Abstract: A method of screening peptides which bind to at least one PDZ domain and comprise a cell-membrane transduction domain for use in treating traumatic injury to the brain or spinal cord by deforming neurons on a flexible substrate with sublethal stretch, then inflicting a secondary injury, and determining survival of the stretched neurons in the absence or presence of the peptide which is being screened.

Abstract: Methods of screening candidate agents to identify potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, such as Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease and methods for identifying a mutation in, or changes in expression of, a gene associated with neurodegenerative disease, such as Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease, are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of culturing mammalian taste cells, including taste receptor cells. Cells are maintained for a duration of up to three months and longer while maintaining molecular and functional characteristics of mature taste cells. The cells are cultured on coated cell culture vessels and, from first replacement of medium onwards, the medium is replaced in intervals of at least 5 days. The invention further provides isolation and culturing methods of taste cells wherein the time that the cells are exposed to isolation solution and proteolytic enzymes is minimized and the cells are cultured in coated culture vessels with the medium replaced in intervals of at least 5 days from first replacement onwards. The invention further provides cultured taste cells, transfection and assay methods, and taste cell assay buffers with an osmolarity of about 300-320 and pH of about 7.0-7.3.

Abstract: The use and production of immunoglobulins which activate trk receptors and imitate effects of neurotrophins are provided. Immunoglobulins which block trk receptor activation and methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: A high molecular weight (“HMW”) protein of Chlamydia, the amino acid sequence thereof, and antibodies that specifically bind the HMW protein are disclosed as well as the nucleic acid sequence encoding the same. Also disclosed are prophylactic and therapeutic compositions, comprising the HMW protein, a fragment thereof, or an antibody that specifically binds the HMW protein or a portion thereof, or the nucleotide sequence encoding the HMW protein or a fragment thereof, including vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel lacrimal gland protein (designated lacritin) and the nucleic acid sequences encoding that protein. Lacritin has activity as a growth factor on both human corneal epithelial cells and on the lacrimal acinar cells that produce it. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to the use of lacritin to treat Dry Eye and other disorders requiring the wetting of the eye.

Abstract: Methods of screening candidate agents to identify lead compounds for the development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, such as Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease and methods for identifying a mutation in, or changes in expression of, a gene associated with neurodegenerative disease, such as Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease, are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising gastrointestinal proliferative factor SCFA2, SCFA4 or SCFA4v polynucleotides and polypeptides. The invention further relates to the therapeutic use of SCFA2, SCFA4 or SCFA4v to prevent or treat conditions or disorders associated with the degeneration of the epithelial mucosa.

Abstract: A polypeptide may include an amino acid sequence having at least about 95% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42, wherein a residue at position 94 of the polypeptide is an amino acid other than threonine or wherein a residue at position 82 of the polypeptide is an amino acid other than serine. A polypeptide may include at least the first 14 residues and at most the first 92 residues of an amino acid sequence starting with residue 1 of, and having at least about 95% identity to, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, or 17. Such polypeptide may stimulate neurite outgrowth or neurogenesis. A nucleic acid may encode the polypeptide. A vector may include the nucleic acid. A host cell, such as an embryonic stem cell, may include the vector.

Abstract: A method of modulating signal transduction and/or cleavage in Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptors (TNF-Rs) is provided. Peptides or other molecules may interact either with the receptor itself, or with effector proteins interacting with the receptor, thus modulating the normal functioning of the TNF-Rs. Such peptides or other molecules may be employed for prophylactic and therapeutic applications in TNF associated diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor I complex (ADNF I complex) and polypeptides of this complex, which produce their neurotrophic effects through multiple proteases intrinsic to the ADNF I complex. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising ADNF I complex polypeptides, as well as methods for reducing neuronal cell death in vitro and in vivo, methods for treating oxidative stress in a patient, methods for reducing a condition associated with fetal alcohol syndrome in a subject, and methods of enhancing learning and memory both pre- and post-natally, all of which methods use the ADNF I complex polypeptides of the invention.

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 a variety of therapeutic uses for CXCR4 antagonists. In various embodiments, CXCR4 antagonists may be used as therapeutically as follows, or to manufacture a medicament for such therapeutic treatments: reducing interferon gamma production by T-cells, treatment of an autoimmune disease, treatment multiple sclerosis, treatment of cancer, inhibition of angiogenesis. The invention provides corresponding methods of medical treatment, in which a therapeutic dose of a CXCR4 antagonist is administered in a pharmacologically acceptable formulation. Accordingly, the invention also provides therapeutic compositions comprising a CXCR4 antagonist and a pharmacologically acceptable excipient or carrier. The CXCR4 antagonists for use in the invention may be peptide compounds comprising a substantially purified peptide fragment, modified fragment, analogue or pharmacologically acceptable salt of SDF-1.

Abstract: The invention provides neuron-derived cells obtained by transfecting a receptor-expressing nucleic acid having an aryl hydrocarbon receptor gene, wherein outgrowth of neurites is not observed without adding a substance for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and outgrowth of neurites is observed by adding the substance for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. The invention also provides a method for determining the presence of neurotoxicity of a test substance, a method for acquiring a marker for determining the presence of neurotoxicity of the test substance, a method for acquiring a marker for neurological dysfunction, and a method for determining the effect of the test substance on neurological dysfunction using such cells.

Abstract: Targeted therapeutics that localize to a specific subcellular compartment such as the lysosome are provided. The targeted therapeutics include a therapeutic agent and a targeting moiety that binds a receptor on an exterior surface of the cell, permitting proper subcellular localization of the targeted therapeutic upon internalization of the receptor. Nucleic acids, cells, and methods relating to the practice of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the diagnosis of tauopathies in an individual and/or for the differential diagnosis of a tauopathy versus a non-tauopathy based on the detection of the ratio of phospho-tau (181)/total tau in said individual. The present invention further provides a phospho-peptide for standardization in a method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences describing a novel canine cold- and menthol-sensitive receptor, herein named as canine CMR1 (cCMR1). The isolated nucleic acid or polypeptide molecule of the invention can be used in detection assays and screening assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for treatment and/or prevention of a disease caused by aberrant splicing, a neurodegenerative disease represented by Alzheimer's disease, or the like. The present invention relates to a nucleic acid which can be associated with generation of a splice variant that lacks exon 5 of presenilin-2 gene, an inhibitor for inhibiting a binding between protein-nucleic acid caused by aberrant splicing, and a method for screening the inhibitor.

Abstract: A novel gene apparently encoding a transmembrane glycoprotein has been successfully isolated by constructing a cDNA library of 4 kb or above in size from mRNA expressed in human adult brain and analyzing the structures of the cDNAs contained within said library by the shotgun method. The novel gene shows brain-specific expression and the protein encoded by said gene has a typical PDZ binding motif.

Abstract: A method for determining the ion channel activity of a substance comprises the steps of (i) expressing the substance as a heterologous protein in a host cell, and (ii) determining changes in permeability of the plasma membrane of the host cell induced by expression of the heterologous protein. A screening method for determining ion channel modulating activity of a test substance is also disclosed.