Abstract: Turn-ON dioxetane-based chemiluminescence probes based on the Schapp's adamantylidene-dioxetane probe eh are useful for determining the presence, or measuring the level, of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific protease in a sample, and for assessing the susceptibility of the Mtb to an antibiotic drug. determining the presence or measuring the level of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific protease in the sample can include contacting the sample with a certain compound, and imaging the sample to detect an emission of light.

Abstract: A method of purifying a protein is disclosed which entails: a) fusing a site-specific affinity-tagged cysteine protease domain to a target protein to form a tagged fusion protein; b) activating the site-specific cysteine protease domain of the tagged fusion protein by subjecting the site-specific affinity-tagged cysteine protease domain to an inducer, which induces autoprocessing at a cleavage site; thereby releasing untagged target protein; and c) isolating the untagged target protein.

Abstract: Described here are novel, highly selective inhibitors and activity based probes (ABPs) for caspases 3, 7, 8, and 9 and legumain. The compounds selectively inhibit only certain caspases. A positional scanning combinatorial library (PSCL) approach was used to screen pools of peptide acyloxymethyl ketones (AOMKs) containing both natural and non-natural amino acids for activity against a number of purified recombinant caspases. These screens were used to identify structural elements at multiple positions on the peptide scaffold that could be modulated to control inhibitor specificity towards target caspases. Further disclosed are individual optimized covalent inhibitors that could also be equipped with various tags for use as activity based probes, as well as labeled substrates.

Abstract: Methods and materials for the imaging of cells containing active proteases such as cathepsin are disclosed. The present materials include activity based probes that bind to an enzyme and are subsequently cleaved. Cleavage results in a fluorescent signal due to removal of a quenching group which, when present on the probe causes altered or no fluorescence. The probes employ an acyloxymethyl ketone reactive group, one or more amino acids for determining specificity, a fluorophore and a quencher. The probes are cell permeable and may use, for example, a QSY7 (diarylyrhodamine) quencher and a BODIPY (bora-diaza-indecene) dye.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies to truncated isoforms of CCAAT-displacement protein/Cut homeobox (CDP/Cux) which are useful in diagnostic and prognostic methods for detecting cancer. Further provided are methods for detecting RNA transcripts encoding p75 for the detection of cancer.

Abstract: Epoxide based cysteine protease inhibitors containing peptide derivatives and methods for synthesizing them in sold phase are disclosed. Preferably, an epoxy succinyl “warhead” (for binding to the enzyme) is prepared, having two amino acid residues or residue-like structures on either side. Natural and non-natural amino acids may be used. The present process may be carried out entirely on a solid support, with the proviso that a dipeptide like group is prepared prior to coupling to one side of the supported complex. The method lends itself to more efficient inhibitor synthesis, and may be employed with mixtures of peptide compounds, and various modifications of epoxides to create diverse libraries of inhibitors.

Abstract: Methods and products for suppressing a class II MHC-restricted immune response in a mammal, or in mammalian cells, are described. The methods depend upon inhibiting invariant chain proteolysis by cathepsin S from class II MHC/invariant chain complexes, thereby reducing the competency of class II MHC molecules for binding antigenic peptides, reducing presentation of antigenic peptides by class II MHC molecules, and suppressing immune responses. The methods may be employed in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, and organ or tissue graft rejection. Pharmaceutical and therapeutic compositions which are peptide based inhibitors of cathepsin S are also described.

Abstract: Methods and products for suppressing a class II MHC-restricted immune response in a mammal, or in mammalian cells, are described. The methods depend upon inhibiting invariant chain proteolysis by cathepsin S from class II MHC/invariant chain complexes, thereby reducing the competency of class II MHC molecules for binding antigenic peptides, reducing presentation of antigenic peptides by class II MHC molecules, and suppressing immune responses. The methods may be employed in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, and organ or tissue graft rejection. Pharmaceutical and therapeutic compositions which are peptide based inhibitors of cathepsin S are also described.

Abstract: Probes are provided having specificity for papain cysteine hydrolases comprising an electrophile, exemplified by an epoxide, a hydrophobic group for fitting into the hydrolase pocket and a moiety that provides for detection and/or isolation. A variety of compound having hydrophobic side chains from an oligopeptide are exemplified using fluorescers, ligand members of specific binding pairs or radioactive labels for detection and/or isolation.