Abstract: This invention relates to a protein including a mammalian K+ channel with two pore domains, designated TREK2, that produces currents whose current-voltage relationship is weakly inward rectifying in high symmetrical K+ conditions. This invention further relates to the isolation and characterization of such protein, as well as a method using TREK2 to identify bioactive compounds having anesthetic properties.

Abstract: Novel human Kv4.3 polypeptides, polynucleotides which encode these polypeptides, and methods for producing these polypeptides are provided. Diagnostic, therapeutic, and screening methods employing the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention are also 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: The subject invention provides methods for reducing or preventing villous atrophy and feeding intolerance in infants, particularly low birth weight and/or preterm infants, by enterally administering granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), erythropoietin (Epo), or both G-CSF and Epo. The subject invention also provides compositions that comprise G-CSF and/or Epo that may be administered to infants in need thereof. In one embodiment, the composition of the subject invention comprises recombinant G-CSF, recombinant Epo, and one or more electrolyte additives. In a specific embodiment, the electrolyte additive is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, sodium acetate, and potassium chloride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant from of the receptor for the obese gene product. In particular, the invention relates to methods of detecting this receptor variant in cells and tissues of obese individuals. In addition, it relates to methods of inhibiting or down regulating expression of this variant in cells to augment their responsiveness to weight regulation by leptin as well as methods of using compounds to directly activate signal transduction pathways associated with this ligand-receptor system. In addition, the invention relates to identifying compounds capable of supplementing biological activity of leptin on cells expressing a leptin receptor variant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel member of the tumor necrosis factor family of receptors. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human TR9 receptor. TR9 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 TR9 receptor activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new means for the treatment of focal ischemic cerebral infarction (ischemic stroke). It has been found that reduction of ?2-antiplasmin leads to a significantly smaller focal cerebral infarct size. The invention therefore provides the use of compounds that reduce ?2-antiplasmin concentration or activity in vivo, for the preparation of a therapeutical composition for the treatment of focal cerebral ischemic infarction (ischemic stroke).

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of therapeutic uses for CXCR4 antagonists. In various embodiments. CXCR4 antagonsits may be used as therapeutically as follows, or to manufacture a medicament for such therapeutic treatments: reducing interferon gamma production by T-cells, treatment of an autoimmune disease, treatment multiple sclerosis, treatment of cancer, inhibition of angiogenesis. The invention provides corresponding methods of medical treatment, in which a therapeutic dose of a CXCR4 antagonist is administered in a pharmacologically acceptable formulation. Accordingly, the invention also provides therapeutic compositions comprising a CXCR4 antagonist and a pharmacologically acceptable excipient or carrier. The CXCR4 antagonists for use in the invention may be peptide compounds comprising a substantially purified peptide fragment, modified fragment, analogue or pharmacologically acceptable salt of SDF-1.

Abstract: A purified protein comprising a mechanosensitive potassium channel activated by at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid and riluzole and the use of such channels in drug screening.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel use of the MK family that is used alone as an agent for proliferating hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic precursor cells. The invention also provides an agent for remarkably enhancing the above-described effect for promoting the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic precursor cells, comprising the MK family in combination with known hematopoietic factors such as IL-3, IL-6, G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, SCF, and EPO.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules, i.e., DNA or RNA encoding human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha and beta subunits, mammalian and amphibian cells containing said DNA, methods for producing ? and ? subunits and recombinant (i.e., isolated or substantially pure) ? subunits and ? subunits are provided. In addition, cells expressing various multimeric combinations of subunits (i.e., ?1, ?2 ?3 ?4 ?5 ?6 and/or ?7 in combination with at least one of an ? and ? subunit are also provided. A recombinant, non-human cell line expressing the human ?7 subunit of nAChR is disclosed.

Abstract: OP/BMP morphogen is combined with GDNF/NGF neurotrophic factors in promoting the survival or growth, or inhibiting the death or degeneration, of mammalian cells, particularly neural cells, which express OP/BMP-activated serine/threonine kinase receptors and GDNF/NGF-activated tyrosine kinase receptors. Also discosed are methods for the treatment of such cells, including treatments for mammals afflicted with, or at imminent risk of, damage or injury to, such cells, as well as new pharmaceutical preparations for such treatments.

Abstract: The invention provides peptide compositions and methods of making and using therapeutic compositions comprising peptides for the treatment of a subject having a demyelinating condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preventing or treating a number of amyloid diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, familial amyloid neuropathies and the like. The pharmaceutical compositions include immunologically reactive amounts of amyloid fibril components, particularly fibril-forming peptides or proteins. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods which use immune reagents that react with such fibril components.

Abstract: Invertebrate and vertebrate patched genes are provided, including the mouse and human patched genes, as well as methods for isolation of related genes, where the genes may be of different species or in the same family. Having the ability to regulate the expression of the patched gene, allows for the elucidation of embryonic development, cellular regulation associated with signal transduction by the patched gene, the identification of agonist and antagonist to signal transduction, identification of ligands for binding to patched, isolation of the ligands, and assaying for levels of transcription and expression of the patched gene.

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: 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 novel TFPI-3 protein which is a member of the tissue factor protease inhibitor family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding human TFPI-3 proteins. TFPI-3 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 TFPI-3 activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting hemostasis system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating hemostatis system-related 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: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preventing or treating a number of amyloid diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, familial amyloid neuropathies and the like. The pharmaceutical compositions include immunologically reactive amounts of amyloid fibril components, particularly fibril-forming peptides or proteins. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods which use immune reagents that react with such fibril components.