Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical compositions are described for the use of keratinocyte growth factor to treat diabetes mellitus in mammals.

Abstract: A novel growth arrest homeobox gene has been discovered and the nucleotide sequences have been determined in both the rat and the human. The expression of the novel homeobox gene inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell growth. The growth arrest homeobox gene hereinafter referred to as the "Gax gene" and its corresponding proteins are useful in the study of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and in the treatment of blood vessel diseases that result from excessive smooth muscle cell proliferation, particularly after balloon angioplasty.

Abstract: The present invention provides EppA polypeptide, a Borrelia burgdorferi virulence protein. This 17-kD outer membrane protein has been designated EppA for exported plasmid protein A.

Abstract: A human growth hormone variant including the set of amino acid substitutions H18A, Q22A, F25A, D26A, Q29A, E65A, K168A, E174A is disclosed. Also disclosed is a nucleic acid encoding this variant, along with a vector including the nucleic acid, a host cell including the vector, and a process for preparing the variant. The variant has enhanced affinity for human growth hormone receptor at site 1.

Abstract: Insulin-like Growth Factor II (IGF-II) analogues in which at least one of R37 and R38 is replaced with another amino acid residue, the most preferred being IGF-II R37Q R38Q, can readily be produced in E. coli, unlike natural IGF-II, which is cleaved on secretion. The analogues retain activity on the type I and type II IGF receptors but have lower affinity for the insulin receptor; they are therefore more specific in their action.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to DNA encoding human endothelial cell growth factors, and to plasmids comprising said DNA. In particular, the invention relates to DNA encoding a cleavable signal peptide and an endothelial cell growth factor, wherein removal of said signal peptide yields a mature form of the growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable and bioactive recombinant small-loop modified somatotropin which has its small-loop cysteines changed to other amino acids or deleted altogether and a method for producing such a small-loop modified somatotropin. Also provided by the present invention are DNA sequences coding for such small-loop modified somatotropins, plasmids containing such sequences, and organisms containing such plasmids. Furthermore, pharmaceutical compositions including small-loop modified somatotropins and methods for using such pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: Human growth hormone variants, DNA encoding the variants, vectors, host cells, pegylated forms of the variants, as well as methods of making the variants are disclosed.

Abstract: Purification of human FSH from post-menopausal urine gonadogropin using immunochromatography and reverse phase HPLC steps yelds a biologically active hormone which is free from detectable traces of LH and other urinary proteins.

Abstract: A bacterial host is described which is transformed by a plasmid coding for a polypeptide precursor wherein the host comprises a multi-enzyme complex capable of reacting with the expressed polypeptide precursor to produce a polypeptide comprising at least one dehydroamino acid and/or at least one lanthionine bridge. A process for producing a polypeptide comprising at least one dehydroamino acid and/or at least one lanthionine bridge, such as gallidermin, is also described. A plasmid capable of transforming a bacterial host is additionally described.Also disclosed are recombinant DNA molecules which specify Epi B, Epi C, Epi D, Epi P and Epi Q, enzymes which are involved in the biosynthesis of lantibiotic epidermin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mammalian retinoblastoma protein-interacting zinc finger protein and active fragments thereof, which bind retinoblastoma protein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising endothelial cell growth factor, an acceptable carrier and, optionally, an extracellular matrix protein, a glycosaminoglycan or serum albumin. The compositions are useful for wound repair.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating an individual who is predisposed to develop insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. To practice the method, an amount of interleukin-10 protein effective to maintain blood glucose levels at a non-diabetic level is administered to an individual predisposed to develop the disease.

Abstract: A cloned DNA molecule is disclosed. The DNA molecule encodes a human endothelin-3 protein having the amino acid sequence: Glu-Gly-Ala-Pro-Glu-His-His-Arg-Ser-Arg-Arg-Cys-Thr-Cys-Phe-Thr-Tyr-Lys-As p-Lys-Glu-Cys-Val-Tyr-Tyr-Cys-His-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp-Ile-Asn-Thr-Pro-Glu or any portion of said amino acid sequence containing Cys-Thr-Cys-Phe-Thr-Tyr-Lys-Asp-Lys-Glu-Cys-Val-Tyr-Tyr-Cys-His-Leu-Asp-Il e-Ile-Trp. Also disclosed is a method of producing mature endothelin-3 protein. In the method, the host cell is cultured, allowing mature endothelin-3 to accumulate in the culture medium, and the mature endothelin-3 protein is separated from the culture medium.

Abstract: A novel parenchymal hepatocyte growth factor originating in a human or animal liver, having an estimated molecular weight according to nonreductive SDS-PAGE of about 63,000 to about 69,000, an estimated molecular weight according to reductive SDS-PAGE of about 32,000 to about 36,000 and an estimated molecular weight according to gel filtration of about 60 to about 70 Kd; and having an activity of effecting the growth of parenchymal hepatocyte has been obtained from the hemihepatectomized tissue. Furthermore, a gene coding for the above substance has been obtained from the mRNA of the above tissue and it has thus become possible to mass-produce the above substance.

Abstract: Disclosed are interleukin-6 receptor antagonists. These receptor antagonists are generated by mutating amino acid positions 31, 35, 118, 121, 175, 176 and/or 183 of human interleukin-6.

Abstract: A human gene termed APC is disclosed. Methods and kits are provided for assessing mutations of the APC gene in human tissues and body samples. APC mutations are found in familial adenomatous polyposis patients as well as in sporadic colorectal cancer patients. APC is expressed in most normal tissues. These results suggest that APC is a tumor suppressor.

Abstract: A method for identifying and selecting novel substrates for enzymes is provided. The method comprises constructing a gene fusion comprising DNA encoding a polypeptide fused to DNA encoding a substrate peptide, which in turn is fused to DNA encoding at least a portion of a phage coat protein. The DNA encoding the substrate peptide is mutated at one or more codons thereby generating a family of mutants. The fusion protein is expressed on the surface of a phagemid particle and subjected to chemical or enzymatic modification of the substrate peptide. Those phagemid particles which have been modified are then separated from those that have not.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of detecting angiostatin protein which is an endothelial cell inhibitor. The angiostatin protein is a protein isolated from blood or urine that is eluted as single peak from C4-reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. One method of the present invention includes combining a sample suspected of containing angiostatin protein with an antibody which is specific for angiostatin protein. Another method of the present invention includes isolating the protein and detecting the presence of angiostatin protein by performing an endothelial cell proliferation inhibiting assay.

Abstract: Purification of human FSH from post-menopausal urine gonadogropin using immunochromatography and reverse phase HPLC steps yelds a biologically active hormone which is free from detectable traces of LH and other urinary proteins.