Abstract: Method fore enhancing in a mammalian cell the activity of an enzyme associated with a lysosomal storage disorder by administering a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme in an amount effective to enhance the activity of the enzyme Prefcrred compounds for use in the method are imino sugars and related compounds

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the reduction of xenotransplantation rejection. Specifically, the present invention relates, first, to transgenic cells, tissues, organs and animals containing transgenic nucleic acid molecules that direct the expression of gene products, including, but not limited to enzymes, capable of modifying, either directly or indirectly, cell surface carbohydrate epitopes such that the carbohydrate epitopes are no longer recognized by natural human antibodies or by the human cell-mediated immune response, thereby reducing the human immune system response elicited by the presence of such carbohydrate epitopes. In a preferred embodiment, the transgenic cells, tissues, organs and animals express nucleic acid molecules encoding functional recombinant &agr;-Galactosidase A (&agr;GalA) enzyme which modifies the carbohydrate epitope Gal&agr;(1,3)Gal.

Abstract: Method fore enhancing in a mammalian cell the activity of an enzyme associated with a lysosomal storage disorder by administering a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme in an amount effective to enhance the activity of the enzyme. Preferred compounds for use in the method are imino sugars and related compounds.

Abstract: A DNA sequence encoding the .delta.-amino levulinate type 2 gene, methods to detect the gene, diagnostic kits to detect the gene and recombinant vectors containing the type 2 gene sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the amelioration of symptoms caused by bone resorption disorders, including but not limited to osteoporosis, arthritides and periodontal disease, and damage caused by macrophage-mediated inflammatory processes. In one embodiment, the methods and compositions of the invention include methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of cathepsin K activity. In an additional embodiment, the methods and compositions of the invention include methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of cathepsin K activity coupled with specific inhibition of at least a second activity involved in the bone resorption and/or macrophage-mediated inflammatory processes. In a particular embodiment, the methods and compositions of the invention include methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of cathepsin K and cathepsin S activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the acid sphingomyelinase gene and to methods of diagnosing Niemann-Pick disease. It is based, at least in part, on the cloning and expression of the full-length cDNA encoding acid sphingomyelinase and on the discovery of mutations in the acid sphingomyelinase gene of Ashkenazi Jewish Niemann-Pick disease patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the acid sphingomyelinase gene and to methods of diagnosing Niemann-Pick disease. It is based, at least in part, on the cloning and expression of the full-length cDNA encoding acid sphingomyelinase, the cloning and characterization of the genomic structure of the acid sphingomyelinase gene, and on the discovery of frequent mutations in the acid sphingomyelinase gene of Ashkenazi Jewish Niemann-Pick disease patients.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting a polymorphism in the .delta.-aminolevulinate dehydratase gene which is associated with an altered susceptibility to lead poisoning. A point mutation which generates an MspI restriction endonuclease recognition site was found in the ALAD2 allele of the .delta.-aminolevulinate dehydratase gene which is not present in the ALAD1 allele. Kit containing primers for the amplification of the polymorphic region of the ALAD gene are provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves the production of large quantities of human .alpha.-Gal A by cloning and expressing the .alpha.-Gal A coding sequence in eukaryotic host cell expression systems. The eukaryotic expression systems, and in particular the mammalian host cell expression system described herein provide for the appropriate cotranslational and posttranslational modifications required for proper processing, e.g., glycosylation, phosphorylation, etc. and sorting of the expression product so that an active enzyme is produced. In addition, the expression of fusion proteins which simplify purification is described.Using the methods described herein, the recombinant .alpha.-Gal A is secreted by the engineered host cells so that it is recovered from the culture medium in good yield. The .alpha.-Gal A produced in accordance with the invention may be used, but is not limited to, in the treatment in Fabry Disease; for the hydrolysis of .alpha.

Abstract: The present invention involves the production of human .alpha.-GalNAc by cloning and expressing the .alpha.-GalNAc coding sequence in eukaryotic host cell expressions systems. The eukaryotic expression systems, and in particular the mammalian host cell expression systems described herein provide for the appropriate co-translational and post-translation modifications required or proper processing, e.g., glycosylation, phosphorylation, etc. and sorting of the expression product so that an active enzyme is produced.The .alpha.-GalNAc produced in accordance with the invention may be used in the treatment of Schindler disease or for the hydrolysis of .alpha.-N-acetylgalactosaminyl moieties in various glycoconjugates.

Abstract: The present invention involves the production of large quantities of human .alpha.-Gal A by cloning and expressing the .alpha.-Gal A coding sequence in eukaryotic host cell expression systems. The eukaryotic expression systems, and in particular the mammalian host cell expression system described herein provide for the appropriate cotranslational and posttranslational modifications required for proper processing, e.g., glycosylation, phosphorylation, etc. and sorting of the expression product so that an active enzyme is produced. In addition, the expression of fusion proteins which simplify purification is described.Using the methods described herein, the recombinant .alpha.-Gal A is secreted by the engineered host cells so that it is recovered from the culture medium in good yield. The .alpha.-Gal A produced in accordance with the invention may be used, but is not limited to, in the treatment in Fabry Disease; for the hydrolysis of .alpha.

Abstract: The present invention involves the production of human .alpha.-GalNAc by cloning and expressing the .alpha.-GalNAc coding sequence in eukaryotic host cell expressions systems. The eukaryotic expression systems, and in particular the mammalian host cell expression systems described herein provide for the appropriate co-translational and post-translation modifications required or proper processing, e.g., glycosylation, phosphorylation, etc. and sorting of the expression product so that an active enzyme is produced.The .alpha.-GalNAc produced in accordance with the invention may be used in the treatment of Schindler disease or for the hydrolysis of .alpha.-N-acetylgalactosaminyl moieties in various glycoconjugates.

Abstract: The present invention involves the production of large quantities of human .alpha.-Gal A by cloning and expressing the .alpha.-Gal A coding sequence in eukaryotic host cell expression systems. The eukaryotic expression systems, and in particular the mammalian host cell expression system described herein provide for the appropriate cotranslational and posttranslational modifications required for proper processing, e.g., glycosylation, phosphorylation, etc. and sorting of the expression product so that an glycosylation, phosphorylation, etc. and sorting of the expression product so that an active enzyme is produced. In addition, the expression of fusion proteins which simplify purification is described.Using the methods described herein, the recombinant .alpha.-Gal A is secreted by the engineered host cells so that it is recovered from the culture medium in good yield. The .alpha.-Gal A produced in accordance with the invention may be used in the treatment in Fabry Disease; for the hydrolysis of .alpha.