Abstract: The invention provides vitamin K-dependent polypeptides with enhanced membrane binding affinity. These polypeptides can be used to modulate clot formation in mammals. Methods of modulating clot formation in mammals are also described.

Abstract: Claimed are a series of somatostatin agonists and uses thereof, according to formula (I), A1-cyclo[Cys-A2-D-Trp-A3-A4-Cys]-A5-Y1, ??(I) wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and Y1 are as defined in specification provided that the amine nitrogen of at least one peptide bond is substituted with a methyl group or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the surprising finding that enamel matrix, enamel matrix derivatives and/or enamel matrix proteins induce dentin regeneration. The invention thus relates to the use of a preparation of an active enamel substance for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the formation or regeneration of dentin following dental procedures involving exposure of vital dental pulp tissue. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of promoting the formation or regeneration of dentin following dental procedures involving exposure of vital dental pulp tissue, the method comprising applying an effective amount of an active enamel substance on exposed vital dental pulp tissue after dental procedures.

Abstract: Methods for treating conditions or disorders which can be alleviated by reducing food intake are disclosed which comprise administration of an effective amount of an exendin or an exendin agonist, alone or in conjunction with other compounds or compositions that affect satiety. The methods are useful for treating conditions or disorders, including obesity, Type II diabetes, eating disorders, and insulin-resistance syndrome. The methods are also useful for lowering the plasma glucose level, lowering the plasma lipid level, reducing the cardiac risk, reducing the appetite, and reducing the weight of subjects. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gene encoding glutathione synthetase from Candida utilis is provided and food containing ?-glutamylcysteine cysteine or cystenylglycine is produced by cultivating Candida utilis modified by means of a gene encoding glutathione synthetase under a suitable condition and mixing the obtained culture or a fraction thereof or the culture or a fraction thereof subjected to heat treatment with a raw material of food or drink to process food or drink.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, sequencing, and recombinant expression of genes encoding either a nitrile hydratase (NHase) or amidase (Am) from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D, where the NHase is useful for catalyzing the hydration of nitriles to the corresponding amides, and the amidase is useful for hydrolysis of amides to the corresponding carboxylic acids. Also provided are transformed host cells containing polynucleotides for expressing the nitrile hydratase or amidase enzymes from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D.

Abstract: A protein and DNA encoding the same are useful as preventives/remedies for diseases such as hypoglycemia, etc. The protein of the present invention is also useful as a reagent for screening a compound that inhibits the binding of the protein of the present invention to IRAP (insulin responsive aminopeptidase) or to GLUT4 (glucose transporter 4). The compound that inhibits the binding of the protein of the present invention to IRAP or GLUT4 is useful as a preventive/remedy for diseases, e.g., hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides vitamin k-dependent polypeptides with enhanced membrane binding affinity. These polypeptides can be used to modulate clot formation in mammals. Methods of modulating clot formation in mammals are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for protein structure analysis, including substrate binding sites, sites of protein-protein interactions, three dimensional structure analysis, and stability, all with single amino acid resolution. In general, the subject methods involve introduction of cysteine residues, which serve as probes for physical analysis, into a protein by translational misincorporation in vivo. In many embodiments, proteins containing misincorporated cysteine residues are reacted with a crosslinking agent that covalently links misincorporated cysteine residues to a proximal amino acid in the folded protein. These methods, termed “MXLINK” methods, may be used for protein tertiary structure analysis. In other embodiments, cysteine-misincorporated proteins are used in protein footprinting methods, termed “MPAX” or “MSX” methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes produced by mutating the genes for a number of subtilases and expressing the mutated genes in suitable hosts are presented. The enzymes exhibit improved wash performance in any detergent in comparison to their wild type parent enzymes.

Abstract: The method of obtaining collagen as above, is characterized by this, that the process of cleaning the skins is done manually using tools made of natural materials such as glass and wood to remove from the skins scales, skills and meat tissue so prepared raw material is placed in a solution of lactic acid of 0.1 to 1.5% concentration, obtaining hydration of collagen contained in the skins. The hydration process is carried out in glass containers, in the temperature from 15 to 20° C., for 24 to 48 hours, conducting a running visual control of the process. Next follows an operation of filtration using silk filters of increasing density. By repeated filtering the cell elements, pigments and remains of the acid solution are removed from collagen. The natural silk filters have a structure similar to the structure of collagen, which prevents damage to the collagen structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified proaerolysin (PA) peptide. In some examples, the proteins include a prostate-specific protease cleavage site and can further include a prostate-tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. In other examples, the proteins include a furin cleavage site and a prostate tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. Methods of using such peptides to treat prostate cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for expressing proteins as a fusion chimera with a domain of p26 or alpha crystallin type proteins to improve the protein stability and solubility when over expressed in bacteria such as E. coli is provided. Genes of interest are cloned into the multiple cloning site of the Vector System just downstream of the p26 or alpha crystallin type protein and a thrombin cleavage site. Protein expression is driven by a strong bacterial promoter (TAC). The expression is induced by the addition of 1 mM IPTG that overcomes the lac repression (lac Iq). The soluble recombinant protein is purified using a fusion tag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel biologically active compounds having an agonist or an antagonist effect on the transcriptional-activating activity of the Estrogen-Related Receptor 3 (ERR3).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for crystallographic structure determination employing hydrogen exchange analysis. Hydrogen exchange analysis is used to identify unstructured regions of a protein, which are then deleted to obtain one or more modified proteins for crystallization and structure determination. Optionally, an initial hydrogen exchange stability map of a protein is compared to that of at least one modified form of the protein to identify unstructured regions, while retaining characteristic structure of the native protein. Hydrogen exchange analysis is performed by determining the quantity of isotope and/or rate of exchange of peptide amide hydrogen(s) with isotope on a labeled protein. Proteins with fewer unstructured regions, and thus improved hydrogen exchange structural maps, are optimal for high quality crystallization and structure determination.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting activation of ATM kinase, DNA damage, and DNA damaging agents. Further provided are antibodies which specifically recognize the phosphorylation state of Ataxia Telangiectasia-Mutated (ATM) kinase. Methods of identifying agents which modulate the activation and activity of ATM kinase are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing recombinant trypsin from porcine pancreas in Pichia pastoris which is soluble and secreted into the culture medium, whereby expression at pH 3.0-4.0 substantially prevents activation of trypsinogen to ?-trypsin and autolysis of ?-trypsin by ?-trypsin into ?-trypsin and from there into inactive peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to crystalline etanercept and to methods of making crystalline etanercept; to pharmaceutical compositions comprising crystalline etanercept; and to therapeutic uses of such compositions.

Abstract: Analysis of substance capable of binding with inositol-1, 4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R), preferably with a regulation domain of IP3R; analysis of the function of IP3R; and establishing of a method of treatment or diagnosis for various malfunctions and diseases associated with IP3R. In particular, control of the activity of intracellular Ca2+ release. More specifically, a regulator for the activity of inositol-1,4, 5-triphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R), comprised of carbonic anhydrase related protein (CARP); a control agent for intracellular calsium release, comprised of carbonic anhydrase related protein (CARP); and a method of control therewith.