Abstract: Provided are protective and deleterious diabetes-mediating proteins and polynucleotides encoding same, transgenic animals expressing a diabetes-mediating protein, drug screening methods for identifying a test compound capable of altering the expression of a diabetes-mediating protein, and methods of preventing or ameliorating diabetes by administering a compound capable of altering the expression of a diabetes-mediating protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are Bacillus thuringiensis strains comprising novel crystal proteins which exhibit insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are novel B. thuringiensis genes and their encoded crystal proteins, as well as methods of making and using transgenic cells comprising the novel nucleic acid sequences of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inducing ovulation in a female host comprising the administration of a non-polypeptide cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level modulator to the female host. In another aspect, the invention provides for specific administration of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor prior to the luteal phase of the host's ovulatory cycle. Preferred non-polypeptide cAMP level modulators include phosphodiesterase inhibitors, particularly inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 isoforms.

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: A method of determining the optimal level of product expression and cell growth of animal cell culture is described. The method generally comprises culturing cells under conditions of solute stress, that is, under conditions whereby optimal cell growth or growth rate is decreased yet levels of product expression are increased. In a preferred embodiment of the invention is described a method of increasing the yield of monoclonal antibodies comprising culturing hybridoma cells in an environment of solute stress. One approach to the creation of such an environment is the addition of inorganic salts, organic polyols, or metabolic products to the culture medium. One- to three-fold increases in antibody yield have been obtained by these methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical composition 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 said pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A metal complex-protein composite comprising apohemoglobin, apoheme oxygenase, apocatalase or apoferrin having cavity and a metal complex has a specific structure that the metal complex is received in the cavity of the apoprotein. The metal complex is prepared by complexation of a metal ion, which is selected from the group consisting of rhodium, ruthenium, and palladium, with a ligand. The metal complex-protein composite functions as a hydrogenation catalyst of an olefin in water. The metal complex-protein composite is thus effectively applied to hydrogenation of water-soluble subtrates and has enviromental advantages over organic solvents.

Abstract: Peptide is disclosed which comprises D-enantiomers of amino acids and is capable of interacting with other ?-strand structure 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. The peptide is useful for preventing ?-strand association or aggregation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antifibrillogenic agents for inhibiting amyloidosis and/or for cytoprotection for the treatment amyloidosis disorders. These agents include peptides, isomers thereof and peptidomimetic compounds thereof. These agents comprise peptide having a sequence identified from the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) binding region and the prot—prot interaction region of the amylo protein. The peptide has at least one [D] amino acid isomer substitution. The invention also relates to the peptide bound to a label for vivo imaging of amyloid deposits.

Abstract: The invention provides peptide inhibitors that inhibit ubiquitination of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIP 1-?) and thereby activate transcription of erythropoietin (EPO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and certain glycolytic enzymes. The invention further provides formulations containing the present peptides and methods of using the present peptides for therapeutic purposes. Such therapeutic purposes include stimulating angiogenesis in injured tissues such as chronic wounds, heart tissues injured by ischemia or heart attack, and neural tissues injured by stroke.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of infant respiratory distress syndrome and acute lung injury (including adult respiratory distress syndrome) which contains C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) and lung surfactant which comprises a lung surfactant protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying mass spectrometry to analyzing peptides or proteins, especially in the proteome setting. More particularly, the invention relates to a mass spectrometry-based method for detection of protein/peptide phosphorylation wherein the side chains of glutamic acid and/or aspartic acid residues of said peptides or proteins are chemically modified as to improve the selectivity/efficiency of identification of the phosphorylated protein/peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing an inflammatory or immune disorder in a subject while eliminating or reducing the toxicity associated with the administration of cyclosporin A, comprising systemically administering to said subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient: in Formula (I), the formula for residue A is:

Abstract: For preparing an albumin isolate from a substance containing albumin, the substance is first ground to a flour. The flour is then suspended in an aqueous solution. The albumin is extracted from the flour into the solution by an at least two stage extraction process using at least one protease, at a pH greater than 8 and at a temperature between 30 and 60° C. In the first stage the flour is treated at a lower protease to albumin weight ratio, at a lower pH and at a higher temperature than in the second stage. After the first stage, a first upper flow and a fraction containing the flour are separated, and the albumin is precipitated from said upper flow. The fraction containing the flour is subjected to the second extraction stage. After that, a second upper flow is separated and fed back to the first stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to muteins of the bilin-binding protein with binding activity to digoxigenin and to fusion proteins of such muteins, a method for preparing said muteins and fusion proteins thereof and their utilization for detecting or binding digoxigenin-labeled biomolecules. The invention especially relates to a polypeptide selected from muteins of the bilin-binding protein, characterized in that (a) it can bind digoxigenin or digoxigenin conjugates, (b) it does not bind ouabain, testosterone, and 4-aminofluorescein and (c) at least one of the sequence positions 28, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 58, 60, 69, 88, 90, 95, 97, 114, 116, 125, and 127 of the bilin-binding protein has an amino acid substitution. Due to their simple molecular structure, the inventive muteins provide advantages for production and utilization in comparison with antibodies against the digoxigenin group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyclosporin analog of the following formula (I) or its pro-drug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt: In formula I, the formula for residue A is: where X and Y are defined according to the claimed invention the present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising pro-drugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the present invention and the use thereof for treating an inflammatory or immune disorder in a subject need of such treatment.

Abstract: A method for treating hypoparathyroidism and/or hypocalcemia by local administration of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a parathyroid gland, thereby reducing an inhibitory effect upon parathyroid hormone secretion. A method for treating hyperparathyroidism and/or hypercalcemia by local administration of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a sympathetic ganglion which innervates a parathyroid hormone secreting parathyroid cell, thereby reducing a stimulatory effect upon parathyroid hormone secretion.

Abstract: The isolation, characterization, cloning and expression of the lectin (agglutinin) from Marasmius oreades (MOA) is described. MOA displays unique carbohydrate binding properties, including blood group B-specific agglutination and preferential binding to Ga1?1,3Ga1-containing sugar epitopes, including but not limited to Ga1?1,3Ga1?1,4G1cNAc. MOA is contemplated as an affinity reagent, a therapeutic in the treatment of antibiotic-induced diarrhea and the field of xenotransplantation. MOA may also serve as a diagnostic reagent, e.g. for malaria.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for modulating lipoprotein levels in vivo. The invention stems from the discovery that activity of the Lipolysis Stimulated Receptor (LSR) can be inhibited or enhanced by exogenous agents, including polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated mistletoe lectin polypeptides and the pharmaceutical composition comprising the polypeptides thereof. Also, the present invention relates to processes for the production of mistletoe lectin polypeptides in homologous and heterologous host systems and mistletoe lectin peptides. Further, nucleic acid molecules are provided, which encode these mistletoe lectin polypeptides, and also pharmaceutical compositions comprising mistletoe lectin nucleic acids.