Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinal nucleus pulposus implant for use in the treatment of the intervertebral disc and in particular, to the use of a CD-RAP protein therefore.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the use of a repellent factor and/or polypeptide for manufacturing of a pharmaceutical composition for treating a disease such as a degenerative disease in particular to the use of a SLIT3 or NETRIN1 protein therefore. The invention is further related to a polypeptide fragment of SLIT3, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the polypeptide and the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinal nucleus pulposus implant for use in the treatment of the intervertebral disc and in particular, to the use of a CD-RAP protein therefore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymorphic CYP3A5 polynucleotide. Moreover, the invention relates to genes or vectors comprising the polynucleotides of the invention and to a host cell genetically engineered with the polynucleotide or gene of the invention. Further, the invention relates to methods for producing molecular variant polypeptides or fragments thereof, methods for producing cells capable of expressing a molecular variant polypeptide and to a polypeptide or fragment thereof encoded by the polynucleotide or the gene of the invention or which is obtainable by the method or from the cells produced by the method of the invention. Furthermore, the invention relates to an antibody which binds specifically the polypeptide of the invention. Moreover, the invention relates to a transgenic non-human animal. The invention also relates to a solid support comprising one or a plurality of the above mentioned polynucleotides, genes, vectors, polypeptides, antibodies or host cells.

Abstract: Described are general means and methods of diagnosing and treating the phenotypic spectrum as well as the overlapping clinical characteristics with several forms of inherited abnormal expression and/or function of the hPXR gene. In particular, polynucleotides of molecular variant hPXR gene which, for example, are associated with insufficient metabolization and/or sensitivity of drugs, and vectors comprising such polynucleotides are provided. Furthermore, host cells comprising such polynucleotides or vectors and their use for the production of variant hPXR proteins are described. In addition, variant hPXR proteins and antibodies specifically recognizing such proteins as well as transgenic non-human animals comprising the above-described polynucleotide or vectors are provided. Described are also methods for identifying and obtaining inhibitors for therapy of disorders related to the malfunction of the hPXR gene as well as methods of diagnosing the status of such disorders.