Abstract: Screening of the autoantibodies and autoantigens which are specific to Sjögren's syndrome, particularly primary Sjögren's syndrome, and provision of a prophylactic and therapeutic drug for Sjögren's syndrome, particularly primary Sjögren's syndrome, and a highly sensitive diagnostic agent for Sjögren's syndrome. The &agr;-fodrin or &agr;-fodrin fragment of the invention is an antigen to the autoantibodies specifically found in Sjögren's syndrome and this autoantigen finds application as a prophylactic and therapeutic drug for autoimmune diseases, particularly Sjögren's syndrome, or a diagnostic agent for such diseases.

Abstract: Screening of the autoantibodies and autoantigens which are specific to Sjögren's syndrome, particularly primary Sjögren's syndrome, and provision of a prophylactic and therapeutic drug for Sjögren's syndrome, particularly primary Sjögren's syndrome, and a highly sensitive diagnostic agent for Sjögren's syndrome. The &agr;-fodrin or &agr;-fodrin fragment of the invention is an antigen to the autoantibodies specifically found in Sjögren's syndrome and this autoantigen finds application as a prophylactic and therapeutic drug for autoimmune diseases, particularly Sjögren's syndrome, or a diagnostic agent for such diseases.

Abstract: To provide a method of isolating and detecting a new receptor gene, as a means of elucidating the function of neuronal cell-specific receptors, especially of elucidating the detailed mechanism of the neuronal cell differentiation inhibitory and nerve nutrition factor-like actions of activin receptors, DNA containing said new receptor gene, a method of producing a protein encoded by this new receptor gene, and use for this DNA and protein. The receptor protein of the present invention and DNA encoding this protein can be used for various purposes, including 1) ligand determination, 2) obtainment of antibodies and antisera, 3) construction of recombinant receptor protein expression systems, 4) development of receptor binding assay systems and screening for pharmaceutical candidate compounds using expression systems, 5) drug designing based on comparison with structurally similar ligand receptors, 6) reagent for preparation of probes and PCR primers for gene diagnosis, and 7) drug for gene therapy.

Abstract: Screening of the autoantibodies and autoantigens which are specific to Sjogren's syndrome, particularly primary Sjogren's syndrome, and provision of a prophylactic and therapeutic drug for Sjogren's syndrome, particularly primary Sjogren's syndrome, and a highly sensitive diagnostic agent for Sjogren's syndrome. The .alpha.-fodrin or .alpha.-fodrin fragment of the invention is an antigen to the autoantibodies specifically found in Sjogren's syndrome and this autoantigen finds application as a prophylactic and therapeutic drug for autoimmune diseases, particularly Sjogren's syndrome, or a diagnostic agent for such diseases.

Abstract: An intact human immune interferon protein and a method for the extraction and purification of intact recombinant human immune interferon is disclosed. This method permits the purification to homogeneity of intact recombinant human immune interferon.

Abstract: An intact human immune interferon protein and a method for the extraction and purification of intact recombinant human immune interferon is disclosed. This method permits the purification to homogenity of intact recombinant human immune interferon.

Abstract: An intact human immune interferon protein and a method for the extraction and purification of intact recombinant human immune interferon is disclosed. This method permits the purification to homogenity of intact recombinant human immune interferon.

Abstract: An active fragment of human immune interferon and a method for the extraction and purification of this protein fragment is disclosed. This method permits the purification to homogenity of the active fragment of recombinant human immune interferon.

Abstract: Process for producing plasminostreptin by cultivating a Streptomyces microorganism.