Abstract: The present invention relates to mutations in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and methods of detecting such mutations as well as prognostic methods method for identifying a tumors that are susceptible to anticancer therapy such as chemotherapy and/or kinase inhibitor treatment. The methods involve determining the presence of a mutated EGFR gene or mutated EGFR protein in a tumor sample whereby the presence of a mutated EGFR gene or protein indicates the tumor is susceptible to treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human orphan nuclear receptor that binds to a cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase (CYP) promoter and that is activated by compounds that induce CYP gene expression. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding such a receptor, to methods of making the receptor and to methods of using the receptor and nucleic acid sequences encoding same. The invention also relates to non-human animals transformed to express the human receptor and to methods of using such animals to screen compounds for drug interactions and toxicities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, reagents, and kits for assessing organ damage, such as damage due to ischemia reperfusion injury, in the course of a transplantation therapy and/or for assessing organ regeneration following transplantation therapy. The invention provides a method for determining an index of organ health in the course of transplantation therapy comprising measuring the expression level of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) in the organ. Measuring the expression level of PBR is also useful for assessing the progress of organ regeneration in the course of transplantation therapy by comparing the index of organ health. The expression level of PBR may be used as a predictor of the outcome of transplantation therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs).

Abstract: Antibody antagonists of human interleukin-13 receptor alpha 1 are disclosed. The antibody molecules are useful in the inhibition of IL-13R?1-mediated activities and, accordingly, present desirable antagonists for the use in the treatment of conditions associated with hIL-13R? activity. The present invention also discloses nucleic acid encoding said antibody molecules, vectors, host cells, and compositions comprising the antibody molecules. Methods of using the antibody molecules for inhibiting or antagonizing IL-13R?1-mediated activities are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to uses, methods and compositions for treating immune-mediated glomerulonephritis, such as crescentic glomerulonephritis. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of an EFGR antagonist or of an inhibitor of EGFR or HB-EGF expression for the treatment of said diseases.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes human soluble LOX-1, particularly a monoclonal antibody with a dissociation constant (Kd) for human soluble LOX-1 of 1×10?9 (M) or less. The antibody can be produced from a hybridoma prepared by a method including the following steps of: (1) immunizing a non-human animal with a prokaryotic cell-derived human LOX-1 extracellular domain; (2) collecting antibody-producing cells from the animal; (3) fusing the antibody-producing cells with myeloma cells; (4) selecting hybridomas that produce a monoclonal antibody reacting with the human LOX-1 extracellular domain from the fused cells obtained in the above step; and (5) selecting a hybridoma that produces a monoclonal antibody reacting with a eukaryotic cell-derived human LOX-1 extracellular domain from the selected hybridomas.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel assays and the use of such assays for screening compounds that affect PGRMC1's and related homologue's ability to catalyze the incorporation of cholesterol into membranes. The present invention also provides for methods and compositions for affecting incorporation of cholesterol into membranes. The invention also provides for diagnostic and therapeutic kits for the methods described herein.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include estrogen receptor (ER) intramolecular folding systems, methods of detecting ER ligands and distinguishing between ER agonists and antagonists, cells including ER intramolecular folding systems, transgenic animals including ER intramolecular folding systems, fusion proteins, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences and amino acid sequences which influence bone deposition, the Wnt pathway, ocular development, tooth development, and may bind to LRP. The nucleic acid sequence and polypeptides include Wise and Sost as well as a family of molecules which express a cysteine knot polypeptide. Additionally, the present invention relates to various molecular tools derived from the nucleic acids and polypeptides including vectors, transfected host cells, monochronal antibodies, Fab fragments, and methods for impacting the pathways.

Abstract: The present invention provides a family of peptides based upon the M2GlyR sequence. These peptides are derivatives of the M2GlyR sequence and can be modified at their ends to include a plurality of polar amino acid residues to enhance their solubility. Particularly preferred derivatives include portions of the M2GlyR sequence which are palindromic to another portion of the peptide or to the M2GlyR sequence itself. Preferably these portions are at least 7 amino acid residues in length. Peptides embraced by the present invention are characterized by having greater effects on the transepithelial electrical resistance of cells at lower concentrations. Peptides of the present invention have been shown to increase Isc in MDCK epithelial cell monolayers with half maximal effects observed at or below 30 ?M, a nearly 10-fold improvement over any peptide previously characterized in the M2GlyR family.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel target protein and a gene for drug discovery, and a means that enables development of a novel pharmaceutical agent by using the same. More particularly, the present invention provides CARP and genes thereof; screening methods for drugs (e.g., antiallergic drugs); a regulator of diseases (e.g., allergic diseases); a drug derivative production method; a complex comprising a drug and CARP, and a production method thereof; kits comprising a drug or a salt thereof; determination methods for the onset or risk of onset of a specified disease, determination methods for susceptibility to a drug, and determination kits used for said methods, and the like.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for inhibiting the release of a proinflammatory cytokine from a vertebrate cell, and for inhibiting an inflammatory cytokine cascade in a patient. The compositions comprise, for example, high affinity antibodies that specifically bind HMG1 and antigenic fragments thereof. The high affinity antibodies of the present invention and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are useful for many purposes, for example, as therapeutics against a wide range of inflammatory diseases and disorders such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, peritonitis, Crohn's disease, reperfusion injury, septicemia, endotoxic shock, cystic fibrosis, endocarditis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, arthritis, anaphylactic shock, organ ischemia, reperfusion injury, and allograft rejection. In addition, the high affinity antibodies of the present inventions are useful as diagnostic antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified soluble FGF receptor Fc fusions comprising a fusion of a soluble fragment or domain of the FGF receptor part (targeting or binding moiety) with an Fc region of an immunoglobulin part (effector function moiety), having improved biological activity including ADCC/CDC activities, compositions containing them, and method of producing such modified soluble FGF receptor Fc fusion molecules.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered novel receptors in the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptor family. In particular, receptors having homology to the type 2 TNF receptor (TNF-RII) are provided. Isolated nucleic acid molecules are also provided encoding the novel receptors of the present invention. Receptor polypeptides are further provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a mammalian cell-based high-throughput assay for the profiling and screening of human epithelial sodium channel (hENaC) cloned from a human kidney c-DNA library and is also expressed in other tissues including human taste tissue. The present invention further relates to amphibian oocyte-based medium-throughput electrophysiological assays for identifying human ENaC modulators, preferably ENaC enhancers. Compounds that modulate ENaC function in a cell-based ENaC assay are expected to affect salty taste in humans. The assays described herein have advantages over existing cellular expression systems. In the case of mammalian cells, such assays can be run in standard 96 or 384 well culture plates in high-throughput mode with enhanced assay results being achieved by the use of a compound that inhibits ENaC function, preferably an amiloride derivative such as Phenamil.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an isolated polypeptide which (a) is obtainable from a teleost; (b) has antimicrobial activity; (c) binds to oligoguanosine and/or CpG (SEQ ID NO:7); (d) comprises 58 strongly basic amino acids selected from the group consisting of K and R; (e) comprises 50 hydrophobic amino acids selected from the group consisting of A, I, L, F, W and V; (f) comprises 50 polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of N, C, Q, S, T and Y and (g) contains 11 lysine-rich motifs and antimicrobial fragments thereof as well as methods for preparing said polypeptides, compositions and libraries comprising said polypeptide(s) and uses of said polypeptide(s), particularly in treating microbial infections. The invention is further directed to a nucleic acid(s) encoding said polypeptide, microarrays comprising said nucleic acid(s) and uses for said nucleic acid(s).

Abstract: The invention disclosed in this patent document relates to transmembrane receptors, more particularly to endogenous, human orphan G protein-coupled receptors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant seven-transmembrane receptor, whereby the amino terminus of said recombinant receptor is located on an extracellular side and the carboxy-terminus is located on an intracellular side of a membrane, comprising at least two detectable labels, whereby a first of said at least two detectable labels is or is located on the carboxy-terminus and whereby a second of said at least two labels is or is located on the first or third intracellular loop or whereby a first of said at least two labels is or is located on the third intracellular loop. Furthermore, nucleic acid molecules encoding said recombinant seven-transmembrane receptors are described as well as vector and host cells comprising the same. Furthermore, the present invention provides for identification and screening methods for molecules or compounds which are capable of modifying the biological end of pharmacological function of seven-transmembrane receptor proteins.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising an expression product of a Type Nine adenylyl cyclase gene polymorphism, along with a suitable physiological carrier, are provided. In addition, methods related to treating patients having asthma or a reversible bronchial obstruction, kits for determining the responsiveness of an individual to treatment regimens, and assays for screening pharmaceutical for efficacy in treatment are also provided.