Abstract: Disclosed are various discoveries concerning the angiogenic and angiostatic properties of the CXC chemokines, including the finding that the ELR motif controls the ability of these molecules to induce angiogenesis. Aspects of the invention include, for example, the identification of IP-10, MIG and certain IL-8 analogues as angiostatic agents, and their use in inhibiting angiogenesis in various systems.

Abstract: An Numb protein expression inhibitor comprising, as active ingredient, Musashi protein, a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence obtained by replacement, deletion, addition or insertion of at least one amino acid in an amino acid sequence of Musashi protein, or a gene encoding said polypeptide. By the present invention, a new function of Musashi protein has been elucidated. Described specifically, Musashi protein inhibits expression of Numb protein having a neuronal differentiation regulating function and potentiates the activity of the Notch signaling system, so that Musashi protein can be used as a therapeutic for various diseases of the central nervous system.

Abstract: Methods of increasing yields of succinate using aerobic culture methods and a multi-mutant E. coli strain are provided. Also provided is a mutant strain of E. coli that produces high amounts of succinic acid.

Abstract: The present invention features viable MCH1R deficient mice. MCH1R deficient mice contain an alteration in one or both MCH1R alleles that substantially reduces expression of a functional MCH1R from the altered allele. Preferably, MCH1R deficient mice are MCH1R ?/? knockout mice.

Abstract: The intramuscular electroporated injection of a protease-resistant growth hormone-releasing hormone (“GHRH”) cDNA into rat dams at 16 days of gestation resulted in the enhanced long-term growth of the F1 offspring. The offspring were significantly heavier by one week of age and the difference was sustained to 10 weeks of age. Consistent with their augmented growth, plasma IGF-I concentration of the F1 progeny was increased significantly. The pituitary gland of the offspring was significantly heavier, and contained an increased number of somatotropes (cells producing GH) and lactotrophs (prolactin-secreting cells), and is indicative of an alteration in cell lineages. These unique findings demonstrate that enhanced GHRH expression in pregnant dams can result in intergenerational growth promotion, by altering development of the pituitary gland in the offspring.

Abstract: Methods of increasing yields of succinate using aerobic culture methods and a multi-mutant E. coli strain are provided. Also provided is a mutant strain of E. coli that produces high amounts of succinic acid.

Abstract: Transgenic non-human mammals over-expressing MHCI in skeletal muscle are provided herein, as are methods of using these transgenic non-human mammals for screening candidate compounds for treating type 2 diabetes, and methods for altering the ratio of MHCI to MHCII in a subject.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding mammalian ECM signaling molecules affecting the cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation activities characterizing such complex biological processes as angiogenesis, chondrogenesis, and oncogenesis, are provided. The polynucleotide compositions include DNAs and RNAs comprising part, or all, of an ECM signaling molecule coding sequence, or biological equivalents. Polypeptide compositions are also provided. The polypeptide compositions comprise mammalian ECM signaling molecules, peptide fragments, inhibitory peptides capable of interacting with receptors for ECM signaling molecules, and antibody products recognizing Cyr61. Also provided are methods for producing mammalian ECM signaling molecules. Further provided are methods for using mammalian ECM signaling molecules to screen for, and/or modulate, disorders associated with angiogenesis, chondrogenesis, and oncogenesis; ex vivo methods for using mammalian ECM signaling molecules to prepare blood products are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for increasing the production of high titre stocks of recombinant AAV (rAAV) through regulation of expression of the AAV REP and CAP proteins. The methods and compositions of the invention are based on the observation that the low level expression of the AAV REP protein increases the production of AAV viral capsid protein and efficiency of packaging resulting in production of higher titre recombinant viral stocks. The invention encompasses recombinant AAV vectors that direct the expression of AAV REP and CAP proteins and the use of such vectors for the production of novel stable cell lines capable of generating high titre rAAV vectors. The invention provides methods for regulating the expression of the AAV REP gene at the transcriptional and post-translational level.

Abstract: A system for observing the behaviors of mitochondria during ontogeny and the dynamics of mitochondria in various tissues during pathological development is provided. A pCAGGS expression vector containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene and a transgenic animal characterized by expressing GFP specifically in mitochondria are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a simple method for the treatment of antigen-deficiency diseases, by orally administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of the deficient antigen, wherein the antigen is not present in a liposome. In one embodiment, the method increases hemostasis in a subject having hemophilia A or B, by orally administering to the hemophiliac a therapeutically effective amount of the appropriate clotting factor other than in a liposome, sufficient to induce oral tolerance and supply exogenous clotting factor to the subject.

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. Utilizing assays based upon the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein (as well as mutant forms thereof), numerous molecules may be identified which modulate the immune system.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the identification of stem cells and cancer stem cells. ?-catenin is also identified as a target for the development of therapeutic moieties against hematopoietic tumors, i.e. leukemia and lymphoma cells, which may include screening assays directed at ?-catenin, or members of the ?-catenin signaling pathway. Cellular proliferation in hematopoietic cells can be altered by introducing stabilized ?-catenin into a hematopoietic cell that is altered in its ability to undergo apoptosis but which is not fully transformed. The immortalized cells are useful in screening assays, and in the analysis of pathways by which hematopoietic cells undergo transformation.

Abstract: An isolated DNA encoding the enzyme I-SceI is provided. The DNA sequence can be incorporated in cloning and expression vectors, transformed cell lines and transgenic animals. The vectors are useful in gene mapping and site-directed insertion of genes.

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: The present application provides a human gene over-expressing animal, which is a non-human animal carrying a human hematopoietic prostaglandin D2 synthase gene in its somatic cell chromosome and expressing a large amount of human prostaglandin D2 synthase, wherein the animal is one obtained through ontogenesis of a totipotency cell of a non-human animal or offspring of the obtained animal, and the totipotency cell is introduced with said synthase gene. The present application also provides a method of using the transgenic animal for testing in vivo activity of a candidate for anti-allergy medicines, sleep-controlling substances and candidates for anti-obesity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a transgenic non-human animal and uses thereof, wherein each of the cells of the animal contain a transgene comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding CD200.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bovine VDJ cassette (BF1H1) that provides the novel ability to develop chimeric immunoglobulin molecule capable of incorporating both linear T cell epitope(s) (CDR1H and CDR2H) as well as conformational B cell epitope(s) (exceptionally long CDR3H). Further, multiple epitopes can be incorporated for development of multivalent vaccine by replacing at least a portion of an immunoglobulin molecule with the desired epitope such that functional ability of both epitope(s) and parent VDJ rearrangement is retained. The antigenized immunoglobulin incorporating both T and B epitopes of interest is especially useful for development of oral vaccines for use in humans apart from other species including cattle. The long CDR3H in BF1H1 VDJ rearrangement originates from long germline D-genes. The novel bovine germline D-genes provide unique molecular genetic marker for sustaining the D-gene pool in cattle essential for immunocompetence via selective breeding.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of an ATP binding cassette transporter and mutated sequences thereof associated with macular degeneration. Methods of detecting agents that modify ATP-binding cassette transporter comprising combining purified ATP binding cassette transporter and at least one agent suspected of modifying the ATP binding cassette transporter an observing a change in at least one characteristic associated with ATP binding cassette transporter. Methods of detecting macular degeneration is also embodied by the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to canine interleukin-4, canine or feline Flt-3 ligand, canine or feline CD40, canine or feline CD154, canine interleukin-5, canine interleukin-13, feline interferon alpha, and/or feline GM-CSF proteins; to canine interleukin-4, canine or feline Flt-3 ligand, canine or feline CD40, canine or feline CD154, canine interleukin-5, canine interleukin-13, feline interferon alpha, and/or feline GM-CSF nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode canine interleukin-4, canine or feline Flt-3 ligand, canine or feline CD40, canine or feline CD154, canine interleukin-5, canine interleukin-13, feline interferon alpha, and/or feline GM-CSF proteins, respectively; to antibodies raised against such proteins; and to inhibitory compounds that regulate such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to identify and obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds.