Abstract: Methods for treating or preventing a seizure in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one D-amino acid or D-amino acid oxidase inhibitor are provided. In certain aspects, the method reduces the frequency, severity, and/or duration of one or more seizures in the subject. In particular aspects, at least one D-amino acid is administered to the subject before an onset of a seizure, during a seizure, or after a seizure to prevent further seizures. In certain aspects, at least one D-amino acid is administered to the subject prophylactically to prevent the occurrence of a seizure. In more particular aspects, the seizure is caused by epilepsy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preventing or delaying programmed cell death by expressing one or more anti-apoptotic polypeptides in a cell such that programmed cell death in the cell is prevented or delayed. The present invention also relates to increasing production of a cell-related product by expressing one or more anti-apoptotic polypeptides in a cell such that production of the cell-related product by the cell is increased. Recombinant cells useful for producing cell-related product or cellular therapy are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human apoptosis regulator protein (Aven) and polynucleotides which identify and encode Aven. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding Aven, and a method for producing Aven. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding Aven, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of Aven. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding Aven for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of Aven. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding Aven.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preventing or delaying programmed cell death by expressing one or more anti-apoptotic polypeptides in a cell such that programmed cell death in the cell is prevented or delayed. The present invention also relates to increasing production of a cell-related product by expressing one or more anti-apoptotic polypeptides in a cell such that production of the cell-related product by the cell is increased. Recombinant cells useful for producing cell-related product or cellular therapy are also provided.

Abstract: A human gamma herpesviris genome known as Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) or human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is present in virtually all AIDS and non-AIDS Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions, as well as in body cavity based lymphomas (BCBL), Multiple myeloma, and in multicentric Casdeman's disease. Isolation and DNA sequencing of a 17-kb segment encompassing a HHV-8 divergent locus (DL-B) between ORF11 and ORF17 revealed the presence of nine viral ORFs with gene products related to cellular proteins. These include the complete thymidylate synthase (TS) gene and a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene, four cytokine genes (vIL6, vMIP-1A, vMIP-1B and BCK) that have not previously been found to be encoded by a virus, and a Bcl2 homologue. This region in HHV-8 also contains the T1.1 abundant lytic cycle nuclear RNA gene and encompasses two genes (or exons) encoding proteins with C4HC3 zinc finger domains of the PHD/LAP subtype.