Abstract: Methods are provided for stimulating ovarian preantral and antral follicles in a mammal.

Abstract: Methods are provided for stimulating ovarian preantral and antral follicles in a mammal.

Abstract: The invention provides novel nucleic acids and polypeptides, referred to herein as stresscopin 1 and stresscopin 2, which preferentially activate the CRH-R2 receptor over the R1 receptor. Stresscopins, analogs and mimetics, and related CRH-R2 agonists suppress food intake and heat-induced edema; but do not induce substantial release of ACTH. Stresscopin also finds use in the recovery phase of stress responses, as an anti-inflammatory agent, as a hypotensive agent, as a cardioprotective agent, and in the treatment of psychiatric and anxiolytic disorders. Stresscopin nucleic acid compositions find use in identifying homologous or related proteins and the DNA sequences encoding such proteins; in producing compositions that modulate the expression or function of the protein; and in studying associated physiological pathways.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enhancing the survival and promoting the maturation of mammalian oocytes, zygotes and preimplantation embryos. BDNF or BDNF agonists may be administered to an individual, or to cells in vitro, to enhance cellular maturation, embryo growth and fertilization. Accordingly, compositions comprising BDNF are herein presented for use in promoting in vivo oocyte maturation as well as for use as a component in culture media for promoting preimplantation maturation of zygotes and embryos, for instance, for use with in vitro fertilization procedures and for the production of stem cells. Additionally, compounds that interfere with the binding of BDNF to its receptor may be administered to an individual to prevent oocyte maturation, thereby acting as a contraceptive. The BNDF receptor, TrkB, and BDNF also find use in the screening and design of agonists and antagonists for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides novel nucleic acids and polypeptides, referred to herein as stresscopin 1 and stresscopin 2, which preferentially activate the CRH-R2 receptor over the R1 receptor. Stresscopins, analogs and mimetics, and related CRH-R2 agonists suppress food intake and heat-induced edema; but do not induce substantial release of ACTH. Stresscopin also finds use in the recovery phase of stress responses, as an anti-inflammatory agent, as a hypotensive agent, as a cardioprotective agent, and in the treatment of psychiatric and anxiolytic disorders. Stresscopin nucleic acid compositions find use in identifying homologous or related proteins and the DNA sequences encoding such proteins; in producing compositions that modulate the expression or function of the protein; and in studying associated physiological pathways.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enhancing the survival and promoting the maturation of mammalian oocytes, zygotes and preimplantation embryos. BDNF or BDNF agonists may be administered to an individual, or to cells in vitro, to enhance cellular maturation, embryo growth and fertilization. Accordingly, compositions comprising BDNF are herein presented for use in promoting in vivo oocyte maturation as well as for use as a component in culture media for promoting preimplantation maturation of zygotes and embryos, for instance, for use with in vitro fertilization procedures and for the production of stem cells. Additionally, compounds that interfere with the binding of BDNF to its receptor may be administered to an individual to prevent oocyte maturation, thereby acting as a contraceptive. The BNDF receptor, TrkB, and BDNF also find use in the screening and design of agonists and antagonists for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: High affinity relaxin receptors, polypeptide compositions related thereto, as well as nucleotide compositions encoding the same, are provided. These proteins, herein termed LGR7 and LGR8, are orphan leucine-repeat-containing, G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors have a wide and a unique tissue expression pattern. The receptors, particularly soluble fragments thereof, are useful as therapeutic agents capable of inhibiting the action of relaxin and InsL3. The receptors and fragments thereof also find use in the screening and design of relaxin agonists and antagonists. Conditions treatable with relaxin agonists or antagonists include prevention or induction of labor, treatment of endometriosis, treatment of skin conditions such as scleroderma that require collagen or extracellular matrix remodelling. Additionally, relaxin has been implicated in the dilation of blood vessels' smooth muscle cells directly and through release of nitric oxide and atrial natriuretic peptide.

Abstract: The invention provides novel nucleic acids and polypeptides, referred to herein as stresscopin 1 and stresscopin 2, which preferentially activate the CRH-R2 receptor over the R1 receptor. Stresscopins, analogs and mimetics, and related CRH-R2 agonists suppress food intake and heat-induced edema; but do not induce substantial release of ACTH. Stresscopin also finds use in the recovery phase of stress responses, as an anti-inflammatory agent, as a hypotensive agent, as a cardioprotective agent, and in the treatment of psychiatric and anxiolytic disorders. Stresscopin nucleic acid compositions find use in identifying homologous or related proteins and the DNA sequences encoding such proteins; in producing compositions that modulate the expression or function of the protein; and in studying associated physiological pathways.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, Bok (Bcl-2-related ovarian killer) are identified. Bok has conserved Bcl-2 homology domains 1, 2 and 3 and a C-terminal transmembrane region present in other Bcl-2 related proteins, but lacks the BH4 domain found only in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Over-expression of Bok induces apoptosis. Cell killing induced by Bok is suppressed by co-expression with selective anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Bok is highly expressed in the ovary, testis and uterus, particularly in granulosa cells, the cell type that undergoes apoptosis during follicle atresia. Identification of Bok as a new pro-apoptotic protein with wide tissue distribution and hetero-dimerization properties facilitates elucidation of apoptosis mechanisms in reproductive and other tissues, and provides a means for manipulating apoptosis.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, Bok (Bcl-2-related ovarian killer) are identified. Bok has conserved Bcl-2 homology domains 1, 2 and 3 and a C-terminal transmembrane region present in other Bcl-2 related proteins, but lacks the BH4 domain found only in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Over-expression of Bok induces apoptosis. Cell killing induced by Bok is suppressed by co-expression with selective anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Bok is highly expressed in the ovary, testis and uterus, particularly in granulosa cells, the cell type that undergoes apoptosis during follicle atresia. Identification of Bok as a new pro-apoptotic protein with wide tissue distribution and hetero-dimerization properties facilitates elucidation of apoptosis mechanisms in reproductive and other tissues, and provides a means for manipulating apoptosis.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, Bok (Bcl-2-related ovarian killer) are identified. Bok has conserved Bcl-2 homology domains 1, 2 and 3 and a C-terminal transmembrane region present in other Bcl-2 related proteins, but lacks the BH4 domain found only in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Over-expression of Bok induces apoptosis. Cell killing induced by Bok is suppressed by co-expression with selective anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Bok is highly expressed in the ovary, testis and uterus, particularly in granulosa cells, the cell type that undergoes apoptosis during follicle atresia. Identification of Bok as a new pro-apoptotic protein with wide tissue distribution and hetero-dimerization properties facilitates elucidation of apoptosis mechanisms in reproductive and other tissues, and provides a means for manipulating apoptosis.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, Bok (Bcl-2-related ovarian killer) are identified. Bok has conserved Bcl-2 homology domains 1, 2 and 3 and a C-terminal transmembrane region present in other Bcl-2 related proteins, but lacks the BH4 domain found only in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Over-expression of Bok induces apoptosis. Cell killing induced by Bok is suppressed by co-expression with selective anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Bok is highly expressed in the ovary, testis and uterus, particularly in granulosa cells, the cell type that undergoes apoptosis during follicle atresia. Identification of Bok as a new pro-apoptotic protein with wide tissue distribution and hetero-dimerization properties facilitates elucidation of apoptosis mechanisms in reproductive and other tissues, and provides a means for manipulating apoptosis.

Abstract: A method of contraception by delivering to the ovaries of a female mammal a pharmaceutically-effective dose of a PDE3-specific inhibitor at about the time of ovulation.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, Bok (Bcl-2-related ovarian killer) are identified. Bok has conserved Bcl-2 homology domains 1, 2 and 3 and a C-terminal transmembrane region present in other Bcl-2 related proteins, but lacks the BH4 domain found only in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Over-expression of Bok induces apoptosis. Cell killing induced by Bok is suppressed by co-expression with selective anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Bok is highly expressed in the ovary, testis and uterus, particularly in granulosa cells, the cell type that undergoes apoptosis during follicle atresia. Identification of Bok as a new pro-apoptotic protein with wide tissue distribution and hetero-dimerization properties facilitates elucidation of apoptosis mechanisms in reproductive and other tissues, and provides a means for manipulating apoptosis.

Abstract: Chimeric polypeptides containing the N-terminal amino acid sequence of a glycoprotein hormone receptor polypeptide and a membrane anchor polypeptide, with a protease recognition site between the two, are disclosed. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, expression vectors containing such nucleic acids and methods of producing such recombinant chimeric polypeptides, as well as uses thereof. The chimeric polypeptides are particularly useful for the production of soluble glycoprotein hormone receptor polypeptides.

Abstract: A method to determine the site on a receptor or its cognate signaling pathway at which an antagonist acts is disclosed. The method comprises first, (a) determining the effect of an antagonist on a first cell that has been modified to display a mutant form of said receptor. The mutant form constituitively activates the cognate signaling pathway of said receptor. Second, (b) the effect of the antagonist is determined on a second host cell that has been modified to display a tethered form of the receptor. The tethered form is composed of an agonist for said receptor covalently bound thereto whereby said agonist activates the cognate signaling pathway of said receptor. The effect on the cells is determined by measuring the level of an intracellular event that is responsive to the cognate signaling pathway. An antagonist that inhibits the intracellular event in (b) acts at the site of binding for an agonist to the receptor.