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: The invention provides methods and compositions which find use, inter alia, for modulating the stabilization of actin filaments. The compositions may comprise one or more polypeptide moieties derived from a novel human diaphanous polypeptide and/or one or more nucleic acid moieties derived from a novel human diaphanous gene or gene transcript. The invention also provides agents which specifically modify the binding of a natural human diaphanous gene or gene product with a natural binding target thereof, isolated human diaphanous hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed human diaphanous genes, human diaphanous-specific binding agents such as specific antibodies, and methods of making and using the subject compositions in diagnosis, therapy and in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: Therapeutic methods for the treatment of prostate cancer are described. The methods include a gene therapy method for prostate cancer using the BRCA family of genes, including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The BRCA family of gene products inhibit the growth and tumorigenesis of prostate cancer cells. Therapeutic methods using the BRCA family of gene products are also described.

Abstract: Genetic analysis of familial breast and ovarian cancer indicates that BRCA1 is a tumor suppressor gene. The BRCA1 gene encodes a 190 kDa protein with sequence homology and biochemical analogy to the granin family of proteins. Granins are secreted from endocrine cells via the regulated secretory pathway and are proteolytically cleaved to yield biologically active peptides. BRCA1 protein localizes to secretory vesicles, and was demonstrated to be secreted. Gene transfer of BRCA1 inhibits growth and tumorigenesis of breast and ovarian cancer cells, but not colon or lung cancer cells or fibroblasts, suggesting that BRCA1 encodes a tissue-specific growth inhibitor. Thus, BRCA1 is a secreted growth inhibitor and functions by a mechanism not previously described for tumor suppressor genes. The BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer gene encodes a protein that also includes a granin region, indicating that the BRCA2 protein is also a secreted tumor suppressor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions which find use, inter alia, for modulating the stabilization of actin filaments. The compositions may comprise one or more polypeptide moieties derived from a novel human diaphanous polypeptide and/or one or more nucleic acid moieties derived from a novel human diaphanous gene or gene transcript. The invention also provides agents which specifically modify the binding of a natural human diaphanous gene or gene product with a natural binding target thereof, isolated human diaphanous hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed human diaphanous genes, human diaphanous-specific binding agents such as specific antibodies, and methods of making and using the subject compositions in diagnosis, therapy and in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: Genetic analysis of familial breast and ovarian cancer indicates that BRCA1 is a tumor suppressor gene. The BRCA1 gene encodes a 190 kDa protein with sequence homology and biochemical analogy to the granin family of proteins. Granins are secreted from endocrine cells via the regulated secretory pathway and are proteolytically cleaved to yield biologically active peptides. BRCA1 protein localizes to secretory vesicles, and was demonstrated to be secreted. Gene transfer of BRCA1 inhibits growth and tumorigenesis of breast and ovarian cancer cells, but not colon or lung cancer cells or fibroblasts, suggesting that BRCA1 encodes a tissue-specific growth inhibitor. Thus, BRCA1 is a secreted growth inhibitor and functions by a mechanism not previously described for tumor suppressor genes. The BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer gene encodes a protein that also includes a granin region, indicating that the BRCA2 protein is also a secreted tumor suppressor.

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.