Abstract: This invention provides an isolated receptor having the amino acid sequence of FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:2) or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:2) or an amino acid sequence functionally similar to that sequence, and DNA sequences encoding such a receptor.

Abstract: KCNQ5, DNA encoding KCNQ5 or a polypeptide having KCNQ5 activity, related vectors, host cells and methods and a screening assay for identification of compounds which modify activity of a potassium channel KCNQ5 are described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel secreted polypeptide, termed Osteoprotegerin, which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and is involved in the regulation of bone metabolism. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding Osteoprotegerin, polypeptides, recombinant vectors and host cells for expression, antibodies which bind Osteoprotegerin, and pharmaceutical compositions. The polypeptides are used to treat bone diseases characterized by increased resorption such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the growth of cells in culture under conditions that promote cell survival, proliferation, and/or cellular differentiation. The present inventors have found that proliferation was promoted and apoptosis reduced when cells were grown in lowered oxygen as compared to environmental oxygen conditions traditionally employed in cell culture techniques. Further, the inventors found that differentiation of precursor cells to specific fates also was enhanced in lowered oxygen where a much greater number and fraction of dopaminergic neurons were obtained when mesencephalic precursors were expanded and differentiated in lowered oxygen conditions. Thus at more physiological oxygen levels the proliferation and differentiation of CNS precursors is enhanced, and lowered oxygen is a useful adjunct for ex vivo generation of specific neuron types. Methods and compositions exploiting these findings are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for assaying the presence and/or risk of endometrial cancer by measurement of levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and/or matrix metalloproteinase-9 in uterine washings. The method may be qualitative or quantitative, and is adaptable to large-scale screening and to clinical trials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a polynucleotide encoding GDF-8 in a sample by contacting the sample with an oligonucleotide probe that hybridizes specifically with a polynucleotide encoding GDF-8; and detecting specific hybridization of the oligonucleotide probe to a polynucleotide in the sample, thereby detecting a polynucleotide encoding GDF-8 in the sample. The sample can be a tissue sample or a cell sample, for example, a muscle cell sample, which can be obtained, for example, from a mammal such as a bovine, ovine or porcine mammal, or a human.

Abstract: The present invention describes a means for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Deletion mutants of the gp130 protein of the IL-3 receptor are presented which inhibit the binding of Hck tyrosine kinase and the growth of tumor cells, particularly of myeloma cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human protein called Fibroblast Growth Factor 11, and isolated polynucleotides encoding this protein. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing this human protein. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to this novel human protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting desensitization of a cell to the effects of a compound. The method comprises contacting the cell with an agent capable of inhibiting phosphorylation, by a protein kinase, of a receptor for the compound present on the surface of the cell. The present invention also relates to a method of screening a compound for its ability to inhibit desensitization. The method comprises: i) contacting a receptor specific kinase-containing sample with the compound under conditions such that interaction between receptor specific kinase present in the sample and the compound can occur, and ii) determining the ability of the receptor specific kinase to phosphorylate the receptor for which it is specific.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mammalian DNA-R proteins and genes that encode such proteins. The invention is directed toward the isolation and characterization of mammalian DNA-R proteins. The invention specifically provides isolated complementary DNA copies of mRNA corresponding to rat and human homologues of a mammalian DNA-R gene. Also provided are recombinant expression constructs capable of expressing the mammalian DNA-R genes of the invention in cultures of transformed prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as such cultures of transformed cells that synthesize the mammalian catecholamine receptor proteins encoded therein. The invention also provides methods for screening compounds in vitro that are capable of binding to the mammalian DNA-R proteins of the invention, and further characterizing the binding properties of such compounds in comparison with known DNA-R agonists and antagonists. Improved methods of pharmacological screening are provided thereby.

Abstract: A polypeptide substance isolate from rat serum which, upon administration to rats incapable of producing PTH (parathyroidectomized rats), produces an increase in the observed bone mineral apposition rate. The substance has been isolated in two forms, a first layer polypeptide having a molecular weight about twice that of a second smaller polypeptide. The first eleven amino acids of the sequence of the smaller polypeptide have been determined to be Gly Pro Gly Gly Ala Gly Glu Thr Lys Pro Ile (SEQ ID NO:3). The first seven amino acids of the larger polypeptide have been determined to be Gly Pro Gly Gly Ala Gly Glu (SEQ ID NO:2). The lager polypeptide might be the dimer of the smaller peptide. A nucleic acid probe, based on the amino acid sequence of the rat peptide was used to screen a human liver cDNA fetal library.

Abstract: Recombinant vectors are provided that render the proliferative response of activated lymphocytes, particularly cytotoxic T lymphocytes, of lessened dependency on T helper cells. The vectors are comprised of a region encoding a stimulatory factor polypeptide operably linked to a heterologous transcriptional control region. Expression of the stimulatory factor polypeptide from the recombinant polynucleotide in an activated lymphocyte renders the proliferative response of less dependent on lymphocyte T helper cells. When the lymphocyte is activated by binding of its cognate antigen the transcriptional control region causes transcription of the stimulatory factor encoding region. The cells containing the vector, particularly CTLs, are of use in immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention features HG67 nucleic acids and HG67 polypeptides. HG67, also referred to herein as “MCH-R2”, is a G-protein coupled receptor having a high degree of sequence identity with MCH-R1. The amino acid sequence for HG67 is provided by SEQ. ID. NO. 1. The cDNA sequence of HG67 is provided by SEQ. ID. NO. 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of use for a novel chemokine binding protein 5(type-2 CBP) encoded by poxviruses and having amino acid sequence homology with the Shope fibroma virus T1 family of proteins against disease syndromes associated with acute or chronic dysregulated inflammatory responses.

Abstract: Patients having several neurological diseases have been shown to have elevated levels of axonally-derived proteins (i.e. tau and neurofilament proteins) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in brain tissue. Three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) recognizing CSF tau proteins were developed. The MAbs were found to label a ladder of 30 kD to 50 kD tau proteins in CSF from patients with disease states producing axonal damage such as head trauma or CNS tumor but not in CSF from controls. High levels of tau protein in CSF were shown to be diagnostic of axonal degeneration in head trauma. An ELISA assay was developed with these MAbs to aid in the diagnosis of patients with axonal damage.

Abstract: According to the invention &bgr;-tubulin, as well as a 65 kDa polypeptide present in pancreatic &bgr;-cells, have been identified as molecular targets for sulfonylurea compounds. These findings enable for the identification of new insulin secretagogues. The invention thus relates to the use of sulfonylurea compounds, such as e.g. glibenclamide, in methods for identification of compounds binding the 65 kDa polypeptide or tubulin, or stimulating tubulin polymerization and/or turnover, thereby stimulating insulin secretion.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) osteogenic devices comprising a matrix containing substantially pure natural-sourced mammalian osteogenic protein; (2) DNA and amino acid sequences for novel polypeptide chains useful as subunits of dimeric osteogenic proteins; (3) vectors carrying sequences encoding these novel polypeptide chains and host cells transfected with these vectors; (4) methods of producing these polypeptide chains using recombinant DNA technology; (5) antibodies specific for these novel polypeptide chains; (6) osteogenic devices comprising these recombinantly produced proteins in association with an appropriate carrier matrix; and (7) methods of using the osteogenic devices to mimic the natural course of endochondral bone formation in mammals.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding mammalian, e.g., primate or rodent receptors, purified receptor proteins and fragments thereof. Antibodies, both polyclonal and monoclonal, are also provided. Methods of using the compositions for both diagnostic and therapeutic utilities are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel peptides and compositions capable of modulating apoptosis in cells, and to methods of modulating apoptosis employing the novel peptides and compositions of the invention. In one aspect, the invention is directed to novel homologs of bcl-2 designated CDN-1, CDN-2, and CDN-3, and fragments, variants, homologs and derivatives thereof, which are capable of modulating apoptosis.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding polypeptides expressed in mammalian skin cells are provided, together with expression vectors and host cells comprising such isolated polynucleotides. Methods for the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.