Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polynucleotides encoding polypeptides homologous to heparanase, nucleic acid constructs including these novel polynucleotides, genetically modified cells expressing the same, recombinant proteins encoded thereby and which may have heparanase or other glycosyl hydrolase activity, antibodies recognizing the recombinant proteins, oligonucleotides, analogs thereof and ribozymes derived from these polynucleotides.

Abstract: An in vivo method of selectively delivering a nucleic acid to a target gene or mRNA, comprises the topical administration, e.g. to the respiratory system, of a subject of a therapeutic amount of an oligonucleotide (oligo) that is anti-sense to a mRNA complementary to the gene in an amount effective to reach the target polynucleotide and reducing or inhibiting expression. The composition and formulations are used for prophylactic, preventive and therapeutic treatment of ailments associated with impaired respiration, lung allergy(ies) and/or inflammation and depletion lung surfactant or surfactant hypoproduction, such as pulmonary vasoconstriction, inflammation, allergies, allergic rhinitis, asthma, impeded respiration, lung pain, cystic fibrosis, bronchoconstriction. The treatment of this invention may be administered directly into the respiratory system of a subject so that the agent has direct access to the lungs, in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit the symptoms of the ailment.

Abstract: A method for enrichment of natural antisense mRNA which involves hybridization of cDNA obtained from sense RNA with cDNA obtained from antisense RNA, followed by DNA polymerase treatment of the sense-antisense hybrid DNA molecule. A natural antisense library can be generated by cloning of sense-antisense hybrid DNA molecules in a vector.

Abstract: This invention provides improved polyamides comprising a positive patch for contacting the phosphate backbone or major groove of a DNA molecule. As such, the improved polyamides are capable of inhibiting the function or binding of a DNA-binding protein to a DNA molecule. The improved polyamide provides for more efficient function of the polyamide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of down-regulating the expression of a gene in an animal, wherein a pharmacological formulation comprising a chimeric oligonucleotide complementary to the gene is orally administered to an animal. The oligonucleotide administered has at least one phosphorothioate internucleotide linkage and at least one alkylphosphonate, phosphorodithioate, alkylphosphonothioate, phosphoramidate, phosphoramidite, phosphate ester, carbamate, carbonate, phosphate triester, acetamidate, or carboxymethyl ester internucleotide linkage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carcinogenesis biomarkers produced by phenobarbital-treated rat hepatocytes, nucleic acid molecules that encode carcinogenesis biomarkers or a fragment thereof and nucleic acid molecules that are useful as probes or primers for detecting or inducing carcinogenesis, respectively. The invention also relates to applications of the factor or fragment such as forming antibodies capable of binding the carcinogenesis biomarkers or fragments thereof.

Abstract: A novel nucleic acid construct for delivery of antisense targeting sequences is provided. The construct includes intact stem loop structures and an antisense nucleic acid. Optionally, a ribozyme nucleic acid is included in the construct. The construct is useful for inhibition of selected genes in a cell. This allele-specific targeting is also useful in combination with replacement gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules which may be used as standards for estimating the size (in base pairs) and mass of linear, double-stranded or single-stranded nucleic acid molecules separated by size. The nucleic acid molecules of the invention may be DNA molecules, RNA molecules or DNA/RNA hybrid molecules, and may be double-stranded or single-stranded. The invention also provides methods for producing nucleic acid sizing ladders from these nucleic acid molecules, ladders produced by such methods, and methods for estimating the size and mass of nucleic acid molecules by comparison to these nucleic acid sizing ladders.

Abstract: Mice that are deficient in p53 are found to have memory disorders and/or behavioral disorders such as increased anxiety. A method of using p53-deficient mice to screen compounds for memory restoring activity and/or anti-anxiety activity is described.

Abstract: A vector system which can be incorporated in liposomes, comprising at least one DNA vector, the vector or vectors containing a target-cleaving hammerhead ribozymal DNA sequence under control of a promoter effective in human cells and which, upon transcription to RNA will cleave the mRNA transcribed from a target gene encoding the CCR5 or CXCR4 protein. Preferably the ribozymal DNA contains a first recognition sequence (5? to 3?): tagattg or ctcact, respectively for CCR5 or CXCR4 and downstream thereof a second recognition sequence acttg or acgttgt respectively for CCR5 or CXCR4.

Abstract: Methods for linearly amplifying mRNA to produce antisense RNA are provided. In the subject methods, mRNA is converted to double-stranded cDNA using a promoter-primer having a poly-dT primer site linked to a promoter sequence so that the resulting double-stranded cDNA is recognized by an RNA polymerase. The resultant double-stranded cDNA is then transcribed into antisense RNA in the presence of a reverse transcriptase that is rendered incapable of RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity during this transcription step. The subject methods find use a variety of different applications in which the preparation of linearly amplified amounts of antisense RNA is desired. Also provided are kits for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding fibroblast growth factor receptor 2. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, therapeutics and kits for treating and preventing diseases or conditions associated with excessive lipolysis, in particular TNF-? induced lipolysis, and/or excessive free fatty acid levels. Exemplary conditions include insulin-resistance, diabetes, in particular NIDDM, obesity, glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, and coronary artery disease. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes administering to a subject in need a pharmaceutically effective amount of an inhibitor of the JNK signal transduction pathway and/or an inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK signal transduction pathway.

Abstract: Immunoassays and antibodies useful in conducting them for human and canine brain natriuretic peptide are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to primary CNS tumors and provides useful compositions and methods for reducing tumor volume and increasing the length of survival in mammals with primary CNS tumors, thereby providing a treatment for primary CNS tumors. The invention also relates to methods of identifying compounds for reducing tumor volume and increasing animal survival, which therefore relate to treating primary CNS tumors.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 3. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding transforming growth factor-beta 3. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of transforming growth factor-beta 3 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of transforming growth factor-beta 3 are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermostable mutants of B-type DNA polymerases comprising a Y-GG/A amino acid motif between the N-terminal 3?-5?-exonuclease domain and the C-terminal polymerase domain whereas the tyrosine of the Y-GG/A amino acid motif is mutated and whereas these mutant DNA polymerases are suitable for PCR.

Abstract: The invention relates to specific, optionally modified oligonucleotides with a length of up to 17 nucleotides. Said oligonucleotides correspond to segments of tenascin-coding sequences or can bind to these sequences. The invention also relates to the production and use of the oligonucleotides, for example for the specific inhibition of the expression of tenascin and for producing medicaments used to treat vitiligo.

Abstract: A composition antisense oligomer directed to an mRNA preferentially expressed together with methods for treating stem cells with such a composition to increase the number of lineage committed progenitor cells and their progeny, and/or slow the growth of cancer cells. Also described is the use of such compositions and antisense oligonucleotide-treated stem cells in methods for treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide that can complex with an oligonucleotide, e.g. an antisense oligonucleotide, and deliver it into a cell. The present invention also provides compositions comprising a complex of such a peptide and an oligonucleotide and methods of delivering an oligonucleotide into a cell and of inhibiting protein expression using such compositions. The present invention also provides a method of making such a complex, a method of sensitizing cells to anti-cancer agents such as paclitaxel, and pharmaceutical compositions.