Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for diagnosis and treatment of metabolic bone diseases and disorders using a novel member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of cytokines. In particular the invention provides methods of using the Endokine alpha protein and/or homomultimeric and/or heteromultimeric polypeptide complexes containing Endokine alpha, in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of metabolic bone diseases and disorders. Also provided by the invention are methods of using the Endokine alpha protein and/or homomultimeric and/or heteromultimeric polypeptide complexes containing Endokine alpha, in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases and/or disorders associated with aberrant osteoclast development and/or activity. The present invention also provides isolated polynucleotides encoding polypeptides of the invention, antibodies thereto, and agonists and antagonists thereof, for use in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of metabolic bone diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Avidin and streptavidin modified water-soluble polymers are provided, such modified polymers being exemplified by, but not limited to, water-soluble polyacrylamides being substituted by multiple substituents of avidin or streptavidin. The avidin and streptavidin modified polymers provided, may be stored, and later used to bind biotinylated antibiodies, biotinylated toxins, or biotinylated isotope-labelled proteins, thus producing homo- or heteroconjugates of known composition. A process for the preparation of certain of the avidin or streptavidin modified polymers and conjugates thereof is also provided.