Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a BCNG protein or a portion thereof or BCNG-related protein or a portion thereof. The present invention further provides a method for identifying a nucleic acid in a sample which encodes a BCNG protein or a BCNG-related protein. The present invention also provides a method for testing whether a compound affects the expression of a BCNG protein or a BCNG-related protein. In addition, the present invention further provides a method for identifying a compound capable of interacting with a BCNG protein or a BCNG-related protein. Also, the present invention provides a method for identifing a compound capable of modulating BCNG protein or BCNG-related protein activity. Further, the present invention also provides a method of treating a condition in a subject which comprises administering to the subject an amount of the provided compound, effective to treat the condition.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-4. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-4. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-4 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-4 are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved cell delivery compositions. In particular, the invention provides biocompatible endosomolytic agents. In a preferred embodiment, the endosomolytic agents are also biodegradable and can be broken down within cells into components that the cells can either reuse or dispose of. Preferred endosomolytic agents include cationic polymers, particularly those comprised of biomolecules, such as histidine, polyhistidine, polylysine or any combination thereof. Other exemplary endosomolytic agents include, but are not limited to, other imidazole containing compounds such as vinylimidazole and histamine. More particularly preferred are those agents having multiple proton acceptor sites and acting as a “proton sponge”, disrupting the endosome by osmolytic action. In preferred embodiments, the endosomolytic agent comprises a plurality of proton acceptor sites having pKas within the range of 4 to 7, which endosomal lysing component is polycationic at pH 4.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to MAPKAP kinase 2 inhibitors and the use thereof in anti-inflammatory therapy. The invention can be used in the field of medicine and in the pharmaceutical industry. According to the invention, the MAPKAP kinase 2 inhibitors are used at gene level, protein level and on the basis of a specific modification of the intracellular localization of MAPKAP kinase 2. The invention makes it possible to provide targeted immune response therapy and can thus be of fundamental importance to modem medicine.

Abstract: A type of new triplex forming oligonucleotide (TFO) which can form triplex DNA when bound to two similar fragments of homopolypurine/homopolypyrimidine sequences. TFOs were designed according to the above structure to bind the DR region and pre-S gene promoter region of HBV, respectively. The 3′ end of the TFOs can be monophosphorylated or otherwise chemically modified to increase their stability. Cellular experiments prove that these TFOs can be used as drugs to inhibit HBV and treat hepatitis B. TFO and anti-sense oligonucleotide sequences from the DR or pre-S promoter region of HBV can together bind to target RNA sequences and form a (DNA)2:RNA hetero-triplex structure that results in the more efficient inhibition of HBV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cancer markers and compositions and methods for cancer therapies. For example, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of gene expression of particular marker genes as indicative of cancers, while control of said gene expression provides for intervention in cancer therapies and, in particular, glioma therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for isolating a defined quantity of DNA target material from other substances in a medium. The method may be carried out using a known quantity of a silica-containing solid support, such as silica magnetic particles, having a definable capacity for reversibly binding DNA target material, and DNA target material in excess of the binding capacity of the particles. The methods of the present invention involve forming a complex of the silica magnetic particles and the DNA target material in a mixture of the medium and particles, and separating the complex from the mixture using external magnetic force. The DNA target material may then be eluted from the complex. The quantity of DNA target material eluted may be determined based on a calibration model. The methods of the present invention permit isolation of DNA target material which is within a known quantity range.

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

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or NO:2 are disclosed. The antisense oligonucleotides are used for treatment of specific types of Duchenne muscular dystrophy which is attributed to a change in number of the nucleotides composing one or more exons adjacent to exon 43 or 53, respectively, in human dystrophin mRNA, wherein the change is due to deletion of one or more nucleotides from the normal nucleotide sequence for the exons, wherein the net of the change in number of the nucleotides is expressed as a reduction of (3×N+1) nucleotides, wherein N is zero or a natural number.

Abstract: A therapeutic pharmaceutical composition for patients of Duchenne muscular dystrophy with entire loss of exon 20 in dystrophin mature mRNA is provided. The composition comprise as an active principle an antisense oligonucleotide consisting of a 20 to 50-nucleotide sequence against exon 19 of the dystrophin pre-mRNA.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for inhibiting Fas mediated signaling. The compositions comprise antisense compounds targeted to nucleic acids encoding Fas, FasL and Fap-1. Methods of using these antisense compounds for inhibition of Fas, FasL and Fap-1 expression and for treatment of diseases, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and cancers, associated with overexpression or constitutive activation of Fas, FasL or Fap-1 are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are oligonucleotides complementary to VEGF-specific nucleic acid useful in reducing the expression of VEGF. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical formulations containing such oligonucleotides useful for treating various disorders associated with neovascularization and angiogenesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence, called “polyribozyme”, which has an endoribonuclease activity and is capable of inactivating the gene for the capsid protein of a virus, characterized in that it comprises: i) a sequence complementary to at least a part of the gene or its transcript or to its replication intermediates and, includes at distinct sites in this complementary sequence: ii) a plurality of ribozyme catalytic regions; iii) and, optionally, one or more sequences non-complementary to the transcript of the said gene, the said non-complementary sequence(s) being inserted between two consecutive bases of the complementary sequence.

Abstract: Enzymatic nucleic acid molecules which cleave EGFR RNA.

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

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and compositions for delivering nucleic acids to bacterial cells. The method does not require manipulation of the bacteria and is therefore particularly suited to delivery of nucleic acids to bacteria in natural environments, including inside animals bodies. The method generally involves conjugating the nucleic acid to be delivered with a cationic porphyrin and bringing the conjugate and the target bacterial cells into contact. Both the porphyrin and conjugated nucleic acid are taken up by the bacterial cells and the nucleic acid can then have a biological effect on the cells. Specifically disclosed is a method for converting drug-resistant bacterial cells to drug-sensitive cells by delivery of external guide sequences to the cells which then promote cleavage of RNA molecules involved in conferring the drug-resistant phenotype on the cells. The drug-resistant phenotype of the cells is thus converted to a drug-sensitive phenotype.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to intracellular delivering of agents to eukaryotic cells. The compositions include microbial delivery vehicles such as nonvirulent bacteria comprising a first gene encoding a nonsecreted foreign cytolysin operably linked to a heterologous promoter and a second gene encoding a different foreign agent. The foreign agent may be a nucleic acid or protein, and is frequently bioactive in and therapeutic to the target eukaryote. In addition, the invention provides eukaryotic cells comprising the subject nonvirulent bacteria and nonhuman eukaryotic host organisms comprising such cells.

Abstract: The mechanism of hypertension following acute NO synthase blockage is via endothelin-mediated vasoconstriction. Thus, NO appears to inhibit endothelin activity by blocking its expression and not as a chronic direct acting vasodilator. Administration of an endothelin antagonist to a patient in a ‘normal’ physiological state may result in specific regional vasodilation. This treatment finds utility in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for inhibiting cell proliferation in an individual comprising administering to the individual a composition comprising a Rad51 inhibitor. Also provided herein is a method for inhibiting the growth of a cell comprising administering to said cell a composition comprising a Rad51 inhibitor. Such methods can further include the step of providing radiation or DNA damaging agents after administration of said Rad51 inhibitor. Also described herein are methods which are performed in vivo and/or on cancerous cells.