Abstract: The subject invention finds utility in the area of gene therapy of diseases. More specifically, the invention concerns the making of a novel non-viral vector which can bind to desired DNA to form a combination useful to transfect diseased mitochondria of human or animal cells. The non-viral vector comprises a dequalinium salt subjected to standard liposome production procedures to obtain the vector names DQAsomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one nucleic acid and one lipopolyamine, and their utilisation in gene therapy, particularly for the transfert in vivo of nucleic acids.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel materials and methods for the delivery of substances into cells. In a specific embodiment substances are delivered into cells using a novel class of lipid compounds. These compounds, cationic lipid compounds having a disulfide bond, can be complexed with DNA to be inserted into a cell in gene therapy. Once inside the cell, enzymes present within the cell cleave the disulfide bond and the DNA is released.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for the treatment of colon cancer. The expression of gastrin by colon cancers is inhibited by the use of antisense gastrin expression. Methods are disclosed for the preparation of expression constructs and the use of such constructs to inhibit colon cancer growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treating the ductal epithelium of an exocrine gland, in particular a mammary gland, for disease, in particular cancer. The methods comprise contacting the ductal epithelium of the exocrine gland with an epithelium-destroying agent, preferably by ductal cannulation, so as to realize a prophylactic or therapeutic effect.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel materials and methods for the delivery of substances, such as DNA or polypeptides, into cells. In a specific embodiment, substances are delivered into cells using a novel class of lipid compounds. These compounds, cationic lipid compounds having a disulfide bond, can be complexed with DNA to be inserted into a cell in gene therapy. Once inside the cell, enzymes present within the cell cleave the disulfide bond and the DNA is released.

Abstract: Genetic analysis of familial breast and ovarian cancer indicates that BRCA1 is a tumor suppressor gene. The BRCA1 gene encodes a 190 kDa protein with sequence homology and biochemical analogy to the granin family of proteins. Granins are secreted from endocrine cells via the regulated secretory pathway and are proteolytically cleaved to yield biologically active peptides. BRCA1 protein localizes to secretory vesicles, and was demonstrated to be secreted. Gene transfer of BRCA1 inhibits growth and tumorigenesis of breast and ovarian cancer cells, but not colon or lung cancer cells or fibroblasts, suggesting that BRCA1 encodes a tissue-specific growth inhibitor. Thus, BRCA1 is a secreted growth inhibitor and functions by a mechanism not previously described for tumor suppressor genes. The BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer gene encodes a protein that also includes a granin region, indicating that the BRCA2 protein is also a secreted tumor suppressor.

Abstract: Bombesin receptor subtype-3sb polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing Bombesin receptor subtype-3sb polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

Abstract: An isolated DNA molecule encoding a Sox-9 gene which codes for the Sox-9 polypeptide. The human Sox-9 gene has been mapped to chromosome 17 in the same region as CMPD-1, the locus for Campomelic Dysplasia (CD). Sox-9 appears to have a role in mammalian skeletal development, and is used in the treatment of diseases involving bond or cartilage deficiency.

Abstract: A gene is regulated by introducing into a cell an inducible, tissue-specific antisense DNA construct. The antisense DNA construct comprises any inducible, tissue-specific gene, into which a DNA sequence antisense to any DNA sequence of the gene targeted for regulation has been inserted. The inducible, tissue-specific antisense DNA construct transcribes a hybrid messenger RNA containing an RNA sequence antisense to a sequence of the messenger RNA of the gene targeted for regulation. The hybrid messenger RNA also contains the RNA sequence of the inducible, tissue-specific gene. Some examples of suitable inducible genes include those selected from the group consisting of mammalian cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) (GTP, EC 4.1.1.32), mammalian atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), and mammalian alpha myosin heavy chain (.alpha.-MHC). In a preferred embodiment, the inducible, tissue-specific gene is the rat PEPCK gene.

Abstract: The invention provides a cell-specific nuclear targeting molecule having a nucleic acid sequence which includes a binding site for a nuclear DNA binding protein expressed only in a specific cell type. The invention further provides a plasmid for targeting a DNA molecule into the nuclei of a specific cell type. The plasmid comprises the cell-specific nuclear targeting molecule and a DNA molecule to be targeted to the nuclei of the specific cell type. This plasmid of the subject invention can be introduced into various host cells, and the cell-specific nuclear targeting molecule will target the DNA molecule to the nuclei of the specific cell type. Thus, the invention further provides a method of targeting a DNA molecule into the nuclei of a specific cell type. The method comprises providing a plasmid (the plasmid comprising the cell-specific nuclear targeting molecule and the DNA molecule to be targeted) and introducing the plasmid into the cytoplasm of the specific cell type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, including, but not limited to, atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion, hypertension, restenosis, and arterial inflammation. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes genes which are differentially expressed in cardiovascular disease states, relative to their expression in normal, or non-cardiovascular disease states, and/or in response to manipulations relevant to cardiovascular disease. Further, the present invention identifies and describes genes via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in cardiovascular disease. Still further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preventing or reducing the severity of a cancer in a subject by stimulating the subject's immune response against the cancer. The invention provides, for example, a method of stimulating an immune response in a subject by administering to the subject tumor cells that are substantially similar to the subject's cancer cells and that are genetically modified to reduce or inhibit the expression of one or more immunosuppressive agents. The invention also provides a method of preventing or reducing the severity of cancer in a subject by stimulating the subject's immune response against the cancer by administering to the subject tumor cells that are substantially similar to the subject's cancer cells and that are genetically modified to prevent the expression of an immunosuppressive agents and, in combination with the genetically modified tumor cells, an immunostimulatory agent. The invention further provides compositions useful for practicing the claimed methods.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions of selectively disrupting mitotic function in a target cell demonstrating undesirable mitotic function. Suitable target cells include mammalian, plant and bacterial cells, which cells may be in vitro or in situ. The general methods involve introducing into the target cell an effective amount of a peptide comprising contiguous acidic amino acids, such as Asp or Glu, whereby the undesirable mitotic function of the cell is selectively disrupted. In particular embodiments, the peptide comprises a Gm2S-1 peptide, particularly a lunasin and/or alisin peptide. The peptide may be introduced by transfecting the cell with a nucleic acid encoding the peptide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of sensitizing a human tumor cell with adenovirus E1A. The methods involve treating a human tumor cell by, first, introducing into the tumor cell nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having adenovirus E1A activity, expressing the E1A active polypeptide in the cell, and then either contacting the E1A expressing tumor cell with a chemotherapeutic agent or irradiating the E1A-expressing tumor cell. The invention also provides methods of enhancing a subject's response to chemotherapy or irradiation by introducing into a subject's tumor cells nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having adenovirus E1A activity, expressing the E1A active polypeptide in the cells and finally, administering either a chemotherapeutic agent or irradiation. The invention also provides a method of treating cancer.

Abstract: A DNA construct is disclosed which comprises a packagable retroviral genome operably linked to a first promotor, wherein the retroviral genome comprises a 5' long terminal repeat (5' LTR) which includes sequences encoding R and U3 regions and 3' long terminal repeat (3' LTR) which includes sequences encoding R and U3 regions, and wherein at least said R regions of the 5' LTR and 3' LTR are identical to each other and are different from those of the retrovirus on which the retroviral genome is based. The DNA constructs are useful in the production of packaged retroviruses.

Abstract: Chitinase fungal diagnostic reagents comprising a chitinase conjugate comprising a chitinase enzyme and a label, the label selected from among a flourescent or a radioactive compound, an enzyme and a dye, the said chitinase fungal diagnostic reagent comprises a substantially pure aqueous solution of said chitinase conjugate; kits for detecting a fungal cell wall glucosamine compound in a biological specimen comprising the chitinase fungal diagnostic reagent and a filter capable of collecting the fungal cell wall glucosamine compound; and methods for detecting a fungal cell wall glucosamine compound in a biological specimen.

Abstract: The described invention relates to methods for covalently attaching a compound to a gene. The method provides for covalently attaching compounds to genes for enhancing the cellular transport of the genes to predetermined targets, while maintaining the gene's functionality.

Abstract: The subject invention finds utility in the area of gene therapy of diseases. More specifically, the invention concerns the making of a novel non-viral vector which can bind to desired DNA to form a combination useful to transfect diseased mitochondria of human or animal cells. The non-viral vector comprises a dequalinium salt subjected to standard liposome production procedures to obtain the vector named DQAsomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, including, but not limited to, atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion, hypertension, restenosis, and arterial inflammation. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes genes which are differentially expressed in cardiovascular disease states, relative to their expression in normal, or non-cardiovascular disease states, and/or in response to manipulations relevant to cardiovascular disease. Further, the present invention identifies and describes genes via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in cardiovascular disease. Still further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of cardiovascular disease.