Abstract: The invention relates generally to standard sets of proteins, polypeptides, or peptides, and methods of using the standard sets to standardize laboratories, laboratory procedures, or laboratory equipment, and to certify laboratories and laboratory technicians. In certain aspects, the invention relates to standard sets of proteins, polypeptides, or peptides, that may be used in mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of Type II Diabetes Mellitus patients, which comprises administering an acidotropic agent to the patient in an amount sufficient for neutralizing intraendosomal pH or preventing lowering of intraendosomal pH; thereby activating insulin receptor kinase of the patient and preventing insulin resistance. The present invention also relates to a method for the screening of an acidotropic agent suitable for the treatment of Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating and diagnosing protein trafficking disorders and controlling secretory protein production. The present invention also relates to methods for folding unfolded proteins, especially in heterelogous expression systems. The methods comprise exposing an unfolded protein to a biological preparation comprising ERp57 in combination with calnexin or calreticulin under conditions to permit folding of the unfolded protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new yeast two-hybrid system for the detection of interactions between membrane proteins and lumenal proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum. The yeast two-hybrid system of the present invention uses the IRE1 gene of yeast which is a key element in the endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response to signal the interaction between proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum. The IRE1 gene codes for a type 1 membrane protein Ire1p, that has a kinase in the cytosolic domain and it signals the presence of unfolded proteins in the ER by oligomerization and transphosphorylation, this in turn activates a RNaseL that has as its unique (so far) substrate the HAC1 messenger RNA, that codes for the transcription factor that binds to the unfolded protein response element and upregulates transcription of ER protein required for folding proteins within the ER.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the effect of a test sample on UGGT activity. The method comprises the steps of: a) exposing an acceptor substrate of UGGT such as acid phosphatase to a labeled donor such as UDP-3H-glucose in the presence of the test sample and UGGT; and b) detecting the amount of donor which was transferred to the acceptor substrate wherein a decrease of donor intake when compared to a control means that the test sample is a UGGT stimulator and a decrease means that the test sample is a UGGT inhibitor. The present invention also relates to an isolated mammalian cDNA which encodes for rat UGGT and to methods of producing mammalian UGGT using recombinant vectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing secretory protein production. In another aspect, the present invention provides compositions for use in methods of treating and diagnosing protein trafficking disorders. These methods generally involve the alteration of calnexin activity to increase protein secretion or retention.