Abstract: Methods for assessing the integrity of an RNA sample from a given tissue or blood type are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for improved quality control of nucleic acid containing biological samples utilized in high-throughput situations such as biorepositories engaged in the collection, processing, storage, distribution and analysis of such samples are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for assessing the integrity of an RNA sample from a given tissue or blood type are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for improved quality control of nucleic acid containing biological samples utilized in high-throughput situations such as biorepositories engaged in the collection, processing, storage, distribution and analysis of such samples are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel mammalian phospholipase (PLA2) nucleotide sequences and low molecular weight (about 14 KD) amino acid sequences encoded thereby are disclosed. More particularly, a cloned human HPLA2 cDNA expressing HPLA2-10 and its cloned rat RPLA2 cDNA counterpart, expressing RPLA2-10, which are characterized as PLA2 Type IV, are disclosed. A second type of PLA2 cDNA, characterized as PLA2 Type III and exemplified by a rat PLA2 cDNA encoding RPLA2-8 and a partial human PLA2 nucleotide sequence encoding HPLA2-8, is disclosed. Expression of the cDNAs encode the two new types of PLA2 enzymes which have phospholipase activity. The novel PLA2s do not include disulfide bridges between cysteine amino acids 11 and 77 or elapid loops. However, the novel PLA2s may include amino acid COOH-terminal extensions which can vary in length.

Abstract: Provided herein are variant alleles of a gene encoding a mu opioid receptor, along with cloning vectors for replicating such variant alleles, expressing vectors for expressing the variant alleles to produce variant mu opioid receptors, and antibodies to such variant receptors. Also disclosed are binding characteristics of such variant receptors regarding binding to opioid ligands, and the using of such binding characteristics to diagnose a subjects susceptibility to pain, susceptibility to an addictive disease, selecting an appropriate pain reliever along with a therapeutically effective amount of the reliever to administer to a subject suffering from pain. In addition, diagnostic methods for diagnosing a disease or disorder such as infertility, constipation, diarrhea, decreased immune response relative to a standard, and decreased ability to withstand stress relative to a standard, along with commercial kits for diagnosing such diseases or disorders.

Abstract: Provided herein are variant alleles of a gene encoding a mu opioid receptor, along with cloning vectors for replicating such variant alleles, expressing vectors for expressing the variant alleles to produce variant mu opioid receptors, and antibodies to such variant receptors. Also disclosed are binding characteristics of such variant receptors regarding binding to opioid ligands, and the using of such binding characteristics to diagnose a subjects susceptibility to pain, susceptibility to an addictive disease, selecting an appropriate pain reliever along with a therapeutically effective amount of the reliever to administer to a subject suffering from pain. In addition, diagnostic methods for diagnosing a disease or disorder such as infertility, constipation, diarrhea, decreased immune response relative to a standard, and decreased ability to withstand stress relative to a standard, along with commercial kits for diagnosing such diseases or disorders.

Abstract: Novel transgenic nonhuman animals for detecting and characterizing mutations in vivo are disclosed. When detecting reverse mutations, the transgenic nonhuman animal now afford the unique advantage of detecting and characterizing mutations in vivo without having to sacrifice the animals as required heretofore. Moreover, since the transgenic nonhuman animals do not need to be sacrificed, they provide the unique opportunity to correlate the incidence and location of tumors (carcinogenesis) with the incidence and location of mutagenesis. Also disclosed are novel constructs, cell lines and chimeric animals for producing the novel transgenic animals. Novel methods for detecting and characterizing the mutations in vivo and producing animals for use in accordance with the methods of the instant invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel transgenic nonhuman animals, such as transgenic mice, for detecting and characterizing mutations in vivo are disclosed. When detecting reverse mutations, such as mutations of the APRT gene, the transgenic nonhuman animal now afford the unique advantage of detecting and characterizing mutations in vivo without having to sacrifice the animals as required heretofore. Moreover, since the transgenic nonhuman animals do not need to be sacrificed, they provide the unique opportunity to correlate the incidence and location of tumors (carcinogenesis) with the incidence and location of mutagenesis. Also disclosed are novel constructs, cell lines and chimeric animals for producing the novel transgenic animals. Novel methods for detecting and characterizing the mutations in vivo and producing animals for use in accordance with the methods of the instant invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel mammalian phospholipase (PLA.sub.2) nucleotide sequences and low molecular weight (about 14KD) amino acid sequences encoded thereby are disclosed. More particularly, a cloned human HPLA.sub.2 cDNA expressing HPLA.sub.2 -10 and its cloned rat RPLA.sub.2 cDNA counterpart, expressing RPLA.sub.2 -10, which are characterized as PLA.sub.2 Type IV, are disclosed. A second type of PLA.sub.2 cDNA, characterized as PLA.sub.2 Type III and exemplified by a rat PLA.sub.2 cDNA encoding RPLA.sub.2 -8 and a partial human PLA.sub.2 nucleotide sequence encoding HPLA.sub.2 -8, is disclosed. Expression of the cDNAs encode the two new types of PLA.sub.2 enzymes which have phospholipase activity. The novel PLA.sub.2 s do not include disulfide bridges between cysteine amino acids 11 and 77 or elapid loops. However, the novel PLA.sub.2 s may include amino acid COOH-terminal extensions which can vary in length. Seventeen of the eighteen absolutely conserved amino acids in all active 14KD PLA.sub.

Abstract: A new and improved cell assay has been developed for mutagens and potential carcinogens to precisely identify the predominant type of mutation(s) each such compound induces in the DNA of cells. The test utilizes, for example, a selectable genetic marker such as adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) which is now extensively characterized on the DNA, protein and cellular phenotype levels. Specific mutations such as transitions, transversions, point insertions or point deletions are engineered at specific known sites in a mouse APRT gene deduced from the determined gene sequence, such that the gene cannot be properly expressed. These mutant genes are then introduced into non-reverting APRT deficient mammalian cells. These hybrid constructs represent the basic test medium for detection of mutagenic activity. The tester cells are treated with mutagens known to preferentially induce specific DNA mutations in mammalian cells.