Abstract: A substantially pure protein that is a member of the apoptotic Ced-3/Ice cysteine protease gene family, Mch2.alpha., and an inactive isoform of it, Mch2.beta., are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2.alpha. and Mch2.beta., 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.alpha. and Mch2.beta. 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.alpha. or Mch2.beta., and host cells that comprise such recombinant vectors are disclosed. Antibodies that bind to an epitope on Mch2.alpha. and/or Mch2.beta. are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors, activators and substrates of Mch2.alpha.

Abstract: A substantially pure protein that is a member of the apoptotic Ced-3/Ice cysteine protease gene family, Mch2.alpha., and an inactive isoform of it, Mch2.beta., are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2.alpha. and Mch2.beta., 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.alpha. and Mch2.beta. 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.alpha. or Mch2.beta., and host cells that comprise such recombinant vectors are disclosed. Antibodies that bind to an epitope on Mch2.alpha. and/or Mch2.beta. are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors, activators and substrates of Mch2.alpha.

Abstract: A substantially pure protein, immunophilin FKBP46, is disclosed. An isolated nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleic acid sequence that encodes immunophillin FKBP46, is disclosed. An isolated nucleic acid molecule consisting of a nucleic acid sequence that encodes immunophillin FKBP46, or a fragment thereof having at least 10 nucleotides is disclosed. Recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence that encodes immunophillin FKBP46 and host cells comprising the recombinant expression vector are disclosed. Oligonucleotide molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence complimentary to a nucleic acid sequence that encodes immunophillin FKBP46 of at least 5 nucleotides are disclosed. Antibodies that binds to an epitope on FKBP46 are disclosed. Methods of identifying immunosuppressive drugs comprising the steps of contacting FKBP46 or a homologous protein derived from yeast with a test compound and determining whether the protein binds to the test compound are disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially pure protein, Caspase-1, is disclosed. An isolated nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleic acid sequence that encodes Caspase-1, is disclosed. An isolated nucleic acid molecule consisting of a nucleic acid sequence that encodes Caspase-1, or a fragment thereof having at least 10 nucleotides is disclosed. Recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence that encodes Caspase-1 and host cells comprising the recombinant expression vector are disclosed. Oligonucleotide molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence complimentary to a nucleic acid sequence that encodes Caspase-1 of at least 5 nucleotides are disclosed. Antibodies that binds to an epitope on Caspase-1 are disclosed. Methods of identifying modulators and substrates of Caspase-1 are disclosed.

Abstract: Substantially pure interleukin-1 converting enzyme isoforms are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more interleukin-1 converting enzyme isoforms are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules that encode interleukin-1 converting enzyme isoforms, recombinant expression vectors that comprise a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an interleukin-1 converting enzyme isoform, and host cells that comprise recombinant expression vectors that comprise nucleic acid sequences that encode interleukin-1 converting enzyme isoforms are disclosed. Fragments of nucleic acid molecules with sequences encoding interleukin-1 converting enzyme isoform and oligonucleotide molecules that comprise a nucleotide sequence complimentary to fragment of a nucleotide sequence that encodes an interleukin-1 converting enzyme isoform are disclosed. Antibodies which bind to an epitope on interleukin-1 converting enzyme isoforms are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of ICE isoforms are disclosed.

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. Isolated Mch4 or Mch5 polypeptides or functional fragments thereof are also provided.

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.alpha., and an inactive isoform of it, Mch2.beta., are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2.alpha. and Mch2.beta., 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.alpha. and Mch2.beta. 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.alpha. or Mch2.beta., and host cells that comprise such recombinant vectors are disclosed. Antibodies that bind to an epitope on Mch2.alpha. and/or Mch2.beta. are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors, activators and substrates of Mch2.alpha.

Abstract: A chromatographic column and process for isolating or purifying steroid hormone or cell membrane receptors using the column are provided in which the column contains at least three resin layers between the inlet and the outlet ends of the column, the layer closest the inlet being a strong cationic exchange resin, the middle layer being a matrix containing a triazine dye that will bind proteases and proteins with dinucleotide fold conformations, and the layer closest the outlet being a weak anionic exchange resin, the ratio of the volumes of the resin layers being 1:2:1.