Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for inducing protective and/or therapeutic immune responses to an antigen in a mammal. In these methods, an antigen is administered to the mammal with a toxin of a Clostridium (e.g., C. difficile), or a fragment or derivative thereof having adjuvant activity.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of producing a multimeric protein from a hybrid cell formed from the fusion of two or more cells, each of which cell is engineered to express one component of the multimeric protein, as well as a method for screening for successful fusion of the cells to produce a desired hybrid cell. The methods of the invention are widely applicable to the production of proteins having two or more components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human phosphatidylinositol synthase (PISH) and polynucleotides which identify and encode PISH. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding PISH and a method for producing PISH. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding PISH, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of PISH. The invention also provides for the use of PISH in screening for antiprotozoal and antifungal therapeutics. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding PISH for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of PISH. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding PISH.

Abstract: Mammalian Scm gene and amino acid sequences encoded by the mammalian Scm gene, are described. The mammalian Scm gene and gene products are useful for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in proliferative and developmental disorders. Modulators of mammalian Scm can be identified using the dislcosed genes. The modulators can be used in the context of cancer therapy or a treatment of a developmental disorder. Scm is also useful for inducing differentiation in a population of progenitor cells.

Abstract: A method for detecting a substance in a liquid sample involves precipitating a substance from the liquid sample and filtering it from the liquid sample. The precipitate is then tested for the substance of interest by contacting the precipitate with a dye that forms a visible reaction when exposed to the substance. A releasing agent may be used after filtering the precipitate and prior to testing the precipitate with a dye. In another embodiment, the sample is filtered without the prior use of a precipitating agent.

Abstract: Receptors for the zonula occludens toxin of Vibrio cholera, as well as methods involving the use of the same are disclosed.

Abstract: Isolated, substantially pure mammalian brain-derived membrane-associated CRF-binding proteins and biologically active fragments thereof are provided as well as isolated and purified DNA fragments which encode the CRF binding proteins or biologically active fragments thereof or homologs of other mammalian species. By administering an amount of such CRF binding protein or a fragment thereof effective to modulate receptor activation, it is possible to modulate the action of CRF upon (a) the brain and nervous system, (b) the pituitary particularly for production of ACTH, beta endorphin and cortisol, (c) sites of inflammation, (d) the placenta, (e) the adrenal glands, (f) the gonads or (g) the gastrointestinal tract. Administration of an N-terminal fragment of the protein increases the binding site density for CRF and thus modulates its biological effect in vivo.

Abstract: A purified polypeptide which provides for initial binding of sperm to oocyte investments and has an active amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 (Cys-Gln-Ser-Leu-Gln-Glu-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Gln-Arg-Gln-Leu-Glu-Ser-A sn -Lys-Ile-Pro-Glu-Val-Asp-Leu-Ala-Arg-Val-Val-Ala-Pro-Phe-Met-Ser-Asn-Ile-P ro-Leu-Leu-Leu-Tyr-Pro-Gln-Asp-Arg-Pro -Arg-Ser-Gln-Pro-Gln-Pro-Lys-Ala-Asn-Glu-Asp-Val-Cys); or SEQ ID NO:13 (Cys-Glu-Ser-Leu-Gln-Lys-His-Leu-Ala-Glu-Leu-Asn-His-Gln-Lys-Gln-Leu-Glu-S er-Asn-Lys-Ile-Pro-Glu-Leu -Asp-Met-Thr-Glu-Val-Val-Ala-Pro-Phe-Met-Ala-Asn-Ile-Pro-Leu-Leu-Leu-Tyr-P ro-Gln-Asp-Gly-Pro-Arg-Ser-Lys-Pro-Gln -Pro-Lys-Asp-Asn-Gly-Asp-Val-Cys); or the shorter but biologically active SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:9 (Tyr-Pro-Gln-Asp-Arg-X-Arg-Ser-Gln-Pro-Gln-Pro-Lys-Ala-Asn, where X is Thr or Pro).

Abstract: An nNOS associated protein designated PIN-1 (Protein Inhibitor of nNOS) has been identified. It physically interacts with nNOS and inhibits its activity. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that PIN-1 is a regulator of nNOS: it is physiologically associated with nNOS, and it inhibits its catalytic activity. The extraordinary evolutionary conservation of PIN-1 and preliminary evidence that it interacts with multiple proteins, suggests that it may be a major biological regulatory protein influencing numerous physiological processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies (mAB) which bind to water-soluble complexones such as ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) or diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) with high specificity and avidity and retain their high avidity and specificity for these complexones after complexing of EDTA or DTPA with metal ions. These mAB can therefore be used, e.g. coupled on filters or other supports, for removing toxic heavy metals which are complexed with EDTA or DTPA. Furthermore, these mAB are suitable as components of immunoassays (RIA, ELISA etc.) for the quantitative determination of EDTA or DTPA in aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new mammalian S-type lectin, termed galectin-8, and to galectin-8-like proteins, to fragments thereof, to DNA molecules coding therefor and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said proteins. Galectin-8, a widely expressed protein of 35 kDa is shown to be implicated in regulation of cell growth, particularly in inhibition of cell proliferation.

Abstract: A novel category of microorganisms has been identified from its ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence. That sequence, P36, is characteristic of this category of microorganisms, here termed metathermophiles. Methods for isolating samples of metathermophiles using the rDNA sequence are described.

Abstract: The invention features a method for treating a patient having inflammatory arthritis, the method includes administering to the patient a molecule which is capable of specifically binding to an epidermal growth factor receptor expressed on a cell of the patient which contributes to the inflammatory arthritis of the patient, the molecule being capable of decreasing the viability of the cell.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition and method for treating injury to or diseases which result in neuronal degeneration resulting from stroke, brain, retina or spinal cord injuries and other brain disorders and possible trauma associated with neurosurgical procedures is disclosed. The composition consists of glutamine synthetase (GS), analogues and derivatives thereof and a pharmaceutical carrier which when administered to a patient prevents or reduces neuronal degeneration.

Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies (mAB) which bind to water-soluble complexones such as ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) or diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) with high specificity and avidity and retain their high avidity and specificity for these complexones after complexing of EDTA or DTPA with metal ions. These mAB can therefore be used, e.g. coupled on filters or other supports, for removing toxic heavy metals which are complexed with EDTA or DTPA. Furthermore, these mAB are suitable as components of immunoassays (RIA, ELISA etc.) for the quantitative determination of EDTA or DTPA in aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Adjuvants are disclosed for antigens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, including their metabolic products or parts of the virus, bacteria and parasite structures for the immunization, as well as a process for producing such adjuvants and their uses. The object of the invention is to create adjuvants that in combination with vaccine antigens or with peptidoglycanes in histocompatible composition allow the defence mechanisms in the body to be stimulated to such a large extend that for the first time besides active immunoprophylaxis a even of weak antigens also a general and specific immunotherapy is made possible. The cost of producing the adjuvant should not exceed the usual cost and should ensure the applicability of the vaccine. In relatively weak immuno-incompetent phases of life, a combination of general immunoprophylaxis or the only use of the adjuvant should ensure a high immuno-competence. Residual effects of the adjuvant should not cause any problems.

Abstract: Disclosed are 6.alpha.-derivatized estriol compounds which, when conjugated to a protein, are useful in the in vivo preparation of antibodies specific to estriol. When labeled with a detectable label, the estriol derivatives are useful as haptens in a competitive immunoassay for estriol which demonstrate superior sensitivity with respect to estriol specific antibodies.

Abstract: Use of an anti-cardiolipin antibody, anti-lipoprotein antibody or anti-.beta.2-glycoprotein I antibody together with an immobilized antibody thereof enables to accurately assay for a complex of .beta.2-glycoprotein I and an oxidized lipoprotein in a blood sample, according to a sandwich immunoassay. Thus, the oxidized lipoprotein in blood can be detected, whereby diagnosis of arteriosclerotic disease is enabled.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody having immuno-stimulatory effects, binds specifically to B lymphoblastoid cells and induces proliferation and activation of peripheral blood lymphocytes, and when injected into tumor-bearing animals elicts an anti-tumor effect.

Abstract: Immunophilin ligands act by binding to receptor proteins, immunophilins, which in turn can bind to and regulate the Ca.sup.2+ dependent phosphatase, calcineurin, and the Ca.sup.2+ release channel, the ryanodine receptor. Immunophilin ligands have been discovered to enhance neurite outgrowth in neuronal cell systems by increasing sensitivity to neurotrophic factors. The effects of the immunophilin ligands are detected at subnanomolar concentrations indicating therapeutic application in diseases involving neural degeneration.