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-5 proteins; canine interleukin-5 nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode canine interleukin-5 proteins; 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. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to regulate an immune response in an animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for the treatment, inhibition or prevention of diseases or disorders, including cancer, immune diseases or disorders, and infectious diseases, comprising interferon-producing cells (IPCs) and methods of administering the IPCs. The present invention also provides compositions for the treatment, inhibition or prevention of diseases or disorders, including cancer, immune diseases or disorders, and infectious disease, comprising purified interferon (IFN) from IPCs and methods of administering the IFN. The present invention further provides methods for monitoring the progression of a disease or a disorder such as HIV infection or cancer, comprising measuring the abundance of IPCs in lymphoid organs or blood samples from a subject suffering from a disease or disorder.

Abstract: The present invention is broadly directed to therapeutic molecules capable of inter alia modulating apoptosis in mammalian cells. The therapeutic molecules of the present invention encompass genetic sequences and chemical entities capable of regulating expression of a novel mammalian gene belonging to the bcl-2 family and which promotes cell survival. The therapeutic molecules of the present invention may have further utility in delaying cell cycle entry. In addition, the present invention extends to chemical entities capable of modulating activity and function of the translation product of said novel gene of the bcl-2 family. The present invention also extends to the translation product of the novel gene of the bcl-2 family and its use in, for example, therapy, diagnosis, antibody generation and as a screening tool for therapeutic molecules capable of modulating physiological cell death or survival and/or modulating cell cycle entry.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acids comprising novel genes of a 20 cM region of human chromosome 11q13.3 and the proteins encoded by these genes. Expression vectors and host cells containing these genes or fragments thereof, as well as antibodies to the proteins encoded by these nucleic acids are also included herein.

Abstract: Sustained cultures of avian embryonic stem cells are provided. Injection of avian embryonic stem cells into recipient embryos yields chimeras with a significant contribution from the embryonic stem cell phenotype. Transgene encoding exogenous proteins are stably integrated in the embryonic stem cells and are present in the somatic tissue of the resulting chimeras. The transgenes may encode exogenous proteins expressed in endodermal, ectodermal, mesodermal, or extra embryonic tissue. Breeding the resulting chimera yields transgenic birds whose genome is comprised of exogenous DNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated polynucleotides from Corynebacterium glutamicum which are useful in the regulation of gene expression. In particular, the invention relates to isolated polynucleotides comprising C.glutamicum promoters which may be used to regulate, i.e., either increase or decrease, gene expression. In certain embodiments, isolated promoter sequences of the present invention regulate gene expression through the use of exogenous or endogenous induction. The invention further provides recombinant vectors and recombinant cells comprising isolated polynucleotides of the present invention, preferably in operable association with heterologous genes. Also provided are methods of regulating bacterial gene expression comprising growth of a recombinant cell of the present invention. In particular, the present invention provides methods to regulate genes involved in amino acid production comprising growth of a recombinant cell of the present invention.

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: 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: The invention provides methods of treating and preventing loss of tissue vascularization that can occur, for example, upon aging.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding antifreeze polypeptides are provided, together with expression vectors and host cells comprising such isolated polynucleotides. Methods for the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method comprising purified HA, a second anti-neoplastic agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the purified HA and the second anti-neoplastic agent are administered to a mammal having cancer in an amount effective to treat the cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for inhibiting tumor invasion or metastasis in a subject which comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a form of soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE). The present invention also provides a method for evaluating the ability of an agent to inhibit tumor invasion in a local cellular environment which comprises: (a) admixing with cell culture media an effective amount of the agent; (b) contacting a tumor cell in cell culture with the media from step (a); (c) determining the amount of spreading of the tumor cell culture, and (d) comparing the amount of spreading of the tumor cell culture determined in step (c) with the amount determined in the absence of the agent, thus evaluating the ability of the agent to inhibit tumor invasion in the local cellular environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides lentiviral vectors that are useful in human gene therapy for inherited or acquired proliferative ocular disease. It furnishes methods to exploit the ability of lentiviral vectors to transduce both mitotically active and inactive cells so that eye diseases may be treated.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the therapeutic intervention of Parkinson's disease. More particularly, methods of making and sequestering dopamine are disclosed. Additionally, methods of genetically modifying donor cells by gene transfer for grafting into the central nervous system to treat defective, diseased or damaged cells are disclosed. Methods and compositions for carrying out such gene transfer and grafting are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to viral interleukin-6 (v-IL-6), which can be obtained by recombinant expression of the DNA of human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8), and which may be used in diagnosis and treatment of human diseases such as kaposi sarcoma, Castleman's disease, multiple myeloma, kidney cell carcinoma, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis or B cell lymphoma.

Abstract: A novel human progestin-regulated gene designated EDD (E3 isolated by Differential Display) is disclosed which encodes a product exhibiting significant amino acid sequence identity with the HYD protein (hyperplastic discs) from Drosophila melanogaster and the 100 kDa HECT (homologous to E6-AP carboxyl terminus) domain protein from rat. The EDD gene appears to represent a tumour suppressor gene and the detection of a polymorphism or alteration in the gene from a subject may be useful for the diagnosis or determination of a predisposition to hyperproliferative disease such as a cancer. An assay for assessing progestin-responsiveness in a subject is also disclosed.

Abstract: Interleukin-18 binding proteins which are capable of binding IL-18 and/or modulating and/or blocking IL-18 activity are provided. Methods for their isolation and recombinant production, DNAs encoding them, DNA vectors expressing them, vecotors useful for their expression in humans and other mammals, antibodies against them are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral vaccines and, more particularly, to filovirus vaccines and methods of eliciting an immune response against a filovirus or disease caused by infection with filovirus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to newly identified human ADHs belonging to the superfamily of mammalian alcohol dehydrogenases. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the ADHs. The invention further relates to methods using the ADH polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in ADH-mediated or -related disorders. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the ADH polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the ADH polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to procedures for producing the ADH polypeptides and polynucleotides.