Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, systems, and methods for modulating proliferation, differentiation and pluripotency of cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, systems, and methods for modulating proliferation, differentiation and pluripotency of cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, systems, and methods for modulating proliferation, differentiation and pluripotency of cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) peptide inhibitors and their use for the treatment of cancer and other conditions associated with aberrant PRC2 methyltransferase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) peptide inhibitors and their use for the treatment of cancer and other conditions associated with aberrant PRC2 methyltransferase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of modulating a chromatin binding protein or complex which binds to a functional group on an amino acid of a histone. This method involves phosphorylating or dephosphorylating a serine or threonine on the histone proximate to the amino acid under conditions effective to modulate the chromatin binding protein or complex. This method is particularly useful in treating or preventing cancer in a subject. In addition, the histone comprising a serine or threonine proximate to an amino acid capable of binding to a functional group can be used to screen for compounds which prevent or treat cancer. Also disclosed is an antibody or binding portion thereof raised against a binary switch on a histone comprising a phosphorylated serine or threonine proximate to an amino acid bound to a functional group and its use in detecting a condition mediated by that switch.

Abstract: Methods and agents useful for modulating histone proteolysis, stem cell differentiation, and gene transcription and for treating cancer are disclosed. Antibodies or antigen binding fragments that selectively bind to histone-3 cleavage products and are useful for diagnosing cancer and monitoring a subject's response to cancer treatment are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for characterizing the activity of an acetyl transferase or deacetylase. The method involves enzymatically acetylating or deacetylating in vitro a substrate that is a peptide fragment of a full-length polypeptide, and then non-enzymatically acylating the peptide substrate with acyl groups that differ in molecular weight from the enzymatically added or removed acetyl groups. Typically, deuterated acetic anhydride is used to non-enzymatically acylate the substrate. The fully acylated substrate is then characterized by mass spectrometry to determine the amino acid positions of the substrate that are enzymatically acetylated or deacetylated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting and regulating cellular DNA damage as well as methods of screening compounds suitable for modulating cellular DNA damage. The methods of the present invention utilize antibodies that selectively bind to a phosphorylated tyrosine residue in a SQEY tyrosine phosphorylation motif sequence or a phosphorylated serine residue in a KENSSQ phosphorylation motif sequence, where the phosphorylated serine residue is closest to the glutamine residue. Also encompassed by the present invention are methods of treating a subject having cancer. These methods involve the administration of an agent that modulates the phosphorylation of the tyrosine residue in a SQEY motif. Suitable agents for modulating the phosphorylation of the tyrosine residue of the SQEY motif are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for characterizing the activity of an acetyl transferase or deacetylase. The method involves enzymatically acetylating or deacetylating in vitro a substrate that is a peptide fragment of a full-length polypeptide, and then non-enzymatically acylating the peptide substrate with acyl groups that differ in molecular weight from the enzymatically added or removed acetyl groups. Typically, deuterated acetic anhydride is used to non-enzymatically acylate the substrate. The fully acylated substrate is then characterized by mass spectrometry to determine the amino acid positions of the substrate that are enzymatically acetylated or deacetylated.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for characterizing the activity of an acetyl transferase or deacetylase. The method involves enzymatically acetylating or deacetylating in vitro a substrate that is a peptide fragment of a full-length polypeptide, and then non-enzymatically acylating the peptide substrate with acyl groups that differ in molecular weight from the enzymatically added or removed acetyl groups. Typically, deuterated acetic anhydride is used to non-enzymatically acylate the substrate. The fully acylated substrate is then characterized by mass spectrometry to determine the amino acid positions of the substrate that are enyzmatically acetylated or deacetylated.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for characterizing the activity of an acetyl transferase or deacetylase. The method involves enzymatically acetylating or deacetylating in vitro a substrate that is a peptide fragment of a full-length polypeptide, and then non-enzymatically acylating the peptide substrate with acyl groups that differ in molecular weight from the enzymatically added or removed acetyl groups. Typically, deuterated acetic anhydride is used to non-enzymatically acylate the substrate. The fully acylated substrate is then characterized by mass spectrometry to determine the amino acid positions of the substrate that are enzymatically acetylated or deacetylated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the generation of antibodies against an &agr;-phosphorylated serine 14 residue on Histone 2B. This postranslational modification of the amino terminus of Histone 2B is associated with cells that are about to enter or are already undergoing apoptosis. These antibodies are useful in identifying apoptotic cells and serve as diagnostic and screening tools. The present invention is also directed to the Mst1 kinase and the isolation of compounds that modulate the activity of Mst1. This kinase has been identified as the enzyme responsible for creating this postranslational modification on Histone 2B in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of antibodies that bind to specific modifications of the amino terminus of histone H3 and H2A peptides. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the generation of a set of antibodies that recognize various post-tanslational modifications of a histone modification cassette SGRGK (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein the modifications are selected from the group consisting of a phosphorylated serine, methylated arginine and acetylated lysine. Compositions comprising these antibodies are used as diagnosed and screening tools.

Abstract: The present invention related to the generation of methyllysine-specific histone antibodies. In particular, the H3 lysine 4 methylation specific antibody (Methyl(K4)H3) binds to histone H3 methylated at lysine 4. Methylation of lysine 4 (K4) on histone H3 has been associated with transcriptionally active regions of chromatin. A second antibody, H3 lysine 9 methylation specific antibody (Methyl(K9)H3) specifically binds to histone H3 methylated at lysine 9. Methylation of lysine 9 (K9) on histone H3 has been associated with gene silencing. These antibodies are useful in identifying regions of heterochromatin and euchromatin and serving as diagnostic and screening tools.