Abstract: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (dmVEGFR) nucleic acids and proteins that have been isolated from Drosophila melanogaster are described. The dmVEGFR nucleic acids and proteins can be used to genetically modify metazoan invertebrate organisms, such as insects and worms, or cultured cells, resulting in dmVEGPR expression or mis-expression. The genetically modified organisms or cells can be used in screening assays to identify candidate compounds which are potential therapeutics that interact with dmVEGFR protein. They can also be used in methods for studying dmVEGFR activity and identifying other genes that modulate the function of, or interact with, the dmVEGFR gene.

Abstract: An activator of the Rse receptor protein tyrosine kinase has been identified which is encoded by growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6). Accordingly, the present invention provides variant gas6 polypeptides, compositions comprising variant gas6 polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding variant gas6 polypeptides, vectors comprising those nucleic acids and host cells comprising those vectors. The present invention is further directed to methods for making variant gas6 polypeptides.

Abstract: An activator of the Rse receptor protein tyrosine kinase has been identified which is encoded by growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6). Accordingly, the present invention provides compositions comprising gas6 polypeptides wherein the gas6 polypeptides are present in an amount effective for activating the Rse receptor. The present invention is further directed to articles of manufacture comprising gas6 polypeptides such as kits and containers containing gas6 polypeptide compositions and gas6 polypeptide In a liposome or adsorbed to a membrane.

Abstract: The translation product of the growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6) has been identified as an activator of the Mer receptor protein tyrosine kinase. The invention accordingly provides methods of activating Mer receptor in cells expressing it by exposing them to exogenous gas6 polypeptides. Also provided are methods of enhancing the growth, differentiation, or survival of such cells using gas6 polypeptides.

Abstract: An activator of the Rse receptor protein tyrosine kinase has been identified which is encoded by growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6). Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of activating the Rse receptor by exposing a cell comprising the Rse receptor to exogenous gas6 polypeptide. Moreover, the present invention is directed to a method for enhancing the survival, proliferation or differentiation of a cell comprising a Rse receptor by exposing the cell to exogenous gas6 polypeptide. The types of cells which can be treated according to the method include glial cells such as Schwann cells.

Abstract: Growth hormone receptor and growth hormone binding protein are purified enabling amino acid sequence and DNA isolates coding for growth hormone receptor and growth hormone binding protein and methods of obtaining such DNA are provided, together with expression systems for recombinant production of growth hormone receptor and growth hormone binding protein. Therapeutically useful forms of the growth hormone receptor and growth hormone binding protein and anti-receptor antibodies are described.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising an N-terminal amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 107-111 of parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) having bone resorption inhibitory activity are provided. The polypeptides are provided in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases and disorders where inhibition of bone resorption is indicated.

Abstract: A DNA construct is provided comprising DNA encoding a mature BMP-2 upstream of which is DNA encoding a precursor portion of a mammalian protein other than the BMP-2. Also provided are mammalian expression vectors and hosts containing such a DNA construct and methods for improved expression using such construct.

Abstract: Growth hormone receptor and growth hormone binding protein are purified enabling amino acid sequence and DNA isolates coding for growth hormone receptor and growth hormone binding protein and methods of obtaining such DNA are provided, together with expression systems for recombinant production of growth hormone receptor and growth hormone binding protein. Therapeutically useful forms of the growth hormone receptor and growth hormone binding protein and anti-receptor antibodies are described.

Abstract: The activity of growth-associated receptors is modulated in vivo in a controlled and reproducible fashion by immunizing animals against target growth-associated receptors. This is accomplished by the use of immunogens predetermined to induce primarily agonist or antagonist responses. The immunogens include anti-ligand antibodies and receptor derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel gonadal peptides with inhibin-like activity. The novel peptides include two gonadal peptides, one consisting of 52 amino acids, the other consisting of 92 amino acids. Both of these peptides were initially isolated from human seminal plasma. Both have now been chemically synthesized. The novel peptides are designated as alpha-inhibin-52 and alpha-inhibin-92. Sequence analyses show that the NH.sub.2 -terminal 31 amino acids of alpha-inhibin-52 are identical to the structure of the 31 amino acid inhibin-like peptide previously reported by Ramasharma, et al. (1984). Sequence analyses also show that the COOH-terminal 52 amino acids of alpha-inhibin-92 are identical to the structure of alpha-inhibin-52. The amino acid sequence of alpha-inhibin-92 is: ##STR1## .