Abstract: A method is provided for screening the sensitizing properties of chemical compounds. The method is based on keratinocytes or cells that share important hallmarks of these cells, but other components e.g. proteins could also be used. This method is of importance for several conditions, including but not limited to allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The instant invention provides plasma membrane vesicles, methods of making the same, and method of using the plasma membrane vesicles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a homoserine transsuccinylase having at least one mutation compared to a wild-type homoserine transsuccinylase and reduced sensitivity towards a L-methionine or SAM, compared to the wild-type enzyme. The latter comprises an amino acid sequence including a partial AspGlyXaaXaaXaaThrGlyAlaPro sequence between position 90 and position 115 and a partial TyrGlnXaaThrPro sequence between position 285 and position 310, position 1 of the amino acid sequence corresponding to the initial methionine. The invention is characterized in that the mutation is a substitution of the aspartate in the partial AspGlyXaaXaaXaaThrGlyAlaPro sequence, or a substitution of the tyrosine in the partial TyrGlnXaaThrPro sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a homoserine transsuccinylase, which exhibits reduced sensitivity towards L-methionine or SAM in comparison with a homoserine transsuccinylase wild-type enzyme, whereby the latter comprises an amino acid sequence containing a TyrGlnXaaThrPro sub-sequence, the Thr of said sub-sequence lying between positions 285 and 310 of the amino acid sequence and position 1 being filled by the starter methionine. The inventive homoserine transsuccinylase is characterized in that in comparison with the wild-type enzyme at least 2 amino acids are modified, said modification taking place in the Thr of the sub-sequence or in the C-terminal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a homoserine transsuccinylase, which exhibits reduced sensitivity towards L-methionine or SAM in comparison with a homoserine transsuccinylase wild-type enzyme, whereby the latter comprises an amino acid sequence containing a TyrGlnXaaThrPro sub-sequence, the Thr of said sub-sequence lying between positions 285 and 310 of the amino acid sequence and position 1 being filled by the starter methionine. The inventive homoserine transsuccinylase is characterized in that in comparison with the wild-type enzyme at least 2 amino acids are modified, said modification taking place in the Thr of the sub-sequence or in the C-terminal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition which is a combination of the ACE inhibitor ramipril and a calcium antagonist of one of the dihydropyridine type compounds felodipine, nitrendipine, nifedipine and lacidipine. The pharmaceutical composition is for use in the therapy and treatment of hypertension.