Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical, cosmetic and cosmeceutical topical compositions containing polyisoprenyl-protein inhibitor compounds and methods useful in the promotion of healthy epithelium and the treatment of epithelial-related conditions

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of inactivating and/or decolonizing bacteria on a surface. The present invention also discloses methods for treatment of epithelial conditions caused or aggravated by bacteria, such as acne vulgaris, in a subject in need thereof. The present invention additionally discloses inventive compounds and compositions that exhibit anti-bacterial and/or anti-inflammatory effects.

Abstract: Described are compositions for topical application to keratinous tissues or substrates such as skin, or mucosal surfaces. The composition may be used to treat a skin condition or disease. The composition comprises at least one polypeptide and/or lipidated peptide and a carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides sensors that are useful for detecting and measuring chemical characteristics and physical properties of compositions containing analytes. The invention further provides, among other things, methods for making the sensors and for using them, as well as modified cells having sensors of the invention therein.

Abstract: Disclosed are certain complexes of AFC compounds and binding agents. Such complexes are useful, among other things, in the treatment of inflammatory diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to methylated proteins that control protein phosphorylation, particularly phosphoesterases, such as PP2A. It relates to screening methods for determining agents that affect methylation of these proteins and thus also modulate the level of phosphorylation of phosphoproteins. It relates as well to the agents and to compositions comprising the agents. In a particular aspect in this regard the invention relates to agents that alter PP2A methylation and that thereby affect phosphorylation of phosphoproteins that play an important role in health or disease, such as the tau protein which is implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer's Disease. The invention further relates to diagnostic methods based on protein methylation levels, to compositions comprising agents for affecting methylation of proteins and for controlling the phosphate complement of phosphoproteins.

Abstract: Among other things, the present invention provides novel isoprenyl compounds capable of effectively modulating inflammatory responses and pharmaceutical, cosmetic, cosmeceutical and topical compositions comprising these isoprenyl compounds. Anti-inflammatory compounds of the present invention are useful in treating or preventing diseases or conditions associated with inflammation. Proinflammatory compounds of the present invention are useful in treating or preventing diseases or conditions associated with suppression of inflammatory responses. Thus, the present invention also provides methods useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions associated with inflammation as well as methods useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions associated with suppression of inflammatory responses.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for screening compounds for biological activity in cultures of Dictyostelium.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and/or compositions that modulate PP2A methylation and/or activity and methods for preparing the same, which are useful for modulating the demethylation of PP2A, modulating the methylation of PP2A and/or modulating the activity of PP2A.

Abstract: Methods of preparing isoprenyl cysteine compounds by coupling a cysteine compound with an activated (i.e. halogenated) lipid are disclosed. Also disclosed, among other things, are methods of making activated (i.e. halogenated) lipids, and methods of purifying isoprenyl cysteine compounds.

Abstract: Among other things, the present invention provides novel compounds capable of effectively inhibiting inflammatory responses that are mediated by G-proteins or GPCRs in neutrophils, macrophages and platelets. In particular, compounds of the present invention act as inhibitors of edema, inhibitors of erythema and inhibitors of MPO (myeloperoxidase), pharmaceutical compositions containing the same compounds and the use thereof for the treatment of diseases that may benefit from edema, erythema and MPO inhibition, such as inflammation (acute or chronic), asthma, autoimmune diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis and small airways disease, etc.), inflammatory responses of the immune system, skin diseases (e.g., reducing acute skin irritation for patients suffering from rosacea, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis), irritable bowel syndrome (e.g., Chron's disease and ulcerative colitis, etc.), and central nervous system disorders (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing signal transduction modulator compounds, to methods for treating or preventing inflammation, or promoting healthy joints, using the compounds and to kits for the same.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## in which: R.sup.1 is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms;R.sup.2 is --COX; wherein X is hydroxy, methyl, amino, thio, H--N--(alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms), N--(alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms).sub.2, or halogen;R.sup.3 is a straight or branched chain alkyl of 10 to 25 carbon atoms, or a straight or branched chain alkene including polyunsaturated alkenes of 10 to 25 carbon atoms; andthe alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts thereof when R.sup.2 is --COOH, are substrates and/or inhibitors specifically for prenyl cysteine methyltransferase enzymes which catalyze the methyl transfer from S-adenosylmethionine to the C-termini of proteins and peptides with prenylated cysteine residus at their C-termini. The compounds, as substrates, are particularly suitable for use in assays for qualitatively or quantitatively detecting the farnesyl cysteine methyltransferase enzymes.