Abstract: Compositions and methods for determining the presence of free monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains in biological samples with improved resolution and sensitivity are described. The methods detect subjects who have or are at risk of neoplastic monoclonal gammopathies and identify residual/minimal residual disease in subjects who have received therapy for neoplastic monoclonal gammopathies. The methods include immunofixation electrophoresis modified by applying undiluted or concentrated biological samples, washing/blotting of gels to enhance removal of residual proteins, and staining for free light chains with antisera specific to free light chains. Kits including compositions required for the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Genomic sequences of human mismatch repair genes and gene products are described, as are methods of detecting mutations and/or polymorphisms in those genes. Also described are methods of diagnosing cancer susceptibility in a subject, and methods of identifying and classifying mismatch-repair-defective tumors. In particular, sequences and methods relating to human mutL homologs, hMLH1 and hPMS1 genes and gene products are provided.

Abstract: Genomic sequences of human mismatch repair genes and gene products are described, as are methods of detecting mutations and/or polymorphisms in those genes. Also described are methods of diagnosing cancer susceptibility in a subject, and methods of identifying and classifying mismatch-repair-defective tumors. In particular, sequences and methods relating to human mutL homologs, hMLH1 and hPMS1 genes and gene products are provided.

Abstract: The examples demonstrate that GIP receptor mRNA and protein are present in normal bone and osteoblastic-like cell lines, and that high-affinity receptors for GIP can be demonstrated by 125I GIP binding studies. When applied to osteoblast-like cells (SaOS2), GIP stimulated an increase in cellular cAMP content and in intracellular calcium, with both responses being dose dependent. Moreover, administration of GIP results in elevated expression of collagen type I mRNA as well as an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity. Both of these effects reflect anabolic actions of presumptive osteoblasts. These results provide the first evidence that GIP receptors are present in bone and osteoblastic like cells and that GIP modulates the function of these cells. GIP has anabolic actions on remodeling bone, increasing vertebral bone density in a rat model of osteoporosis. GIP at 10 nM inhibits PTH-induced bone resorption in a fetal long bone assay and stimulates the synthesis of type 1 collagen mRNA.

Abstract: Genomic sequences of human mismatch repair genes are described, as are methods of detecting mutations and/or polymorphisms in those genes. Also described are methods of diagnosing cancer susceptibility in a subject, and methods of identifying and classifying mismatch-repair-defective tumors. In particular, sequences and methods relating to human mutL homologs, hMLH1 and hPMS1 genes are provided.

Abstract: Genomic sequences of human mismatch repair genes are described, as are methods of detecting mutations and/or polymorphisms in those genes. Also described are methods of diagnosing cancer susceptibility in a subject, and methods of identifying and classifying mismatch-repair-defective tumors. In particular, sequences and methods relating to human mutL homologs, hMLH1 and hPMS1 genes are provided.

Abstract: We have discovered two human genes, hMLH1 and hPMS1, each of which apparently encodes for a protein involved in DNA mismatch repair. The hMLH1 gene encodes for a protein which is homologous to the bacterial DNA mismatch repair protein MutL, and is located on human chromosome 3p21.3-23. We believe that mutations in the hMLH1 gene cause hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) in some individuals based upon the similarity of the hMLH1 gene product to the yeast DNA mismatch repair protein MLH1, the coincident location of the hMLH1 gene and the HNPCC locus on chromosome 3, and hMLH1 missense mutations in affected individuals from a chromosome 3-linked HNPCC family. The human hPMS1 gene is homologous to the yeast DNA mismatch repair gene PMS1, and is located on human chromosome 7q.