Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring the ability of a compound to bind to the GABA recognition site of an insect GABA receptor. The invention further provides host cells that express a nucleic acid encoding the GABA receptor subunit LCCH3 and a nucleic acid encoding the GABA receptor subunit Grd, and cell membranes obtained from the host cells.

Abstract: The invention identifies the CTLA4 receptor as a ligand for the B7 antigen. The complete amino acid sequence encoding human CTLA4 receptor gene is provided. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 as an immunoglobulin fusion protein, for preparing hybrid CTLA4 fusion proteins, and for using the soluble fusion proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, including monoclonal antibodies reactive with B7 and CTLA4, to regulate T cell interactions and immune responses mediated by such interactions.

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 chromatography, 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. In addition, molecular cloning of the ovine GHRH-R is provided.

Abstract: A novel method for producing novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding fusion proteins termed Totally Synthetic Affinity Reagents (TSARs) is disclosed. TSARs are concatenated heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides 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 proteins, polypeptides or peptides 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: An isolated receptor protein for human B cell stimulatory factor-2, capable of specifically binding to the human B cell stimulatory factor-2; DNA coding for the above-mentioned receptor protein; expression vectors containing the above-mentioned DNA; host organisms transformed with the above-mentioned expression vector; a process for production of the receptor protein comprising culturing the host organisms in a medium to produce the receptor protein and recovering the receptor protein from the culture; and a antibody reacting with the protein.

Abstract: Novel TNF receptor death domain ("TNF-R1-DD") ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting TNF-R death domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of TNF-R death domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) and purified and isolated human sICAM-1. This invention also relates to a purified and isolated DNA sequence encoding sICAM-1. The extracellular domain of sICAM-1 and insoluble ICAM-1 are substantially the same. ICAM-1 is involved in the process through which lymphocytes attach to cellular substrates during inflammation and serves as the major human rhinovirus receptor (HRR). sICAM-1 therefore has both the property of reducing immune inflammation and inhibiting infection of rhinovirus and Coxsackie A virus.

Abstract: Schwann cells can be treated in vivo to survive longer and to proliferate by contacting them with peptides derived from the EGF-like domain of proteins of the NDF/heregulin family.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a prokaryotic vector which contains a regulatable expression control sequence that can be repressed by the repressor of the tetracycline resistance gene, a prokaryotic cell transformed with this vector and the use of the vector or the cell in a process for the production of polypeptides in prokaryotes by genetic engineering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mammalian alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor, the gene corresponding to this receptor, a recombinant eukaryotic expression construct capable of expressing a mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells and such cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells that synthesize mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor. The invention also provides methods for screening MSH-R agonists and antagonists in vitro using preparations of receptor from such cultures of eukaryotic cells transformed with a recombinant eukaryotic expression construct comprising the MSH-R receptor gene. The invention specifically provides human and mouse MSH-R genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of transferrin in controlling insulin levels. Transferrin can disrupt insulin:receptor interactions in mammalian cells, may be used in mammals to treat hypoglycemia, may also be used to inhibit production of insulin by mammalian cells, and can decrease the serum insulin levels in a mammal. The invention further provides methods for identifying compounds which modulate the effect of transferrin on insulin signal transduction. Pharmaceutical compositions containing transferrin are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences corresponding to a proton-coupled peptide transporter and methods of making and using such transporter.

Abstract: Novel TNF receptor death domain ("TNF-R1-DD") ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting TNF-R death domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of TNF-R death domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Mac-1 alpha-subunit which is involved in the process through which cells recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, the functional derivatives of such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and therapeutic and diagnostic uses for such molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences of the Delta genes, and amino acid sequence of the encoded protein, fragments and derivatives which retain binding activity are also provided.

Abstract: A corneal therapeutic agent comprises at least one of a hexapeptide and a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, represented by formula (I) shown below, and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier,A-B-Pro-C-D-E (I)where A is L- or D-arginine or lysine whose N-terminal amino group is deaminated, alkylated or acylated; B is L- or D-arginine, lysine or hystidine; Pro is L- or D-proline; C is L- or D-tyrosine, tryptophane, or phenylalanine; D is L- or D-valine, isoleucine, or leucine having an amino group whose hydrogen atom may be substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; E is L- or D-valine, isoleucine or leucine having a C-terminal carboxylic group which is unsubstituted or substituted with --COOR, --CH.sub.2 OR or --CONHR, where R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A modified p53 protein or peptide having DNA binding in which amino acid residue 284 of a p53 protein or protein fragment is changed to Arginine or Lysine, is described. Also described are nucleotide sequences encoding the modified protein and vectors capable of expressing it.

Abstract: The present invention is a biodegradable, reversibly-swellable, polyvalent cation-binding, protein-based hydrogel which comprises an acyl-modified protein matrix in which the acyl-modified protein matrix is crosslinked with a bifunctional crosslinking reagent, and a method of making the same.

Abstract: Novel TNF receptor death domain ("TNF-R1-DD") ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting TNF-R death domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of TNF-R death domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a expression vectors and yeast cells transformed therewith containing a first heterologous nucleotide sequence which codes for a G protein-coupled receptor, for example, the somatostatin receptor, and a second nucleotide sequence which codes for all or a portion of a G protein .alpha..beta..gamma. complex. Said heterologous protein is physically expressed in a host cell membrane in proper orientation for both stereoselective binding of ligands, as well as functional interaction with G proteins on the cytoplasmic side of the cell membrane. In some embodiments, a nucleotide sequence encoding a heterologous or chimeric G.alpha. protein is expressed in conjunction with nucleotide sequences from the yeast G protein .beta..gamma. subunits. A second aspect of the present invention provides expression vectors and transformed yeast cells encoding chimeric yeast/heterologous G protein coupled receptors.