Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a novel human receptor type tyrosine kinase gene, KDR, is disclosed. The isolation of this KDR cDNA sequence results in disclosure of purified forms of human KDR protein, recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which express human KDR.

Abstract: Highly purified Pluripotent hematopoietic colony-stimulating factor (pluripotent CSF), a glycoprotein (MW 19,600) constitutively produced by human tumor cells has been highly purified from low serum-containing conditioned medium to apparant homogeneity. Pluripotent CSF supports the growth of human mixed colonies (CFU-GEMM), granulocyte-macrophage colonies (CFU-GM), early erythroid colonies (BFU-E) and induces differentiation of human leukemic cells. The specific activity of the purified pluripotent CSF in the CFU-GM assay is 1.5×108 U/mg protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides the enzyme and enzymatic procedures for cleaving the &bgr; secretase cleavage site of the APP protein and associated nucleic acids, peptides, vectors, cells and cell isolates and assays.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for preventing or inhibiting neuronal degeneration, or for promoting nerve regeneration, in the central nervous system (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS), or for protecting CNS cells from glutamate toxicity, comprising an effective amount of an agent selected from the group consisting of (a) poly-Glu,Tyr and (b) T cells which have been activated by poly-Glue,Tyr.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of hElk, antibodies to hElk, methods of detecting hElk, methods of screening for voltage-gated potassium channel activators and inhibitors using biologically active hElk, and kits for screening for activators and inhibitors of voltage-gated potassium channels comprising hElk.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of animal and human health, and more particularly to pharmacological uses of analogs or mutants of interferon-tau (IFN-&tgr;) that differ from native IFN-&tgr; because of substitutions of amino acids near the amino terminus of the IFN-&tgr; molecule that impart improved biological activity. The IFN-&tgr; mutants described in this disclosure have low toxicity, retain the same or slightly reduced antiviral activity compared with highly effective IFN-alpha, and have enhanced antiproliferative activity compared to native IFN-tau, making them useful in treating viral infections, cancer, and immune system diseases including autoimmune diseases. The present invention is also directed to a method for making novel recombinant proteins, especially interferons, interleukins, and cytokines, polypeptide hormones and other biopharmaceuticals that have improved biological activity over known proteins and/or lower toxicity and/or increased stability.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided a class of compounds which are capable of selectively modulating processes mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-&ggr;). The identification of such compounds makes possible the selective intervention in PPAR-&ggr; mediated pathways, without exerting inadvertent effects on pathways mediated by other PPAR isoforms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that T20/DP178, T21/DP107, and fragments thereof interact with members of the formyl peptide receptor family and thereby modulate cell migration and activation. Novel biological tools, prophylactics, therapeutics and methods of use of the foregoing for modulating an inflammatory response are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for identifying compounds having an ability to modulate expression of a morphogen, particularly OP-1, OP-1 homologues and closely related proteins, using one or more OP-1-specific, non-coding sequences and a suitable reporter gene. In preferred embodiments, the OP-1-specific non-coding DNA sequence comprises a Pax-responsive OP-1-modulating element.

Abstract: The betacellulin mutein or its salt of the present invention is useful for better therapeutic drug for diabetes. Since they have intact BTC activity and reduced EGF activity, and no antigenicity-related problems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to PSGR, a novel prostate specific gene with homology to a G-protein coupled receptor overexpressed in prostate cancer. More specifically, the invention relates to PSGR polynucleotides and the polypeptides encoded by these polynucleotides, and the use of PSGR polynucleotides and polypeptides for detecting disorders of the reproductive system, including disorders of the prostate, particularly the presence of cancer. This invention relates to PSGR polynucleotides and polypeptides as well as vectors, host cells, antibodies directed to PSGR polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant and synthetic methods for producing the same. Also provided are methods for diagnosing, treating, preventing, and/or prognosing disorders related to the prostate, including cancer.

Abstract: Agonists or antagonists of CTACK or Vic chemokines, and various methods of use in dermatological and related applications are provided. In particular, the method makes use of fact that the CTACK or Vic chemokines are specifically capable of inducing movement of a skin cell subset. Moreover, matching of ligand with GPR2 receptor in mammals provides methods of use.

Abstract: DNA encoding an endothelin receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 in the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A)+RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding a novel ABC family cholesterol transporter, ABCG8. The herein-disclosed sequences can be used for any of a number of purposes, including for the diagnosis and treatment of cholesterol-associated disorders, including sitosterolemia, and for the identification of molecules that associate with and/or modulate the activity of ABCG8.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating nerve damage involving administering to the damaged nerve an effective non-toxic amount of an MGF (mechano-growth factor) Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) isoform which includes amino acid sequences encoded by nucleic acid sequences of IGF-I exons 4, 5 and 6 in the reading frame of MGF and having the ability to reduce motoneurone loss by 20% or greater in response to nerve avulsion.

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 based on sequencing genomic DNA from human chromosome 6 and cDNAs to define the genomic structure of estrogen receptor beta genes and novel polymorphism in the estrogen receptor gene/protein. Such polymorphism can lead to a variety of disorders that are mediated/modulated by a variant estrogen receptor, such as a susceptibility to cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disorder, etc. Based on this sequencing approach, the present invention provides genomic nucleotide sequences, cDNA sequences, amino acid sequences and sequence polymorphism in the ESR-beta genes, methods of detecting these sequences/polymorphism in a sample, methods of determining a risk of having or developing a disorder mediated by a variant estrogen receptor and methods of screening for compounds used to treat disorders mediated by a variant estrogen receptor.

Abstract: Human chemokine &bgr;-6 agonist and antagonist polypeptides and DNA encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. The chemokine &bgr;-6 antagonists of the present invention may be employed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lung inflammation, allergy, asmtha, infectious diseases and to prevent inflammation and atherosclerosis. The chemokine &bgr;-6 agonists may be employed to myeloprotect patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel Neutrokine-alpha, and a splice variant thereof designated Neutrokine-alphaSV, polynucleotides and polypeptides which are members of the TNF family. In particular isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides, including soluble forms of the extracellular domain. Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV agonists and antagonists of Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV activity. Also producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polynucleotides and proteins encoded by such polynucleotides, along with therapeutic, diagnostic and research utilities for these polynucleotides and proteins. In particular, the polypeptides of the invention are useful for detecting cancers.