Abstract: The present invention provides a cyclic peptide comprising the structure: wherein X is selected from the group consisting of an amino acid, an amino acid analog, a peptidomimetic and a non-amide isostere, Z is selected from the group consisting of a synthetic amino acid and a biosynthetic amino acid, R is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and carbon, n is 0 to 10 and y is 1 to 10. The present invention also provides a cyclic peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of NH2—X(n)-Z-X(y)—COOH and a cyclic bond between the Z residue and COOH other than a thioester bond, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of to an amino acid, an amino acid analog, a peptidomimetic and a non-amide isostere, Z is selected from the group consisting of a synthetic amino acid and a biosynthetic amino acid, n is 0 to 10 and y is 1 to 10. Methods of preparation including a cyclization protocol, and methods of use of the cyclic peptides of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the treatment and prevention of diseases characterized by excess cell proliferation and/or activation. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods to suppress the activation and/or proliferation of various cells. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods to suppress the activation and/or proliferation of mesenchymally derived cells (including, but not limited to hepatic stellate cells), as well as cells with abnormal growth characteristics. In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods to induce fibrosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparations of bacterial ghosts which are substantially free of living bacterial cells and/or nucleic acids and their use in pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a glycoprotein having a human-type sugar chain comprising a step in which transformed plant cell is obtained by introducing to a plant cell the gene of glycosyltransfetase and the gene of an exogenous glycoprotein, and a step in which the obtained transformed plant cell is cultivated.

Abstract: We describe a process for the monitoring of contaminant removal during the purification process of a pharmaceutical product produced by a host cell, wherein at least two different samples taken during the purification process of the pharmaceutical product are incubated with at least one protein biochip array and contaminants in the samples bound to the protein biochip array are subsequently detected. Preferably samples are taken before the first purification step and after each subsequent purification step.

Abstract: Parathyroid hormone(PTH) polypeptide derivatives are disclosed, as are pharmaceutical compositions containing said polypeptides, and synthetic and recombinant methods for producing said polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods for treating mammalian conditions characterized by decreases in bone mass using therapeutically effective pharmaceutical compositions containing said polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods for screening candidate compounds of the invention for antagonistic or agonistic effects on parathyroid hormone receptor action. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of said compounds.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a protein participating in the regulation of sugar production, a polynucleotide encoding the same, a method of screening a compound participating in the regulation of sugar production and a drug for treating or preventing diabetes which contains the compound participating in the regulation of sugar production. A polynucleotide encoding a protein specifically binding to a substance WF00144 is found out from rat liver cells and thus a protein participating in the regulation of sugar production and a polynucleotide encoding the same are provided. Moreover, a method and a substance relating to a method of treating and preventing diabetes are found out and thus a method of treating diabetes relating to the regulation of sugar production relating to the method of treating and preventing diabetes is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of metabolic research. Metabolic disorders, such as obesity, are a public health problem that is serious and widespread. GMG-3, GMG-4, Cluster 1, GMG-6A, or GMG-6B polypeptides have been identified that are beneficial in the treatment of metabolic disorders. These compounds should be effective for reducing body mass and for treating metabolic-related diseases and disorders. These metabolic-related diseases and disorders include hyperlipidemias, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having homology to certain human uncoupling proteins (“UCPs”) 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 methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention discloses five peptides which can be used as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. The subject invention also discloses a process for the preparation of the products having angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity, which comprises the following steps: (a) adding protein hydrolase to the solution of chicken residues for reaction; (b) separating the chicken residues and liquid after the reaction of step (a) and collecting the separated liquid; and (c) drying the liquid obtained from step (b) to obtain the products.

Abstract: The invention discloses a purified albumin solution of human origin with low prekallicrein activator (PKA) activity and stability over time characterised in that it has an antithrombin content equal to or greater than 0.03 mg/g of albumin, and a process for production thereof by the partial extraction of the antithrombin during fractionation of the human plasma.

Abstract: Methods for stimulating proliferation and inhibiting death of cells in the epidermis and dermis of wounded and non-wounded as well as transplanted mammalian skin and transplanted skin cell suspensions are described. The methods include the steps of administering to an area of wounded or non-wounded skin therapeutically effective amounts of ?1-antitrypsin, alkaline phosphatase (such as placental alkaline phosphatase), transferrin, and ?1-acid glycoprotein in compositions that contain at least two of these proteins, or their active derivatives, as the major active components. The compositions can be administered topically and/or by injection, or both. The invention also provides regimens for restoring or maintaining the strength and thickness of wounded, non-wounded and transplanted skin as well as developing new skin from skin cell suspensions comprising periodically administering one or more compositions topically and/or by injection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating hypercholesterolemia using therapeutic apoE proteins. A therapeutic apoE protein is a naturally-occurring apoE protein (e.g., apoE1, apoE2, apoE2*, apoE2**, apoE3, and apoE4) that has one or more amino acid substitutions in the carboxy-terminal region which, when administered to a mammal having hypercholesterolemia, reduces the plasma cholesterol levels without inducing hypertriglyceridemia. The invention also provides a method for reducing plasma cholesterol using low doses of naturally-occurring apoE proteins.

Abstract: The application identifies fragments of alpha-synuclein in patients with Lewy Body Disease (LBD) and transgenic animal models thereof. These diseases are characterized by aggregations of alpha-synuclein. The fragments have a truncated C-terminus relative to full-length alpha-synuclein. Some fragments are characterized by a molecular weight of about 12 kDa as determined by SDS gel electrophoresis in tricine buffer and a truncation of at least ten contiguous amino acids from the C-terminus of natural alpha-synuclein. The site of cleavage preferably occurs after residue 117 and before residue 126 of natural alpha-synuclein. The identification of these novel fragments of alpha-synuclein has a number of application in for example, drug discovery, diagnostics, therapeutics, and transgenic animals.

Abstract: The Smek (Suppressor of mek null) gene is described and characterized. Smek acts in the stress response pathway of animals by binding to and enhancing the transcription of FOXO, thereby providing the link between the stress response pathway and the insulin/IGF-1 pathway. Given the link between both the stress response pathway and the insulin/IGF-1 pathway and longevity, Smek1 represents an essential target for modulation of life span and the stress response. Methods of increasing life span and stress tolerance by modulation of Smek activity are disclosed, as are screening methods for identifying compounds that modulate Smek activity. In addition, recombinant animals expressing the Smek gene that have a longer life span and enhanced stress tolerance, and methods of using the Smek genet to modulate both longevity and stress tolerance, are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of constrained coiled-coil polypeptides to mimic ?-helical structural elements of native proteins. These constrained peptidyl mimetics are used to generate and/or identify ligands which selectively bind the ?-helical segment contained in the native protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are sequences encoding monomeric variants of DsRed fluorescent proteins and methods of use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for designing DNA binding proteins comprising a plurality of zinc fingers and methods for binding the proteins to target nucleotide sequences in cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for designing DNA binding proteins comprising a plurality of zinc fingers and methods for binding the proteins to target nucleotide sequences in cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel nucleotide sequence and the amino acid sequence encoded therein which comprise a novel gene and protein called Mustang. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions based on these sequences. These sequences are useful in the medical diagnosis, growth and regeneration of bone.