Abstract: Disclosed are TGF-&agr; polypeptides, related polypeptides, fragments and mimetics thereof useful in stimulating stem cell or precursor cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. The methods of the invention are useful to treat tissue injury as well as expand stem cell populations in, or obtained from, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, urogenital, neurological and cardiovascular tissues. The methods include ex vivo and in vivo applications.

Abstract: We have identified a novel protein, named ALARM or &dgr;-catenin, on the basis of its ability to bind to presenilin 1. ALARM contains 4 copies of the arm repeat and is expressed almost exclusively in brain tissue.

Abstract: A highly conserved active site helix present within the P-450 superfamily of proteins is found also in monoamine oxidase (MAO) B, a major enzyme that catalyzes deamination of neuro- and vaso-active amines in the nervous system of mammals. Mutation within the conserved region of the MAO B enzyme directly reduces MAO B's activity and alters its pH profile, which allows for indirect regulation of the cellular neurotransmitters and vasoamines.

Abstract: There is provided an assay method for determining the effect of an agent on Alzheimer's Disease pathology by treating microglial cells with A&bgr; peptides, adding CD40 ligand to the microglial cells, adding a therapeutic agent to the microglial cells, and measuring Alzheimer's Disease pathology. Also provided is a method of determining therapeutic effectiveness of an agent for Alzheimer's Disease by measuring the inhibition of CD40-CD40L binding in the presence of the agent. An assay for determining the effect of an agent on Alzheimer's Disease pathology having A&bgr; peptides for adding to microglial cells, CD40 ligand for being added to the microglial cells, a therapeutic agent being added to the microglial cells and a measuring device for reassuring Alzheimer's Disease pathology is also provided.

Abstract: Vaccines, antibodies, proteins, DNAs and RNAs for diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment and detection of Cryptosporidium species or Cryptosporidium species infections. Cryptosporidium species antigen and DNAs and RNA encoding the Cryptosporidium antigen and fragments thereof and recombinant proteins or fusion proteins produced thereby. Methods for diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment and detection of Cryptosporidium species infections.

Abstract: Novel human polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences are disclosed that can be used in therapeutic, diagnostic, and pharmacogenomic application.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of identifying psychotropic agents that do not induce motor side effects using differential gene expression. Also disclosed are novel nucleic acid sequences whose expression is differentially regulated by psychotropic agents.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides methods for promoting the function of retinal cells using neuregulins. A novel aspect of the invention involves the use of neuregulins as growth factors tp promote survival of retinal cells. Treating of the retinal cells to provide these effects may be achieved by contacting retinal cells with a polypeptide described herein. The treatments may be provided to slow or halt net cell loss or to increase the amount or quality of retinal tissue present in the vertebrate.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of modifying feeding behavior, including increasing or decreasing food consumption, e.g., in connection with treating obesity, bulimia or anorexia. These methods involve administration of compounds that are selective agonists or antagonists for the Y5 receptor. One such compound has structure (I). In addition, this invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a Y5 receptor, an isolated Y5 receptor protein, vectors comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a Y5 receptor, cells comprising such vectors, antibodies directed to the Y5 receptor, nucleic acid probes useful for detecting nucleic acid encoding Y5 receptors, antisense oligonucleotides complementary to any unique sequences of a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a Y5 receptor, and nonhuman transgenic animals which express DNA encoding a normal or a mutant Y5 receptor.

Abstract: A variant human &agr;7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) polypeptide is provided wherein the variant contains an amino acid substitution at the valine-274 position of the wild-type human &agr;7 nAChR. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the variant human &agr;7 nAChR, vectors and host cells containing such nucleic acid molecules are also provided. In addition, methods are provided for producing the variant as are methods of using such variants for screening compounds for activity at the nAChR.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the diagnosis of tauopathies in an individual and/or for the differential diagnosis of a tauopathy versus a non-tauopathy based on the detection of the ratio of phospho-tau (181)/total tau in said individual. The present invention further provides a phospho-peptide for standardization in a method of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are TGF-60 mimetics that PEGylated TGF-&agr; polypeptides and PEGylated TGF-60 related polypetides or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a human phospholipase C expressed in the brain (B-PLC) and induced in response to ischemic brain tissue. The inventions provides methods and reagents useful for diagnosis and treatment of hypoxic-ischemic brain insult such as stroke.

Abstract: Novel C3b/C4b CR-like polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides vectors, host cells, selective binding agents, and methods for producing C3b/C4b CR-like polypeptides. Also provided for are methods for the treatment, diagnosis, amelioration, or prevention of diseases with C3b/C4b CR-like polypeptides.

Abstract: The use and production of immunoglobulins which activate trk receptors and imitate effects of neurotrophins are provided. Immunoglobulins which block trk receptor activation and methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: A compound for delivering a non-cytotoxic therapeutic moiety into nerve cells, the compound having the general formula: B—L—TM where: B is a binding agent capable of selectively binding to a nerve cell surface receptor and mediating absorption of the compound by the nerve cell; TM is a therapeutic moiety which has a non-cytotoxic therapeutic effect when absorbed by a nerve cell; and L is a linker coupling B to TM.

Abstract: Glycoconjugates, therapeutic compositions containing the glycoconjugates and therapeutic methods of using the glycoconjugates are disclosed. In particular, peptide constituents of aglyco 10B, which are immunogenic epitopes responsible for recognition of antigens by the immune system are provided. These glycoconjugates are useful in prevention of influenza virus binding to cells, treatment of schizophrenia and diagnosing chronic viral disease associated with development of cancer.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel G-protein-coupled receptor proteins (CRF-R) characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) such that concentrations of 10 nM of CRF occupy 50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed. Invention CRF-Rs can be employed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, in bioassays, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions containing such proteins and/or antibodies.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are phosphatidylserine (PS) receptors, including PS receptors from human, mouse, Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. Also disclosed are homologues of such receptors, nucleic acids encoding such receptors and homologues thereof, as well as agonist and antagonist compounds that specifically associate with and affect the activation state of such receptors. Preferred agonists and antagonists of PS receptors according to the invention include antibodies, antibody fragments and binding partners that selectively bind to such a receptor. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the PS receptors, homologues thereof, and agonist and antagonist compounds of such receptors. In particular, methods for reducing inflammation, for treating an autoimmune disease, for enhancing transplantation of tissue grafts, methods of increasing anti-tumor immunity, and methods for inhibiting viral and parasitic infections are described.