Abstract: The present invention relates to MDA-7 variant proteins which are deficient in or lack glycosylation. It is based, at least in part, on the results of experiments which have demonstrated that such variants are functionally equivalent to wild-type MDA-7 protein. Such proteins may be more easily produced large-scale than the wild-type protein, and may be found to be less immunogenic (thereby facilitating treatment, especially repeated treatments). Accordingly, the present invention provides for such proteins (‘Gly(def)MDA-7 proteins’), nucleic acids encoding them (‘Gly(def)mda-7 nucleic acids), pharmaceutical compositions comprising such proteins or nucleic acids, and related methods of treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding an Mda-5 polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO:1. The invention also provides for isolated nucleic acids comprising derivatives of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 that encode polypeptides functionally equivalent to Mda-5. The invention further provides for fragments of the isolated nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:1 that encode polypeptides having Mda-5 biological activity. Vectors comprising these isolated nucleic acids and host cells comprising these vectors are also provided by the instant invention.

Abstract: The invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid encoding Mda-5 (melanoma differentiation associated gene-5) and an isolated Mda-5 polypeptide. The invention further provides a vector comprising the nucleic acid encoding Mda-5, as well as a host cell comprising the vector. The invention provides an antibody which specifically binds to an Mda-5 polypeptide. The invention further provides a method for determining whether a compound is an inducer of Mda-5 gene expression and assays to determine whether a compound modifies the enzymatic activity of the Mda-5 polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting the proliferation and/or metastasis of a cancer cell by administering, to the cancer cell, a molecule which increases, in the cell or at the cell surface, the amount of a Bivalent Prostate Carcinoma Tumor Antigen-1 (“B-PCTA-1”) protein (referred to as “bivalent” because it comprises both carbohydrate recognition domains (“CRDs”)). It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that increased expression of the full-length open reading frame of the PCTA-1 gene suppressed proliferation of tumor cells in soft agar (a characteristic associated with malignancy and tumor metastasis), whereas increased expression of a PCTA-1 gene lacking the second CRD-encoding region had the opposite effect, increasing the anchorage-independent proliferation of the tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vector comprising Protein Translation Peptide Elongation Factor-1 &agr; promoter and nucleic acids encoding reverse tetracycline controlled transactivator, wherein the expression of said transactivator is under the control of Protein Translation Peptide Elongation Factor-1 &agr; promoter.

Abstract: The invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid encoding Mda-5 (melanoma differentiation associated gene-5) and an isolated Mda-5 polypeptide. The invention further provides a vector comprising the nucleic acid encoding Mda-5, as well as a host cell comprising the vector. The invention provides an antibody which specifically binds to an Mda-5 polypeptide. The invention further provides a method for determining whether a compound is an inducer of Mda-5 gene expression and assays to determine whether a compound modifies the enzymatic activity of the Mda-5 polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting the proliferation and/or metastasis of a cancer cell by administering, to the cancer cell, a molecule which increases, in the cell or at the cell surface, the amount of a Bivalent Prostate Carcinoma Tumor Antigen-1 (“B-PCTA-1”) protein (referred to as “bivalent” because it comprises both carbohydrate recognition domains (“CRDs”)). It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that increased expression of the full-length open reading frame of the PCTA-1 gene suppressed proliferation of tumor cells in soft agar (a characteristic associated with malignancy and tumor metastasis), whereas increased expression of a PCTA-1 gene lacking the second CRD-encoding region had the opposite effect, increasing the anchorage-independent proliferation of the tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mda-5 nucleic acids, MDA-5 proteins, the mda-5 promoter, and related molecules, and the use of each of these elements in protecting against or limiting viral infection, controlling cell proliferation, and promoting apoptosis. It is based upon the discovery that, contrary to earlier hypotheses based on the amino acid sequence of MDA-5, the protein is not a defective ATPase but rather exhibits ATPase activity. This supports the role of MDA-5 as a RNA helicase protein and consequently its use in promoting RNA degradation, for example in the context of antiviral defense, limitation of cell proliferation, or induction of apoptosis.