Abstract: The present invention includes recombinant AAV vectors comprising an inducible transcriptional activator which is operably linked to a muscle-specific promoter, wherein the AAV vector further comprises a capsid gene specific for muscle tissue. The invention further includes methods of producing and using said recombinant AAV vectors to introduce transgenes into target cells and treat diseases in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective cancerous cell growth inhibiting amount of paclitaxel, or a paclitaxel derivative, and an effective cancerous cell growth inhibiting amount of an active agent which inhibits cancerous cell growth by exerting an effect on mammalian cell cycle during G.sub.1 or S-phase of the cell division cycle to inhibit said cancerous cell growth and methods of using same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a receptor-like tyrosine kinase designated, Bsk. The Bsk receptor-like tyrosine kinase is expressed predominantly in the brain, specifically the limbic system. Also included is the receptor encoded by the Bsk nucleic acid sequence and antibodies reactive with the Bsk protein. This invention further relates to bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, receptor protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess, or prognose a mammal afflicted with neurodegenerative disease. Therapeutic uses for the Bsk receptor-like tyrosine kinase are also provided. This invention also relates to the ligand for the Bsk receptor, and diagnostic and therapeutic uses for the Bsk ligand.