Abstract: The present invention relates to an IL-2 receptor .gamma. chain molecule, a DNA-sequence encoding the IL-2 receptor .gamma. chain molecule, a vector possessing said DNA-sequence, a cell transformed with said vector, a method for the production of an IL-2 receptor .gamma. chain molecule by culturing of said cell, an immune response regulatory agent comprising an IL-2 receptor .gamma. chain molecule and an antibody to an IL-2 receptor .gamma. chain molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing the severity of GI damage in an individual by administering a cytokine regulatory agent to an individual that is susceptible to developing such damage.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNAs encoding melatonin 1a receptor gene promoter regions, recombinant polypeptides expressed from such DNAs, and methods of using such expression constructs to screen for promoter activators or inhibitors. Transcriptional activators are useful as therapeutics to reentrain endogenous melatonin rhythms as a means of treating circadian rhythm disorders in humans and control reproductive cycles in seasonally breeding animals. Transcriptional inhibitors are useful as therapeutics to control the initiation or timing of puberty in humans.

Abstract: An isolated and purified DNA molecule encoding Candida albicans protein with integrin-like motifs, the protein itself, antibodies thereto, and methods of use, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a 5-HT.sub.2 receptor, and an isolated protein which is a human 5-HT.sub.2 receptor. The invention also provides vectors comprising DNA molecules encoding a human 5-HT.sub.2 receptor, and vectors adapted for expression of the 5-HT.sub.2 receptor in bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cells. In addition, the invention provides a DNA probe useful for detecting nucleic acid encoding the 5-HT.sub.2 receptor, a method for determining whether a ligand which is not known to be capable of binding to the 5-HT.sub.2 receptor can bind to the 5-HT.sub.2 receptor, a method for detecting the presence of 5-HT.sub.2 receptor on the surface of a cell, and a method of screening drugs to identify drugs which specifically interact with, and bind to, the 5-HT.sub.2 receptor. The invention herein also concerns an antibody directed to the human 5-HT.sub.2 receptor, such as a monoclonal antibody directed to an epitope of the 5-HT.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a member of a novel gene family referred to as developmentally-regulated endothelial cell locus-1 (del-1). In particular, the invention relates to del-1 nucleotide sequences, Del-1 amino acid sequences, methods of expressing a functional gene product, and methods of using the gene and gene product.

Abstract: The invention relates to h4-1BBSV receptor polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, methods for producing the polypeptides, in particular by expressing the polynucleotides, and agonists and antagonists of the polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods for utilizing such polynucleotides, polypeptides, agonists and antagonists for applications, which relate, in part, to research, diagnostic and clinical arts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a member of a novel gene family referred to as developmentally-regulated endothelial cell locus-1 (del-1). In particular, the invention relates to del-1 nucleotide sequence, Del-1 amino acid sequence, methods of expressing a functional gene product, and methods of using the gene product.

Abstract: A novel subtype of the P.sub.2 -purinergic receptor, referred to as the P.sub.2U2 receptor, is disclosed. This receptor is activated by four of its agonists in the following order of specificity: UTP>UDP>ADP>ATP. Nucleic acids encoding the receptor and associated screening and therapeutic methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide and amino acid sequences that identify and encode a novel thrombin receptor homolog (TRH) expressed in human liver. The present invention also provides for antisense molecules to the nucleotide sequences which encode TRH, diagnostic tests based on TRH encoding nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors for the production of purified TRH, antibodies capable of binding specifically to TRH, hybridization probes or oligonucleotides for the detection of TRH-encoding nucleotide sequences, genetically engineered host cells for the expression of TRH, and antagonists, antibodies and inhibitors with specific binding activity for the polypeptide TRH.

Abstract: The use of the cloned genes for the ileal/renal bile acid cotransporter to screen for compounds that inhibit or activate bile acid cotransporter activity is disclosed. When expressed in the cell membrane of a suitable host cell, the cotransporters coded for by these clones transport bile acids with the proper enzymatic and pharmacological profiles including ion dependence, bile acid substrate affinity and bile acid substrate specificity. Also disclosed are vectors comprising a cloned gene encoding an ileal/renal bile acid transporter and cells transformed with such vectors for screening compounds that modulate ileal/renal bile acid cotransporter activity. The cloned genes are useful for obtaining the ileal/renal bile acid cotransporter gene sequences to screen for candidate substances that modulate ileal/renal bile acid cotransporter gene expression.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of using a peptide which has the sequence of epitopes which are present on B cell-bound but not secreted IgA. This induces production of the antibody itself. These extracellular peptide segments form, entirely or in part, antigenic epitopes unique to membrane-bound but not secreted IgA.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining whether a test protein is capable of interacting with a nuclear hormone receptor protein. The method involves: (a) providing a host cell which contains (i) a reporter gene operably linked to a protein binding site; (ii) a first fusion gene which expresses a first fusion protein, the first fusion protein including a nuclear hormone receptor protein covalently bonded to a binding moiety which is capable of specifically binding to the protein binding site; and (iii) a second fusion gene which expresses a second fusion protein, the second fusion protein including the test protein covalently bonded to a weak gene activating moiety; and (b) determining whether the test protein increases expression of the reporter gene as an indication of its ability to interact with the nuclear hormone receptor protein. Such an interaction may be hormone dependent, hormone independent, or hormone sensitive.

Abstract: The three-dimensional structure of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) has been determined by X-ray crystallography and the coordinates of the individual atoms are presented. Analogues of hCG and other glycoprotein hormones sharing a similar .alpha.-subunit structure are produced by inputting chemical changes to the structure into a computer loaded with three-dimensional molecular simulation software and representing visually on a computer display. The three-dimensional structures of the original glycoprotein and the chemically modified analogues are compared, and those analogues wherein the three-dimensional configuration and spatial arrangement of regions involved in receptor binding and signal transduction remain substantially preserved are selected for synthesis by molecular biology techniques and screening for biological activity. Glycoprotein analogues with additional glycosylation sites, and deletion of non-essential hairpins are disclosed.

Abstract: Recombinant rabbit tissue factor is cloned and produced in a bacterial host. This protein, which is relatively insoluble and has several disulfide bonds, requires special modifications in order to express and be purified at commercial levels. By expressing the tissue factor as a fusion protein with a bacterial enzyme, thioredoxin, solubility is increased. Use of a thioredoxin reductase deficient host aids in proper tertiary structure for biological activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring the ability of a compound to bind to the GABA recognition site of an insect GABA receptor. The invention further provides host cells that express a nucleic acid encoding the GABA receptor subunit LCCH3 and a nucleic acid encoding the GABA receptor subunit Grd, and cell membranes obtained from the host cells.

Abstract: Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor binding has been characterized using a unique binding assay utilizing iodinated GHRH probes. Photoaffinity GHRH probes have been constructed which allow for photolabeling and characterization of the receptor. In addition, high affinity biotinylated GHRH analogs have been constructed. Solubilization of GHRH-R/GHRH complexes and extraction of specifically bound GHRH using a mild detergent solution, followed by affinity chromatography, leads to a substantially purified GHRH-R isolate. Electrophoretic treatment of the GHRH-R isolate produces GHRH-R of sufficient purity to conduct sequencing of the receptor. Cloning of a gene encoding for polypeptides (protein or fragments thereof) having GHRH-R activity is accomplished using a bacterial host, and the cloned gene is expressed in a mammalian cell line. In addition, molecular cloning of the ovine GHRH-R is provided.

Abstract: Novel TNF receptor death domain ("TNF-R1-DD") ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting TNF-R death domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of TNF-R death domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding TIE ligand-3. In addition, the invention provides for a receptorbody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3. The invention also provides an antibody which specifically binds TIE ligand-3. The invention further provides for an antagonist of TIE. The invention also provides for therapeutic compositions as well as a method of blocking blood vessel growth, a method of promoting neovascularization, a method of promoting the growth or differentiation of a cell expressing the TIE receptor, a method of blocking the growth or differentiation of a cell expressing the TIE receptor and a method of attenuating or preventing tumor growth in a human.

Abstract: Novel TNF receptor death domain ("TNF-R1-DD") ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting TNF-R death domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of TNF-R death domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.