Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided isolated mammalian TRAIL receptor proteins, antibodies thereto, therapeutic compositions, and nucleic acids encoding such. Bioassays and therapeutic methods employing invention DR5 and TRAIL-R3 proteins are also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided isolated mammalian TRAIL receptor proteins, antibodies thereto, therapeutic compositions, and nucleic acids encoding such. Bioassays and therapeutic methods employing invention DR5 and TRAIL-R3 proteins are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a caspase-14 polypeptide or functional fragment thereof, a vector that contains the nucleic acid molecule and a host cell that contains the vector. The invention also relates to an isolated gene encoding caspase-14, as well as functional fragments thereof. The gene or nucleic acid molecule can include single or double stranded nucleic acids corresponding to coding or non-coding strands of the caspase-14 nucleotide sequence. Isolated caspase-14 polypeptides or functional fragments thereof are also provided, as are antibodies that specifically bind thereto. In addition, the invention relates to methods of identifying compounds that modulate caspase-14 activity.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated gene encoding Mch3, or functional fragment thereof. Also provided is an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding Mch3 or functional fragment thereof. The gene or nucleic acid sequence can be single or double stranded nucleic acids corresponding to coding or non-coding strands of the Mch3 nucleotide sequence. An isolated Mch3 polypeptide or functional fragment thereof is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated gene encoding Mch6 as well as functional fragments thereof. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding Mch6 or functional fragments thereof. The gene or nucleic acid sequences can be single or double stranded nucleic acids corresponding to coding or non-coding strands of the Mch6 nucleotide sequences. The invention further provides an isolated Mch6 polypeptide and isolated large and small subunits of the Mch6 polypeptide, including functional fragments thereof.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide having a sequence encoding a peptide or polypeptide of Smac having at least two contiguous amino acid residues derived from at least residues 56-139 of SEQ ID NO:1 and of which up to 184 contiguous amino acid residues can be derived from residues 56-239 of SEQ ID NO:1, a functional variant of each or a functional equivalent of each, each of which is capable of specifically binding to at least a portion of an Inhibitor of Apoptosis protein. This peptide can be used in a method to modulate apoptosis or to identify modulators of apoptosis as well as in therapeutic uses.

Abstract: CARD-7 and CARD-8 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided isolated mammalian TRAIL receptor proteins, antibodies thereto, therapeutic compositions, and nucleic acids encoding such. Bioassays and therapeutic methods employing invention DR5 and TRAIL-R3 proteins are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a caspase-14 polypeptide or functional fragment thereof, a vector that contains the nucleic acid molecule and a host cell that contains the vector. The invention also relates to an isolated gene encoding caspase-14, as well as functional fragments thereof. The gene or nucleic acid molecule can include single or double stranded nucleic acids corresponding to coding or non-coding strands of the caspase-14 nucleotide sequence. Isolated caspase-14 polypeptides or functional fragments thereof are also provided, as are antibodies that specifically bind thereto. In addition, the invention relates to methods of identifying compounds that modulate caspase-14 activity.

Abstract: Rev-caspases comprising a primary product in which the small subunit is N-terminal to the large subunit are provided. Rev-caspases are used for screening and identifying caspase inhibitors and enhancers. Rev-caspase genes can be delivered to cells for gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated gene encoding Mch3, or functional fragment thereof. Also provided is an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding Mch3 or functional fragment thereof. The gene or nucleic acid sequence can be single or double stranded nucleic acids corresponding to coding or non-coding strands of the Mch3 nucleotide sequence. An isolated Mch3 polypeptide or functional fragment thereof is also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided isolated mammalian TRAIL receptor proteins, antibodies thereto, therapeutic compositions, and nucleic acids encoding such. Bioassays and therapeutic methods employing invention DR5 and TRAIL-R3 proteins are also provided.

Abstract: Two FADD-like anti-apoptotic proteins that regulate Fas/TNFR1- or UV-induced apoptosis are disclsoed. Nucleotide sequences encoding the proteins are disclosed as are methods of using the nucleic acid molecules and making the proteins. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the same are disclosed. Reagents, kits and methods of identifying compounds that inhibit anti-apoptotic activity of the proteins and methods of identifying compounds that inhibit binding activity of the proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially pure protein that is a member of the apoptotic Ced-3/Ice cysteine protease gene family, Mch2&agr;, and an inactive isoform of it, Mch2&bgr;, are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2&agr; and Mch2&bgr;, respectively, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in combination with the protein or the nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. Fragments of nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2&agr; and Mch2&bgr; having at least 10 nucleotides and oligonucleotide molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence complimentary to a nucleotide sequence of at least 10 nucleotides are disclosed. Recombinant expression vectors that comprise the nucleic acid molecule that encode Mch2&agr; or Mch2&bgr;, and host cells that comprise such recombinant vectors are disclosed. Antibodies that bind to an epitope on Mch2&agr; and/or Mch2&bgr; are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors, activators and substrates of Mch2&agr; are disclosed.

Abstract: Truncated Apaf-1 nucleic acids and encoded polypeptides are provided. Also provided are self-oligomerizing caspase molecules capable of self-processing. In one embodiment the present invention provides methods for identifying apoptotic inhibitors and enhancers use whole cell or reconstituted component assay systems. In a further embodiment, truncated Apaf-1 and self-oligomerizing caspase constructs are described which can be provided to a cell, thereby inducing apoptosis.

Abstract: Rev-caspases comprising a primary product in which the small subunit is N-terminal to the large subunit are provided. Rev-caspases are used for screening and identifying caspase inhibitors and enhancers. Rev-caspase genes can be delivered to cells for gene therapy.

Abstract: Rev-caspases comprising a primary product in which the small subunit is N-terminal to the large subunit are provided. Rev-caspases are used for screening and identifying caspase inhibitors and enhancers. Rev-caspase genes can be delivered to cells for gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated gene encoding Mch4 or an isolated gene encoding Mch5 as well as functional fragments thereof. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding Mch4 or Mch5 or functional fragment thereof. The gene or nucleic acid sequences can be single or double stranded nucleic acids corresponding to coding or non-coding strands of the Mch4 or Mch5 nucleotide sequences. Also provided are genes and nucleic acids encoding functional fragments such as the FADD-like domains Mch4A, Mch4B, Mch5A and Mch5B. Isolated Mch4 or Mch5 polypeptides or functional fragments thereof including the FADD-like domains Mch4A, Mch4B, Mch5A and Mch5B are also provided.

Abstract: A substantially pure protein that is a member of the apoptotic Ced-3/Ice cysteine protease gene family, Mch2&agr;, and an inactive isoform of it, Mch2&bgr;, are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2&agr; and Mch2&bgr;, respectively, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in combination with the protein or the nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. Fragments of nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2&agr; and Mch2&bgr; having at least 10 nucleotides and oligonucleotide molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence complimentary to a nucleotide sequence of at least 10 nucleotides are disclosed. Recombinant expression vectors that comprise the nucleic acid molecule that encode Mch2&agr; or Mch2&bgr;, and host cells that comprise such recombinant vectors are disclosed. Antibodies that bind to an epitope on Mch2&agr; and/or Mch2&bgr; are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors, activators and substrates of Mch2&agr; are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a caspase-14 polypeptide or functional fragment thereof, a vector that contains the nucleic acid molecule and a host cell that contains the vector. The invention also relates to an isolated gene encoding caspase-14, as well as functional fragments thereof. The gene or nucleic acid molecule can include single or double stranded nucleic acids corresponding to coding or non-coding strands of the caspase-14 nucleotide sequence. Isolated caspase-14 polypeptides or functional fragments thereof are also provided, as are antibodies that specifically bind thereto. In addition, the invention relates to methods of identifying compounds that modulate caspase-14 activity.