Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing adenoviral gene expression in a tissue of an animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal a pharmacologically effective dose of tumor necrosis factor binding protein. Also provided is a various method of method of reducing an inflammatory response associated with adenoviral administration in a tissue of an animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal a pharmacologically effective dose of tumor necrosis factor binding protein.

Abstract: Generalized idiopathic epilepsies (IGE) cause 40% of all seizures and commonly have a genetic basis. One type of IGE is Benign Familial Neonatal Convulsions (BFNC), a dominantly inherited disorder of newborns. A submicroscopic deletion of chromosome 20q13.3 which co-segregates with seizures in a BFNC family has been identified. Characterization of cDNAs spanning the deleted region identified a novel voltage-gated potassium channel, KCNQ2, which belongs to a new KCNQ1-like class of potassium channels. Nine other BFNC probands were shown to have KCNQ2 mutations including three missense mutations, three frameshifts, two nonsense mutations, and one splice site mutation. A second gene, KCNQ3, was found in a separate BFNC family in which the mutation had been localized to chromosome 8. A missense mutation was found in this gene in perfect cosegregation with the BFNC phenotype in this latter family. This demonstrates that defects in potassium channels can cause epilepsy.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode Fkhsf, as well as mutant forms thereof. Also provided are expression vectors suitable for expressing such nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing such expression vectors.

Abstract: The examples demonstrate that GIP receptor mRNA and protein are present in normal bone and osteoblastic-like cell lines, and that high-affinity receptors for GIP can be demonstrated by 125I GIP binding studies. When applied to osteoblast-like cells (SaOS2), GIP stimulated an increase in cellular cAMP content and in intracellular calcium, with both responses being dose dependent. Moreover, administration of GIP results in elevated expression of collagen type I mRNA as well as an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity. Both of these effects reflect anabolic actions of presumptive osteoblasts. These results provide the first evidence that GIP receptors are present in bone and osteoblastic like cells and that GIP modulates the function of these cells. GIP has anabolic actions on remodeling bone, increasing vertebral bone density in a rat model of osteoporosis. GIP at 10 nM inhibits PTH-induced bone resorption in a fetal long bone assay and stimulates the synthesis of type 1 collagen mRNA.

Abstract: Methods are provided for assessing mutations and/or loss of the huBUB3 gene in human tumors. Loss of wild-type huBUB3 genes is involved in neoplastic development. Therapeutic regimens can be planned on the basis of the mutational status of huBUB3.

Abstract: Rev-caspases comprising a primary product in which the small subunit is N-terminal to the large subunit are provided. Rev-caspases are used for screening and identifying caspase inhibitors and enhancers. Rev-caspase genes can be delivered to cells for gene therapy.

Abstract: Rev-caspases comprising a primary product in which the small subunit is N-terminal to the large subunit are provided. Rev-caspases are used for screening and identifying caspase inhibitors and enhancers. Rev-caspase genes can be delivered to cells for gene therapy.

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.

Abstract: A peptide that induces CTL against human gastric cancer cells is provided. A peptide having a specific amino-acid sequence and induces cytotoxic T cells that targets gastric cancer cells may be used as an agent for preventing or treating gastric cancer.

Abstract: The IL-1H4 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing IL-1H4 polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided various methods for modulating the expression of an exogenous gene in a mammalian subject employing modified ecdysone receptors. Also provided are modified ecdysone receptors, as well as homomeric and heterodimeric receptors containing same, nucleic acids encoding invention modified ecdysone receptors, modified hormone response elements, gene transfer vectors, recombinant cells, and transgenic animals containing nucleic acids encoding invention modified ecdysone receptor.

Abstract: The invention features novel methods and reagents useful for the treatment of excessive or insufficient apoptosis in cells, and, particularly, in germ-line cells. The invention is useful in treating testicular cancers, cancers of germ-line cells, cancers in non-germ-line cell tissues, infertility (e.g., male infertility), and for birth control (e.g., male birth control).

Abstract: A rat ganglioside GM1-specific &agr;1→2fucosyltransferase is disclosed. Nucleotide sequences of a rat ganglioside GM1-specific &agr;1→2fucosyltransferase, amino acid sequences of its encoded protein (including peptide or polypeptide), and derivatives thereof are described. Also described are fragments (and derivatives and analogs thereof) which comprise a domain of rat ganglioside GM1-specific &agr;1→2fucosyltransferase with catalytic activity. Methods of production of rat ganglioside GM1-specific &agr;1→2fucosyltransferase and derivatives and analogs thereof (e.g. by recombinant means) are provided. Methods of inhibiting the function of rat ganglioside GM1-specific &agr;1→2fucosyltransferase (e.g. by means of antisense RNA) are provided. Methods of commercial scale use of the rat ganglioside GM1-specific &agr;1→2fucosyltransferase in the production of fucosyl-saccharide compositions are described. Applications of these compositions, e.g.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting T-lymphocyte-mediated immune responses, including those directed against autologous and/or heterologous tissues, e.g., by a recipient mammal of a transplanted tissue, said method comprising providing the recipient mammal with Fas ligand. The Fas ligand may be provided to the recipient mammal by a variety of means, including by pump implantation or by transplantation of transgenic tissue expressing Fas ligand. Also provided is a method for diagnostic use of Fas ligand expression in improving transplantation success.

Abstract: hYAK3-2 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention comprises engineered cells that express a nucleic acid that encodes a calbindin molecule, and exhibit the ability to secrete insulin in a glucose-sensitive fashion. This invention also comprises an artificial tissue that, when implanted into recipients that do not secrete insulin in a glucose-sensitive fashion, imparts to the recipients the ability to secrete insulin in a glucose-sensitive fashion. The artificial tissue comprises engineered cells that express a nucleic acid that encodes a calbindin molecule and secrete insulin in a glucose-sensitive fashion, enclosed by a semipermeable porous matrix.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the regulation of nucleic acid expression. Specifically, the invention provides midbrain-specific and NS-specific regulatory elements as well as regulatory elements that potentiate nucleic acid expression and regulatory elements that cooperate with other regulatory elements. In addition, the invention provides temporal regulatory elements that regulate nucleic acid expression in a temporal manner. Further, the invention provides nucleic acid constructs that contain these regulatory elements in combination with selected nucleic acid sequences. The invention also provides cells and animals that contain these regulatory elements and constructs as well as methods of providing an animal with a selected nucleic acid sequence that is expressed in a tissue-specific or temporal manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transgenic animal whose somatic and germ line genomic DNA includes at least one copy of a transgene having (1) a transcriptional start site; (2) a promoter operably linked to the transcriptional start site; and (3) an enhancer operably linked to the promoter, the enhancer including the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, where the transgenic animal expresses a transcript driven by the promoter, the level of expression in at least one cell type of the animal being positively correlated with the copy number of the transgene.

Abstract: A method for preventing or retarding the development atherosclerotic lesions or restenosis involves administering to a subject, preferably a human, an effective amount of an anti-viral composition directed against CMV, and optionally an anti-microbial composition directed against C. pneumoniae. These compositions may be conventional chemical anti-microbial pharmaceutics. Alternatively, the compositions may contain a cytomegalovirus (CMV) protein or fragment thereof (or nucleic acid containing compositions expressing such protein or fragment). Such compositions may contain an immunogenic C. pneumoniae protein or fragment thereof (or nucleic acid containing compositions expressing such protein or fragment). The protein/nucleic acid compositions are administered in an amount capable of inducing cell mediated immunity and/or antibody response in the subject.

Abstract: A novel, empirically derived composition of cytokines and myoblasts is described, that allows for the migration of myoblasts through connective barriers, along with methods employing the composition in the in vivo migration of myoblasts for therapeutic purposes and gene therapy, as well as methods for the identification of agents that are agonistic or antagonistic to myoblast migration in vitro or in vivo.