Patents by Inventor Patricia J. Willy

Patricia J. Willy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7989179
    Abstract: A method of easily measuring whether or not an LXR ligand has the function of effecting, e.g., increasing, plasma triglyceride concentration and/or LDL cholesterol concentration in a mammal by using the binding activity between LXR and a coactivator, and a method of identifying LXR ligands that do not have the function of effecting, e.g., increasing, plasma triglyceride concentration and/or LDL cholesterol concentration by using the binding activity between LXR and a coactivator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited
    Inventors: Naoki Terasaka, Shoko Honzumi, Ira Glenn Schulman, Brandee Lynn Wagner, Patricia J. Willy
  • Publication number: 20090098570
    Abstract: A method of easily measuring whether or not an LXR ligand has the function of effecting, e.g., increasing, plasma triglyceride concentration and/or LDL cholesterol concentration in a mammal by using the binding activity between LXR and a coactivator, and a method of identifying LXR ligands that do not have the function of effecting, e.g., increasing, plasma triglyceride concentration and/or LDL cholesterol concentration by using the binding activity between LXR and a coactivator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Naoki Terasaka, Shoko Honzumi, Ira Glenn Schulman, Brandee Lynn Wagner, Patricia J. Willy
  • Patent number: 5847076
    Abstract: Regulators of the activation of the 20S proteasome for hydrolysis of peptide and protein substrates. Proteasome activating factors PA28 and PA700 are described and a carboxy-terminal fragment of a protein activator PA28 is described that is an effective inhibitor of the activation of the proteasome. The carboxy-terminal fragment binds to the proteasome and prevents the binding of PA28 and PA700 thereby preventing activation of the proteasome. Methods of treatment for muscle wasting are described wherein compositions of the present invention are administered to prevent unwanted protein degradation. Conversely, compositions of the present invention may be used to activate protein breakdown in situations where unwanted proteins accumulate in, for example, aging and Alzheimer's Disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: George N. DeMartino, Clive A. Slaughter, Patricia J. Willy, Ma Chu-Ping
  • Patent number: 5747661
    Abstract: The characterization of LXR.alpha., an orphan member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily that can function as a tissue-specific mediator of 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA) is described herein. When expressed in cells, LXR.alpha. activates transcription in response to 9cRA on a distinct response element, termed an LXRE. Significantly, neither RXR homodimers nor RXR/RAR heterodimers are able to substitute for LXR.alpha. in mediating this retinoid response. The LXR.alpha. response to retinoids is due to its unique interaction with endogenous RXR. This interaction shifts RXR from its previously described role as a silent, heterodimer partner to an active ligand binding partner, thus defining a novel retinoid response pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, David J. Mangelsdorf, Patricia J. Willy