Abstract: The present invention provides for a method to prevent accelerated atherosclerosis in a subject predisposed thereto which comprises administering to the subject a polypeptide derived from soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproduct in an amount effective to prevent accelerated atherosclerosis in the subject. The present invention also provides for a method to prevent a macrovessel disease in a subject predisposed thereto which comprises administering to the subject a polypeptide derived from soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproduct in an amount effective to prevent macrovessel disease in the subject.

Abstract: A genomic DNA encoding a human imidazoline receptor is described. cDNAs encoding the receptor and fragments thereof are also provided. An amino acid sequence predicted to be 120,000 MW for nearly the entire protein is identified, as well as a middle fragment believed to contain the imidazoline binding site of the receptor. The protein is highly unique in its sequence and may represent the first in a novel family of receptor proteins. Methods of cloning the cDNA and expressing the imidazoline receptor in a host cell are described. Methods of preparing antibodies against the transfected protein are also described. Also, a screening method for identifying additional subtypes of this receptor are identified. Also, screening methods for identifying drugs that interact with the imidazoline receptor are described.

Abstract: Isolated DNA encoding each of human calcium channel &agr;1-, &agr;2-, &bgr;- and &ggr;-subunits, including subunits that arise as splice variants of primary transcripts, is provided. Cells and vectors containing the DNA and methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of human calcium channels are also provided.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding human platelet-derived growth factor receptors (hPDGF-R), and expression constructs comprising sequences which encode a receptor that can be secreted or incorporated into the membrane of a mammalian cell. Peptide fragments with functions equivalent to the wild-type receptor, conferring a PDGF-sensitive mitogenic response on cells lacking the receptor are provided. The constructs can be used for enhancing PDGF response of cells, determining the regions involved in transducing the signal in response to PDGF binding, providing mutated analogs and evaluating drugs for their physiologic activity. Soluble fragments comprising PDGF receptor sequences are also provided, including important intracellular kinase insert sequences which interact with intracellular proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the intron and exon structure of the gene encoding &bgr;3 adrenergic receptor polypeptides of mouse and human origin, which polypeptides are useful in a procedure for studying the effects of various chemical agents on the &bgr;3 adrenergic receptor coupled to adenylate cyclase and hormone-sensitive lipases.

Abstract: A novel ligand (Efl-6) that binds the Elk subfamily of Eph receptors is identified, and methods for making the soluble Elf-6 ligand in biologically active form is described. A cDNA clone encoding this novel protein enables production of the recombinant protein, which is useful to support neuronal and other eph receptor-bearing cell populations.

Abstract: The invention provides a human insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate (IRS-p53h) and polynucleotides which identify and encode IRS-p53h. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of IRS-p53h.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel renal receptors for ligands. Cubilin and megalin are representative examples of such renal receptors. Also provided are potential uses of these renal receptors for treating toxicity in various tissues and for detecting renal damage.

Abstract: A cDNA encoding a human imidazoline receptor is described. The amino acid sequence of the entire imidazoline receptor protein is identified, as well as a C-terminal fragment believed to contain the imidazoline binding site of the receptor. The protein is highly unique in its sequence and may represent the first in a novel family of receptor proteins. Methods of cloning the cDNA and expressing the imidazoline receptor in a host cell are described. Also, a screening method for identifying drugs that interact with the imidazoline receptor is described.

Abstract: The invention includes antibodies that provide superior anti-coagulant activity by binding native human TF with high affinity and specificity. Antibodies of the invention can effectively inhibit blood coagulation in vivo. Antibodies of the invention can bind native human TF, either alone or present in a TF:VIIa complex, effectively preventing factor X binding to TF or that complex, and thereby reducing blood coagulation. Preferred antibodies of the invention specifically bind a conformational epitope predominant to native human TF, which epitope provides an unexpectedly strong antibody binding site.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding a 30kDa TNF inhibitor or a fragment thereof having at least one non-native cysteine residue at the N-terminus, C-terminus, residue 14, or residue 15.

Abstract: The present invention provides antagonists to cell adhesion useful in controlling the negative effects of inflammation, and the metastasis of cancer cells. These antagonists are ligands to E-selectin containing the sialyl Lex structure, including sialyl Lex glycoproteins, sialyl Lex glycolipids, and sialyl Lex oligsaccharides, and other related sialyl Lex-containing molecules capable of inhibiting E-selectin mediated cell adhesion to endothelial cells. The present invention also provides antibodies against sialyl Lex determinants capable of interrupting E-selectin mediated cell adhesion, which are also considered antagonists according to the present invention. The present invention also provides methods of using the antagonists of the present invention to reduce inflammation, and methods to inhibit the process of metastasis by carcinogenic cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a precursor of human insulin or of an insulin analog of the formula I: Fus-B(1-30)-RDVP-Yn-A(1-21)  (I); wherein Fus is an optionally present fusion portion; B(1-30) is a B chain of human insulin, Y is an amino acid chain which terminates with a basic amino acid at the C terminus; n is from 2 to 50 and indicates the length of the amino acid chain Y; and A(1-21) is an A chain of human insulin, and the A chain and/or the B chain can be modified by amino acid substitution, deletions and/or additions. The present invention also provides DNA coding for the above precursors, preparation and use of the instant precursors and DNA, and a process for preparing human insulin or an insulin analog.

Abstract: Human, swine and rat growth hormone secretagogue receptors have been isolated, cloned and sequenced. Growth hormone secretagogue receptors are new members of the G-protein family of receptors. The growth hormone secretagogue receptors may be used to screen and identify compounds which bind to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Such compounds may be used in the treatment of conditions which occur when there is a shortage of growth hormone, such as observed in growth hormone deficient children, elderly patients with musculoskeletal impairment and recovering from hip fracture and osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zacrp3, a novel member of the family of proteins bearing a collage-like domain and a C1q domain. The polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding them, are involved in dimerization or oligomerization and may be used in the study thereof. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zacrp3 polypeptides.

Abstract: A human endothelin-bombesin receptor polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for identifying agonists and antagonists to such polypeptide. Agonists to the endothelin-bombesin receptor polypeptide of the present invention may be used to treat asthma, Parkinson's Disease, acute heart failure, hypotension and osteoporosis. Antagonists against such polypeptides may be used therapeutically to treat hypertension, ulcerigenesis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, asthma, tumors, ciclosporin toxicity, cancer and septic shock. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting mutations in the polynucleotides of the present invention and for detecting levels of the soluble polypeptides in samples derived from a host.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Human Ck&bgr;-9 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such chemolcine polypeptides. Moreover, a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such Ck&bgr;-9 polypeptides for the treatment of leukemia, tumors, chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, fibrotic disorders, wound healing and psoriasis. Antagonists against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic agent to treat rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory and infective disease, allergic reactions, prostaglandin-independent fever and bone marrow failure are also disclosed. Diagnostic assays are also disclosed which detect the presence of mutations in the Ck&bgr;-9 coding sequence and over-expression of the Ck&bgr;-9 protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determinating cytokine receptor, especially growth hormone receptor (GHR), activation, by the use of an antibody capable of discriminating between an activated and an inactive cytokine receptor conformation, especially GHR or growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) conformation, the method comprising: contacting the antibody and the cytokine receptor to form a complex, contacting a candidate ligand to the complex, measuring the antibody binding to inactive cytokine receptor and thereby discriminating between an activated and an inactive conformation. The invention also relates to an antibody directed to the hinge spanning subdomains I and II of the growth hormone receptor extracellular region and which is capable of discriminating between an activated and an inactive receptor conformation. The invention also relates to the use of the antibody for e.g.

Abstract: Filtration methods comprise virus-filtering a solution containing a least one macromolecule. In one embodiment, the total salt content of the solution is within the range of from about 0.2 M to 2 M. In another embodiment, the total salt content of the solution is within the range of from about 0.2 M up to saturation with a salt, and the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, potassium dyhydrophosphate and combinations thereof. In yet another embodiment, the total salt content of the solution is within the range of from about 0.2 M up to saturation with the salt and the macromolecule is in solution during the virus filtering.

Abstract: Isolated DNA molecules are disclosed corresponding to a novel progestin-regulated gene (PRG1). The PRG1 polypeptide (PRG1) and uses thereof are also described, and include assays for assessing progestin-responsiveness in a subject.