Abstract: Rhomboid Related Proteins (RRPs), involved in the EGFR signaling pathway, are provided. Transgenic, nonhuman mammals containing a transgene encoding an RRP polypeptide or a gene effecting the expression of an RRP polypeptide, along with methods of modulating the interaction of RRP proteins with their pathway members, and methods of screening for agents that modulate the interaction of an RRP polypeptide with an RRP binding target, such as RRP-specific antibodies and small molecules identified in high throughput screens, are also provided.

Abstract: Novel nucleic acids that are homologs of genes implicated in metabolism and that have been isolated from Drosophila melanogaster are described. These nucleic acids and proteins can be used to genetically modify metazoan invertebrate organisms, such as insects and worms, or cultured cells, resulting in novel gene expression or mis-expression. The genetically modified organisms or cells can be used in screening assays to identify candidate compounds which are potential therapeutics that interact with gene products implicated in metabolism. They can also be used in methods for studying gene activity and identifying other genes that modulate the function of, or interact with, genes implicated in metabolism.

Abstract: Specific BRCA1 mutations, PCR primers and hybridization probes are used in nucleic acid-based methods for diagnostic of inheritable breast cancer susceptibility. Additionally, binding agents, such as antibodies, specific for peptides encoded by the subject BRCA1 mutants are used to identify expression products of diagnostic mutations/rare alleles in patient derived fluid or tissue samples. Compositions with high binding affinity for transcription or translation products of the disclosed BRCA1 mutations and alleles are used in therapeutic intervention. Such products include anti-sense nucleic acids, peptides encoded by the subject nucleic acids, and binding agents such as antibodies, specific for such peptides.

Abstract: Specific BRCA1 mutations, PCR primers and hybridization probes are used in nucleic acid-based methods for diagnostic of inheritable breast cancer susceptibility. Additionally, binding agents, such as antibodies, specific for peptides encoded by the subject BRCA1 mutants are used to identify expression products of diagnostic mutations/rare alleles in patient derived fluid or tissue samples. Compositions with high binding affinity for transcription or translation products of the disclosed BRCA1 mutations and alleles are used in therapeutic intervention. Such products include anti-sense nucleic acids, peptides encoded by the subject nucleic acids, and binding agents such as antibodies, specific for such peptides.