Abstract: A novel prostaglandin receptor has been identified and DNA encoding the receptor has been isolated, purified, sequenced and expressed in host cells. This DNA encoding the novel prostaglandin receptor and host cells expressing the receptor are used to identify modulators of the prostaglandin receptor.

Abstract: Molecular cloning and expression of a prostaglandin F2.alpha. receptor which is linked to the signal transduction pathways via guanine nucleotide binding regulatory (G) proteins and measured by, for example, cAMP, IP.sub.3 or intracellular calcium. By constructing cell lines that express a prostaglandin F2.alpha., receptor, the affinities and efficacies of agonist and antagonist drugs with the receptor can be assessed. A recombinant DNA construct includes a vector and a DNA fragment encoding a prostaglandin F2.alpha. receptor. A host cell is transformed with a recombinant DNA construct, so that the DNA fragment is expressed and a prostaglandin F2.alpha., receptor is produced. Suitable host systems include eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, especially mamalian cells such as rat or human. Additionally, for diagnostic purposes, antibodies to a prostaglandin F2.alpha. receptor can be prepared by producing all or a portion of the receptor protein and injecting these into various types of mammals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a peptide from human blood, designated as hPTH-(1-37), the structure of which was elucidated for the purpose of the diagnostic, medical and commercial utilization thereof. The isolation of a fragment hPTH-(38-84) proves the existence of the hPTH-(1-37). A removal of amino-terminal amino acids from the hPTH fragment-(1-37) reduces its biological activity. The hPTH-(1-37) circulating in the blood is identical with the synthetic reference substance hPTH-(1-37), however not with fragments such as hPTH-(1-33), hPTH-(1-34) or hPTH-(1-38). The molecule form hPTH-(1-37) has been proven by mass spectrometry (plasma desorption method).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel homeobox-type pancreatic islet transcription factor proteins useful to bind to tissue-specific elements (TSEs) within a pancreatic islet hormone gene promoter and modulate hormone gene expression both in vivo and in vitro. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such transcription factor proteins and assays employing same are also disclosed. The invention transcription factor proteins can be employed in a variety of ways, for example, to modulate RNA transcription, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions and methods employing such proteins and/or antibodies.

Abstract: The invention discloses a procedure for the preparation of the solubilized and purified gastrin releasing peptide receptor, in an active form, from a gastrin releasing peptide receptor source such as Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. The invention also discloses a method of using the solubilized gastrin releasing peptide receptor in drug screening assays to identify compounds having suitable binding affinity for the gastrin releasing peptide receptor.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to protein binding fragments of gravin and polynucleotides encoding these fragments. The protein binding fragments include fragments which bind to the Type II regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase C. This invention further provides antibodies to the protein binding fragments and assays for identifying compounds which modulate the binding of gravin to the binding protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to the human alpha interferon receptor and to the DNA sequence, including the cDNA sequence, encoding the receptor. The invention also relates to non-human cells which express said receptor, to a process for obtaining said cells, and to a process for the preparation of the receptor.

Abstract: A novel prostaglandin receptor has been identified and DNA encoding the receptor has been isolated, purified, sequenced and expressed in host cells. This DNA encoding the novel prostaglandin receptor and host cells expressing the receptor are used to identify modulators of the prostaglandin receptor.

Abstract: Novel physiologically active substance designated as epimorphin which is capable of being expressed by a gene hybridizing with a gene probe composed of the base sequence complementary to part of the base sequence of Sequence ID No. 1 in Sequence Listing, and which is produced by mesenchymal cells derived from human or mouse, and which shows morphogenetic activity of epithelial tissue, and isoforms of said epimorphin, base sequences encoding them, modified epimorphin, in which hydrophobic region at the carboxy terminal of said epimorphin polypeptide has been deleted or replaced by non-hydrophobic polypeptide, and polyclonal antibody or monoclonal antibody produced by the use of a full length or a part of said epimorphin as an antigen are provided. The substances of the present invention can be used for elucidation of the mechanism of diseases caused by abnormal epithelium formation, diagnosis of said diseases, or development of therapeutic methods therefor.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to CD6 and, in particular, to a CD6 ligand present on the surface of thymic epithelial cells, monocytes, activated T cells and a variety of other cells types. The invention further relates to methods of inhibiting the interaction of CD6 and the CD6 ligand, and to the methods of screening componunds for their ability to inhibit that interaction.

Abstract: A gene encoding the HP4 human prostaglandin receptor is disclosed. The protein encoded by this gene exhibits significant sequence identity with other prostaglandin receptors. The HP4 receptor, when expressed in eukaryotic cells, is capable of binding prostaglandins and their analogs and stimulating adenylate cyclase activity in response to prostaglandins.

Abstract: A stable lyophilized formulation of a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) comprises the FGF, a pharmaceutically acceptable bulking agent and either(a) an alkali metal salt of a carboxyalkyl cellulose, or(b) a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester and cysteine.

Abstract: The vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors of the present invention are naturally occurring or recombinantly engineered soluble forms with or without a C-terminal transmembrane region of the receptor for VEGF, a very selective growth factor for endothelial cells. The soluble forms of the receptors will bind the growth factor with high affinity but do not result in signal transduction. These soluble forms of the receptor bind VEGF and inhibit its function.

Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences encoding novel cadherin-like polypeptides, designated protocadherins, and variants thereof are provided by the invention as well as methods and materials for the recombinant production of the same. Antibody substances specific for protocadherins are also disclosed as useful for modulating the natural binding and/or regulatory activities of the protocadherins.

Abstract: A novel protein tyrosine kinase, JAK3, and a polynucleotide sequence encoding JAK3 polypeptide are disclosed herein. JAK3 is a new member of the JAK family of protein tyrosine kinases which are important in regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation. Also disclosed are therapeutic methods utilizing JAK3 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to regulation and control of cellular processes by transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatases, and to ligands that agonize or antagonize tyrosine phosphorylation mediated by such tyrosine phosphatases. This invention further relates to diagnosis and therapy based on the activity of such ligands. In particular, the invention provides a novel transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase-.lambda. (PTP.lambda.), nucleic acids encoding the same, antibodies to the PTP.lambda., and methods for identifying ligands to the PTP.lambda. of the invention. A specific Example describes the isolation and characterization of the first chicken transmembrane PTP, called ChPTP.lambda.. It has a unique extracellular domain containing a Ser/Thr/Pro-rich region, spectrin-like repeats, a fibronectin III domain, and an alternatively spliced N-terminus. The expression of ChPTP.lambda. in various tissues and cells was also examined. ChPTP.lambda.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences encoding the murine .beta.3-adrenergic receptor are provided. Use of the sequences as probes, in vectors, and for the expression of peptides are discussed. Methods of screening substances for agonist or antagonist action towards .beta.3-adrenergic receptors, and for detecting the affinity of various substances for .beta.3-adrenergic receptors, are described.

Abstract: Isolated DNAs encoding the human P.sub.2U receptor are disclosed, along with vectors and host cells containing the same and methods of using the same. Host cells which are essentially free of endogenous P.sub.2U receptor expression, and which express a heterologous P.sub.2U receptor such as a murine P.sub.2U receptor, are also disclosed, along with methods of using the same.

Abstract: Novel receptor tyrosine kinase protein and isoforms thereof which are expressed in cells of the endothelial lineage, and DNA segments encoding the novel protein and isoforms thereof are disclosed. Methods for identifying ligands which are capable of binding to the receptor protein and methods for screening for agonist or antagonist substances of the interaction of the protein and a ligand are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for delivering a neuropharmaceutical agent across the blood brain barrier to the brain of a host. The method comprises administering to the host a therapeutically effective amount of a ligand-neuropharmaceutical agent fusion protein wherein the ligand is reactive with a brain capillary endothelial cell receptor. Other aspects of this invention include a delivery system comprising a ligand reactive with a brain capillary endothelial cell receptor which has formed a fusion protein with a neuropharmaceutical agent. The fusion proteins are also aspects of this invention.