Abstract: Claimed are a series of somatostatin agonists and uses thereof, according to formula (I), A1-cyclo[Cys-A2-D-Trp-A3-A4-Cys]-A5-Y1, ??(I) wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and Y1 are as defined in specification provided that the amine nitrogen of at least one peptide bond is substituted with a methyl group or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Methods for treating conditions or disorders which can be alleviated by reducing food intake are disclosed which comprise administration of an effective amount of an exendin or an exendin agonist, alone or in conjunction with other compounds or compositions that affect satiety. The methods are useful for treating conditions or disorders, including obesity, Type II diabetes, eating disorders, and insulin-resistance syndrome. The methods are also useful for lowering the plasma glucose level, lowering the plasma lipid level, reducing the cardiac risk, reducing the appetite, and reducing the weight of subjects. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Phosphorylated protein (i.e., phosphoprotein) affinity resins and methods for making and using the same are provided. The subject resins include a substrate bonded to aspartate-based tetradentate ligand/metal ion complexes, where the tetradentate ligand/metal ion complexes have high specificity for phosphorylated amino acids. The subject resins find use in a variety of different applications, including phosphoprotein enrichment applications. Also provided are kits and systems that include the subject resins.

Abstract: A method for expressing proteins as a fusion chimera with a domain of p26 or alpha crystallin type proteins to improve the protein stability and solubility when over expressed in bacteria such as E. coli is provided. Genes of interest are cloned into the multiple cloning site of the Vector System just downstream of the p26 or alpha crystallin type protein and a thrombin cleavage site. Protein expression is driven by a strong bacterial promoter (TAC). The expression is induced by the addition of 1 mM IPTG that overcomes the lac repression (lac Iq). The soluble recombinant protein is purified using a fusion tag.

Abstract: Analysis of substance capable of binding with inositol-1, 4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R), preferably with a regulation domain of IP3R; analysis of the function of IP3R; and establishing of a method of treatment or diagnosis for various malfunctions and diseases associated with IP3R. In particular, control of the activity of intracellular Ca2+ release. More specifically, a regulator for the activity of inositol-1,4, 5-triphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R), comprised of carbonic anhydrase related protein (CARP); a control agent for intracellular calsium release, comprised of carbonic anhydrase related protein (CARP); and a method of control therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell-free protein synthesis method characterized by a cell-free protein synthesis reaction solution that is weakly reducing and suitable for protein folding, performing a weakly reducing synthesis reaction, and preferably performing a translation reaction with the further addition of a substance catalyzing a disulfide bond exchange reaction at the beginning of the translation reaction. This method allows for proper formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds in the protein and efficiently provides protein having substantially the same function as the original protein. Specifically, it provides antibody protein that binds specifically to an antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel exendin agonist compounds useful in treatment of Type I and II diabetes, and useful in lowering plasma glucose levels, reducing body weight, and delaying and/or slowing gastric emptying.

Abstract: The administration of cytotoxic agents followed by the administration of heat shock protein 90 inhibitors, such as ansamycins, has a synergistic effect on the growth inhibition of cells. This synergy occurs at doses of each cytotoxic agent that normally only causes minimal growth inhibition of cells. Such combination therapy thus allows one to use lower doses of cytotoxic agents to avoid or reduce their respective toxicity to patients without compromising their growth inhibitory effects. Thus, these combinations can be used for the treatment of an animal, preferably a mammal, that has a cell proliferative disorder, whether the cells have wild-type Rb or are Rb deficient or Rb negative. One such method, directed to treating cell proliferative disorders includes the step of administering a therapeutic effective amount of a cytotoxic agent followed by administering a therapeutic effective amount of a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor.

Abstract: We disclose haptotactic peptides having sequences homologous to specific portions of the carboxy terminal sequence of fibrinogen chains. The peptides derived from fibrinogen pre-C? chain possess activities of cell attraction or cell attachment to a surface to which the peptide is covalently bound.

Abstract: We claim a therapeutic method of inducing programmed cell death comprising administering to a recipient a peptide of 10–25 amino acids, comprising the sequence: (KR)xxYxxx(F/Q)L(L/M) wherein x is any amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a hybrid polypeptide which comprises a transit peptide for the translocation of the polypeptide into an appropriate organelles such as plastids, a starch-encapsulating region from maize starch synthase and a payload polypeptide, wherein said payload polypeptide can be either N- or C-terminal to the starch encapsulating region. The invention also relates to the expression vectors comprising said nucleic acid, and hosts comprising the said vector. Also, the invention encompasses methods of producing the hybrid polypeptide thereof from starch and particularly from starch granules, and industrial uses of the payload polypeptide recombinantly produced in said hybrid polypeptide wherein said payload polypeptide is a biologically active molecule.

Abstract: We claim an isolated polypeptide having ability of binding with cholesterol. Said polypeptide is useful for investigating regulation of intestinal cholesterol absorption and cholesterol levels. Also, we claim a composition comprising said polypeptide bound to cholesterol or ezetimibe and a fusion protein comprising the polypeptide thereof.

Abstract: Beta taipoxin obtained the taipoxin component of the venom of the taipan snake, Oxyuranus s. scutellatus, was fragmented by trypsin digestion. The fragment which showed the highest activity on skin cells for mitogenic activity and on PC12 cells for neurite growth was named Oxynor peptide. This fragment consisted of 21 amino acids and had the sequence from the N-terminal: Lys Gly Gly Ser Leu Leu Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ile Glu Asn Asp Val Pro Ile Asp His Met. Synthetic Oxynor peptide was constructed using ten amino acids (Ser Leu Leu Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ile Glu) and five amino acids (Ser Leu Leu Asn Phe). Experimentally produced 4 mm punched wounds on the back of the mice were treated with the ten amino acid version of synthetic Oxynor peptide. The results showed complete closure of the wounds after six days, while the wounds of controls remained open. The histological examination of the skin around the wounds showed epidermis almost like normal skin.

Abstract: Peptide is disclosed which is capable of binding to ?-strand in a separate peptide-containing molecule to form ?-sheet, wherein said peptide is selectively N?-substituted in one edge (first) of the ?-strand-forming section of said peptide while the other edge (second) in the opposite orientation to the first edge in view of peptide backbone plane remains N?-unsubstituted. Such the N?-substituted peptide is capable of preventing association of said peptide with other ?-strand (target) but permits interaction of said peptide with target ?-strand in separate peptide-containing molecules through the N?-unsubstituted edge.

Abstract: An intracellular selection system allows concurrent screening for peptide bioactivity and stability. Randomized recombinant peptides are screened for bioactivity in a tightly regulated expression system, preferably derived from the wild-type lac operon. Bioactive peptides thus identified are inherently protease- and peptidase-resistant. Also provided are bioactive peptides stabilized by a stabilizing group at either the N-terminus, the C-terminus, or both. The stabilizing group can take the form of a small stable protein, such as the Rop protein, glutathione sulfotransferase, thioredoxin, maltose binding protein, or glutathione reductase, or one or more proline residues.

Abstract: This invention is related to a novel peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptide thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a precious metal-recombinant apoferritin complex produced by recombination technique, wherein the precious metal is gold (Au) or platinum (Pt), and wherein the residues of glutamic acid and aspartic acid in a channel of apoferritin complex are substituted with small polar amino acid residues or/and noncharged amino acid residues, e.g., serine, or/and with basic amino acid residues, e.g., lysine. The substitution prevents a repulsive force due to electrostatic interaction between a metal ion, e.g., (AuCl4)? that has a negative charge and a negative amino acid residue of the apoferritin, and facilitates the capture of (AuCl4)? into holding portion in the channel of said metal-recombinant apoferritin complex. The captured (AuCl4)? is subsequently reduced to Au, and thus the gold-recombinant apoferritin complex is produced.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition consisting of identical repeating units, each unit having a charge motif composed of a positively charged free amino moiety and a negatively charged moiety, wherein the positively charged free amino moiety and the negatively charged moiety of each charge motif are separated by at least one neutral amino acid, and wherein the positively charged free amino moiety of one of the charge motifs is separated by a distance of at least 8 amino acids from the positively charged amino moiety of another charge motif, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Said pharmaceutical composition is useful for inducing IL-2, activating T cells to produce a T helper 1 cytokine profile, suppressing IgG antibody response to specific antigen, promoting allograft survival, reducing postoperative surgical adhesion formation, and/or protecting against abscess formation associated with surgery, trauma or diseases that predispose the host to abscess formation.

Abstract: A method for producing a protein having an antithrombotic activity, which comprises replacing, in a protein that has an amino acid sequence having a homology of not less than 30% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and forms a higher order structure composed of a first ? strand (?1), a first a helix (?1), a second ? helix (?2), a second ? strand (?2), a loop, a third ? strand (?3), a fourth ? strand (?4) and a fifth ? strand (?5) in this order from the amino terminus, at least one amino acid residue in a region from ?2 to ?2 and/or a region from ?3 to ?4 so that electric charge of the amino acid residue is changed towards positive direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding (poly)peptides having chemotaxis inhibiting (poly)peptides CHIPS activity, to recombinant vectors harboring such molecules, and the host cells carrying the vectors. The invention further relates to methods for preparing recombinant (poly)peptides having CHIPS activity and to the use of such recombinant (poly)peptides having CHIPS activity for diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment, such as the treatment of inflammation reactions and HIV. In addition, the invention provides therapeutic and diagnostic compositions comprising as the active ingredient the (poly)peptide having CHIPS activity.