two nucleic acid molecules. Cells expressing the newly constructed vector are capable of proliferating if the test cDNA is a secretory protein. Thus, cDNAs encoding secretory proteins including type I membrane proteins and type II membrane proteins can be detected and isolated by constructing a cDNA library and screening it for ability to promote cell proliferation.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of Grb14 and homologous adapting proteins, as tool for screening molecules designed for the treatment of diseases involving insulin. The invention also concerns a method for detecting molecules capable of modulating the tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates in providing a process for recovering a soluble protein having a higher recovery rate by suppressing the aggregation of the protein when a denaturing agent is removed from the solubilization treatment solution containing a solubilized protein; and providing a process for removing a denaturing agent from the above solubilization treatment solution in which the aggregation of the protein is suppressed.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

Abstract: Cyclic depsipeptides represented by the formula wherein: R is a straight or branched alkyl group of 5-20 carbon atoms or a straight or branched alkoxymethyl group of 5-15-carbon atoms; A, B, D, E and F independently each other are alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, etc.; W and Z independently each other are aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid or glutamine; and m and n independently each other is 0 or 1, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof. The present compounds are prepared according to a method conventionally used in peptide synthesis. The present compounds are useful as an agent for promoting the production of apolipoprotein E, a therapeutic agent for neurologic damages, a therapeutic agent for dementia, an agent for inhibiting the production of apolipoprotein B, an agent for promoting the production of apolipoprotein A1 or a therapeutic agent for hyperlipemia.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for identifying novel compositions which modulate the activity of Toso, and the use of such compositions in diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Abstract: A method for isolating human neuroepithelial precursor cells from human fetal tissue by culturing the human fetal cells in fibroblast growth factor and chick embryo extract and immunodepleting from the cultured human fetal cells any cells expressing A2B5, NG2 and eNCAM is provided. In addition, methods for transplanting these cells into an animal are provided. Animals models transplanted with these human neuroepithelial precursor cells and methods for monitoring survival, proliferation, differentiation and migration of the cells in the animal model via detection of human specific markers are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a use of colostrinin, a constituent peptide thereof, and/or an analog thereof as a neural cell regulator in animals including humans.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of alleviating neuropathic pain in a subject by administering a neuropathic pain alleviating amount of prosaposin receptor agonist to the subject. The invention also provides a method of inhibiting the onset of neuropathic pain in a subject by administering neuropathic pain alleviating amount of prosaposin receptor agonist to the subject. The present invention also provides prosaposin receptor agonists and the use of these agonists for stimulating neurite outgrowth, inhibiting neural cell death, promoting myelination and inhibiting neural demyelination. In addition, there is provided a method of inhibiting sensory or motor neuropathy by contacting neuronal cells with a composition comprising an effective inhibiting amount of prosaposin receptor agonist.

Abstract: The invention provides modified proteins and DNAs of the TGF-? superfamily including modified morphogenic proteins. The proteins of the present invention display altered biological or biochemical attributes. Specifically, the modified proteins are designed through manipulation or exchange of subdomains among two or more members of the superfamily such that certain desired attributes are mixed-and-matched and then exploited therapeutically.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient in need of insulin treatment, including the steps of introducing into the lower respiratory tract of the patient an effective amount of a therapeutic preparation in the form of a dry powder containing (a) insulin and (b) an enhancer compound which enhances the absorption of insulin in the lungs of the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-endogenous, constitutively activated forms of the human 5-HT2A and human 5-HT2C receptors and uses of such receptors to screen candidate compounds. Further disclosed herein are candidate compounds identified by the screening method which act at the 5HT2A receptors. Yet further disclosed is a new class of compounds which act at the 5HT2A receptors.

Abstract: Presented is a method to detect precancerous states in mammalian cell and tissue samples comprising incubating a sample with solubilized 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (carboxyphenyl) porphine (TCPP), measuring TCPP fluorescence in the sample, and categorizing the sample as non-cancerous, precancerous or cancerous based on TCPP fluorescence, as correlated with the respective states of the cells. In conjunction with the method a detection, a novel and more efficient method of solubilizing TCPP is presented, as well as a composition comprising TCPP solubilized by this method.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel receptor proteins characterized by having the following domains, reading from the N-terminal end of said protein: an extracellular, ligand-binding domain, a hydrophobic, trans-membrane domain, and an intracellular, receptor domain having serine kinase-like activity. The invention receptors optionally further comprise a second hydrophobic domain at the amino terminus thereof. The invention receptor proteins are further characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for at least one member of the activin/TGF-&bgr; superfamily of polypeptide growth factors such that concentrations of ≦10 nM of said polypeptide growth factor occupy ≧50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. A presently preferred member of the invention superfamily of receptors binds specifically to activins, in preference to inhibins, transforming growth factor-&bgr;, and other non-activin-like proteins.

Abstract: A family of somatotropin vectors with which micro-organisms, preferably bacteria such as, but not limited to E. coli, can be transformed to enable the expression of bovine somatotropin at high levels using conventional fermentation and induction conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neuron-restrictive silencer factor proteins, nucleic acids, and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides and mutants or variants thereof that correspond to a novel human stem cell growth factor-like protein. These polynucleotides comprise nucleic acid sequences isolated from cDNA libraries from human testis cells (Hyseq clone identification numbers 2880984 and 2881695), from human fetal skin (Hyseq clone identification number 15375176), adult spleen (Hyseq clone identification number 14856094), and human endothelial cells (Hyseq clone identification numbers 13804756, 13687487, 13804756). Other aspects of the invention include vectors containing processes for producing novel human stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides, and antibodies specific for such polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of promoting the maturation of monocytes comprising the administration of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor or scavenger and at least one monocyte maturation-promoting agent. A composition for promoting the maturation of monocytes is likewise disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition includes a compound effective to promote the maturation of monocytes and a ROS inhibitor or scavenger combined in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Methods are described for conjugating radioiodinated non-metabolizable peptides to proteins and antibodies with improved yields and qualities of conjugates. Radioiodinated residualizing antibody conjugates comprising any aminopolycarboxylate-appended peptide, or any carbohydrate-appended peptide, are also provided. Additionally, methods are described for conjugating radioiodinated aminopolycarboxylates to proteins and antibodies, as well as for conjugating radioiodinated non-metabolizable carbohydrates to proteins and antibodies by a variety of chemical approaches. The instant radioiodinated residualizing antibody conjugates are particularly stable in vivo and are suitable for radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy.

Abstract: A nueroprotectant composition wherein the active ingredient is pGLU-GLU-PRO-NH2 or a combination of pGLU-GLU-PRO-NH2 (EEP) and N-tert-Butyl-&agr;-(2-sulfophenyl)nitrone (SPBN) or other nitrone. A method of treating and preventing diseases and injuries of the brain, spinal cord and retina is also presented by administering the endogenous tripeptide EEP to a subject as a neuroprotectant or by administering EEP in combination with SPBN or other nitrone.