Abstract: The present invention discloses novel screening strategies for the identification of binders that target the active site of enzymatic antigens. The present invention also discloses antigen-binding moieties which bind to the NS2B-NS3 Proteinase of West Nile Virus, in particular binders which bind to the active site, thereby inhibiting the enzymatic activity of the proteinase. The antigen-binding moieties of the present invention have numerous therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel screening strategies for the identification of binders that target the active site of enzymatic antigens. The present invention also discloses antigen-binding moieties which bind to the NS2B-NS3 Proteinase of West Nile Virus, in particular binders which bind to the active site, thereby inhibiting the enzymatic activity of the proteinase. The antigen-binding moieties of the present invention have numerous therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying an inhibitor or enhancer of &agr;v&bgr;3 activity by contacting superactivated &agr;v&bgr;3 integrin with one or more molecules; and assaying an &agr;v&bgr;3 integrin activity, where reduced &agr;v&bgr;3 activity identifies an inhibitor of &agr;v&bgr;3 activity and where enhanced &agr;v&bgr;3 activity identifies an enhancer of &agr;v&bgr;3 activity. In a preferred embodiment, a cell, such as a MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell, is transfected with a nucleic acid molecule encoding a superactivated &bgr;3 variant, which can have, for example, substantially the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 shown in FIG. 3.