Abstract: One aspect of the invention generally relates to use of tissue enriched miRNAs as biomarker to estimate tissue damage in a fluid sample. In a second aspect, methods are provided for monitoring a subject who is exposed or might have been exposed to an agent that has a risk of causing tissue injury. In a third aspect, methods are provided for identifying an agent as having a risk of causing tissue injury to a vertebrate subject. In a fourth aspect, kits are provided for practicing the methods of above-listed aspects. The contents of this ABSTRACT are not intended to in anyway limit the scope of the inventions claimed herein.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides methods of synthesizing a preparation of nucleic acid molecules, the methods comprising the steps of: (a) utilizing an RNA template to enzymatically synthesize a first DNA molecule that is complementary to at least 50 contiguous bases of the RNA template; (b) utilizing the first DNA molecule as a template to enzymatically synthesize a second DNA molecule, thereby forming a double-stranded DNA molecule wherein the first DNA molecule is hybridized to the second DNA molecule; (c) utilizing the first or second DNA molecule of the double-stranded DNA molecule as a template to enzymatically synthesize a first RNA molecule that is complementary to either the first DNA molecule or to the second DNA molecule; and (d) utilizing the first RNA molecule as a template to enzymatically synthesize a third DNA molecule that is complementary to the first RNA molecule.

Abstract: The present invention features nucleic acids and polypeptides encoding novel splice variant isoforms of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACC2). The polynucleotide sequence of ACC2sv1 is provided by SEQ ID NO 3. The amino acid sequence of ACC2sv1 is provided by SEQ ID NO 4. The present invention also provides methods for using ACC2sv1 polynucleotides and proteins to screen for compounds that bind to ACC2sv1.

Abstract: The present invention features nucleic acids and polypeptides encoding two novel splice variant isoforms of cysteine protease cathepsin K (CTSK). The polynucleotide sequences of CTSKsv1.1 and CTSKsv1.2 are provided by SEQ ID NO 1 and SEQ ID NO 3, respectively. The amino acid sequences for CTSKsv1.1 and CTSKsv1.2 are provided by SEQ ID NO 2 and SEQ ID NO 4, respectively. The present invention also provides methods for using CTSKsv1.1 and CTSKsv1.2 polynucleotides and proteins to screen for compounds that bind to CTSKsv1.1 and CTSKsv1.2, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention features nucleic acids and polypeptides encoding two novel splice variant isoforms of aspartyl protease 1 (BACE2). The polynucleotide sequences of BACEsv1 and BACE2sv2 are provided by SEQ ID NO 1 and SEQ ID NO 3, respectively. The amino acid sequences for BAC2sv1 and BACE2sv2 are provided by SEQ ID NO 2 and SEQ ID NO 4, respectively. The present invention also provides methods for using BACE2sv1 and BACE2sv2 polynucleotides and proteins to screen for compounds that bind to BACE2sv1 and BACE2sv2, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention features nucleic acids and polypeptides encoding one novel splice variant isoform of COX1. The polynucleotide sequence of COX1sv1 is provided by SEQ ID NO 1. The amino acid sequence for COX1sv1 is provided by SEQ ID NO 2. The present invention also provides methods for using COX1sv1 polynucleotides and proteins to screen for compounds that bind to COX1sv1.

Abstract: The present invention features nucleic acids and polypeptides encoding a novel splice variant isoform of a human metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 gene (GRM2). The polynucleotide sequence of GRM2sv1 is provided by SEQ ID NO 1. The amino acid sequence for GRM2sv1 is provided by SEQ ID NO 2. The present invention also provides methods for using GRM2sv1 polynucleotides and proteins to screen for compounds that bind to or interact with GRM2sv1.

Abstract: The present invention features nucleic acids and polypeptides encoding four novel splice variant isoforms of inhibitor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells, kinase of, gamma (IKBKG). The polynucleotide sequences of IKBKGsv1, IKBKGsv2.1, IKBKGsv2.2, and IKBKGsv3 are provided by SEQ ID NO 4, SEQ ID NO 6, SEQ ID NO 8, and SEQ ID NO 10, respectively. The amino acid sequences for IKBKGsv1, IKBKGsv2.1, IKBKGsv2.2, and IKBKGsv3 are provided by SEQ ID NO 5, SEQ ID NO 7, SEQ ID NO 9, and SEQ ID NO 11, respectively. The present invention also provides methods for using IKBKGsv1, IKBKGsv2.1, IKBKGsv2.2, and IKBKGsv3 polynucleotides and proteins to screen for compounds that bind to IKBKGsv1, IKBKGsv2.1, IKBKGsv2.2, and IKBKGsv3, respectively.