Abstract: The invention provides a method for stimulating nerve growth, which also includes nerve regeneration, by contacting nerve cells with human Neural Plakophilin Related Armadillo Protein (hNPRAP). In a specific embodiment, hNPRAP causes the development of numerous long, cellular extensions, which are similar to axonal sprouting observed during neuronal regeneration and synapse formation. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an hNPRAP, or alternatively a gene therapy vector that expresses an hNPRAP. Also provided are methods for identifying substances that modulate expression of hNPRAP.

Abstract: Presenilin Associated Membrane Protein (PAMP), and nucleic acids encoding this protein, are provided. PAMP and PAMP nucleic acids provide diagnostic and therapeutic tools for evaluating and treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases. In a specific embodiment, mutations in PAMP are diagnostic for Alzheimer's Disease or spina bifida. The invention further relates to screening, particularly using high-throughput screens and transgenic animal models, for compounds that modulate the activity of PAMP and presenilins. Such compounds, or gene therapy with PAMP, can be used in treating neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's Disease. In addition, the invention provides PAMP mutants, nucleic acids encoding for PAMP mutants, and transgenic animals expressing PAMP mutants, which in a preferred aspect result in biochemical changes similar to those induced by mutations in &bgr;APP, PS1, or PS2, associated with familial Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transgenic animal model of Alzheimer's Disease designated TgCRND8 as well as a method for making such model, which allows for the characterization of the etiology of the disease as well as for provide a system for the development and testing of potential treatments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification, isolation and cloning of a mammalian polynucleotide which encodes a Alzheimer's related membrane protein (ARMP). The invention also contemplates mutant polynucleotides and polynucleotides that encode ARMP homologs. Vectors encoding the protein and host cells transfected with the vector are further contemplated by the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification, isolation and cloning of two human presenilin genes, PS-1 and PS-2, mutations in which lead to Familial Alzheimer's Disease. Also identified are presenilin homologue genes in mice, C. elegans and D. melanogaster. Transcripts and products of these genes are useful in detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, developing therapeutics for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the isolation and manufacture of the protein and the constructions of transgenic animals expressing the mutant genes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying substances that alter the interaction of a presenilin protein with a presenilin-binding protein, including contacting at least the interacting domain of a presenilin protein to a presenilin-binding protein in the presence of a test substance, and measuring the interaction of the presenilin protein and the presenilin-binding protein. Also disclosed is method for identifying substances that modulate the nuclear translocation of an armadillo protein, including providing a culture of cells that express the armadillo protein and a mutant presenilin protein, or a functional fragment thereof that binds an armadillo protein; contacting the culture with a test substance; inducing nuclear translocation of the armadillo protein in the cells; and measuring levels of nuclear armadillo protein as compared to a control as an indication of modulatory activity of the test substance.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification, isolation and cloning of two human presenilin genes, PS-1 and PS-2, mutations in which lead to Familial Alzheimer's Disease. Also identified are presenilin homologue genes in mice, C. elegans and D. melanogaster. Transcripts and products of these genes are useful in detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, developing therapeutics for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the isolation and manufacture of the protein and the constructions of transgenic animals expressing the mutant genes.

Abstract: Presenilin Associated Membrane Protein (PAMP), and nucleic acids encoding this protein, are provided. PAMP and PAMP nucleic acids provide diagnostic and therapeutic tools for evaluating and treating or preventing neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. In a specific embodiment, mutations in PAMP are diagnostic for schizophrenia. The invention further relates to screening, particularly using high-throughput screens and transgenic animal models, for compounds that modulate the activity of PAMP and presenilins. Such compounds, or gene therapy with PAMP, can be used in treating neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia. In addition, the invention provides PAMP mutants, nucleic acids encoding for PAMP mutants, and transgenic animals expressing PAMP mutants, which in a preferred aspect result in biochemical, morphological, or neuropsychological changes similar to those associated with schizophrenia.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying substances that alter the interaction of a presenilin protein with a presenilin-binding protein, including contacting at least the interacting domain of a presenilin protein to a presenilin-binding protein in the presence of a test substance, and measuring the interaction of the presenilin protein and the presenilin-binding protein. Also disclosed is method for identifying substances that modulate the nuclear translocation of an armadillo protein, including providing a culture of cells that express the armadillo protein and a mutant presenilin protein, or a functional fragment thereof that binds an armadillo protein; contacting the culture with a test substance; inducing nuclear translocation of the armadillo protein in the cells; and measuring levels of nuclear armadillo protein as compared to a control as an indication of modulatory activity of the test substance.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification, isolation, cloning, and sequencing of the Alzheimer Related Membrane Protein (ARMP) gene for both normal and mutant forms. An analogous mouse gene, mARMP gene, has also been isolated, cloned, and sequenced. The gene transcript and gene products are used in developing DNA diagnosis for and detection of carriers of the gene, Alzheimer's Disease diagnosis, gene therapy, protein therapy, immunotherapy, as well as the isolation and manufacture of the protein and the development of transgenic animals carrying mutations in the ARMP gene.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification, isolation and cloning of two human presenilin genes, PS-1 and PS-2, mutations in which lead to Familial Alzheimer's Disease. Also identified are presenilin homologue genes in mice, C. elegans and D. melanogaster. Transcripts and products of these genes are useful in detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, developing therapeutics for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the isolation and manufacture of the protein and the constructions of transgenic animals expressing the mutant genes.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification, isolation and cloning of two human presenilin genes, PS-1 and PS-2, mutations in which lead to Familial Alzheimer's Disease. Also identified are presenilin homologue genes in mice, C. elegans and D. melanogaster. Transcripts and products of these genes are useful in detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, developing therapeutics for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the isolation and manufacture of the protein and the constructions of transgenic animals expressing the mutant genes.

Abstract: The identification, isolation, sequencing and characterization of two human presenilin genes, PS-1 and PS-2, mutations in which lead to Familial Alzheimer's Disease, are disclosed. Presenilin gene homologs in mice, C. elegans and D. melanogaster are also disclosed. Use of the nucleic acids and proteins comprising or derived from the presenilins in screening and diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease, identifying and developing therapeutics for treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, in producing cell lines and transgenic animals useful as models of Alzheimer's Disease. Methods for identifying substances that bind to, or modulate the activity of, a presenilin protein, functional fragment or variant thereof, or a mutein thereof, and methods for identifying substances that affect the interaction of a presenilin-interacting protein with a presenilin protein, functional fragment or variant thereof, or a mutein thereof, are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification, isolation and cloning of two human presenilin genes, PS-1 and PS-2, mutations in which lead to Familial Alzheimer's Disease. Also identified are presenilin homologue genes in mice, C. elegans and D. melanogaster. Transcripts and products of these genes are useful in detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, developing therapeutics for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the isolation and manufacture of the protein and the constructions of transgenic animals expressing the mutant genes.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification, isolation and cloning of two human presenilin genes, PS-1 and PS-2, mutations in which lead to Familial Alzheimer's Disease. Also identified are presenilin homologue genes in mice, C. elegans and D. melanogaster. Transcripts and products of these genes are useful in detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, developing therapeutics for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the isolation and manufacture of the protein and the constructions of transgenic animals expressing the mutant genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for reinforcing door frames and doors, and in particular to a unit including twin plates which are joined one to the other transversely through the door and which are positioned on the outside and on the inside of the door to reinforce the same at the level of the handle, the latch and the dead bolt. An inner plate is also proposed which is hidden in the door frame to reinforce the same at the level of the dead bolt.