Abstract: A family of fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs) mediate transport of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) across cell membranes into cells. These proteins exhibit different expression patterns among the organs of mammals. Nucleic acids encoding FATPs of this family, vectors comprising these nucleic acids, as well as the production of FATP proteins in host cells are described. Also described are methods to test FATPs for fatty acid transport function, and methods to identify inhibitors or enhancers of transport function. The altering of LCFA uptake by administering to the mammal an inhibitor or enhancer of FATP transport function of a FATP in the small intestine can decrease or increase calories available as fats, and can decrease or increase circulating fatty acids. The organ specificity of FATP distribution can be exploited in methods to direct drugs, diagnostic indicators and so forth to an organ such as the heart.

Abstract: A method of producing an erythroid cell which is substantially undifferentiated but which is capable of expressing a heterologous protein under the control of a globin promoter thereof, which method comprises maintaining growing uninduced erythroid cells in culture for sufficient period of time that the protein is expressed, and isolating a subclone which expresses said protein. Erythroid cells produced by the method, and methods of detecting the interaction of an insect G-protein coupled receptor with an endogenous signaling cascade of erythroid cells are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rhesus monkey DNA molecules encoding the melanocortin-4 receptor protein, recombinant vectors comprising DNA molecules encoding rhesus MC-4R, recombinant host cells which contain a recombinant vectors encoding rhesus MC-4R, the rhesus MC-4R protein encoded by the DNA molecule, and methods of identifying selective agonists and antagonists of rhesus MC-4R.

Abstract: Amino acids constituting a physiologically active molecule human delta 2; a gene arrangement thereof; and an antibody thereto. The human delta 2 molecule, at least the amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the sequence listing, functions as a chemical useful for proliferation of undifferentiated blood cells and inhibition of differentiation, and hence can be utilized as pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating neuropathological states and neurogenic inflammatory states in a subject. The present invention also provides methods for identifying compounds that can be used to treat such states. Preferably, the compounds alter the distribution of NMDA glutamate receptor NR1 subunit in cells, and/or alter the production of TNF? by cells.

Abstract: A display and method of preparing 7-transmembrane and other receptors for real-time kinetic analysis of binding interactions. The invention includes display on beads and in micelles for multi-well and flow cytometric analysis. The invention is useful for ligand discovery and drug action discovery, and G-protein response in particular.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel hedgehog protein, i.e., a Desert hedgehog protein of human origin including mature and precursor forms, a DNA encoding the protein, a monoclonal antibody recognizing the protein, a process for producing the protein, and a method for detecting the protein. The hedgehog protein is useful in establishment of hybridomas which produce antibodies recognizing the protein, and the monoclonal antibody is useful in detection and purification of the protein. The hedgehog protein, DNA, and monoclonal antibody of this invention have efficacy in elucidation of hereditary morphological abnormalities in humans to establish their treatments and diagnoses.

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 OPG, and pharmaceutical compositions. The polypeptides are used to treat bone diseases characterized by increased resorption such as osteoporosis. Methods of treatment are described using the polypeptides in conjunction with various agents, including IL-1 inhibitors, TNF-? inhibitors, and serine protease inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding a novel chemokine receptor, CCX CKR. The invention further provides reagents and methods for identifying agents that modulate the activity or expression of the receptors, as well as methods for detecting receptor expression.

Abstract: Four novel members of the EPH sub-family of receptor protein tyrosine kinases are disclosed. Nucleic acid sequences encoding receptor proteins, recombinant plasmids and host cells for expression, and methods of producing and using such receptors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for achieving in vivo islet cell regeneration in subjects with preexisting diabetes. The methods comprise short term treatment with a composition having a gastrin/cholecystokinin receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand. Treatment with such a composition for a short term resulted in a prolonged period of increased insulin release, decreased fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance, the prolonged efficacy, the period being considered from the time of cessation of treatment.

Abstract: Isolated and purified chemokine peptides, variants, and derivatives thereof, as well as chemokine peptide analogs, are provided.

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: Methods and compositions for use in treating anxiety are provided. In the subject methods, an effective amount of an agent having ApoE3 activity is administered to a host suffering from an anxiety, e.g. excessive anxiety, unwanted anxiety, an anxiety disorder, etc. Also provided are methods and compositions for modulating adrenal steroidogenesis and/or release, particularly stress induced adrenal steroidogenesis and/or release, and the hippocampal-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In these methods, an effective amount of an ApoE activity modulating agent, e.g. an ApoE agonist or antagonist, is administered to the host.

Abstract: The present invention relates to calcium channel compositions and methods of making and using same. In particular, the invention relates to calcium channel alpha2delta (?2?) subunits and nucleic acid sequences encoding them. These compositions are useful in methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of calcium channels and for identifying compounds as therapeutic for disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for inducing myelination of neural cells by glial cells, The methods involve contacting glial cells with polypeptides comprising epidermal growth factor-like domains encoded by the GGF/p185 erb B2 ligand gene provided as a feature of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein, TR10, which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily and the TRAIL receptor subfamily. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human TR10 protein. TR10 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of TR10 activity.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel multi-functional chimeric hematopoietic receptor agonist proteins, DNAs which encode the multi-functional chimeric hematopoietic receptor agonist proteins, methods of making the multi-functional chimeric hematopoietic receptor agonist proetiens and methods of using the multi-functional chimeric hematopoietic receptor agonist proteins.

Abstract: This invention is based on the discovery that chemokines induce fibroblasts to differentiate to myofibroblasts, which play a critical role in wound healing and are implicated in a number of fibrotic diseases. This activity has been localized to a peptide in the N-terminus of several chemokines. Accordingly, the invention provides polypeptides that induce the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in vitro and in vivo, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides and related vectors, host cells, and composition containing these components. The invention also encompasses methods for inducing or inhibiting differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, in vivo as well as in vitro, and screening methods for identifying other agents that modulate myofibroblast differentiation.