Abstract: Pharmaceutical compounds, compositions, methods, and uses therefor are presented using selected triazolopyridines and triazolopyrimidines to inhibit or reduce phosphorylation of tau proteins or that act as antagonists of corticotropin-releasing factor. Viewed from another perspective, compounds, compositions, and methods are presented for treating or preventing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting or reducing the phosphorylation of tau proteins.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compounds, compositions, methods, and uses therefor are presented using selected triazolopyridines and triazolopyrimidines to inhibit or reduce phosphorylation of tau proteins or that act as antagonists of corticotropin-releasing factor. Viewed from another perspective, compounds, compositions, and methods are presented for treating or preventing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting or reducing the phosphorylation of tau proteins.

Abstract: Selected compounds, compositions, and methods for inhibiting BACE are presented that have relatively high selectivity towards APP via interaction of the inhibitor with both BACE and APP.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compounds, compositions, methods, and uses therefor are presented using selected triazolopyridines and triazolopyrimidines to inhibit or reduce phosphorylation of tau proteins or that act as antagonists of corticotropin-releasing factor. Viewed from another perspective, compounds, compositions, and methods are presented for treating or preventing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting or reducing the phosphorylation of tau proteins.

Abstract: A vaccine is described which provides protection against a broad spectrum of viral strains, including but not limited to influenza A strains such as H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1. Embodiments of the present invention offer a number of advantages over conventional vaccine, in that they are cheaper to synthesize, more stable, easily scalable, and amenable to further genetic manipulation. Most importantly, certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate features, including but not limited to endosomal targeting, which result in a more robust immune response.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, and, more specifically, to the treatment of tumors, including solid tumors and their metastases, without radiation or standard chemotherapeutic agents. In one embodiment, the invention involves a method comprising: a) providing a subject with tumor cells, b) removing at least a portion of said tumor cells from said subject to create removed cells, c) treating at least a portion of said removed cells ex vivo, using stimulating agents, including thapsigargin and/or thapsigargin-related compounds, so as to create treated tumor cells; and d) introducing said treated tumor cells (or fragments thereof) in vivo into the same subject to generate anticancer therapeutic effects.

Abstract: This invention provides a new in vitro screening method for the detection of protein-protein and other interactions. The method has been developed and applied to a commercial cDNA library to search for novel protein-protein interactions. PDZ, WW and SH3 domains from PSD95, Nedd4, Src, Abl and Crk proteins were used as test targets. 12 novel putative and 2 previously reported interactions were identified for 6 protein interaction modules in test screens. The novel screening format, dubbed TAIS (target-assisted iterative screening), provides an alternative platform to existing technologies for a pair-wise characterization of protein-protein, and other, interactions.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel screening system for identifying p53 mimetics/agonists. Also provided are small organic molecules that act as effective p53 mimetics/agonists.

Abstract: Protein engineering is an emerging area that has expanded the understanding in the art of protein folding and laid the groundwork for the creation of unprecedented structures with unique functions. The first native-like pore-forming protein, small globular protein (SGP), has previously been designed. It has now been discovered that this artificially engineered protein, and analogs and homologs thereof, have membrane-disrupting properties and anti-tumor activity in several cancer animal models. A mechanism for the selectivity of SGP toward cell membranes in tumors is proposed and validated herein, thereby confirming the proposed mechanism of action. Thus, SGP is established herein as the prototype for a new class of artificial proteins designed for therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of identifying a compound that modulates SP-induced paraptosis by (a) contacting a population of cells with an effective amount of substance P to induce SP-induced paraptosis; (b) contacting a first sub-population of the cells with a test-compound, and a second sub-population of the cells with a control-compound; and (c) comparing the amount of cell death between the first and second sub-populations of cells, where a difference in the amount of cell death between the first and second sub-populations of cells indicates that the test-compound is a compound that modulates SP-induced paraptosis. The invention is also directed to a method of treating a condition associated with excessive cell accumulation by administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound identified from the method described above where the effective amount of the compound increases SP-induced paraptosis.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it is demonstrated that selected mutations such as an Asp->Ala (D664A) mutation in APP (which prevents cleavage at the caspase cleavage site) prevent both hippocampal synaptic loss and dentate gyral atrophy, even though such mutations do not interfere with the production of A? or the formation of amyloid plaques in a transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, in view of this finding, methods have been developed for the identification of agents which block cleavage at Asp664 of APP, including transgenic animals which are useful for such purpose, as well as methods for the use thereof for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that the &bgr;-amyloid precursor protein (APP), and two APP-like proteins (APLP1 and APLP2) are proteolytically cleaved by caspases in the C terminus to generate an approximately 31 amino acid peptide. It has been further discovered that the resultant C-terminal peptide is a potent inducer of apoptosis. Both caspase-cleaved APP and activated caspase-9 is present in brains of Alzheimer's disease patients but not in control brains. These findings indicate that caspase cleavage of APP and APP-like proteins leads to the generation of apoptotic peptides, which may contribute to the neuronal death associated with Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, there are provided compositions and methods for modulating apoptosis.