Abstract: Tetraspanins have been found to dimerise. Methods for inhibiting or promoting the dimerisation of tetraspanins are provided, which may involve protein engineering of the tetraspanins themselves, or may rely on other molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the presence of leptin in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to insulin derivatives in which a lipophilic group having from 12 to 40 carbon atoms is attached to the ?-amino group of the N-terminal amino acid in the B-chain or to the carboxy group of the C-terminal amino acid in the B-chain have a protracted profile of action.

Abstract: Thiazolidinedione (TZD) and its pharmacologically active derivatives can be used, in combination with agonists of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), to treat non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, optionally with other therapies, by improving glycemic control while minimizing side effects, such as heart hypertrophy and elevated fed-state plasma glucose, which are associate with both TZD and GLP-1 monotherapies. Thus, the co-administration of TZD and GLP-1 helps regulate glucose homeostasis in Type II diabetic patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of metabolic research. Metabolic disorders, such as obesity, are a public health problem that is serious and widespread. GSSP4 polypeptides have been identified that are believed to be beneficial in the treatment of metabolic disorders. These compounds should be effective for reducing cholesterol levels, body mass, body fat, and for treating metabolic-related diseases and disorders. The metabolic-related diseases or disorders include, but are not limited to, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and hypertension.

Abstract: Interleukin-18 binding proteins which are capable of binding IL-18 and of modulating and/or blocking IL-18 activity are provided. Methods for the isolation and recombinant production, DNAs encoding them. DNA vectors expressing them, vectors useful for their expression in humans and other mammals, antibodies against them are also provided. Therapeutic uses of IL-18 binding proteins and further inhibitors of IL-18 are also provided according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates a mammalian polypeptide designated Inhibitory PAS Domain Protein (IPAS) which polypeptide is useful for the inhibition of angiogenesis and/or tumor progression. The invention also relates to screening methods for compounds potentially useful as medicaments for the treatment of medical conditions related to angiogenesis or tumor progression.

Abstract: This invention relates the use of glucagon-like peptides such as GLP-1, a GLP-1 analog, or a GLP-1 derivative in methods and compositions for reducing body weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using Zven1 and Zven2 polypeptides to increase chemokine production. The present invention also provides methods of using antagonists to Zven1 and Zven2 to treat inflammation in the intestine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides the genomic sequence of GSSP-2, GSSP-2 cDNAs and GSSP-2 polypeptides. Further the invention provides polynucleotides including biallelic markers derived from the GSSP-2 gene and from genomic regions flanking the gene. This invention also provides polynucleotides and methods suitable for genotyping a nucleic acid molecule containing sample for one or more biallelic markers of the invention. Further, the invention provides methods to detect a statistical correlation between a biallelic marker allele and a phenotype and/or between a biallelic marker haplotype and a phenotype. The invention also concerns methods and compositions for killing neoplastic cells or inhibiting neoplastic cell growth. In particular, the present invention concerns cell proliferation arresting/inhibiting and apoptosis/necrosis inducing compositions and methods for the treatment of tumors. The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides.

Abstract: Described are conjugates formed by an antibody fragment covalently attached to a non-proteinaceous polymer, wherein the apparent size of the conjugate is at least about 500 kD. The conjugates exhibit substantially improved half-life, mean residence time, and/or clearance rate in circulation as compared to the underivatized parental antibody fragment. Also described are conjugates directed against human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human p185 receptor-like tyrosine kinase (HER2), human CD20, human CD18, human CD11a, human IgE, human apoptosis receptor-2 (Apo-2), human tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?), human tissue factor (TF), human ?4?7 integrin, human GPIIb-IIIa integrin, human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human CD3, and human interleukin-2 receptor ?-chain (TAC) for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an immunogen selected from the group consisting of (i) an anti-p53 mAb; (ii) a fragment of an anti-p53 mAb; (iii) a peptide based on a CDR of the heavy or light chain of an anti-p53 mAb, which peptide is capable of eliciting antibodies to p53; and (iv) a DNA molecule coding for the variable (V) region of an anti-p53 mAb in a suitable gene delivery vehicle, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition useful for induction of anti-tumor immunity in mammals, for activating an enhanced immune response to a p53 molecule in mammals, and/or for induction of immune responses to mutated and wild-type forms of a p53 in mammals. The use of anti-p53 mAbs and novel peptides based on the CDR2 and CDR3 of the heavy chains and CDR3 of the light chains of different anti-p53 mAbs are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies that bind the estrogen receptor ? (ER ?) when phosphorylated at serine 118 (Ser118) in the N-terminal domain, but do not bind to ER ? when not phosphorylated at this site. Also provided are methods for determining the phosphorylation of ER ? in a biological sample, profiling ER ? activation in a test tissue, and identifying a compound that modulates phosphorylation of ER ? in a test tissue, by using the disclosed monoclonal antibodies. The sample or test tissue may be taken from a subject suspected of having cancer, such as breast cancer. Kits comprising the phospho-ER ? (Ser118) monoclonal antibodies of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Antagonists for modifying protein-protein interactions involving certain amino acid sequences within MMP-9 and/or ?1 integrins are described. Such antagonists inhibit angiogenesis, tumor growth and disease states. Example antagonists are polypeptide and non-polypeptide molecules, including the novel antibody Mab FM155 and the novel synthetic peptide FRIP-1. Methods for inhibiting angiogenesis and disease states by administering such antagonists are disclosed. Methods for identifying antagonists that modify protein-protein interactions involving certain amino acid sequences within MMP-9 and/or ?1 integrins are also described.

Abstract: A polypeptide self-antigen useful in a tumor-specific vaccine mimics one or more epitopes of an antigen uniquely expressed by cells of the tumor. The polypeptide is preferably produced in a plant that has been transformed or transfected with nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide and is obtainable from the plant in correctly folded, preferably soluble form without a need for denaturation and renaturation. This plant-produced polypeptide is immunogenic without a need for exogenous adjuvants or other immunostimulatory materials. The polypeptide is preferably an scFv molecule that bears the idiotype of the surface immunoglobulin of a non-Hodgkin's (or B cell) lymphoma. Upon administration to a subject with lymphoma, the plant-produced, tumor-unique scFv polypeptide induces an idiotype-specific antibody or cell-mediated immune response against the lymphoma.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding CARD-3, nucleic acid molecules encoding CARD-4, CARD-3 polypeptides, CARD-4 polypeptides, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Featured are DNA molecules, expression vectors, and host cells useful for creation of immunoglobulins, as well as novel immunoglobulin molecules termed monobodies. Additionally provided are methods of production of immunoglobulins, including monobodies, as well as methods of using the disclosed immunoglobulin and monobody constructs, expression vectors and host cells containing DNA encoding molecules for production of immunoglobulin and monobody proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel HLF protein which is a member of the heregulin family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human HLF protein. HLF polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of HLF activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting disorders of the regulation of cell growth and therapeutic methods for treating disorders of the regulation of cell growth.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, such as ovarian cancer, are disclosed. Compositions may comprise one or more ovarian carcinoma proteins, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such portions or antibodies or immune system cells specific for such proteins. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as ovarian cancer. Methods are further provided for identifying tumor antigens that are secreted from ovarian carcinomas and/or other tumors. Polypeptides and polynucleotides as provided herein may further be used for the diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian cancer.