Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying therapeutic agents that enhance the effect of leptin, an adipocyte-derived cytokine that regulates food intake and body weight. The invention further provides for use of agents identified using this assay system to enhance the interaction between leptin and its receptor, OB-R, thereby boosting leptin's weight-reducing effects in obese individuals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neuron-restrictive silencer factor proteins, nucleic acids, and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: A method of eliciting an immune response against an antigen in a vertebrate subject, the method comprising the steps of providing an antigen-adjuvant composition comprising the antigen and a substantially non-toxic adjuvant molecule having biological activity in mucosal tissues, and administering said antigen-adjuvant composition to the vertebrate subject in a manner such that initial contact occurs in mucosal tissue of the vertebrate subject, whereby an immune response is elicited. Cytokines are preferred adjuvants. Preferred cytokines are interleukin-1&agr; (IL-1&agr;) and interleukin-1&bgr; (IL-1&bgr;).

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery and purification of novel intracellular vitamin D binding proteins (IDBPs) and the isolation of polynucleotide sequences encoding the proteins. IDBPs are of interest because they mediate the vitamin D resistance, i.e., insensitivity, observed in new world primates. IDBPs are distinct from the vitamin D receptor and other intracellular receptors, e.g. estrogen receptor. One aspect of the invention is to provide purified IDBPs as pharmaceutical compositions to affect steroid hormone activity. Another aspect of the invention provides polynucleotides encoding the IDBPs of the invention for use in altering the expression of IDBPs. Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide assays for the detection or screening of therapeutic compounds that interfere with the interaction between IDBP and vitamin D (or other ligands that bind to IDBP), and the use of such compounds as pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of alleviating neuropathic pain in a subject by administering an effective amount of an active fragment of prosaposin to the subject. The invention also provides a method of preventing neuropathic pain in a subject by administering an effective amount of an active fragment of prosaposin to the subject.

Abstract: Genes encoding opioid receptors can be retrieved from vertebrate libraries using the murine probe disclosed herein under low-stringency conditions. The DNA sequence shown in FIG. 5 or its complement can be used to obtain the human delta, kappa and mu genes as well as the murine mu gene. The probe provided encodes the murine delta opioid receptor.

Abstract: A method for producing a neuroblast and a cellular composition comprising an enriched population of neuroblast cells is provided. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compositions which affect neuroblast and for treating a subject with a neuronal disorder, and a culture system for the production and maintenance of neuroblasts.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the discovery that proteins encoded by a family of vertebrate genes, termed here hedgehog-related genes, comprise morphogenic signals produced by embryonic patterning centers, and are involved in the formation of ordered spatial arrangements of differentiated tissues in vertebrates. The present invention makes available compositions and methods that can be utilized, for example to generate and/or maintain an array of different vertebrate tissue both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: A neuron regulatory factor (NRF), derived from cells of the central nervous system, is provided. A cytoprotective peptide (CPP) component of NRF is also provided, as are methods of using NRF or its CPP component. NRF comprises a large polypeptide or complex of polypeptides that is distinct from several other known neurotrophic or neuron regulatory factors. The CPP component of NRF is an acidic protein or protein complex whose amino acid sequence is unique among known protein sequences. Both NRF and its CPP component are capable of promoting survival and neurite outgrowth of cultured neurons in vitro, and preventing neuron degeneration and promoting neuron survival in vivo. The CPP component of NRF also exhibits a cytoprotective effect on non-neuronal cells.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to a novel kinase, IRAK3. The polypeptides may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells from the disclosed IRAK3 encoding nucleic acids or purified from human cells. The invention provides isolated IRAK3 hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed IRAK3 genes, IRAK3-specific binding agents such as specific antibodies, and methods of making and using the subject compositions in diagnosis, therapy and in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: Disclosed are 1) osteogenic devices comprising a matrix containing osteogenic protein and methods of inducing endochondral bone growth in mammals using the devices; 2) amino acid sequence data, amino acid composition, solubility properties, structural features, homologies and various other data characterizing osteogenic proteins, 3) methods of producing osteogenic proteins using recombinant DNA technology, and 4) osteogenically and chondrogenically active synthetic protein constructs.

Abstract: A human &mgr; opiate receptor cDNA has been identified from a cerebral cortical CDNA library using sequences from the rat &mgr; opiate receptor CDNA. The human &mgr; opiate receptor (h&mgr;OR1) shares 95% amino acid identity with the rat sequence. The expressed &mgr;OR1 recognizes tested opiate drugs and opioid peptides in a sodium- and GTP-sensitive fashion with affinities virtually identical to those displayed by the rat &mgr; opiate receptor. Effects on cyclic AMP are similar to those noted for the rat &mgr; opiate receptor. Overlapping genomic clones spanning 50 kilobasepairs and hybridizing with the h&mgr;OR1 cDNA contains exon sequences encoding the entire open reading frame of the human A opiate receptor are described. Analysis of hybridization to DNA prepared from human rodent hybrid cell lines and chromosomal in situ hybridization studies indicate localization to 6q24-25. An MspI polymorphism, producing a 3.

Abstract: We have identified a novel protein, named ALARM or &dgr;-catenin, on the basis of its ability to bind to presenilin 1. ALARM contains 4 copies of the arm repeat and is expressed almost exclusively in brain tissue.

Abstract: A T cell-derived colony stimulating factor (“TC-CSF”) may be isolated from media conditioned with T lymphocyte cells. TC-CSF stimulates formation of colonies composed of granulocytes, macrophages, megakaryocytes, fibrocytic stromal cells, lymphocytes, and mixed colonies of granulocytes and macrophages. Anion exchange chromatography may be employed in conjunction with gel filtration and rpHPLC to isolate TC-CSF. Human TC-CSF and murine TC-CSF cDNA, MRNA, genomic DNA nucleotide and amino acid sequences, expression products, pharmaceutical formulations and antibody materials are specifically provided.

Abstract: A new receptor for fibroblast growth factor has been cloned and expressed. The recombinant receptor is useful for inhibiting FGF activity, and for screening compounds for binding activity similar to that of FGF. A soluble, truncated recombinant receptor is also prepared, and is capable of binding FGF.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determinable effects of ethanol exposure on the cellular localization and abundance of specific proteins, referred to herein as ethanol indicative proteins. More specifically, the present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that the catalytic C&agr; subunit of cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA), which is normally localized in the Golgi apparatus area, appears to translocate to the nucleus upon exposure of a cell to ethanol. The present invention is further based on the observation that the &dgr;-subunit of PKC translocates from the Golgi area to the perinucleus and the nucleus in response to ethanol exposure, while the &egr;-subunit of PKC migrates from the perinucleus into the cytoplasm. The present invention further relates to the discovery that the detectable amount of the regulatory subunit RI of PKA decreases, while the detectable amount of &agr;PKC, &dgr;PKC and &egr;PKC increases upon exposure of a cell to ethanol.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of general structure (I) or salts thereof, wherein B is a nucleobase, X and Z independently are oxygen or sulphur, Y is hydrogen or hydroxy, which optionally may be protected, R1 is hydrocarbyl, which optionally is substituted with a functional group, R2 is hydrogen or hydrocarbyl, which optionally is substituted with a functional group, A is an electron withdrawing or electron donating group capable of moderating the acetal stability of compound (I), L1 and L2 are hydrocarbon linkers, which may be the same or different, L2, when present, being either (i) connected to L1 via the group A, or (ii) directly connected to L1, the group A then being connected to one of linkers L1 and L2, F is a dye label, Q is a coupling group for F, and l, m and n independently are 0 or 1, with the proviso that l is 1 when m is 1, and l is 1 and m is 1 when n is 1. The compounds of formula (I) are useful as deactivatable chain extension terminators.

Abstract: Vaccines, antibodies, proteins, DNAs and RNAs for diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment and detection of Cryptosporidium species or Cryptosporidium species infections. Cryptosporidium species antigen and DNAs and RNA encoding the Cryptosporidium antigen and fragments thereof and recombinant proteins or fusion proteins produced thereby. Methods for diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment and detection of Cryptosporidium species infections.

Abstract: Compounds for treating hepatitis B infections. The compounds consist of nucleoside analogues having anti-hepatitis B activity which are linked, commonly through a 5′ phosphate of the pentose residue, to one of a selected group of lipids. The lipophilic nature of these compounds provides an advantage over the use of the nucleoside analogue alone, making it possible to incorporate them into the lamellar structure of liposomes, either alone or in combination with similar lipid molecules. In the form of appropriately sized liposomes, these anti-hepatitis B agents are preferentially taken up by the liver cells which have been found to harbor the target virus.

Abstract: An isolated human Down Syndrome critical region (MNB) DNA sequence having the nucleotide sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:1; vector including the human Down Syndrome critical region (MNB) sequence; and isolated host cells containing the vector are provided.