Abstract: A synthetic foldable protein has a tertiary structure emulating the tertiary structure of a reference foldable protein. The reference foldable protein has a folding nucleus peptide sequence associated with folding the reference foldable protein. The synthetic foldable protein also has a peptide sequence including the folding nucleus peptide sequence and at least one repeat thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a synthetic foldable having a tertiary structure emulating the tertiary structure of a reference foldable protein is described. The method includes determining a folding nucleus peptide sequence associated with folding the reference foldable protein. The synthetic foldable protein is synthesized by including the determined folding nucleus peptide sequence and at least one repeat thereof in the peptide sequence of the synthetic foldable protein.

Abstract: A modified FGF-1 polypeptide that has an increased binding affinity for heparin relative the wild-type human FGF-1's binding affinity for heparin is described. The modified FGF-1 polypeptide has at least 80% amino acid sequence identity to wild-type human FGF-1 having SEQ ID NO: 1. The serine at an amino acid position of the modified FGF-1 polypeptide corresponding to amino acid position 116 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted by an amino acid that increases the modified FGF-1 polypeptide's binding affinity for heparin relative to the binding affinity of SEQ ID NO: 1 to heparin.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides FGF1 mutant proteins having one or more mutations in the heparin binding domain. Such mutants may also have an N-terminal deletion, point mutation(s), or combinations thereof. In some examples, the mutant FGF1 proteins have reduced mitogenic activity. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins, and vectors and cells that include such nucleic acids. The disclosed FGF1 mutants can reduce blood glucose in a mammal, and in some examples are used to treat a metabolic disorder.

Abstract: A modified FGF-1 polypeptide that has an increased binding affinity for heparin relative the wild-type human FGF-1's binding affinity for heparin is described. The modified FGF-1 polypeptide has at least 80% amino acid sequence identity to wild-type human FGF-1 having SEQ ID NO: 1. The serine at an amino acid position of the modified FGF-1 polypeptide corresponding to amino acid position 116 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted by an amino acid that increases the modified FGF-1 polypeptide's binding affinity for heparin relative to the binding affinity of SEQ ID NO: 1 to heparin.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a synthetic foldable having a tertiary structure emulating the tertiary structure of a reference foldable protein is described. The method includes determining a folding nucleus peptide sequence associated with folding the reference foldable protein. The synthetic foldable protein is synthesized by including the determined folding nucleus peptide sequence and at least one repeat thereof in the peptide sequence of the synthetic foldable protein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides FGF1 mutant proteins having one or more mutations in the heparin binding domain. Such mutants may also have an N-terminal deletion, point mutation(s), or combinations thereof. In some examples, the mutant FGF1 proteins have reduced mitogenic activity. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins, and vectors and cells that include such nucleic acids. The disclosed FGF1 mutants can reduce blood glucose in a mammal, and in some examples are used to treat a metabolic disorder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a top-down symmetric deconstruction approach which provides a novel alternative means to successfully identify a useful polypeptide “building block” for subsequent “bottom-up” de novo design of target protein architecture. The present invention also pertains to a novel peptides isolated by top-down symmetric deconstruction which may be useful for design or directed evolution of novel proteins with novel functionalities.

Abstract: A method of making a synthetic foldable having a tertiary structure emulating the tertiary structure of a reference foldable protein is described. The method includes determining a folding nucleus peptide sequence associated with folding the reference foldable protein. The synthetic foldable protein is synthesized by including the determined folding nucleus peptide sequence and at least one repeat thereof in the peptide sequence of the synthetic foldable protein.

Abstract: An animal restraining harness or jacket and a method of use thereof, for protecting the shoulder and upper abdomen when experimental/surgical procedures are performed and when the experimental/surgical sites must be protected from biting, scratching, and other unwanted contact. The jacket generally includes a shoulder region and collar extensions, where the shoulder region is connected to the collar extensions. The collar extensions are wrapped and secured around the collar or neck area of the animal, and the shoulder region is wrapped and secured around the shoulder and torso area of the animal. Preferably, the collar extensions and shoulder region are secured on the dorsal side of the animal, thus providing a dorsal gap therebetween. This harnesses the animal effectively and prevents escape from the restraining jacket.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a top-down symmetric deconstruction approach which provides a novel alternative means to successfully identify a useful polypeptide “building block” for subsequent “bottom-up” de novo design of target protein architecture. The present invention also pertains to a novel peptides isolated by top-down symmetric deconstruction which may be useful for design or directed evolution of novel proteins with novel functionalities.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.