Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides comprising inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family members, such as BmIAP initially derived from Bombyx mori BmN cells, and nucleic acids encoding them, and methods for making and using these compositions, including their use for inhibiting apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides conjugates comprising a substituted aminopyridine covalently attached to an organic molecule via an amide bond. Such conjugates find utility as substrates for amide hydrolases, where the substituted aminopyridine acts as a fluorescent reporter of amide hydrolase activity. As a result, the conjugates described herein can advantageously be used in assays to detect amide hydrolase activity based upon measuring the fluorescence of a substituted aminopyridine that is released after amide hydrolysis. The conjugates of the present invention are also particularly useful in screening assays, which enable the identification of inhibitory molecules for amide hydrolases and other enzymes. The identified amide hydrolase inhibitors can be used in the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders associated with aberrant amide hydrolase activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that cis-epoxyeicosatraenoic acids (EETs) bind to and act as agonists of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor and the cannabinoid CB2 receptor. The invention provides methods of reducing symptoms of conditions whose activity is mediated by these receptors, including inhibiting anxiety, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells expressing peripheral benzodiazepine receptors, and reducing oxygen radical damage to cells, by contacting the cells with a cis-epoxyeicosantrienoic acid, an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), or both. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting irritable bowel syndrome by administering to individuals with inhibiting irritable bowel syndrome a cis-epoxyeicosantrienoic acid, an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), or both. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering to the individual a nucleic acid which inhibits expression of sEH.

Abstract: Inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) are provided that incorporate multiple pharmacophores and are useful in the treatment of diseases.

Abstract: Inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) are provided that incorporate multiple pharmacophores and are useful in the treatment of diseases.

Abstract: Inhibitors of the phosphatase activity of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) are provided and are useful for in the treatment of diseases. These Inhibitors are based on derivatives of various epoxide hydrolase substrates that mimic the enzyme substrate so that there Is stable Interaction with the enzyme catalytic site. These inhibitors are potentially useful for the treatment of hypertension, vascular inflammation, renal inflammation, and lung disease.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for inhibiting cardiomyopathy and for inhibiting cardiac arrhythmia, by administering to an individual in need thereof a cis-epoxyeicosantrienoic acid, an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), or both. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering to the individual a nucleic acid encoding an inhibitor of sEH. Cardiomyopathies treatable by the methods of the invention include cardiac hypertrophy and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: The invention provides uses and methods for reducing nephropathy in persons with diabetes mellitus (particularly Type 2 diabetes), in persons with metabolic syndrome, in persons with triglyceride levels over 215 mg/dL, and in persons with a cholesterol level over 200 mg/dL, by administering an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (“sEH”). Optionally, a cis-epoxyeicosantrienoic acid (“EET”) can be administered with the sEH inhibitor. The invention further provides for using EETs in conjunction with one or more sEH inhibitors to reduce hypertension, and for compositions of EETs coated with a material insoluble in an acid of pH 3 but soluble in a solution with a pH of 7.4 or higher.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for alleviating eye disorders due to increased intraocular pressure (“IOP”) or inflammation by administering to the eye or eyes of an individual in need thereof a cis-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), or both. The invention further provides for reducing IOP or inflammation by methods in which the sEH inhibitor or EETs, or both, are administered systemically. In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering to the individual a nucleic acid encoding an inhibitor of sEH.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for relieving pain and itching, of promoting wound healing, of reducing sickness behavior and of reducing inflammatory bowel disease or acne lesions in a subject by the topical administration of an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase, or of a cis-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (“EET”), or by both.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating avian pulmonary hypertension syndrome by administering to an avian subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (“sEHI”), alone or co-administered in combination with a cis-epoxyeicosantrienoic acid (“EET”). The invention also provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of an avian soluble epoxide hydrolase.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptides from the venom of the scorpion P. transvaalicus. The invention also provides novel scorpion antivenom compositions derived from such polypeptides, as well as methods for isolating the polypeptides and preparing scorpion antivenom compositions. The isolated polypeptides can be used to produce pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating diseases and conditions associated with ion channel function or kinin activity.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides comprising inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family members, such as BmIAP initially derived from Bombyx mori BmN cells, and nucleic acids encoding them, and methods for making and using these compositions, including their use for inhibiting apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds that inhibit epoxide hydrolase in therapeutic applications for treating hypertension.

Abstract: Ethers and esters of cyanohydrins that contain optically detectable moieties are highly effective for detecting, monitoring, and measuring the activity of enzymes that cause the cleavage of certain types of substrates. The cyanohydrins function as proaldehydes and proketones, spontaneously converting to aldehydes and ketones, respectively, which provide a large increase in optical detectability relative to both the starting esters and ethers and the cyanohydrins.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds that inhibit epoxide hydrolase in therapeutic applications for treating hypertension. A preferred class of compounds for practicing the invention have the structure shown by wherein R is alkyl or aryl, the compound is trans-across the epoxide ring, OX is a carbonyl (═O) or hydroxy group (OH) and R′ is a H, alkyl or aryl group. The invention further provides methods of identifying patients at increased risk for hypertension, comprising assaying for epoxide hydrolase activity in a urine sample from the patient. In particular, the assays comprise determining the amount of dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs), determining the amount of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) in said sample, or determining the amount of both DHETs and EETs in said sample.

Abstract: A recombinant baculovirus is provided with a genetic coding sequence for the production of a foreign protein that is toxic to insects. Preferred are nuclear polyhedrosis viruses, with preferred embodiments having been constructed and expressed in insect cells: BmNPV.AaIT and AcNPV.AaIT. Both embodiments function in insect cells infected therewith so as to have the toxin AaIT (originating from the venom of the scorpion A. australis) secreted. A clone designated (pCIB4223), which contains the Bombyx mori signal sequence fused to the AaIT sequence, has been deposited with the American type culture collection and designated “ATCC 40906.

Abstract: Ethers and esters of cyanohydrins that contain optically detectable moieties are highly effective for detecting, monitoring, and measuring the activity of enzymes that cause the cleavage of certain types of substrates. The cyanohydrins function as proaldehydes and proketones, spontaneously converting to aldehydes and ketones, respectively, which provide a large increase in optical detectability relative to both the starting esters and ethers and the cyanohydrins.

Abstract: Silane-coated metal oxide nanoparticles having desirable optical properties are provided by the invention, along with methods for their preparation and use. The nanoparticles have improved chemical and physical stability and may be used as labeling reagents for biological and other molecules. The compositions may be prepared by contacting the metal oxide nanoparticle with a silane, and irradiating the mixture with microwave radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of slowing or inhibiting vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cell proliferation to slow the development or recurrence of atherosclerosis by contacting VSM cells with soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors. Further, the methods of the invention can be used to slow or to inhibit vascular restenosis after angioplasty and the stenosis of vascular stents. Further, the methods of the invention can be used to slow or to inhibit the stenosis of hemodialysis grafts and other natural and synthetic vascular grafts.