Abstract: A method of using an osteocrin (Ostn) or a NPR-C specific Ostn peptide derivative for increasing osteogenesis in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of said Ostn or NPR-C specific Ostn peptide derivative to the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone polypeptide, particularly bone polypeptide-1 and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The present invention provides the human primary sequence of bone polypeptide-1 as well as sequences of vertebrate homologs. The invention also provides cell lines engineered to express the cDNA, antibodies to detect its translation products, and recombinant adenoviruses to deliver an expressible cDNA into a host. Bone polypeptide-1 can be utilized to treat diseases affecting renal and bone functions.

Abstract: A method of using an osteocrin (Ostn) or a NPR-C specific Ostn peptide derivative for increasing osteogenesis in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of said Ostn or NPR-C specific Ostn peptide derivative to the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone polypeptide, particularly bone polypeptide-1 and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The present invention provides the human primary sequence of bone polypeptide-1 as well as sequences of vertebrate homologs. The invention also provides cell lines engineered to express the cDNA, antibodies to detect its translation products, and recombinant adenoviruses to deliver an expressible cDNA into a host. Bone polypeptide-can be utilized to treat diseases affecting renal and bone functions.

Abstract: This invention relates to the screening of nucleic acids. More particularly, the present invention provides a dysfunctional viral genome capable of both expressing libraries of exogenous nucleic acids and selecting the sequences having a predefined characteristic or function within the cell, such as nucleic acids encoding signal peptides, secreted proteins, membrane bound proteins, proteases and drug-resistance proteins. The invention further provides a method and a kit for selecting nucleic acids having a desired feature, wherein production of a viral particle is dependent on insertion of an exogenous nucleic acid having the desired feature into a dysfunctional viral genome or into a viral genome exposed to a substance inhibiting viral packaging function(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone polypeptide, particularly bone polypeptide-1 and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The present invention provides the human primary sequence of bone polypeptide-1 as well as sequences of vertebrate homologs. The invention also provides cell lines engineered to express the cDNA, antibodies to detect its translation products, and recombinant adenoviruses to deliver an expressible cDNA into a host. Bone polypeptide-1 can be utilized to treat diseases affecting renal and bone functions.