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

Abstract: The use of liposomal formulations, particularly formulations of positively charged and neutral lipids facilitates cellular uptake of SDI molecules. The transcription and/or expression of SDI-1-encoding nucleic acid molecules is facilitated by constructs that contain intervening untranslated regions.

Abstract: A novel prostaglandin receptor has been identified and DNA encoding the receptor has been isolated, purified, sequenced and expressed in host cells. This DNA encoding the novel prostaglandin receptor and host cells expressing the receptor are used to identify modulators of the prostaglandin receptor.

Abstract: A recombinant conglutinin which contains a collagen region consisting of six amino acids containing two amino acid sequences Gly-Xaa-Xaa (SEQ ID NO:3, wherein Xaa stands for a protein-constituting amino acid), the neck region of natural conglutinin and the sugar chain recognition region of natural conglutinin, has an antiviral activity (virus neutralizing activity), and is expected to be applicable to drugs; and a process for detecting anti-influenza A virus activity of a mannose-binding protein (MBP) or a human mannose-binding protein (hMBP) involving the step of treating influenza A virus-infected cells with the MBP or hMBP and measuring the level of the suppression of the budding of the virus in the virus-infected cells. An MBP and an hMBP having an anti-influenza A virus activity are disclosed.

Abstract: NGF variants which have trkC-binding activity and trkC-signal inducing activity are provided. The variants optionally have trkA or trkB binding and signal induction activity. The NGF variants of the present invention are useful in the treatment of neuronal disorders. Nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding the NGF variant neurotrophins are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for removal of nucleic acid probes from sample nucleic acids, particularly when the sample nucleic acids are attached to a solid support. The invention also concerns methods of stripping and reusing nucleic acid blots.

Abstract: A method for discovering molecules that regulate cell signaling specific to the dual presence of Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) and a chemokine receptor selected from the group consisting of a CXC receptor, a CC receptor and a CXXXC receptor, the method comprising providing a cell that co-expresses DARC and the chemokine receptor; incubating the molecules with the cell; measuring the cell signaling in the cell specific to the dual presence of DARC and the chemokine receptor; and determining whether the cell signaling specific to the dual presence of DARC and the chemokine receptor is regulated by the molecules

Abstract: A method for identifying or screening an agonist for or antagonist to a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) which comprises allowing a test cell and a substance to be tested to coexist, and detecting a change in a ligand-dependent interaction between the PPAR and a coactivator in the test cells due to the substance to be tested by measuring the expression of a reporter gene as an index.

Abstract: A novel neurotrophic factor referred to as glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been identified and isolated from serum free growth conditioned medium of B49 glioblastoma cells. Rat and human genes encoding GDNF have been cloned and sequenced. A gene encoding GDNF has been subcloned into a vector, and the vector has been used to transform a host cell in order to produce biologically active GDNF in a recombinant DNA process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human interleukin-3 (hIL-3) variant or mutant proteins (muteins) functionally co-administered with a other colony stimulating factors (CSF), cytokines, lymphokines, interleukins, hematopoietic growth factors or IL-3 variants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human interleukin-3 (hIL-3) variant or mutant proteins (muteins) fused with other colony stimulating factors (CSF), cytokines, lymphokines, interleukins, hematopoietic growth factors or IL-3 variants.

Abstract: HNEAA81 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of the interaction of the HNEAA81 receptor and its ligands in the design of protocols for the treatment of infections such as bacterial, fungal, protozoan and viral infections, particularly infections caused by HIV-1 or HIV-2; pain; cancers; anorexia; bulimia; asthma; Parkinson's disease; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; urinary retention; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy; and psychotic and neurological disorders, including anxiety, schizophrenia, manic depression, delirium, dementia, severe mental retardation and dyskinesias, such as Huntington's disease or Gilles dela Tourett's syndrome, among others and diagnostic assays for such conditions.

Abstract: A novel prostaglandin receptor has been identified and DNA encoding the receptor has been isolated, purified, sequenced and expressed in host cells. This DNA encoding the novel prostaglandin receptor and host cells expressing the receptor are used to identify modulators of the prostaglandin receptor.

Abstract: An isolated protein designated p27 is disclosed. The p27 protein has an apparent molecular weight of about 27 kD, and is capable of binding to and inhibiting the activation of a cyclin E-Cdk2 complex. A nucleic acid sequence encoding p27 protein is disclosed, as well as a method for producing p27 in cultured cells. In vitro assays for discovering agents which affect the activity of p27 are also provided. Methods of diagnosing and treating hypoproliferative disorders are provided.

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: Provided are animal host cells not naturally capable of forming secretory granules and that produce active, mature insulin by expression of a variant proinsulin containing a non-naturally occurring cleavage site and enzymatic cleavage of the non-naturally occurring cleavage site in the host cells. Further provided are methods of culturing such cells.

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

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

Abstract: A novel class of proteins, semaphorins, nucleic acids encoding semaphorins, semaphorin peptides, and methods of using semaphorins and semaphorin-encoding nucleic acids are disclosed. Semaphorin peptides and receptor agonists and antagonists provide potent modulators of nerve cell growth and regeneration. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions, methods for screening chemical libraries for regulators of cell growth/differentiation; semaphorin gene-derived nucleic acids for use in genetic mapping, as probes for related genes, and as diagnostic reagents for genetic neurological disease; specific cellular and animal systems for the development of neurological disease therapy.

Abstract: Provided herein are variant alleles of a gene encoding a mu opioid receptor, along with cloning vectors for replicating such variant alleles, expressing vectors for expressing the variant alleles to produce variant mu opioid receptors, and antibodies to such variant receptors. Also disclosed are binding characteristics of such variant receptors regarding binding to opioid ligands, and the using of such binding characteristics to diagnose a subjects susceptibility to pain, susceptibility to an addictive disease, selecting an appropriate pain reliever along with a therapeutically effective amount of the reliever to administer to a subject suffering from pain. In addition, diagnostic methods for diagnosing a disease or disorder such as infertility, constipation, diarrhea, decreased immune response relative to a standard, and decreased ability to withstand stress relative to a standard, along with commercial kits for diagnosing such diseases or disorders.