Abstract: Methods of stimulating a local immune response in selected cells or tissues employing immunopotentiating oligonucleotide analogs having at least one phosphorothioate internucleotide bond are provided. Methods of enhancing the efficacy of a therapeutic treatment by stimulating a local immune response in selected cells or tissues employing oligonucleotide analogs having at least one phosphorothioate bond are also provided. The oligonucleotide analogs may have antisense efficacy in addition to immunopotentiating activity. Methods of modulating cytokine release in skin cells and immunopotentiators which include oligonucleotide analogs having at least one phosphorothioate bond capable of eliciting a local inflammatory response are also provided.

Abstract: Growth differentiation factor-6 (GDF-6) is disclosed along with its polynucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the GDF-6 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

Abstract: Chimeric oligonucleotide of the formula 5′-W-X1-Y-X2-Z-3′, where W represents a 5′-O-alkyl nucleotide, each of X1 and X2 represents a block of seven to twelve phosphodiester-linked 2′-O-alkyl ribonucleotides, Y represents a block of five to twelve phosphorothioate-linked deoxyribonucleotides, and Z represents a blocking group effective to block nuclease activity at the 3′ end of the oligonucleotide, are described. These compounds exhibit high resistance to endo- and exonucleases, high sequence specificity, and the ability to activate RNAse H, as evidenced by efficient and long-lasting suppression of target mRNA.

Abstract: The claimed invention relates to methods of treating retinopathy, retinal ischemia and/or retinal edema comprising administering an integrin antagonist, a leukocyte adhesion inducing cytokine antagonist, a selectin antagonist or adhesion molecule antagonist.

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: Methods and compositions for the inactivation and removal of contaminants of a biological composition are disclosed. The methods include the steps of: (a) contacting the biological composition with an inactivating agent including an aziridino moiety, such as ethyleneimine, an oligomer of ethyleneimine, or a haloderivative salt of either ethyleneimine or an oligomer of ethyleneimine, where a portion of the agent reacts with and inactivates the contaminant, and a portion of the agent remains unreacted; (b) contacting the product of step (a) with a lipophilic quenching agent including at least one quenching moiety attached to a lipophilic moiety, under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow the unreacted agent to bond covalently to the quenching moiety; and (c) separating the lipophilic quenching agent and the quenched inactivating agent from the biological composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for providing unique templates for DNA sequencing and to a kit, which can be used, when employing the selection method of this invention. The examined DNA is subjected to a DNA transposition reaction and to an amplification reaction. The amplification reaction is carried out in the presence of a fixed primer and a selective primer having a complementary sequence to the end of a transposon DNA. A transposition reaction can be carried out also in the presence of a transposon or transposons, which have different ends enabling the design of selective primers for both ends. Each size of the amplification products represents one template for a sequencing reaction.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for modulating cell proliferation, preferably inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells are described. Compounds that may be used to modulate cell proliferation include antisense oligonucleotides complementary to regions of the mammalian ribonucleotide reductase genes.

Abstract: The present invention provides proteins capable of modulating or mediating the FAS receptor ligand or TNF effect on cells carrying FAS receptor or p55 receptor by binding or interacting with MORT-1 protein, which in turn binds to the intracellular domain of the FAS receptor or to another protein TRADD which binds to the p55 receptor. In addition, peptide inhibitors which interfere with the proteolytic activity of MORT-1-biding proteins having proteolytic activity are provided as well as a method of designing them.

Abstract: Nucleic acids are made by converting a primed single-stranded DNA to a double-stranded DNA by a method comprising the step contacting the single-stranded DNA with a DNA polymerase having 5′ exonuclease activity under conditions whereby the DNA polymerase converts the-single stranded DNA to the double-stranded DNA, wherein the single-stranded DNA is primed with oligonucleotide primer comprising a sequence complementary to the 3′ end of the single-stranded DNA, and at least one of the 5′ end of the primer and the single-stranded DNA comprises an RNA polymerase promoter joined to an upstream (5′) flanking moiety which protects the promoter from the 5′ exonuclease activity of the DNA polymerase.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for altering the content of plant seeds are provided. The compositions comprise nucleotide sequences encoding the enzyme acetyl-CoA synthetase. Such compositions find use in increasing the biosynthesis of fatty acids and/or carotenoids in plants. By expressing the sequences utilizing seed-specific promoters, plant seed can be obtained having increased levels of oils, specialty oils, carotenoids, and amino acids.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of Smad6. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding Smad6. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of Smad6 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of Smad6 are provided.

Abstract: An isolated and purified human skeletal muscle-specific ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:22 is disclosed. The use of the genes makes it possible to detect the expression of the same in various tissues, analyze their structures and functions, and produce the human proteins encoded by the genes by the technology of genetic engineering. Through these, it becomes possible to analyze the corresponding expression products, elucidate the pathology of diseases associated with the genes, for example hereditary diseases and cancer, and diagnose and treat such diseases.

Abstract: Novel DRT111 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to an isolated, full-length DRT111 protein, the invention further provides isolated DRT111 fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-DRT111 antibodies. The invention also provides DRT111 nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a DRT111 gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Combinatorial libraries comprise first oligonucleotide analogs and second oligonucleotide analogs which are coupled together to form antisense molecules capable of binding target polynucleotides and activating an RNase, and ribozymes capable of cleaving polynucleotides.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic ribozyme oligonucleotides alone and within constructs. The ribozyme gene provides methods for the treatment of prostate hyperplasia and other androgen dependent pathologies. Improved therapies for such diseases are provided without significant hormonal imbalance and without surgical intervention. Also provided are techniques for selecting and synthesizing effective and specifically targeted molecular tools for use in inhibiting androgen receptor gene expression.

Abstract: To provide a heat shock transcription factor (HSF) 2 binding factor, which can be involved in the transcriptional regulation of HSP70.2 playing an essential role in spermatogenesis; a DNA encoding the binding factor; an expression vector carrying the DNA; a transformant harboring the expression vector; a process for preparing a recombinant protein comprising the step of culturing the transformant; an antibody or a fragment thereof capable of specifically binding to the binding factor; an antisense DNA or antisense RNA complementary to the DNA; and an oligonudeotide probe or primer capable of specifically hybridizing to the DNA.

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

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