Abstract: The present invention is directed to a DNA element that enhances the translation of the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene. The enhancer may be incorporated into expression vectors to enhance recombinant protein production. In addition, the invention is directed to an assay that utilizes vectors containing the translation enhancer element for the purpose of identifying agents that modulate the expression of the human amyloid precursor protein. These agents will ultimately be used to suppress APP expression in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide encoding motoneuronotrophic factor F6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated BMP, (bone morphogonic protein) receptor kinase protein or soluble fragment thereof, a DNA sequence coding for the BMP receptor kinase protein or the soluble fragment thereof, a recombinant expression vector comprising the DNA sequence, a host cell comprising the recombinant expression vector, and a method of expressing the BMP receptor kinase protein or soluble fragment thereof.

Abstract: LERK-5 polypeptides are disclosed, along with DNA sequences, vectors and transformed host cells useful in producing LERK-5. The LERK-5 polypeptides bind to elk and to hek, which are members of the eph/elk family of receptor tyrosine kinases.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to DNA sequences encoding one or more antigenic epitopes of the Ro 60 kD autoantigen, as well as to antigenic peptides themselves which correspond antigenically to epitopes found on the Ro/SS-A ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particle. Peptides which incorporate the antigenic epitopic core sequences disclosed herein may be employed in place of the Ro/SS-A RNP in any of a variety immunoassays including ELISA assays. The polypeptides of the invention may be employed in colorimetric assays for the identification and characterization of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjogren's syndrome. The DNA sequences disclosed herein may be employed in the preparation of the 60 kD Ro antigen, peptides which incorporate antigenic core sequences thereof, to probe for Ro sequences by hybridization analysis, and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides Novel ABC transporter polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding Novel ABC transporter polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing Novel ABC transporter polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for immunizing a mammal against Staphylococcus infection comprising administering to that mammal a protein or fragment thereof comprising the amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO:8) SEGYGPREKK PVSINHNIVE YNDGTFKYQS RPKFNSTPKY IKFKHDYNIL EFNDGTFEYG ARPQFNKPAA KTDATIKKEQ KLIQAQNLVR EFEKTHTVSA HRKAQKAVNL VSFEYKVKKM VLQERIDNVL KQGLVR, or a fragment thereof retaining that portion of the sequence responsible for fibrinogen binding activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide, p43, which is associated with the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R). It binds specifically to the &bgr; and &ggr; subunits of IL-2R and is further capable of binding NAD+. The invention is further related to nucleic acid molecules coding for p43 and to antibodies specifically binding to p43.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding the C140 cell surface receptor have been cloned and sequenced. The availability of C140 receptor DNA permits the recombinant production of the C140 receptor which can be produced on the surface of a cell, including an oocyte. The nucleic acid molecules are useful in an assay for detecting a substance which affects C140 receptor activity, either receptor agonists or antagonists. Further, the elucidation of the structure of the C140 receptor permits the design of agonist and antagonist compounds which are useful in such assays. The availability of the C140 receptor also permits production of antibodies specifically immunoreactive with one or more antigenic epitopes of the C140 receptor.

Abstract: A culture method for determining the effect of a biological agent on multipotent neural stem cell progeny is provided. In the presence of growth factors, multipotent neural stem cells are induced to proliferate in culture. The multipotent neural stem cells may be obtained from normal neural tissue or from a donor afflicted with a disease such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease or Down's Syndrome. At various stages in the differentiation process of the multipotent neural stem cell progeny, the effects of a biological agent, such as a virus, protein, peptide, amino acid, lipid, carbohydrate, nucleic acid or a drug or pro-drug on cell activity are determined. Additionally, a method of screening the effects of biological agents on a clonal population of neural cells is provided. The technology provides an efficient method for the generation of large numbers of pre- and post-natal neural cells under controlled, defined conditions.

Abstract: Factors and methods for disrupting or inhibiting the association of protomers of a multimeric protein are described. Such inhibition reduces the biological disorders. Particularly, novel neurotrophin antagonists are described. Generally, the antagonist comprises amino acids from positions 68-58 and 108-110 of a neurotrophin, in which the amino acid from position 68 is covalently bound to the amino acid from position 108 and the amino acid from position 58 is covalently bound to the amino acid at position 110 to form a bicyclic structure, in another aspect of the invention transition metal ions are provided for selectively altering the geometry of the receptor binding domains of neurotrophins which allows functionality and activity of the neurotrophins to be selectively reduced. For example Zn2+ alters the conformation of NGF rendering it unable to bind to p75NTR or TrkA receptors or to activate signal transduction and biological outcomes normally induced by this protein.

Abstract: The invention provides era polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding era polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing era polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: Novel D6 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length D6 proteins, the invention further provides isolated D6 fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-D6 antibodies. The invention also provides D6 nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing nucleic acid molecules of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a D6 gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Human G-Protein Coupled Receptor HNFDS78 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such G-Protein Coupled Receptor HNFDS78 and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such G-Protein Coupled Receptor HNFDS78 for the treatment of diseases, such as, atherosclerosis, inflammatory disease, and infectious disease. Antagonists against such G-Protein Coupled Receptor HNFDS78 and their use as a therapeutic to treat disease are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to mutations in the nucleic acid sequences and altered concentrations of the polypeptides. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting mutations in the polynucleotides encoding G-protein coupled receptors and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide in a host.

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: The present invention relates to a novel-mammalian methadone-specific opioid receptor protein and genes that encode such a protein. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of mammalian methadone-specific opioid receptor proteins. The invention specifically provides isolated complementary DNA copies of mRNA corresponding to the rat homologue of the mammalian methadone-specific opioid receptor gene. Also provided are recombinant expression constructs capable of expressing the mammalian methadone-specific opioid receptor genes of the invention in cultures of transformed prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as such cultures of transformed cells that synthesize the mammalian methadone-specific opioid receptor proteins encoded therein.

Abstract: The invention provides ribA polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding ribA polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing ribA polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neuronal formation and methods of treating diseases characterized by abnormalities in the activity of dopaminergic (DA) and serotonergic (5HT) neurons. In particular, the invention relates to a method of forming serotonergic neurons in vitro by contacting neuroprogenitor cells to an effective amount of native sequence, variants and functional fragments of FGF-4, FGF-8 and Shh. Additionally, disclosed is a method for forming dopaminergic neurons by contacting neuroprogenitor cells to an effective amount of FGF-8 and Shh. Further described are compositions, cell culture compositions and medical devices which contain sufficient amount of FGF-8, Shh or FGF-8, Shh and FGF-4 to stimulate differentiation into dopaminergic or serotonergic neurons, respectively.

Abstract: The invention provides a new human phosphodiesterase regulatory subunit (HPRS) and polynucleotides which encode HPRS. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, the complement of the polynucleotide sequence and antibodies. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of HPRS.

Abstract: Disclosed is human lactoferrin expressed using recombinant DNA, its method of production and purification.