Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing novel proteins and methods of using those compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of immune related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polynucleotides encoding HLRRBM1 polypeptides, fragments and homologues thereof. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant and synthetic methods for producing said polypeptides. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods for applying these novel HLRRBM1 polypeptides to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of various diseases and/or disorders related to these polypeptides, particularly immune diseases and/or disorders. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving homogeneity and/or secretion of a recombinant protein of interest expressed in mammalian cells by replacing the endogenous signal peptide sequence of the DNA encoding the protein of interest with that of human hGH. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method wherein the protein of interest is a subunit of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The invention also relates to DNA expression vectors containing the sequence encoding such proteins of interest fused to the signal peptide sequence of the hGH and to cells harbouring such vectors.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been identified in human cells. Recombinantly produced TLRs are used in the preparation of antibodies that are capable of binding to the TLRs. The antibodies are advantageously used in the prevention and treatment of septic shock, inflammatory conditions, and viral infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Dermacentor variabilis ligand gated ion channel proteins. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding D. variabilis LGIC/GluCl channels, substantially purified forms of associated D. variabilis channel proteins and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Dermacentor variabilis LGIC/GluCl, which will be useful as insecticides and acaracides.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for diagnosing neurotransmission or developmental disorders in a mammal comprising the step of detecting in a bodily fluid of said mammal autoantibodies to an epitope of the muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK). One such method comprises a) contacting said bodily fluid with said MuSK or an antigenic determinant thereof; and b) detecting any antibody-antigen complexes formed between said receptor tyrosine kinase or an antigenic fragment thereof and antibodies present in said bodily fluid, wherein the presence of said complexes is indicative of said mammal suffering from said neurotransmission or developmental disorders. Also disclosed are kits for use in the diagnosis of neurotransmission and subsequent developmental disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to purified and isolated novel human IL-1 epsilon polypeptides, the nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, processes for production of recombinant forms of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against these polypeptides, the use of such polypeptides in cellular and immune reactions, the use of such polypeptides in screening for agonists or antagonists of IL-1 epsilon activity, and kits comprising such polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for regulating cytokine signaling and agents useful for same. The method of the present invention is predicated in part on the identification of the molecular target of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) interaction in controlling cytokine signaling. The identification of the molecular target permits the development of assays to screen for a range of agonists and antagonists useful in modulating cytokine function. The present invention further provides, therefore, screening assays and more particularly high through-put screening assays for agonists and antagonists of SOCS-receptor interaction. Such agonists and antagonists are useful in the manufacture of medicaments for controlling cytokine signaling. Control of cytokine signaling is important for the treatment of a range of conditions including cancer, inflammatory conditions, immunological disorders and any other conditions involving aberrations of signal transduction.

Abstract: The invention relates to treatment of patients in need of increasing insulin sensitivity by administration of growth hormone or analogues thereof, preferably human growth hormone, in a low dose and the use of growth hormone or analogues thereof, preferably human growth hormone, for the manufacturing of a medicament useful for increasing insulin sensitivity in low dose therapy. The patient is preferably a normal subject, i.e. not growth hormone deficient patient and/or a non-obese patients. By low dose therapy is preferably meant less than 0.008 mg/kg/day, preferably 0.007 mg/kg/day or less, more preferably 0.005 mg/kg/day or less and most preferably 0.003 mg/kg/day or less. The therapy is preferably performed during short term treatment, preferably less than one month.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to interleukin-22 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polynucleotides encoding BGS-2, 3, and 4 polypeptides, fragments and homologues thereof. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant and synthetic methods for producing said polypeptides. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods for applying these novel BGS-2, 3, and 4 polypeptides to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of various diseases and/or disorders related to these polypeptides. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating obesity-related disorders using ApM-1 and related proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gene expression in normal cells and cells of malignant tumors and particularly to novel markers associated with cancer, Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10, and the genes encoding Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing these human proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating a tumor.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of IL6RIL6 chimera in the treatment and prevention of neurological diseases and disorders.

Abstract: The present inventors conducted a similarity search of the amino acid sequence of known G protein-coupled receptor proteins in GenBank, and obtained a novel human GPCR gene “BG37”. cDNA containing the ORF of the gene was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Moreover, novel GPCR “BG37” genes from mouse and rat were isolated. Use of the novel GPCR of the present invention enables screening of ligands, compounds inhibiting the binding to a ligand, and candidate compounds of pharmaceuticals which can regulate signal transduction from the “BG37” receptor.

Abstract: Methods to control, or manipulate, melanocyte and keratinocyte cell death are disclosed. In particular, a method of preventing epidermal melanocyte cell loss due to injury in a vertebrate is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of inducing hair growth in a vertebrate, a method of inducing hair color in a vertebrate, a method of inducing skin color in a vertebrate, a method of treating baldness in an individual, and a method of treating alopecia areata in an individual.