Abstract: Disclosed are overlapping cDNA sequences encoding for a human voltage-dependent neuronal calcium channel. The complete cDNA which encodes a voltage-operated calcium channel (VOCC) sub-type is assembled from overlapping lambda phages by means of suitable restriction cleavage sites and cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 31, 1995
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2001
Assignee:
Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
Inventors:
Jürgen Franz, Bernhard Weingärtner, Axel Unterbeck, Peter Rae
Abstract: A novel neurotrophic factor referred to as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been identified. Genes encoding GDNF have been cloned and sequenced. Methods and devices are disclosed for the delivery of GDNF using either an implantable cell which expresses human GDNF or a biocompatible semipermeable membrane containing genetically engineered cells which express and secrete the neurotrophic factor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 22, 1997
Date of Patent:
April 24, 2001
Assignee:
Amgen Inc.
Inventors:
Leu-Fen H. Lin, Franklin D. Collins, Daniel H. Doherty, Jack Lile, Susan Bektesh
Abstract: Disclosed herein is an isolated or essentially pure DNA sequence encoding a human Dopamine D2 receptor, the protein comprising the receptor, vectors for transforming or transfecting host cells with such DNA so that the cells express the DNA, methods of obtaining the DNA and preparing the transformed or transfected cells and cell lines, and methods of using the cells and cell lines in assays for the determination of human dopamine D2 receptor antagonists or agonists.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 9, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2001
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Department
of Health and Human Services
Abstract: The present invention provides novel NPY/PYY receptor proteins and the nucleic acid sequence encoding them. The invention is directed to the isolation, characterization, and pharmacological use of these receptors and nucleic acids. In particular, this invention provides human and rat NPY/PYY receptors (which we call the NPY Y5 receptor) and nucleic acids. Also provided are recombinant expression constructs useful for transfecting cells and expressing the protein in vitro and in vivo. The invention further provides methods for detecting expression levels of the protein as well as methods for screening for receptor antagonists and agonists to be used for the treatment of obesity or anorexia, respectively.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 22, 1999
Date of Patent:
March 27, 2001
Assignee:
Bayer Corporation
Inventors:
Yinghe Hu, Michael L. McCaleb, Brian T. Bloomquist, Jaime R. Flores-Riveros, Linda J. Cornfield
Abstract: We have modified PE40 toxin by removing at least two of its four cysteine amino acid residues and have formed hybrid molecules containing modified PE40 linked to a cell recognition protein that can be an antibody, a growth factor, a hormone, a lymphokine, or another polypeptide cell recognition protein for which a specific cellular receptor exists whereby the modified PE40 toxin is directed to cell types having receptors for the cell recognition protein linked to the modified PE40.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 10, 1997
Date of Patent:
March 27, 2001
Assignee:
Merck & Co., Inc.
Inventors:
Allen I. Oliff, Gwynneth M. Edwards, Deborah D. Jones
Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating injuries to or diseases of the central nervous system which methods involve increasing the active concentration(s) of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-&bgr;1) and/or analogues thereof in the central nervous system of the patient. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising TGF-&bgr;1 and/or analogues thereof for administration to a patient prior to, simultaneous with, or following a neural insult, which compositions are useful in minimizing damage to the central nervous system that would otherwise occur following the insult.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 2, 1994
Date of Patent:
March 20, 2001
Assignee:
Genentech, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Gluckman, Karoly Nikolics, Christopher Williams
Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating pathophysiological conditions of the mammalian nervous system. The methods involve administering an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising amino acids 51 to 422 of human GGF2.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 22, 1996
Date of Patent:
March 20, 2001
Assignees:
Cambridge NeuroScience, Inc., Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Inventors:
Andrew David Goodearl, Paul Stroobant, Luisa Minghetti, Michael Waterfield, Mark Marchionni, Maio Su Chen, Ian Hiles
Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the detection of an analyte in a sample liquid by luminescence measurement according to the principle of a ligand-receptor assay, e.g. an immunoassay or a hybridization assay or a combination thereof, wherein a sample liquid is incubated with at least one receptor which carries a luminescent label and the presence or/and the amount of the analyte to be detected is determined in the sample liquid by measuring the luminescence in a measuring medium containing dispersed components.
Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating pathophysiological conditions of the mammalian nervous system. The methods involve administering pharmaceutically effective amounts of recombinant polypeptides comprising epidermal growth factor-like domains encoded by the GGF/p185erbB2 ligand gene.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 22, 1996
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2001
Assignees:
Cambridge NeuroScience, Inc., The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Inventors:
Andrew Goodearl, Paul Stroobant, Luisa Minghetti, Michael Waterfield, Mark Marchioni, Mario Su Chen, Ian Hiles
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 170 kDa adhesin subunit of the Entamoeba histolytica Gal/GalNAc adherence lectin is encoded by members of a gene family that includes hgl1, hgl2 and a newly discovered gene, hgl3. The DNA and encoded protein sequences of the hgl genes are disclosed. A number of proteins and peptide fragments of the adhesin as well as other functional derivatives, preferably produced by recombinant methods in prokaryotic cells are disclosed. A preferred peptide for a vaccine composition corresponds to amino acids 896-998 of the mature 170 kDa lectin and contains the galactose- and N-acetylgalactosamine-binding activity of the native lectin. These compositions are useful as immunogenic vaccine components and as diagnostic reagents. Methods are provided for a vaccine comprising one or more peptides of the lectin to immunize subjects at risk for infection by E. histolytica. Additionally, immunoassay methods are disclosed for measuring antibodies specific for an epitope of the lectin. These methods detect E.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 1997
Date of Patent:
February 13, 2001
Assignee:
University of Virginia Patent Foundation
Inventors:
Barbara J. Mann, James M. Dodson, William A. Petri, Jr.
Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding the calcium sensor in human placenta and subsequent Northern blots confirming the mRNA expression also in human parathyroid and kidney tubule cells. Close sequence similarity is demonstrated with the rat Heymann nephritis antigen, a glycoprotein of the kidney tubule brush border with calcium binding ability. Immunohistochemistry substantiates a tissue distribution of the calcium sensor protein similar to that previously described for the Heymann antigen. It is proposed that the identified calcium sensor protein constitutes a universal sensor for recognition of variation in extracellular calcium, and that it plays a key role for calcium regulation via different organ systems. The calcium sensor protein belongs to the LDL-superfamily of glycoproteins, claimed to function primarily as protein receptors, but with functionally important calcium binding capacity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 23, 1996
Date of Patent:
February 13, 2001
Assignee:
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Inventors:
Göran Akerström, Claes Juhlin, Lars Rask, Göran Hjälm, Clarence C. Morse, Edward M. Murray, Gregg R. Crumley
Abstract: Disclosed are novel proteins, referred to as truncated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (truncated GDNF) proteins, that promote dopamine uptake by dopaminergic cells and promote the survival of nerve cells. Also disclosed are processes for obtaining the truncated GDNF proteins by recombinant genetic engineering techniques.
Abstract: The present invention relates generally to Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor (ADNF). More particularly, the present invention relates to a family of polypeptides derived from ADNF that exhibit neuroprotective/neurotrophic action on neurons originating in the central nervous system and to uses thereof for the treatment of neurological deficiencies and for the prevention of cell death. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions designed to prevent neuronal cell death.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 1994
Date of Patent:
January 16, 2001
Assignees:
Ramot University Authority for Applied Research and
Industrial Development, Ltd., The United States of America as represented by the Department
of Health and Human Services
Abstract: The invention provides ribA polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding ribA polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing ribA polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.
Inventors:
Min Wang, Judith M Ward, Richard Lloyd Warren, Richard Oakley Nicholas, Leslie Marie Palmer, Julie M Pratt, David Justin Charles Knowles, Michael Arthur Lonetto, Jeffrey Mooney, Michael Terence Black, Martin Karl Russell Burnham, Christine Debouck, Jason Craig Fedon, John Edward Hodgson, Deborah Dee Jaworski, Raymond Winfield Reichard, Martin Rosenberg, Christopher Michael Traini, Yi Yi Zhong
Abstract: The adhesin 170 kDa subunit of Hm-1:IMSS strain of Entamoeba histolytica is encoded by a gene family that includes hgl1, hgl2 and a previously undescribed third gene, hgl3, for which the DNA and protein sequences are disclosed. All three of these heavy subunit genes were expressed in the amebae. Methods and reagents (both nucleic acid and immunological) which are specific for each of the genes, as well as reagents which detect common regions of all three hgl genes or their nucleic acid or protein products, are disclosed. Recombinantly produced heavy chain subunit of E. Histolytica Gal/GalNAc adherence lectin or an epitope-bearing portion thereof may be used as antigen in serological analysis for E. histolytica infection or as an immunogen for protection against infection. Recombinant production in procaryotic systems provides antigens or immunogens which are immunologically reactive.
Abstract: A method for maintaining hair growth and coloration in humans by using neurotrophin ligands to prevent p75 nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor mediated apoptosis in melanocytes and keratinocytes is described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 1994
Date of Patent:
August 15, 2000
Assignee:
Trustees of Boston University
Inventors:
Barbara A. Gilchrest, Mina Yaar, Mark Eller
Abstract: The present invention provides a method to determine the extent of neuronal degradation due to aging, a learning disability, or a neurological disorder, which includes: (a) stimulating a neuronal cell population under suitable conditions so as to induce a late-phase long term potentiation; (b) stimulating a normal neuronal cell population under suitable conditions so as to induce a late-phase long term potentiation; and (c) comparing the duration of the late-phase long term potentiation of the neuronal cell population in step (a) with that of the normal neuronal cell population of step (b) so as to determine the extent of neuronal degradation due to aging, the learning disability or the neurological disorder. The learning disability or neurological disorder may be Alzheimer's Disease, a degenerative disorder associated with learning, memory or cognitive dysfunction, cerebral senility, multi-infarct dementia and senile dementia, electric shock induced amnesia or amnesia.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 4, 1996
Date of Patent:
August 1, 2000
Assignee:
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York