Abstract: Growth differentiation factor-10 (GDF-10) polypeptide is disclosed as well as polynucleotides encoding GDF-10, vectors and host cells.

Abstract: Provided is a fusion molecule comprising a DNA sequence encoding a thioredoxin-like protein fused to a DNA sequence encoding a second peptide or protein. The peptide or protein may be fused to the amino terminus of the thioredoxin-like molecule, the carboxyl terminus of the thioredoxin-like molecule, or within the thioredoxin-like molecule, for example at the active-site loop of the molecule. The fusion molecule may be modified to introduce one or more metal-binding/chelating amino-acid residues to aid in purification. Expression of this fusion molecule under the control of a regulatory sequence capable of directing its expression in a desired host cell, produces high levels of stable and soluble fusion protein. The fusion protein, located in the bacterial cytoplasm, may be selectively released from the cell by osmotic shock or freeze/thaw procedures. It may be optionally cleaved to liberate the soluble, correctly folded heterologous protein from the thioredoxin-like portion.

Abstract: Genes encoding melanocortin receptors have been identified, isolated, cloned and localized to their chromosomal positions. These genes have been used to transfect mammalian cells lacking endogenous melanocortin receptors to induce expression. Additionally, melanocortin receptor binding, secondary signalling, and tissue distribution has been characterized. The genes and their gene products may therefore be used to to provide therapeutic vehicles for the treatment of processes involving the function of melanocortin receptors.

Abstract: DNA primers effective in screening G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNA fragments are provided. The primers which are complementary to nucleotide sequences that are in community with (homologous to) the nucleotide sequences encoding amino acid sequences corresponding to or near the first membrane-spanning domain or the sixth membrane-spanning domain each of known various G protein coupled receptor proteins were designed and synthesized. Methods of amplifying G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNAs using the above DNA primers, and novel target G protein coupled receptor protein-encoding DNAs are also provided. Screening of DNA libraries can be efficiently carried out. Human pituitary gland or amygdala-derived and mouse pancreas-derived G protein coupled receptor proteins, etc.

Abstract: Provided are DNA sequences, recombinant DNA molecules and hosts transformed with them which produce annexin XI polypeptides and methods of making and using these products. Also provided are antibodies generated against all or an immunogenic portion of annexin XI and methods for using these antibodies.

Abstract: An invention is described that permits the regulation of recombination in cells, organisms or appropriate cell-free systems. The invention involves creating fusion proteins between recombinase proteins, or components of recombinase systems, and ligand binding domains derived from nuclear receptors. The fusion proteins show little recombinase activity in the absence of the ligand that binds to the ligand binding domain. Upon binding of the ligand, recombinase activity is induced. The invention provides a practical means to regulate recombination in cells and organisms and, by linking ligand binding to recombination, provides a simple means whereby ligand binding can be measured as recombination achieved.

Abstract: Early-induced genes by interleukin-2 (IL-2) have various DNA sequences. This patent describes a nucleotide segment, such as SEQ. ID No: 11, SEQ. ID No. 31, or encoding a polypeptide of amino acids 1-159 of SEQ. ID No: 12, antibody binding homologues thereof, antibody binding fragments, and fusion proteins thereof, alleles or naturally occurring mutants of the polyribonucleotides, and anti-sense polyribonucleotides thereof. Also provided are proteins, homologues, fragments, fusion proteins, vectors, transfected hosts, animal models, probes, and other related technology.

Abstract: DNA encoding human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha and beta subunits, mammalian and amphibian cells containing said DNA, methods for producing alpha and beta subunits and recombinant (i.e., isolated or substantially pure) alpha subunits (specifically .alpha..sub.4 and .alpha..sub.7) and beta subunits (specifically .beta..sub.4) are provided. In addition, combinations of subunits (i.e., .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2, .alpha..sub.3, .alpha..sub.4, and/or .alpha..sub.7 subunits in combination with .beta..sub.4 subunits; or .beta..sub.2, .beta..sub.3 and/or .beta..sub.4 subunits in combination with .alpha..sub.4 and/or .alpha..sub.7 subunits) are provided.

Abstract: A human EMAP III polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for preventing and/or treating neoplasia. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention for detecting diseases, for example, cancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Dimeric proteins having substantially the same biological activity as PDGF are disclosed. More specifically, the protein may have two substantially identical polypeptide chains, each of the chains being substantially homologous to the A-chain of PDGF. Alternatively, the protein may have two polypeptide chains that are substantially identical to the A-chain of PDGF. In addition, proteins comprising polypeptides that are variants or derivatives of the A-chain of PDGF are also disclosed. Therapeutic compositions containing these proteins and methods for enhancing the wound-healing process in warm-blooded animals are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract luminal lining in a mammal, including (1) limiting epithelial cell proliferation, (2) inhibiting ulcerative lesion formation, (3) inhibiting inflammation normally associated with ulcerative diseases, and (4) stimulating the repair of ulcerative lesions and the regeneration of the luminal tissue. The methods and compositions include a therapeutically effective amount of a morphogen as defined herein.

Abstract: Novel polynucleotides and the proteins encoded thereby are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining whether a test protein is capable of interacting with a nuclear hormone receptor protein. The method involves: (a) providing a host cell which contains (i) a reporter gene operably linked to a protein binding site; (ii) a first fusion gene which expresses a first fusion protein, the first fusion protein including a nuclear hormone receptor protein covalently bonded to a binding moiety which is capable of specifically binding to the protein binding site; and (iii) a second fusion gene which expresses a second fusion protein, the second fusion protein including the test protein covalently bonded to a weak gene activating moiety; and (b) determining whether the test protein increases expression of the reporter gene as an indication of its ability to interact with the nuclear hormone receptor protein. Such an interaction may be hormone dependent, hormone independnet, or hormone sensitive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a homeoprotein regulator of insulin gene expression having the characteristics of: binding to an element of an insulin gene promoter; being modulated by a Ca.sup.++ -dependent CaM kinase IV; and having homology to a nucleotide sequence encoded by a Hox gene complex. Also included within the invention are DNA sequences encoding the homeoprotein regulators of insulin gene expression, antibodies directed to the homeoprotein regulators of insulin gene expression, and diagnostic and therapeutic materials and utilities for the homeoprotein regulators of insulin gene expression.

Abstract: A novel process for producing novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding fusion proteins termed Totally Synthetic Affinity Reagents (TSARS) is disclosed. TSARs are concatenated heterofunctional polypeptides or proteins comprising at least two functional regions: a binding domain with affinity for a ligand and a second effector peptide portion that is chemically or biologically active. In one embodiment, the heterofunctional polypeptides or proteins further comprise a linker peptide portion between the binding domain and the second active peptide portion. The linker peptide can be either susceptible or not susceptible to cleavage by enzymatic or chemical means. Novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding reagents as well as methods for using the reagents for a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: Purified Bone Morphogenetic Protein-10(BMP-10) proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. DNA molecules encoding the BMP-10 proteins are also disclosed. The proteins may be used in the treatment of bone and cartilage defects and in wound healing and related tissue repair.

Abstract: The survival and proliferation of Schwann cells can be promoted by culturing such cells in the presence of peptides derived from the EGF-like domain of proteins from the NDF/heregulin family. Colon epithelial cells can be stimulated to multiply and differentiate by culturing such cells in the presence of the same peptides.

Abstract: Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences encoding a novel tumor suppressor, HIC-1 , are provided. Also included is a method for detecting a cell proliferative disorder associated with HIC-1. HIC-1 is a marker which can be used diagnostically, prognostically and therapeutically over the course of such disorders.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: A DNA fragment distinct from the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and erbB-2 genes was detected by reduced stringency hybridization of v-erbB to normal genomic human DNA. cDNA cloning revealed a predicted 148 kd transmembrane polypeptide with structural features identifying it as a member of the erbB family, prompting designation of the new gene as erbB-3. It was shown to be expressed as a 6.2 kb transcript in a variety of normal tissues of epithelial origin. Markedly elevated erbB-3 mRNA levels were demonstrated in certain human mammary tumor cell lines. These findings indicate that increased erbB-3 expression, as in the case of EGFR and erbB-2, plays a role in some human malignancies. Using erbB-3 specific antibodies (polyclonal or monoclonal), the erbB-3 protein was identified as a 180 kDa glycoprotein, gp180.sup.erbB-3. The intrinsic catalytic function of gp180.sup.erbB-3 was uncovered by its ability to autophosphorylate in vitro.