Abstract: The invention relates to regulatory sequences of the mouse villin gene that efficiently drive transgenic expression in immature and differentiated epithelial cells of the intestine and uro-genital tracts. The invention also relates to recombinant constructs comprising said regulatory sequences, for the control of the targeted expression of determined nucleic acid sequences so-called (heterologous sequences or also transgenes), in cells or tissues originating from the intestinal mucosa. A further object of the invention is to provide cells, tissues or organisms including animals, expressing said determined nucleic acid sequences in a targeted manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns peptide fragments of the WASP family proteins, or peptides derived from said fragments, and their uses in particular for preparing reagents for use in implementing a method for detecting or screening molecules with inhibiting or stimulating effect on the formation of the actin cytoskeleton, hence an inhibiting or stimulating effect on cellular motility.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of proteins or peptides comprising one or several protein binding units of the Ena/VASP family, said proteins or peptides not binding with the Arp2/3 protein complex, in particular fragments of the ActA protein of Listeria monocytogenes, or proteins of the zyxin family, for preparing reagents for use in implementing a process detecting and screening molecules having an inhibiting or stimulating effect on the formation of actin cytoskeleton.

Abstract: The invention concerns peptide fragments of the WASP family proteins, or peptides derived from said fragments, and their uses in particular for preparing reagents for use in implementing a method for detecting or screening molecules with inhibiting or stimulating effect on the formation of the actin cytoskeleton, hence an inhibiting or stimulating effect on cellular motility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the control of membrane traffic inside cells, such as those involving fusion events and in particular those involving exocytic events. It more particularly relates to N-terminal fragments of TeNT-insentive VAMP, and to TeNT-insentive VAMP deleted from such fragments, and to the biological applications of such products, notably for controlling TeNT-resistant pathways such as neurite outgrowth and cell motility.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of introducing a heterologous DNA sequence into a mouse embryonic stem cell wherein the DNA sequence is inserted by homologous recombination into a villin gene/I-SceI hybrid by creating a double strand break with I-SceI meganuclease. Subsequently, the mouse embryonic stem cells can be used to generate a transgenic mouse comprising the heterologous DNA sequence. Additionally, the methods can be used for gene replacement in ovo where a mouse oocyte containing a villin gene/I-SceI hybrid within its genome exists or is first generated. More generally, the methods can be used for the targeted insertion of a heterologous DNA sequence into any cell containing a villin gene/I-SceI hybrid sequence within its genome.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing an effective amount of ezrin mutated on tyrosine 353, or a functional fragment or derivative thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use preferably in the prevention and/or treatment of tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to regulatory sequences of the mouse villin gene that efficiently drive transgenic expression in immature and differentiated epithelial cells of the intestine and uro-genital tracts. The invention also relates to recombinant constructs comprising said regulatory sequences, for the control of the targeted expression of determined nucleic acid sequences so-called (heterologeous sequences or also transgenes), in cells or tissues originating from the intestinal mucosa. A further object of the invention is to provide cells, tissues or organisms including animals, expressing said determined nucleic acid sequences in a targeted manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing an effective amount of ezrin mutated on tyrosine 353, or a functional fragment or derivative thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use preferably in the prevention and/or treatment of tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant nucleic acid, characterized in that it comprises:a nucleotide sequence encoding (coding sequence) the normal CFTR protein,an epitope sequence located at the 3' end of the abovementioned coding sequence,a strong promoter sequence capable of controlling the expression of the abovementioned coding sequence and epitope sequence, when they are integrated into a determined cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of constructing a villin gene hybrid by inserting an I-Sce I restriction site next to or within a gene or cDNA encoding a villin protein. The insertion site of the I-Sce I restriction site is chosen as to provide a first downstream part and a second upstream part from the site, containing at least twelve nucleotides of the gene or cDNA encoding the villin protein. Furthermore, the insertion of the restriction permits a high frequency of homologous recombination events. The villin gene hybrid may be used to transfect eukaryotic cells, and particularly, embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid fragments characterized in that they comprise from 8 to 40 nucleotides and in that their sequence is contained either in the DNA coding sequence of the gene for human villin or in any DNA fragment exactly complementary to one of the former and hence containing the same number of deoxynucleotides, or any corresponding RNA fragment containing the same number of ribonucleotides. The invention also relates to the application of these fragments to a procedure for the in vitro detection of the presence of a nucleic acid characteristic of human villin.

Abstract: Antibodies, both polyclonal and monoclonal, recognize and bind human villin. Hybridomas, producing monoclonal antibodies which bind human villin, are also provided.

Abstract: In vitro diagnosis of malignant cells originating in the digestive tract by placing a biological specimen in contact with a reagent recognizing the gene coding for human villin.