Abstract: The invention provides a mutant protein which has the same amino acid sequence as an unmutated C-reactive protein (CRP) subunit or an unmutated preCRP, except that at least one amino acid of the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP has been deleted, at least one amino acid of the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP has been replaced by another amino acid, at least one amino acid has been added to the unmutated CRP subunit or preCRP, or a combination of such changes has been made. The amino acid(s) added, deleted and/or replaced are chosen so that the mutant protein is less likely to form covalently cross-linked aggregates than the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP. The mutant protein also exhibits at least one of the biological activities of modified-CRP.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating the apoptotic activity of interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (ICE). The present invention further provides methods and compositions for alleviating pathological conditions associated with apoptotic mechanisms.

Abstract: Assays for screening potential drugs or agents that can interact and potentially bind to cation channel proteins, and potentially have uses in treating conditions related to the function of cation channel proteins is provided, along with prokaryotic cation channel proteins mutated to mimic eukaryotic cation channels, which can then be used in assays of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention concerns nematicidal proteins obtainable from Bacillus thuringiensis isolates. The subject invention also provides various methods of using these proteins for controlling nematodes.

Abstract: Programmed cell death antagonist proteins and nucleic acids are provided, as well as expression vectors and host cells which contain the nucleic acids encoding the programmed cell death antagonist proteins.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules, proteins and antibodies are provided which may be used in biological screens to identify therapeutic agents involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression and apoptotic cell death.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for purifying recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) by heating a-culture medium containing rHSA and the rHSA-producing host cells, feeding said heated solution upwardly into a fluidized bed in which adsorbent particles are suspended to effect contacting with the adsorbent particles and then recovering the adsorbed fraction containing the rHSA, and a composition comprising rHSA which shows a A350/A280 ratio of below 0.015, when formulated into a 25% solution of said albumin.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of screening for compounds capable of inducing apoptosis in certain tumor cells. The invention also relates to compounds identified by such methods. In addition, the invention relates to methods for the in vitro diagnosis of Xeroderma pigmentosum and compounds useful in these methods.

Abstract: The taxadiene synthase gene of Pacific yew has been cloned and its nucleic acid and polypeptide sequence is presented. Truncation or removal of the transit peptide increases expression of the cloned taxadiene synthase gene expression in E. coli cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel apoptosis protein: p28 Bap31. Also provided are p28 Bap31 polypeptide fragments, p28 Bap31 antisense nucleic acid molecules, anti-p28 Bap31 antibodies, and methods for modulating apoptosis and for detecting compounds which modulate apoptosis.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the discovery of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates with advantageous activity against weevils. In preferred embodiments of the invention, B.t. isolates, or toxins therefrom, are used to control alfalfa weevils, boll weevils, and/or rice water weevils. The toxins can be administered to the pests through a variety of methods including the transformation of bacteria or plants to produce the weevil-active toxins.

Abstract: A enterotoxin-deficient mutant of a member strain of the Bacillus cereus group does not produce HBL enterotoxin, which has been regarded as a human pathogen found in member strains. An enterotoxin-deficient mutant is suitable for use as a biocontrol agent. Methods for making the mutant and for using the mutant are described.

Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the, Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase) from either E. coli or wheat germ. When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel protein, EGL-1, involved in cell death and methods for identifying compounds and genes which affect the cell death pathway.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding scorpion toxins that are K-channel modifiers. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a substantial portion of the K-channel modifier, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the K-channel modifier in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The invention provided improved methods of making and producing recombinant proteins in in vitro cultures of host cells using apoptosis inhibitors. The use of one or more apoptosis inhibitors in the methods can reduce apoptosis in the cell cultures and markedly improve yield of the desired recombinant proteins.

Abstract: A method for treating hypothyroidism by local administration of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a thyroid, thereby reducing an inhibitory effect upon thyroid hormone secretion. A method for treating hyperthyroidism by local administration of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a sympathetic ganglion which innervates the thyroid, thereby reducing a stimulatory effect upon thyroid hormone secretion. Methods for treating calcium metabolism disorders by local administration of a neurotoxin to modulate calcitonin secretion are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase) from either E. coli or wheat germ. When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treatment of sexual dysfunction in mammals, including male sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, and female sexual dysfunction. In one embodiment, a peptide-based composition including the peptide sequence Ac-Nle-cyclo(-Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-OH is administered. Methods of administration include injection, oral, nasal and mucosal administration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zamp1, a novel member of the &bgr;-defensin family. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, exhibit anti-microbial activity and may be used in the study or treatment of microbial infections. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zamp1 polypeptides.