Abstract: The present invention provides purified and synthetic peptides comprising the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 3. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides and methods of killing dividing cells and treating abnormalities and tumors in a subject using the peptides.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided which encodes a mammalian signal mediator protein, HEF-1, involved in regulation of cellular morphological alterations. The encoded protein comprises an amino-terminal SH3 domain, an internal domain containing several SH2 binding motifs, and a carboxy-terminal effector domain that can induce pseudohyphal budding in yeast. The invention also provides the novel signal mediator protein, and antibodies thereto. These biological molecules are useful as research tools and as diagnostic and therapeutic agents in methods for the identification, detection and regulation of complex signaling events leading to morphological, potentially neoplastic, cellular changes.

Abstract: An agent for cancer immunotherapy with independent use, containing bacterial components as an active ingredient, which induces cancer patients to exhibit immune responsiveness, as indicated by the increase of interferon-&ggr; and CD28 markers in peripheral blood, when administered to an immuno-competent patient intracutaneously.

Abstract: Cellular sensitivity to DNA damaging agents and progression through cell cycle is modulated through manipulation of T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP) activity. Phenotypic characterization of cells lacking TC-PTP demonstrates a defective progression through the cell cycle, and sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. Screening assays are provided for selecting agents that affect the activity of TC-PTP, including assays relating to the interaction of TC-PTP with its substrate, p62dok.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel modified TIMP wherein the NH2-terminal &agr;-amino group thereof is modified with an electron-accepting group to substantially lose the ability to bind to a metalloproteinase.

Abstract: The identification and characterization of risk factors and their molecular implications in the pathophysiology of human diseases such as cancer is essential for designing efficient diagnostic assays and therapeutic compounds. Estrogenic steroids, under normal physiological conditions, have been shown to play a critical function in several tissues. The response of such a variety of tissues to estrogen stimulation can explain in part its active role in the development and progression of different human diseases, particularly breast cancer. Searching for estrogen-responding cellular factors in parental cells of primary human breast carcinomas obtained from tumour biopsies, two cellular markers, an isoenzyme of putative leucine aminopeptidase (LAPase; EC 3.4.11.1) from parental cells of primary human breast carcinomas obtained from tumour biopsies, and cytosolic NDP-Kinase/Nm23 (EC 2.7.4.6) from HL60 cells were identified. Monoclonal antibodies against each cellular marker have been produced.

Abstract: Various molecules associated with disorders such as cancer are disclosed. The invention also discloses diagnostic and therapeutic methods based upon these molecules, as well as compositions for stimulating an immune response and methods for identifying cancer-associated nucleic acid and polypeptide molecules.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) as a novel marker for mesenchymal skeletal progenitor cells. By utilizing this novel marker it was possible both to identify and locate mesenchymal skeletal progenitor cells in a tissue, as well as to obtain a substantially pure culture of such cells. The pure culture of the mesenchymal skeletal progenitor cells may be used, optionally after various manipulations ex vivo, as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical compositions or implants for the purpose of bone and/or cartilage repair. FGFR3 may also be used as a marker for the identification and the localization of cartilage- and bone-derived tumors. Agents capable of binding to FGFR3 may also be used for targeting cytotoxic agents to cartilage- and bone-derived tumors.

Abstract: A novel protein having the activity to suppress proliferation of lympho-hematopoietic cells derived from BNS2.4 cells, its gene, a method for preparing them and their uses are provided. The novel protein has been identified from a stromal cell line BMS2.4 by expression cloning targeting mouse myelomonocytic leukemia cell line WEHI3. This protein and its gene are useful for treating lympho-hematopoietic disorders.

Abstract: Methods for detecting BRCA1 mutations are provided. The methods include the steps of determining the amount of the BRCA1 polypeptide contained in a sample of the subject, and correlating the amount of BRCA1 to the presence of the BRCA1 gene mutation in the subject, wherein the amount below a predetermined cutoff value is an indication of the presence of the mutation in the BRCA1 gene of the subject. The methods of the present invention are well suited for use to determine a condition associated with BRCA1 mutation, such as a predisposition to breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal, and prostate cancers, and the presence or prognosis of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal, and prostate cancers.

Abstract: The present invention, based on the discovery of a new biological phenomena, provides methods and compositions for use in identifying agents that modulate the phosphorylation of survivin, the interaction between survivin and p34cdc2-cyclin B1 kinase complex, and the interaction between survivin and caspase-9. Related methods and compositions can be used to modulate survivin regulated apoptosis.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anti-human thymidylate synthase monoclonal antibody capable of recognizing an epitope which exists in a region of 187th to 313th amino acids from an N-terminus in human thymidy late synthase, an anti-human thymidylate synthase monoclonal antibody capable of recognizing an epitope which exists in a region of from an N-terminus to a 61st amino acid in human thymidylate synthase, and also hybridomas capable of producing these monoclonal anti-bodies. These monoclonal antibodies are useful for the immunological measurement of human thymidylate synthase.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a tumor in the central nervous system of a mammal is carried out by contacting a bodily fluid from the mammal with a ligand which binds to inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor.

Abstract: The INK4A (MTS1, CDKN2) gene encodes a specific inhibitor (InK4a-p16) of the cyclin D-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6. InK4a-p16 can block these kinase from phosphorylating the retinoblastoma protein (pRb), preventing exit from the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Deletions and mutations involving the gene encoding InK4a-p16, INK4A, occur frequently in cancer cells, implying that INK4a-p16, like pRb, suppresses tumor formulation. However, a completely unrelated protein (ARF-p19) arises in major part from an alternative reading frame of the mouse INK4A gene. Expression of an ARF-p19 cDNA (SEQ ID NO:1) in rodent fibroblasts induces both G1 and G2 phase arrest.

Abstract: A hybridoma (termed “UIC2 hybridoma”, ATCC Accession No. HB11027) producing monoclonal antibodies (termed “UIC2 mAb”) directed against an extracellular domain of a cell surface P-glycoprotein antigen associated with multidrug resistance in primate cells was produced by fusing a human myeloma cell with a spleen cell derived from a BALB/c mouse immunized with syngeneic 3T3 fibroblasts previously transfected with the isolated human mdrl cDNA. UIC2 mAb, thus produced, as well as fragments and recombinant derivatives thereof, may be used to detect and isolate multidrug resistant primate cells and human mdrl gene products, and to reverse multidrug resistance in primate cells, including cells of multidrug resistant human tumors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel galectin 8, 9, 10 and 10SV proteins which are members of the galectin superfamily. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human galectin 8, 9, 10 and 10SV proteins. Galectin 8, 9, 10 and 10SV polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of galectin 8, 9, 10 or 10SV activity. Also provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes the human NIM1 kinase. It also provides for the use of the nucleic acid molecule, fragments, variants and complements thereof and of the protein, portions thereof and antibodies thereto for characterization, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, or prevention of disorders associated with expression. The invention additionally provides expression vectors and host cells for the production of the protein and a transgenic organism or model system.

Abstract: The invention provides the genomic sequence of GSSP-2, GSSP-2 cDNAs and GSSP-2 polypeptides. Further the invention provides polynucleotides including biallelic markers derived from the GSSP-2 gene and from genomic regions flanking the gene. This invention also provides polynucleotides and methods suitable for genotyping a nucleic acid molecule containing sample for one or more biallelic markers of the invention. Further, the invention provides methods to detect a statistical correlation between a biallelic marker allele and a phenotype and/or between a biallelic marker haplotype and a phenotype. The invention also concerns methods and compositions for killing neoplastic cells or inhibiting neoplastic cell growth. In particular, the present invention concerns cell proliferation arresting/inhibiting and apoptosis/necrosis inducing compositions and methods for the treatment of tumors. The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides.

Abstract: Physiologically active peptides possessing cell adhesion inhibitory activity are provided. A physiologically active peptide of this invention is characterized by possessing cell adhesion inhibitory activity and comprising 30 amino acid residues or less, as well as by having an amino acid sequence of the formula: Gly Leu Lys Pro Gly Val Asp X1 Thr Ile Thr X2 X3 Ala X4 wherein X1 represents Tyr or Ala; X2 represents Val or Ala; X3 represents Tyr or Ala; and X4 represents Val or Ala.

Abstract: The invention provides a cDNA which encodes a colon cancer marker. It also provides for the use of the cDNA, fragments, complements, and variants thereof and of the encoded protein, portions thereof and antibodies thereto for diagnosis and treatment of colon disorders, particularly colon cancer and polyps. The invention additionally provides expression vectors and host cells for the production of the protein and a transgenic model system.