Abstract: The invention features a lubricating polyeptide and methods of lubricating joints or other tissues by administering the polypeptide systemically or directly to tissues.

Abstract: Provided is a protein used in the development of a therapeutic agent for neuron- or endocrine cell-related diseases, in which the transport system is involved. The protein has an amino acid sequence with one or more amino acids deleted, substituted, inserted or added relative to the amino acid sequence set forth under SEQ ID NO:1 in the Sequence Listing and which has a property to interact with GDP/GTP exchange factor II.

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 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 to the discovery of the human nuclear receptor co-repressor gene and the human nuclear receptor co-repressor protein, a molecule that recruits a complex of proteins that alters chromatin structure and mediates transcriptional repression. Novel biological tools, prophylactics, therapeutics, diagnostics, and methods of use of the foregoing are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an anti-freeze peptide and to the peptides obtained from bacteria from an aqueous low-temperature environment, such as Marinomonas protea and a Pseudomonas species. These anti-freeze peptides can suitably be incorporated in frozen food products such as frozen vegetables and frozen confectionery such as ice-cream.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding novel polypeptides which are capable of binding to native and methylated LDL (low density lipoprotein), the isolated polypeptides, called LBPs (LDL binding proteins), and biologically active fragments and analogs thereof, are described. Also described are methods for determining if an animal is at risk for atherosclerosis, methods for evaluating an agent for use in treating atherosclerosis, methods for treating atherosclerosis, and methods for treating a cell having an abnormality in structure or metabolism of LBP. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccine compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to full-length WF-HABP, WF-HABP, OE-HABP, and BM-HABP, novel members of the hyaluronan receptor family. The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding human to full-length WF-HABP, WF-HABP, OE-HABP, and BM-HABP receptors. Full-length WF-HABP, WF-HABP, OE-HABP, and BM-HABP 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 full-length WF-HABP, WF-HABP, OE-HABP, and BM-HABP receptor activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting disease states related to the aberrant expression of full-length WF-HABP, WF-HABP, OE-HABP, and BM-HABP receptors.

Abstract: Proteins which have activity as anticoagulants and/or serine protease inhibitors and have at least one NAP domain and are described. Certain of these proteins have factor Xa inhibitory activity and others have activity as inhibitors of factor VIIa/TF. These proteins can be isolated from natural sources as nematodes, chemically synthesized or made by recombinant methods using various DNA expression systems.

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: The invention includes compositions and methods for the selective inhibition of cytokine-mediated NF-?B activation by blocking the interaction of NEMO with I?B kinase-? (IKK?) at the NEMO binding domain (NBD). The blockade of IKK?-NEMO interaction resulting in inhibition of IKK? kinase activity and subsequent decreased phosphorylation of I?B. Phosphorylation of I?B being an integral step in cytokine-mediated NF-?B activation. The invention further includes methods for screening for agents capable of interacting at the NBD and therapeutic uses for such agents in pathological disorders caused by dysregulation of NF-?B activation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for the microbial production of amino acids. The process involves boosting the export carrier activity and/or export gene expression of a microorganism which produces the desired amino acid. It was found that a single specific gene is responsible for the export of a given amino acid, and on that basis, a process for the microbial production of amino acids, involving the controlled boosting of the export gene expression and/or export carrier activity of a microorganism was developed, which produces the amino acid. The boosted expression or activity of the export carrier resulting from this process increases the secretion rate and thus increases transport of the desired amino acid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the production of recombinant proteins in a human cell line. The methods and positions are particularly useful for generating stable expression of human recombinant proteins of interest that are modified post-translationally, for example, by glycosylation. Such proteins may have advantageous properties in comparison with their counterparts produced in non-human systems such as Chinese Hamster Ovary cells.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of Compound B as angiogenic agent in combination with human growth factors.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-inflammatory compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof for treating inflammatory disorders. The present invention also provides methods of identifying anti-inflammatory compounds and methods of inhibiting NF-&kgr;B-dependent target gene expression in a cell.

Abstract: Provided is a protein used in the development of a therapeutic agent for neuron- or endocrine cell-related diseases, in which the transport system is involved. The protein has an amino acid sequence with one or more amino acids deleted, substituted, inserted or added relative to the amino acid: sequence set forth under SEQ ID NO:1 in the Sequence Listing and which has a property to interact with GDP/GTP exchange factor II.

Abstract: A gene encoding a novel collectin protein which is expected to exhibit an antibacterial activity, an antiviral activity, etc. particularly in the human body, and its amino acid sequence.

Abstract: A method for identifying suitable targets for antibacterial agents based on identifying targets of bacteriophage-encoded proteins is described. Also described are compositions useful in the identification methods and in inhibiting bacterial growth, and methods for preparing and using such compositions.

Abstract: Novel human CUB domain containing protein polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences are disclosed that can be used in therapeutic, diagnostic, and pharmacogenomic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, kits, and pharmaceutical compositions for limiting scar or adhesion formation by administration of angiotensinogen, AI, AI analogues, and/or AI fragments and analogues thereof, AII analogues, AII fragments or analogues thereof, ACE inhibitors, AII AT2 type 2 receptor agonists, either alone or in combination with other compounds.

Abstract: Modulating agents for inhibiting degradation of cytoplasmic &bgr;-catenin are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (1) the peptide sequence SYLDS(PO4)GIHS(PO4)G (SEQ ID NO:1) or (2) a peptide analogue or peptidomimetic thereof. Methods for using such modulating agents for stimulating &bgr;-catenin mediated gene expression and cellular differentiation are provided.