Abstract: Disclosed is a cell culture medium including recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein or a cell-stimulating fragment or analog thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are various forms of an active, isolated &bgr;-secretase enzyme in purified and recombinant form. This enzyme is implicated in the production of amyloid plaque components which accumulate in the brains of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Recombinant cells that produce this enzyme either alone or in combination with some of its natural substrates (&bgr;-APPwt and &bgr;-APPsw) are also disclosed, as are antibodies directed to such proteins. These compositions are useful for use in methods of selecting compounds that modulate &bgr;-secretase. Inhibitors of &bgr;-secretase are implicated as therapeutics in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of enhancing cognitive function in mammals by administering intracerebrally a homo-multimeric immunoadhesin molecule that contains the extracellular domain of AL-1, also known as ephrin-A5.

Abstract: A substantially pure polypeptide (human NESP55) comprising the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2) IRLEVPKRMDRRSRAQQWRRARHNYNDLCPPIGRRAATALLWLSCSIALL RALATSNARAQQRAAAQQRRSFLNAHHRSGAQVFPESPESESDHEHEEAD LELSLPECLEYEEEFDYETESETESEIESETDFETEPETAPTTEPETEPE DDRGPVVPKHSTFGQSLTQRLHALKLRSPDASPSRAPPSTQEPQSPREGE ELKPEDKDPRRDPEESKEPKEEKQRRRCKPKKPTRRDASPESPSKKGPIP IRRH or a variant, fragment, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of a said variant or fragment or derivative, wherein the polypeptide variant has an amino acid sequence which has at least 90% identity with the amino acid sequence given above. NESP55 or fragments thereof may be useful in medicine for the treatment of obesity.

Abstract: Production of fully differentiated, optionally immortalized, neural cells—by enhancing replication then inducing differentiation by mimicking cell's natural environment in vitro. The cells are useful for transplantation or drug screening.

Abstract: Distinct cDNAs encoding six cysteine-rich domain-NRGs and four glial growth factor isoforms were identified and sequenced. Additional heterogeneity is found in the EGF-like (&agr;- and &bgr;-isoforms) and carboxy terminal (a and b variant) regions of CRD-NRGs. Furthermore, the predicted GGF proteins contain glycosylation domains previously found only in mesenchymal NRGs. GGF mRNAs accumulate in axotomized nerve, a subpopulation of DRG neurons and most spinal cord motoneurons. CRD-NRGs, however, are undetectable in injured nerve except by RT-PCR. In contrast, the majority of DRG and spinal cord motor neurons express CRD-NRGs, with a &bgr;1 isoform being most abundant and at least some of these proteins are secreted in a form capable of activating erbB receptors. Thus, GGF and CRD-NRG subfamilies are more structurally diverse than previously appreciated. NRG actions during Wallerian degeneration may be modulated by the action of distinct splice variants.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated NOVX polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the NOVX polynucleotides. Also provided are the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a NOVX polypeptide or any derivative, variant, mutant or fragment of the NOVX polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. The invention additionally provides methods in which the NOVX polypeptide, polynucleotide and antibody are utilized in the detection and treatment of a broad range of pathological states, as well as to other uses.

Abstract: A method for producing a neuroblast and a cellular composition comprising an enriched population of neuroblast cells is provided. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compositions which affect neuroblasts and for treating a subject with a neuronal disorder, and a culture system for the production and maintenance of neuroblasts.

Abstract: LERK-5 polypeptides are disclosed, along with DNA sequences, vectors and transformed host cells useful in producing LERK-5. The LERK-5 polypeptides bind to elk and to hek, which are members of the eph/elk family of receptor tyrosine kinases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods for producing recombinant heterodimeric BMP proteins useful in the field of treating bone defects, healing bone injury and in wound healing in general. The invention also relates to the recombinant heterodimers and compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding novel PY peptides, and to isolated PY peptides and functionally equivalent fragments thereof. The PY peptides of the present invention may be useful in regulating central and peripheral nervous and endocrine systems.

Abstract: A vaccination method utilizes a pharmaceutical combination for enhancing vaccine effectiveness. The method utilizes an immune response-triggering vaccine capable of stimulating production in an immunodeficient animal antibodies to a disease-causing agent foreign to the animal. As an adjuvant, a vaccine effectiveness-enhancing amount of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is administered, which enhances production and affinity of the antibodies in the animal, in response to the vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of brain damage by cellular transplantation. According to one aspect of the invention, a method for treating a motor, sensory and/or cognitive deficit comprises administering a composition comprising pluripotent cells into the damaged brain in a region contra-lateral to that containing the site of damage. The cells are preferably conditionally immortal.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an alternatively spliced human prostate-specific membrane antigen. This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising a promoter sequence normally associated with the transcription of a gene encoding a human prostate-specific membrane antigen. This invention provides an isolated polypeptide having the biological activity of an alternatively spliced prostate-specific membrane antigen. This invention provides a method of detecting a nucleic acid encoding an alternatively spliced human prostate-specific membrane antigen and a method of detecting a prostate tumor cell in a subject. Lastly, this invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound in a therapeutically effective amount and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a method of making prostate cells susceptible to a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel neurogenin proteins, nucleic acids and antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of peptides that are encoded by genes within the human genome, the transporter peptides of the present invention. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and paralogs of the transporter peptides, and methods of identifying modulators of the transporter peptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel receptor for galanin which has been designated as galanin receptor 2. The invention encompasses both the receptor protein as well as nucleic acids encoding the protein. In addition, the present invention is directed to methods and compositions which rely upon either GAL-R2 proteins or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel neurogenin proteins, nucleic acids and antibodies.

Abstract: The invention is directed to purified and isolated novel TSLP polypeptides, the nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, processes for production of recombinant forms of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against these polypeptides, fragmented peptides derived from these polypeptides, and the uses of the above.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inhibiting a neoplasm in a mammal, the method includes administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein.