Abstract: The invention relates to fusion proteins and bacteria encoding them. The fusion proteins include a ligand-binding domain interposed between the splicing domains of an intein. An auxotroph-relieving protein domain is fused to one of the splicing domains so that the auxotroph-relieving function of the domain is activated upon ligand binding. The fusion proteins can be expressed in bacterial cells and used as sensors of binding of compounds with the ligand-binding domain of proteins such as the human estrogen receptors or the human thyroid hormone receptor. The bacterially expressed fusion proteins can detect and report agonist and antagonist activity characteristic of the naturally-occurring hormone with the ability to modulate the function of the protein from which the ligand-binding domain of the fusion protein is derived.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with human organic anion transporter (“hOAT”). Isolated nucleic acid encoding hOAT is provided, along with isolated hOAT polypeptide. hOAT nucleic acid and/or hOAT polypeptide are employed in transgenic animals, recombinant cells, replicable vectors and analytical procedures for identifying hOAT agonists or antagonists, assays for identifying hOAT alleles and/or isotypes, screening tests for nephrotoxic or neurologically active compounds, and determination of drug-drug interactions within the kidney or brain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a protein, GASP1, comprising at least one follistatin domain to modulate the level or activity of growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8). More particularly, the invention relates to the use of GASP1 for treating disorders that are related to modulation of the level or activity of GDF-8. The invention is useful for treating muscular diseases and disorders, particularly those in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial. The invention is also useful for treating diseases and disorders related to metabolism, adipose tissue, and bone degeneration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of proteins comprising at least one follistatin domain to modulate the level or activity of growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8). More particularly, the invention relates to the use of proteins comprising at least one follistatin domain, excluding follistatin itself, for treating disorders that are related to modulation of the level or activity of GDF-8. The invention is useful for treating muscular diseases and disorders, particularly those in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial. The invention is also useful for treating diseases and disorders related to metabolism, adipose tissue, and bone degeneration.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate corticotropin releasing factor2 receptors (CRF2R) and regulate or potentially regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo are disclosed. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of CRF2Rs or of CRF2R signal transduction pathways, increase CRF2R or increase CRF expression are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising CRF2R agonists, antibodies to CRF2R and methods for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using CRF2R as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with proteins selected from the members of the TGF-? superfamily, which are monomeric due to substitution or deletion of a cysteine which is responsible for dimer formation. The invention is also concerned with nucleic acids, encoding such monomeric proteins, vectors or host cells containing the nucleic acids as well as with pharmaceutical compositions comprising the proteins or nucleic acids encoding the proteins. The compositions can be applied advantageously for all indications for which the respective dimeric proteins are useful.

Abstract: Amphipathic lytic peptides are ideally suited to use in a ligand/cytotoxin combination to specifically inhibit cells that are driven by or are dependent upon a specific ligand interaction; for example, to induce sterility or long-term contraception, or to attack tumor cells, or to selectively lyse virally-infected cells, or to attack lymphocytes responsible for autoimmune diseases. The peptides act directly on cell membranes, and need not be internalized. Administering a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (or a GnRH agonist) and a membrane-active lytic peptide produces long-term contraception or sterilization in animals in vivo. Administering in vivo a combination of a ligand and a membrane-active lytic peptide kills cells with a receptor for the ligand. The compounds are relatively small, and are not antigenic. Lysis of gonadotropes has been observed to be very rapid (on the order of ten minutes.) Lysis of tumor cells is rapid.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding NRIF3 are described. Polypeptides having amino acid sequences of NRIF3 proteins are also provided. A method is also provided for isolating and cloning NRIF3 cDNA. NRIF3 is useful in development/implementation of high throughput screens to identify novel thyroid hormone receptor (TR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonists and antagonists. Methods are also provided for identifying compounds that directly interfere with the interaction of NRIF3 and TR or RXR. Finally, therapies based on modulation of NRIF3 activity are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide monobody which includes a modified acid sequence and renders the polypeptide monobody able to bind selectively to ???3 integrin. Fusion proteins and conjugates which include the polypeptide monobody, as well as compositions containing the polypeptide monobody, fusion proteins, or conjugates are also disclosed. Uses thereof include: treating or preventing an ???3 integrin-mediated disease or disorder, inhibiting ???3 integrin activity, treating a cancerous or precancerous condition, imaging tissues using positron emission tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, assessing the metastatic characteristics of a tumor, and delivering DNA to a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies which recognize the chain of the HFG receptor with the agonist activity of the natural ligand. The invention also relates to the hybridoma which secretes said antibodies and to their therapeutic and diagnostic use.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method for treatment, diagnosis and prevention of diseases related to fetal growth and placental insufficiency and comprises methods including inhibiting or increasing relaxin synthesis, relaxin receptor synthesis, relaxin binding to the relaxin receptor, and relaxin receptor activity. The invention also relates to screening assays to identify compounds that modulate relaxin and/or relaxin receptor activity. The invention further relates to gene therapy methods utilizing relaxin and relaxin-related sequences for the treatment and prevention of diseases related to fetal growth and placental insufficiency.

Abstract: The invention has disclosed a baldness-related gene and the encoded polypeptide, and a process for producing the polypeptide by recombinant methods. It has also disclosed the use of Rhor gene and protein in the diagnosis and treatment of baldness.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating peripheral artery disease in a patient are provided. Compositions comprise recombinant fibroblast growth factor-2. Fibroblast growth factor, such as FGF-2, is administered in therapeutically effective amounts to treat or prevent peripheral artery disease including claudication and critical limb ischemia. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of FGF-2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also provided. The methods of the invention to treat peripheral artery disease and claudication comprise administering at least a single dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the FGF, such as FGF-2, via intra-arterial, intravenous, or intramuscular infusion to the patient. It is recognized that increased benefits may result from multiple dosing, including intermittent dosing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a protein, GASP1, comprising at least one follistatin domain to modulate the level or activity of growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8). More particularly, the invention relates to the use of GASP1 for treating disorders that are related to modulation of the level or activity of GDF-8. The invention is useful for treating muscular diseases and disorders, particularly those in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial. The invention is also useful for treating diseases and disorders related to metabolism, adipose tissue, and bone degeneration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying herbicides and to the use of inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase as broad spectrum herbicides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing novel proteins and methods of using those compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of immune related diseases.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides of human megakaryocyte stimulating factors (MSFs). Pharmaceutical compositions containing same, and methods for their preparation and use are provided.

Abstract: This invention is about a novel Biomolecule Transducton Motif (BTM), Sim-2 peptide, which has a potential to transduce many biological response modifiers effectively into the cytoplasm, intracellular organelles or nucleus of prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells in vivo and in vitro, and the related technological methods using Sim-2 BTM. This Sim-2 BTM can be used for Drug Delivery System, development of new recombinant protein vaccines or DNA/RNA vaccines, gene and protein therapy, production of pharmacologically or medicinally useful proteins or pharmacomedicinal drug therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a protein having an amino acid sequence as in SEQ ID 7, 8, 11 or 12, similar proteins, naturally occurring variants and homologous functional equivalents thereof, as well as the use of a polynucleotide encoding such protein, for use in an assay and for use in a method of modulation of transcriptional activity promoted by a responsive nuclear receptor and a coactivator, which coactivator is the mentioned protein and is named COASTER, and which nuclear receptor is preferrably a steroid receptor.

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.