Abstract: The present invention relates to receptors for advanced glycosylation endproducts derived from rat liver membranes, and that specifically comprise proteins determined to possess molecular masses of about 90 kD and 60 kD, respectively, as assessed by migration during SDS-PAGE. Partial N-terminal sequences have been determined and diagnostic and therapeutic agents, compositions and methods are proposed.

Abstract: Isolated DNAs encoding a mammalian c-mer receptor which exhibits c-mer protooncogene activity and tyrosine kinase activity are disclosed. Also disclosed are vectors containing such DNAs, host cells containing such DNAs, c-mer receptor proteins, and soluble axl receptors, chimeric proteins including the extracellular domain of the c-mer receptor and DNAs encoding such chimeric proteins, and antibodies which specifically bind the c-mer receptor.

Abstract: A 68 kDa a calmodulin-binding protein obtained from cytoplasmic or nuclear eukaryotic cell fractions, which is induced in hemopoietic factor-dependent cell lines by at least one of the following cytokines: granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, interleukin-3 or interleukin-6.

Abstract: Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor binding has been characterized using a unique binding assay utilizing iodinated GHRH probes. Photoaffinity GHRH probes have been constructed which allow for photolabeling and characterization of the receptor. In addition, high affinity biotinylated GHRH analogs have been constructed. Solubilization of GHRH-R/GHRH complexes and extraction of specifically bound GHRH using a mild detergent solution, followed by affinity chromotography, leads to a substantially purified GHRH-R isolate. Electrophoretic treatment of the GHRH-R isolate produces GHRH-R of sufficient purity to conduct sequencing of the receptor. Cloning of a gene encoding for polypeptides (protein or fragments thereof) having GHRH-R activity is accomplished using a bacterial host, and the cloned gene is expressed in a mammalian cell line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heterodimeric T lymphocyte receptor subunit. The subunit consists of variable, joining, constant, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic regions.The structure, amino acid, and nucleotide sequence of the lymphocyte receptor submit were determined using cDNA clones derived from a functional murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone. The genes corresponding to these cDNA are expressed and rearranged specifically in T cells and have significant sequence homologies to immunoglobulin V and C genes.T cell receptor subunits may be produced from the cDNA clones. The protein molecules may be further used for the production of T-cell clone specific antibodies.

Abstract: A progenitor B cell stimulating factor which promotes the formation of pre-B cells is described. DNA sequences encoding same and methods of production and purification of the factor are also disclosed. The factor is used in the treatment of hematopoietic disorders and in bone marrow transplantation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a family of substantially pure, receptor like TGF-.beta.1 binding glycoproteins. These molecules are characterized by molecular masses of 160 kd, 70-80 kd, and 30-40 kd as determined by SDS-PAGE, and the ability to bind the TGF-.beta.1 molecule. This family of molecules is useful in identifying and/or quantifying TGF-.beta.1 in a sample, as well as inhibiting its effect on cells. Also described are nucleic acid sequences which code for the protein monomer making up the molecules.

Abstract: A polypeptide isolated from human blood serum has been found to increase bone growth in rats. The peptide is thought to have the seventy-five amino acid sequence of a previously sequenced variant of NAP-2V: Asp Ser Asp Leu Tyr Ala Glu Leu Arg Cys Met Cys Ile Lys Thr Thr Ser Gly Ile His Pro Lys Asn Ile Gln Ser Leu Glu Val Ile Gly Lys Gly Thr His Cys Asn Gln Val Glu Val Ile Ala Thr Leu Lys Asp Gly Arg Lys Ile Cys Leu Asp Pro Asp Ala Pro Arg Ile Lys Lys Ile Val Gln Lys Lys Leu Ala Gly Asp Glu Ser Ala Asp (SEQ ID NO:4).

Abstract: Bone-associated proteins derived from bone of mammals, including mice and human beings, named OSF-6. The protein is the novel natural type mammal protein, which can play an important role in bone formation, and belongs to a group of transcription control factors.OSF-6 can be used as a therapeutic agent for bone metabolic diseases, and also as a diagnostic agent for bone metabolic diseases, since it may demonstrate a high organ specificity to bone.

Abstract: Neural cells which express P75 nerve growth factor receptor (p75.sup.NTR) and which have a low resistance to .beta.-amyloid peptide toxicity are treated with a binding agent that binds with p75.sup.NTR. The resulting neural cells display an increased resistance to .beta.-amyloid peptide toxicity. Mutant and transfected neural cells are also disclosed in which the ability to express p75.sup.NTR has been removed with a resultant increase in resistance to .beta.-amyloid peptide toxicity.

Abstract: A composition which comprises an animal cell population, and which contains immature animal cells. The immature animal cells are characterized by expression of alpha-fetoprotein or lack of essential expression of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin, and at least a portion of said immature animal cells or at least a portion of the progeny of said immature cells is capable of differentiating into cells which express albumin. The cell population is cultured under conditions which result in expansion of the cells. Expansion of the cells may be achieved by culturing the cells in the presence of an extracellular matrix and liver stromal cells; and preferably in the presence of growth factors. Such cells may be used for liver transplantation, artificial livers, and for toxicology and pharmacology studies. Such cells may also be genetically engineered to express proteins or polypeptides of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides a conjugate comprising FGF or other polypeptide reactive with an FGF receptor, and a cytotoxic agent. The cytotoxic agent can be a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), such as saporin, although other cytotoxic agents can also be advantageously used. The cytotoxic agent can be attached to FGF through a chemical bond, or the composition can be prepared as a chimera using techniques of recombinant DNA. The conjugate can be used to treat FGF-mediated pathophysiological conditions by specifically targeting cells having FGF receptors and inhibiting proliferation of or causing death of such cells. Additionally, the conjugate can be used to target cytotoxic agents into cells having FGF receptors to inhibit the proliferation of such cells. The conjugate can be purified on an immobilized-heparin column.

Abstract: A novel protein tyrosine kinase (A6) exhibiting no significant similarity to any known kinase. This protein in widely expressed throughout the body and is present in a variety of vertebrates. The cDNA was expressed in bacteria as a fusion protein which was both autophosphorylated and exhibited kinase activity toward exogenous substrates. Potential uses of this invention include immunodiagnostics and antiproliferative therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention is a modified transcription control unit which contains the P2 enhancer of BK virus spaced closely to the upstream regulatory element of the major late promoter of adenovirus, the adenovirus-2 major late promoter, a poly-GT element positioned to stimulate said promoter and a DNA sequence containing the spliced tripartite leader sequence of adenovirus. The invention further comprises methods of using this modified transcription unit in cells expressing the adenovirus E1A gene product to produce useful substances. The invention further comprises methods to increase the levels of expression in stably transformed cells by performing a second transformation with a vector containing the modified transcription unit.

Abstract: A method and means for protecting cells and transplanted organs for the effects of activated complement proteins generated in blood serum or plasma by introducing the gene for CD59 into the cells to be protected is described. In an example of the method, protection against the pore-forming activity of the human C5b-9 proteins was conferred on CHO cells by transfection with cDNA encoding the human complement regulatory protein CD59.

Abstract: The invention provides cDNA sequence and a genomic DNA sequence which encodes the human neuropeptide Y-Y1 receptor. These DNA sequences can be used to express the NPY-Y1 receptor in cells and can be sued to screen compounds for neuropeptide Y agonist and antagonist activity.

Abstract: A cell lysis factor which is a modified fragment of the human glucocorticoid receptor. The modified fragment designated 398-465*, when transfected into and expressed in a host cell, effects cell lysis and cell death. A pharmaceutical composition having the modified fragment 398-465* or the encoded protein product may be used in treatment of proliferative diseases.

Abstract: The invention concerns recombinant antibodies directed to the extracellular domain of the human growth factor receptor c-erbB-2 comprising a light chain variable domain and a heavy chain variable domain of a monoclonal antibody, monoclonal antibodies directed to c-erbB-2 themselves, a method of manufacturing those recombinant and monoclonal antibodies, hybridoma cells secreting those monoclonal antibodies, a method of manufacturing those hybridoma cells, DNAs encoding the heavy and light chain variable domains and the recombinant antibody, a method of manufacturing that DNA, hybrid vectors suitable for the expression of that DNA, host cells transformed with that DNA, and processes of using those recombinant and monoclonal antibodies in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing inflammation in an animal which includes analyzing cells to assess glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity or glucocorticoid receptor number. A low binding affinity and high receptor number are each indicative of inflammation. Also disclosed is a method for treating inflammation in an animal, which inflammation causes glucocorticoid receptor alteration which includes suppressing the activity or expression of cytokines which, in the absence of suppression, alter glucocorticoid receptors. Also disclosed are methods for identifying Type II glucocorticoid receptor binding abnormality and for distinguishing Type I glucocorticoid receptor binding abnormalities from Type II. Further disclosed are treatments for steroid-resistant inflammatory disorders induced by IL-2 and IL-4 which are associated with glucocorticoid receptor binding abnormalities. The treatment includes administering an agent which is an IL-2 suppressor and/or an IL-4 suppressor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a Carboxy Terminal IL-6 Mutein with enhanced biological activity. The invention comprises a mutein of IL-6 having increased activity wherein the mutein has an amino acid substitution at, or corresponding to, amino acid location 171 or 175 of IL-6 having the wild-type sequence.