Abstract: This invention realizes a less toxic IL-4 mutant that allows greater therapeutic use of interleukin 4. Further, the invention is directed to IL-4 muteins having single and double mutations represented by the designators R121E and T13D/R121E, numbered in accordance with wild type IL-4 (His=1). The invention also includes polynucleotides coding for the muteins of the invention, vectors containing the polynucleotides, transformed host cells, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the muteins, and therapeutic methods of treatment.

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: Neurotransmission by excitatory amino acids (EAAs) such as glutamate is mediated via membrane-bound surface receptors. DNA coding for one family of these receptors of the kainate-binding type of EAA receptors, has now been isolated and the receptor protein characterized. Herein described are recombinant cell lines which produce the EAA receptor as a heterologous membrane-bound product. Also described are related aspects of the invention, which are of commercial significance. Included is use of the cell lines as a tool for discovery of compounds which modulate EAA receptor stimulation.

Abstract: An extracellular portion of the HER2 molecule, essentially free of transmembrane and cytoplasmic portions, which is antigenic in animals. Isolated DNA encoding the extracellular portion; an expression vector containing the isolated DNA; and a cell containing the expression vector. A process for producing the extracellular domain. A vaccine containing the extracellular domain.

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

Abstract: Strains of Leishmanda and other macrophage-infecting parasites are provided which express the GM-CSF gene which are useful in treating hosts infected by the parasite and in protecting hosts against disease caused by infection of hosts by parasites. The parasites are reduced in their ability to infect or survive in macrophages and hence are attenuated. At least one gene of the parasite contributing to the virulence thereto may be functionally disabled. The attenuated strains may be used for administration to a host (a) to treat a host infected by Leishmania or (b) to confer protection against disease caused by a virulent Leishmania strain, or as a diagnostic reagent.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides methods for identifying genes involved in neurodegeneration and therapeutics for treating animals with a neurodegenerative disease. Methods and kits for the detection of compounds which enhance neuroprotection and diagnostic kits for the detection of neurodegenerative diseases are also a part of the invention.

Abstract: This invention presents improved methodology for identification of nucleated cells in flow cytometric analysis when immunofluorescent dyes are also used. Briefly, in the method nucleic acids are stained with a fluorescent dye which can then be used to identify the nucleated cells by measurement of fluorescence on a flow cytometer. The improvement presented by this invention is the use of a saturating (or near saturating) amount of a nucleic acid dye, or mixture of dyes, which gives low fluorescence at excitation conditions, so as not to greatly interfere with the signals of the immunofluorescent dyes.

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

Abstract: A ligand=mediated immunofunctional assay (LIFA) method for detecting the presence and the concentration of polypeptide hormone binding proteins which comprises capturing the binding protein with a solid phase bound first antibody, saturating the bound hormone binding protein with the ligand polypeptide hormone, and detecting the bound ligand polypeptide hormone with a detectably labeled second antibody specific for the ligand polypeptide hormone. In the absence of added saturating polypeptide hormone, the LIFA measures the amount of hormone binding protein bound in the endogenous ligand polypeptide hormone. A growth hormone binding protein assay illustrates the method of the present invention. LIFA assay results indicate that increased binding protein substantially increases growth hormone activity. Methods of use and formulation of growth hormone binding protein, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of screening for a therapeutically useful compound which comprises testing an LC132 receptor agonist in a screening assay for psychiatric and/or neurological disorders. More particularly, the screening method is based on contacting an LC132 receptor with an agent suspected of being an agonist of the LC132 receptor function, followed by the detection of the binding and/or the agonist activity of the compound and then testing of an agent with LC132 agonist activity in an antiepileptic, anticonvulsant or anxiolytic screening assay.

Abstract: Neurotransmission by excitatory amino acids (EAAs) such as glutamate is mediated via membrane-bound surface receptors. DNA coding for one family of these receptors of the kainate-binding type of EAA receptors, has now been isolated and the receptor protein characterized. Herein described are recombinant cell lines which produce the EAA receptor as a heterologous membrane-bound product. Also described are related aspects of the invention, which are of commercial significance. Included is use of the cell lines as a tool for discovery of compounds which modulate EAA receptor stimulation.

Abstract: A variant human &agr;7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) polypeptide is provided wherein the variant contains an amino acid substitution at the valine-274 position of the wild-type human &agr;7 nAChR. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the variant human &agr;7 nAChR, receptors and host cells containing such nucleic acid molecules are also provided. In addition, methods are provided for producing the variant as are methods of using such variants for screening compounds for activity at the nAChR.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding opioid receptor polypeptides. More specifically, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding kappa opioid receptor polypeptides, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant opioid receptor polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression of at least three different opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with opioid receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding the neurotrophic protein known as pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a truncated version of PEDF referred to as rPEDF, and equivalent proteins, vectors comprising such nucleic acids, host cells into which such vectors have been introduced, recombinant methods for producing PEDF, rPEDF, and equivalent proteins, the rPEDF protein and equivalent proteins of rPEDF and PEDF-BP, -BX and BA, and the PEDF protein produced by recombinant methods. Effects and uses of these variants on 1) neuronal differentiation (neurotrophic effect) 2) neuron survival (neuronotrophic effect) and 3) glial inhibition (gliastatic effect) are described.

Abstract: A new receptor family has been identified, of activin-like kinases. Novel proteins have activin/TGF-&bgr;-type I receptor functionality, and have consequential diagnostic/therapeutic utility. They may have a serine/threonine kinase domain, a DFKSRN or DLKSKN sequence in subdomain VIB and/or a GTKRYM sequence in subdomain VIII.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of modifying feeding behavior, including increasing or decreasing food consumption, e.g., in connection with treating obesity, bulimia or anorexia. These methods involve administration of compounds are selective agonists or antagonists or the Y5 receptor. One such compound has the structure: In addition, this invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a Y5 receptor, an isolated Y5 receptor protein, vectors comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a Y5 receptor, cells comprising such acid probes useful for detecting nucleic acid encoding Y5 receptors, antisense oligonucleotides complementary to any unique sequences of a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a Y5 receptor, and nonhuman transgenic animals which express DNA a normal or a mutant Y5 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptor, and provides for CNTF receptor nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. It also relates to (i) assay systems for detecting CNTF activity; (ii) experimental model systems for studying the physiologic role of CNTF; (ii) diagnostic techniques for identifying CNTF-related neurologic conditions; (iv) therapeutic techniques for the treatment of CNTF-related neurologic and muscular conditions, and (v) methods for identifying molecules homologous to CNTF and CNTFR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides that promote neurite outgrowth. The polypeptides contain fibronectin Type III repeats derived from a family of cell adhesion molecules characterized by having 6 immunoglobulin domains and 5 fibronectin Type III repeats. The polypeptides of this invention correspond to F80, 3-5 and 4-5 regions of the cell adhesion family members chicken Ng-CAM, chicken Nr-CAM, mouse L1CAM, human L1CAM and homologs thereof. Methods of promoting neurite outgrowth in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications are also described as are methods of making the disclosed polypeptides and devices for using thereof.

Abstract: DNA encoding an endothelin receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 4. In the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A)+RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.