Abstract: Disclosed is a 178 kDa glucose-inducible human fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA binding protein which has been purified to homogeneity and its binding element characterized. This large phosphoprotein binds to a novel repetitive element in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the FAS mRNA. In particular, the binding has been mapped to a 37 nucleotide stretch within the first 65 bases of the 3′ UTR of mRNA. The binding protein is useful for mediating FAS expression, for regulating lipoprotein secretion and cell growth and for screening of test compounds for activity as inhibitors of FAS.

Abstract: Novel human polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences are disclosed that can be used in therapeutic, diagnostic, and pharamacogenomic applications.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the family of aggrecan degrading metallo proteases (ADMPs) that exhibit the ability to cleave the aggrecan core protein between amino acid residues Glu373-Ala374. The invention encompasses the nucleic acids encoding such enzymes, processes for production of recombinant ADMPs, compositions containing such enzymes, and the use of these enzymes in various assays and for the development of novel inhibitors for use as therapies for diseases involving aggrecanase-mediated degradation of cartilage or other aggrecanase-associated diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid and amino acid sequence of a human Pif-1 type helicase. The invention also provides methods of screening for compounds that modulate the activity of human Pif-1 type helicase, as well as methods for affecting viability of a cell by contacting the cell with a human Pif-1 helicase modulator. Such contacting specifically increases or decreases the specific activity of the human helicase in the cell, and may affect its viability, by affecting telomere length regulatory processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides expressed and processed in yeast, a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence encoding such polypeptides, vectors carrying such DNA fragments and yeast cells transformed with the vectors, as well as a process of producing heterologous proteins in yeast.

Abstract: A gene cluster has been isolated from an Acinetobacter sp. that encodes the enzymes expected to convert cyclohexanol to adipic acid. The entire gene cluster has been cloned and all open reading frames have been sequenced. Cosmid clones have been identified containing the gene cluster. Demonstration of conversion of cyclohexanol to adipic acid has been made with the recombinant E. coli host strain containing the cosmids.

Abstract: An isolated and purified DNA molecule encoding hyaluronan synthase-2 (Has2) is provided, as is purified and isolated Has2 polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention provides purified thermostable enzymes derived from various extremophilic prokaryotic organisms. The enzymes have polymerase activity and can be used to catalyze DNA synthesis by addition of deoxynucleotides to the 3′ end of a polynucleotide chain, using a complementary polynucleotide strands as a template.

Abstract: An isolated gene having a DNA sequence coding for the polypeptide having a degrading activity of the sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide or having the functionally identical activity as above.

Abstract: A purified recombinant thermostable DNA polymerase polymerase which exhibits at least about 80% activity at salt concentations of 50 mM and greater, at least about 70% activity at salt concentrations of 25 mM and greater, and having a processivity of about 30 nucleotides per binding event. An isolated nucleic acid that encodes the thermostable DNA polymerase, as well as a recombinant DNA vector comprising the nucleic acid and a recombinant host cell transformed with the vector, are also disclosed. A method of sequencing DNA using the DNA polymerase as well as a kit for sequencing DNA is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides two novel human cathepsin proteins (HCPs) and polynucleotides encoding HCPs. The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding HCPs. The invention also provides for the production and use of antibodies to HCPs in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of disease processes that include cancers, inflammation, metastasis and peptide and proenzyme processing. In addition, the invention provides for the production and use of inhibitors of HSPs in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases. The invention also describes diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide to hybridize with the transcripts encoding HCPs. The invention also provides for the use of antisense molecules in pharmaceutical compositions as a therapeutics in cancers, inflammation, metastasis and peptide and proenzyme processing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding an enzyme involved in the N-end rule pathway of protein degradation. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the enzyme involved in the N-end rule pathway of protein degradation, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the enzyme involved in the N-end rule pathway of protein degradation in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding at least a portion of an enzyme which catalyzes the synthesis of chitin in arthropods, inhibitors directed to said enzyme, and a method for developing said inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention provides highly purified &agr;-Gal A, and various methods for purifying it; &agr;-Gal A preparations with altered charge and methods for making those preparations; &agr;-Gal A preparations that have an extended circulating half-life in a mammalian host, and methods for making same; and methods and dosages for administering an &agr;-Gal A preparation to a subject.

Abstract: Apolypeptide of N-acetylglucosamine-6-O-sulfotransferase and a DNA encoding the peptide are provided. The polypeptide is (a) or (b) below: (a) a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2; or (b) a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence including substitution, deletion, insertion or transposition of one or few amino acids in the amino acid sequence of (a) and which has an enzymatic activity to transfer a sulfate group from a sulfate group donor to a hydroxyl group at 6 position of an N-acetylglucosamine residue located at a non-reducing end of an oligosaccharide represented by the formula I: GlcNAc&bgr;1-3Gal&bgr;1-4GlcNAc  (I) wherein GlcNAc represents an N-acetylglucosamine residue, Gal represents a galactose residue, &bgr;1-3 represents a &bgr;1-3 glycosidic linkage, and &bgr;1-4 represents a &bgr;1-4 glycosidic linkage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human polypeptide homolog of human tankyrase protein (THP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode THP. In addition, the invention provides expression vectors, host cells and methods for its production. The invention also provides methods for the identification of THP agonists/antagonists, useful for the treatment of human diseases, such as human cancer and age related diseases.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the family of aggrecan degrading metallo proteases (ADMPs) that exhibit the ability to cleave the aggrecan core protein between amino acid residues Glu373-Ala374. The invention encompasses the nucleic acids encoding such enzymes, processes for production of recombinant ADMPs, compositions containing such enzymes, and the use of these enzymes in various assays and for the development of novel inhibitors for use as therapies for diseases involving aggrecanase-mediated degradation of cartilage or other aggrecanase-associated diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of synthesizing a fluorescently labeled protein in a cell free protein synthesis system, comprising the steps of: (a) incubating a sample of ribosomes obtained from a cell-free extract with plasmid DNA containing a coding sequence for a protein of interest, said sample incubated in a coupled transcription/translation medium together with a aminoacyl tRNA having fluorescent label; (b) partially purifying said fluorescently labeled protein by separating newly synthesized, fluorescently-labeled protein from other fluorescent components within said sample; (c) measuring the amount of protein synthesized; (d) determining fluorescence of newly synthesized protein; and (e) determining the biological activity of the newly synthesized protein.

Abstract: The invention provides human polynucleotide sequences that encode transcription factor polypeptides that are termed ALF and SALF, and an alternative C-termiinal sequence. The invention includes ALF, SALF and alternative C-terminus polypeptides, peptides, fusion proteins, expression vectors, agonists, antagonists, host cells that overexpress these polypeptides, including transgenic animals, and recombinant knock-out animals that cannot express the relevant RNAs and polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, diagnosis, screening, and monitoring disorders related to inappropriate expression, production, or activity of ALF and SALF, and provides methods to increase or decrease gene expression with respect to treating disorders related to inappropriate or ineffectual patterns of gene expression.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substantially pure thermostable DNA polymerase from Thermotoga neapolitana (Tne). The Tne DNA polymerase has a molecular weight of about 100 kilodaltons and is more thermostable than Taq DNA polymerase. The present invention also relates to the cloning and expression of the Tne DNA polymerase in E. coli, to DNA molecules containing the cloned gene, and to host cells which express said genes. The Tne DNA polymerase of the invention may be used in well-known DNA sequencing and amplification reactions.