Abstract: The present invention describes a method for targeted and specific delivery of beneficial compounds, including hair dyes, melanin, proteins, and nucleic acids for gene therapy, to hair follicle cells using liposomes encapsulating the beneficial compound. Particularly preferred methods describe delivery of hair dyes, melanin or tyrosinase to the hair follicle for the purpose of improving hair color or condition, the delivery of compounds which prevent alopecia or stimulate hair growth, either by encapsulating a compound in liposomes, or by encapsulating a nucleic acid capable of expressing a protein in liposomes. Also described are liposome compositions for practicing the methods.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of ubiquitin protein ligases WWP1 and WWP2. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding ubiquitin protein ligases WWP1 and WWP2. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of ubiquitin protein ligases WWP1 and WWP2 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of ubiquitin protein ligases WWP1 and WWP2 are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expression vector comprising an RK2 minimum replicon together with an expression cassette comprising the regulatory functions of a TOL plasmid, and, in particular, an expression vector comprising a RK2 minimum replicon together with a promoter Pm and/or Pu and a corresponding regulatory gene xylS and/or xylR as derived from a TOL plasmid. Such expression vectors may be used to express desired genes in a wide range of gram negative and gram positive bacterial hosts.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleotide sequences encoding a novel polypeptide termed LSIRF. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the polypeptide and uses thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing recombinant adeno-associated virus in the absence of contaminating helper virus or wild-type virus involves culturing a mammalian host cell containing an rAd/AAV hybrid virus, an AAV rep sequence and an AAV cap sequence under the control of regulatory sequences directing expression thereof. The rAd/AAV hybrid virus contains a rAAV construct to be packaged into an AAV virion in a backbone containing the adenoviral sequences necessary to express E1a and E1b gene products and to permit replication of the hybrid virus. The method of the invention permits replication of the hybrid virus and production of rAAV virion in this host cell in the absence of a helper virus and obviates a subsequent purification step to purify rAAV from contaminating virus.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method to modulate exogenous gene expression in which an ecdysone receptor complex comprising: a DNA binding domain; a ligand binding domain; a transactivation domain; and a ligand is contacted with a DNA construct comprising: the exogenous gene and a response element; wherein the exogenous gene is under the control of the response element and binding of the DNA binding domain to the response element in the presence of the ligand results in activation or suppression of the gene. The improvement resides in a select group of non-steroid ligands which show improved activity over known ligands.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of caspase 8. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding caspase 8. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of caspase 8 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of caspase 8 are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of integrin &agr;4. Antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding integrin &agr;4 are preferred. Methods of using these compounds for modulating integrin &agr;4 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of integrin &agr;4 are also provided.

Abstract: Tumor metastases are often caused by the elimination of the tumor suppressive effect of DAP-kinase. If the lack of DAP-kinase activity is due to methylation of the DAP-kinase gene, then the tumor suppressive activity of DAP-kinase can be restored by treating with a demethylating agent such as 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine. Thus, tumor cells of a patient are screened to determine whether DAP-kinase protein is produced by the cells and, if not, to determine if the cells contain DAP-kinase genes which are methylated. If the latter case is so, then the patient is treated with a demethylating agent such as 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine. If the cells produce DAP-kinase protein, the patient may be prophylactically treated with a demethylating agent or a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, such as 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, in order to prevent eventual loss of DAP-kinase by methylation of the gene and therefore prevent eventual metastasis.

Abstract: The sequence of bovine PAM is taught as well as new forms of PAM not known before. One new form is membrane bound and provides the basis of methods for alpha-amidating inactive precursors of peptide hormones.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel modified host cells which express heterologous fused proteins and methods of screening for test samples having peptide-binding activity; wherein the modified host cell comprises: (a) a gene sequence encoding a heterologous fusion protein; said fusion protein comprising a first peptide of a peptide binding pair, or segment of said first peptide, which is joined to either a DNA binding domain or its corresponding transcriptional activation domain of a transcriptional activation protein; (b) a gene sequence encoding a heterologous fusion protein, said fusion protein comprising a second peptide of the peptide binding pair in (a), or a segment thereof, fused to either a DNA binding domain or its corresponding transcriptional activation domain, whichever one is not employed in (a); (c) a reporter gene operatively associated with the transcriptional activation protein, or a portion thereof; (d) optionally, a deletion or mutation in the chromosomal DNA of the host cell for the transcri

Abstract: The invention provides isolated yeast cells which comprise a mutation in an endogenous yeast CAV1 gene, which exhibit increased signaling via the pheromone response pathway. In a preferred embodiment, the cav1 mutant yeast cells of the invention also express a heterologous G protein coupled receptor that functionally couples to the pheromone response pathway. The instant yeast cells display enhanced sensitivity to ligand induced stimulation of heterologous G protein coupled receptors and, therefore, show improved properties in drug screening assays.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of PKA catalytic subunit C-alpha. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding PKA catalytic subunit C-alpha. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of PKA catalytic subunit C-alpha expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of PKA catalytic subunit C-alpha are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament comprising a HGF gene. The medicament of the present invention may be topically applied to the target organs so that the effects can be selectively exhibited, resulting in minimizing the side effects of HGF.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides specific for mammalian ACE mRNA have been identified. Administration of these oligonucleotides to animals resulted in a decrease in blood pressure, but no significant change in heart rate. Methods for discovering other oligonucleotides with the same activity are taught, as are uses of the antisense molecules for treatment of human and animal diseases.

Abstract: Invaplex, a novel composition comprising invasin proteins and LPS from gram-negative bacteria is described as well as methods of using the novel composition as an adjuvant and a diagnostic tool.

Abstract: A C-terminal &agr;-amidating enzyme of Xenopus laevis and precursor thereof produced by a recombinant DNA technique; a DNA coding for the enzyme or precursor thereof; a plasmid containing the DNA; a host organism transformed with the plasmid; a process for production of the enzyme using the transformant; and a process for production of a C-terminal &agr;-amidated peptide using the enzyme.

Abstract: Increased expression of a secreted FGF-binding protein (FGF-BP) occurs in certain autoimmune and malignant disease conditions. It is found, for example, that tumor secretions of FGF-BP results in mobilization and activation of locally-stored FGFs that can serve as an angiogenic switch molecule. Furthermore, it has been found that in an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), the exacerbation of the disease is accompanied by increased FGF-BP. Using ribozymes, it is possible to cause cleavage of the FGF-BP mRNA. Hence, administration of ribozymes which cleave the FGF-BP mRNA in sufficient amounts to inhibit disease processes triggered by FGF-BP is appropriate.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in a sample are disclosed. Kits for performing the analysis methods of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention describes sdp3.8 tumor associated nucleic acids, including fragments and biologically functional variants thereof. Also included are polypeptides and fragments thereof encoded by such nucleic acids, and antibodies relating thereto. Methods and products also are provided for diagnosing and treating conditions characterized by expression of a sdp3.8 gene product.