Abstract: The present invention relates generally to variant fluorescent proteins, and more specifically to monomeric and dimeric forms of Anthozoan fluorescent proteins. In one aspect, the present invention provides variants of fluorescent proteins, where the variants have a reduced propensity to tetramerize, and form dimeric or monomeric structures. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such fluorescent protein monomers and dimers.

Abstract: We claim a method of lowering plasma glucagon in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a modified exendin or modified exendin analog, wherein said modification comprises one or more molecule linked to an exendin or the exendin analog wherein said molecule is selected from the group consisiting of polyethylene glycol, gelatin and/or albumin. The modified exendin or the modified exendin analog has activity of suppressing glucagon secretion and/or lowering glucagon levels in the subject and possesses increased biological half-life compared to unmodified exendin or unmodified exendin analog. The method is useful in treating hyperglucagonemia and other disorders that would be benefited by lowering plasma glucagon or suppressing glucagon secretion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amphiphiles for the formation of a synthetic ion channel in a phospholipid bilayer or biomembrane. The synthetic channel selectively transports chloride ions across the phospholipid bilayer or the membrane. Said amphiphiles impart ion permeability to the phospholipid bilayers or biomembrane and also modulate cellular volume in mammalian cells in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing cell death in a warm-blood animal wherein said cell death associated with a neurodegenerative disorder, an immune disease, a neoplastic disorder, an inflammatory disorder, or a viral disease. The method comprises administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide comprising amino acid sequence: Ser-Val-Asp-Val-Glu-Tyr.

Abstract: Isolated and purified nucleic acids encoding green fluorescent proteins from Renilla reniformis and the green fluorescent protein encoded thereby are also provided. Mutants of the nucleic acid molecules and the modified encoded proteins are also provided. Compositions and combinations comprising the green fluorescent proteins and/or the luciferase are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified antioxidant polypeptide, a method of isolating and purifying said polypeptide, and method of enhancing antioxidant properties of a composition comprising addition of said polypeptide to the composition. The antioxidant is formulated alone as a nutritional supplement or is combined with other consumable products, such as foods, beverages, vitamins, herbal extracts, or other antioxidants. The present invention also relates to methods for identifying and quantifying the antioxidant polypeptide in food and beverages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel proteins interacting with the cytoplasmic domain of CD40, which are useful in the treatment of CD40 and/or NF-?B related diseases. Surprisingly, these proteins do not show significant amino acid sequence identity with the members of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor (TRAF) family; and thus, offer the possibility to modulate the CD40 and/or NF-?B signaling pathway independently from interaction of TRAF with CD40.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolation and purification of proteins in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). Specifically the invention provides processes for partitioning of proteins of interest in ATPS by fusing said proteins to targeting proteins which have the ability of carrying said protein into one of the phases.

Abstract: The invention provides novel peptide prodrugs that contain cleavage sites specifically cleaved by human kallikrein 2 (hK2). These prodrugs are useful for substantially inhibiting the non-specific toxicity of a variety of therapeutic drugs. Upon cleavage of the prodrug by hK2, the therapeutic drugs are activated and exert their toxicity. Methods for treating cell proliferative disorders are also featured in the invention.

Abstract: Using a gene recombination technique, a glutamic acid and an aspartic acid positioned in a channel of apoferritin are substituted with serine having a small size and no charges. Then, a glutamic acid positioned in a holding portion is substituted with a basic amino acid such as lysine or a neutral amino acid. Furthermore, at least one cysteine is introduced into the holding portion. This prevents a repulsive force due to electrostatic interaction between (AuCl4)? having a negative charge and a negative amino acid from occurring, which facilitates the capture of (AuCl4)? into the channel and the holding portion. The (AuCl4)? captured into the holding portion is subsequently reduced to Au, and thus apoferritin including gold particles can be produced.

Abstract: Methods and products for inducing IL-2 secretion, inducing IL-10 secretion, activating T cells, suppressing IgG antibody response to specific antigen, promoting allograft survival, reducing postoperative surgical adhesion formation, and protecting against abscess formation associated with surgery, trauma or diseases that predispose the host to abscess formation are provided. The methods of the invention are accomplished using an immunomodulator which is a polymer having at least two repeating charge motifs separated by at least a certain minimum distance.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing a cyclodextrin and a therapeutically effective amount of a glycopeptide antibiotic or a salt thereof. Also disclosed are methods of treating a bacterial disease in a mammal by administering such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The instant invention provides for proteins, polypeptides, nucleic acid sequences, constructs, expression vectors, host cells, pharmaceutical compositions of, and methods for using human placental bikunin, serine protease inhibitor domains, and fragments thereof

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel semi-synthetic cyclosporin analogs for the prevention of organ transplantation rejection and the treatment of immune disorders and inflammation, their use as pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical composition comprising them, as well as the processes for the their production. The present invention provides a cyclosporin compound of the following Formula (1) or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof. In the compound of Formula (1), moiety “A” is Wherein “X” and “Y” are defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of a fusion polypeptide comprising a Mycobacterium tuberculosis polypeptide, and a heterologous polypeptide of interest, expression vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acids, and methods for producing such fusion polypeptides. In particular, the invention relates to materials and methods of using such M. tuberculosis sequence as a fusion partner to facilitate the stable and high yield expression of recombinant heterologous polypeptides of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic origin.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to variant fluorescent proteins, and more specifically to monomeric and dimeric forms of Anthozoan fluorescent proteins. In one aspect, the present invention provides variants of fluorescent proteins, where the variants have a reduced propensity to tetramerize, and form dimeric or monomeric structures. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such fluorescent protein monomers and dimers.

Abstract: Individuals in need of treatment of ischemia-related reperfusion are treated, preferably intravenously, with a composition which includes a compound which binds to a receptor for the glucagon-like peptide-1. The invention relates to both the method and compositions for such treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds having antibiotic activity which are obtained from body fluids of mollusks, namely of certain West-African snails, to therapeutic drugs comprising these compounds, and to the use thereof for the preparation of a therapeutic drug for controlling infectious pathogens in humans and animals.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for improved in vitro culture of cells that make use of vanadate. The methods enhance cell survival thereby recovery of the polypeptide of interest produced in the cells is increased relative to cells grown without vanadate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to isolated polynucleotides and purified polypeptides of the Neu family of proteins, which have been shown to demonstrate transcriptional regulatory activity. For example, the purified polynucleotide can encode a Neu polypeptide, wherein the Neu polypeptide comprises at least one neuralized homology repeat domain and a C3HC4 RING-zinc finger domain is disclosed. A purified Neu polypeptide, wherein the Neu polypeptide comprises at least one neuralized homology repeat domain and a C3HC4 RING-zinc finger domain is disclosed. Antibodies capable of specifically binding to the disclosed Neu polypeptides are disclosed. Vectors expressing the disclosed Neu protein coding regions and host cells containing the vectors are disclosed. Methods of making the Neu proteins disclosed are also provided, as are method of identifying binding partners that interact with a Neu protein family member.