Abstract: A soluble compound for preventing or reducing blood coagulation comprising an antithrombotic agent and a membrane binding element, wherein the antithrombotic agent has a weight of less than about 5,000 daltons. Also disclosed is a soluble compound for preventing or reducing blood coagulation comprising an anticoagulant joined to a membrane binding element via a joining element, wherein the joining element between the anticoagulant and the membrane binding element is less than about 10,000 daltons in weight. These compounds can be used in therapy and, in particular, in preventing or reducing blood coagulation. As a result, a method of treatment is provided comprising administering an effective amount of the compounds to a subject to prevent or reduce blood coagulation as well as a method of perfusing an organ, tissue or cell comprising contacting the compounds with the organ, tissue or cell to prevent or reduce blood coagulation.

Abstract: A soluble compound for preventing or reducing blood coagulation comprising an antithrombotic agent and a membrane binding element, wherein the antithrombotic agent has a weight of less than about 5,000 daltons. Also disclosed is a soluble compound for preventing or reducing blood coagulation comprising an anticoagulant joined to a membrane binding element via a joining element, wherein the joining element between the anticoagulant and the membrane binding element is less than about 10,000 daltons in weight. These compounds can be used in therapy and, in particular, in preventing or reducing blood coagulation. As a result, a method of treatment is provided comprising administering an effective amount of the compounds to a subject to prevent or reduce blood coagulation as well as a method of perfusing an organ, tissue or cell comprising contacting the compounds with the organ, tissue or cell to prevent or reduce blood coagulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to formulations of polypeptides and their derivatives that act as inhibitors or regulators of the immune or coagulation systems and are of use in organ transplantation. It provides solutions which include, for example, complement inhibitors or regulators of T- or B-lymphocyte function in modified molecular forms that can be used to perfuse and modify organs prior to transplantation or to store organs prior to transplantation, and to localise agents on organs.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, soluble derivatives of soluble polypeptides that incorporate membrane binding elements. Methods of making these soluble derivatives, and methods of using these soluble derivatives also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, soluble derivatives of soluble polypeptides that incorporate membrane binding elements. Methods of making these soluble derivatives, and methods of using these soluble derivatives also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, soluble derivatives of soluble polypeptides that incorporate membrane binding elements. Methods of making these soluble derivatives, and methods of using these soluble derivatives also are provided.

Abstract: Replacement of codons in DNA encoding the first three SCRs of LHR-A of CR1 with others encoding the predicted amino acids in the CR1-like sequence can give rise to chimeric genes which can be expressed to give active complement inhibitors with functional complement inhibitory, including anti-haemolytic activity. There is provided a soluble polypeptide comprising, in sequence, one to four short consensus repeats (SCR) selected from SCR 1, 2, 3 and 4 of long homologous repeat A (LHR-A) as the only structurally and functionally intact SCR domains of CR1 and including at least SCR3, in which one or more of the native amino acids are substituted with the following: Val 4, Asp 19, Scr 53, Lys 57, Ala 74, Asp 79, Arg 84, Pro 91, Asn 109, Lys 116, Val 119, Ala 132, Thr 137, Ile 139, Ser 140, Tyr 143, His 153, Leu 156, Arg 159, Lys 161, Lys 177, Gly 230, Ser 235, His 236.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protein modification reagent capable of introducing aldehyde or ketone functions into proteins. These compounds can be used to modify peptides in a site-specific and pharmaceutically acceptable manner. Also described are methods for modifying peptides and their use in pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising a portion of the sequence of the general formula (I): CNPGSGGRKVFELVGEPSIYCTSNDDQVGIWSG, of 6-23 amino acids in length and comprising sequence a) and/or b): a) GGRKVF, b) FELVGEPSIY multimeric and chimeric derivatives, pharmaceutiocal compositions containing them and their use in therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a linear concatamer of at least two non-identical DNA sequences which, by virtue of third base redundancy of the genetic code of the codons, each encode the same polypeptide of at least 30 amino acids; wherein the concatamer comprises or consists of a nucleic acid sequence which codes for an oligomer of said polypeptides in a continuous reading frame. A single invariant cysteine codon may be added to one DNA sequence to encode a polypeptide derivative with a unique unpaired cysteine. The concatamer may be fused to one or more sequences encoding one or more antigens. The DNA sequences in the concatamer may encode the compliment C3 fragment C3d or an analogue thereof. The invention also provides an expression vector comprising the concatamer nucleic acid sequence and regulatory or other sequences for expression of any oligomeric polypeptide encoded thereby, as well as a host cell comprising the expression vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, soluble derivatives of soluble polypeptides that incorporate membrane binding elements. Methods of making these soluble derivatives, and methods of using these soluble derivatives also are provided.

Abstract: Replacement of codons in DNA encoding the first three SCRs of LHR-A of CR1 with others encoding the predicted amino acids in the CR1-like sequence can give rise to chimeric genes which can be expressed to give active complement inhibitors with functional complement inhibitory, including anti-haemolytic, activity. There is provided a soluble polypeptide comprising, in sequence, one to four short consensus repeats (SCR) selected from SCR 1, 2, 3 and 4 of long homologous repeat A (LHR-A) as the only structurally and functionally intact SCR domains of CR1 and including at least SCR3, in which one or more of the native amino acids are substituted with the following: Val 4, Asp 19, Ser 53. Lys 57, Ala 74, Asp 79, Arg 84, Pro 91, Asn 109, Lys 116, Val 119, Ala 132, Thr 137, Ile 139, Ser 140, Tyr 143, His 153, Leu 156, Arg 159, Lys 161, Lys 177, Gly 230, Ser 235, His 236.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising a portion of the sequence of the general formula (I): CNPGSGGRKVIFELVGEPSIYCTSNDDQVGIWSG, of 6 to 23 amino acids in lengtlh and comprising sequence a) and/or b): a) GGRKVF, b) FELVGEPSIY multinieric and chimiiaeric derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and theil rise in therapy.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a compound that mimics, potentiates or inhibits the physiological effect of the ob-protein, which method comprises: (a) for a compound which mimics the physiological effect of the ob-protein; assessing the effect of the compound upon an ob-protein activated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) NDA response element coupled to a reporter gene; or (b) for a compound which potentiates or inhibits the physiological effect of the ob-protein assessing the effect of the compound upon the response provided by ob-protein upon an ob-protein activated STAT DNA response element coupled to a reporter gene; the response element and the reporter being expressed in an ob-protein responsive cell line; a kit of parts adapted for use in such method and a compound when identified by such method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein fragment of the ob protein, being an active site of the protein. The active site is suitably provided by the ob protein when it is in the form of a four helix bundle structure, particularly that having an up-up down-down topology. In particular, the active site is formed from one or more amino acids selected from one or more of the four helices forming the secondary stucture of the ob protein, especially a protein fragment consisting of amino acid residues 26 to 39, 74 to 88, 93 to 113 or 142 to 161. The compounds of the invention arc considered to be capable of regulating the physiological activity of the ob protein and are therefor of potential use in the treatment of nutritional and metabollic disorders, particularly obesity and diabetes in the case of agonists and anorexia and cachexia in the case of antagonists.

Abstract: Soluble polypeptides are provided that comprise no more than three short consensus repeats (SCR) of Complement Receptor 1, and contain SCR3. DNA molecules encoding such soluble polypeptides, as well as methods, vectors and host cells, also are provided.

Abstract: A soluble polypeptide comprising, in sequence, one to four short consensus repeats (SCR) selected from SCR 1, 2, 3 and 4 of long homologous repeat A (LHR-A) as the only structurally and functionally intact SCR domains of CR1 and including at least SCR3.