Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a tumor in a subject. This method involves administering to a subject having a Hippo pathway mutant tumor a tankyrase inhibitor, where the tumor is susceptible to treatment with the tankyrase inhibitor, and said administering is carried out to treat the tumor. The present invention also relates to a method of treating cancer in a subject, and a method of identifying a subject as a candidate for treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a tumor in a subject. This method involves administering to a subject having a Hippo pathway mutant tumor a tankyrase inhibitor, where the tumor is susceptible to treatment with the tankyrase inhibitor, and said administering is carried out to treat the tumor. The present invention also relates to a method of treating cancer in a subject, and a method of identifying a subject as a candidate for treatment.

Abstract: The isolation, cloning and characterization of a human gene related to but distinct from EGF receptor gene has been described. Nucleotide sequence of the gene and amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the gene have been determined. The use of the nucleic acid probes and antibodies having specific binding affinity with said polypeptide for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes have also been described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel truncated form of heptocyte growth factor (HGF) which specifically antagonizes the activity of HGF and to a novel truncated form of HGF that is a partial HGF agonist. In particular, the present invention relates to the purification, molecular cloning, recombinant expression of the truncated HGF variants and related pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention further relates to the utilization of the small HGF variants to either inhibit HGF mitogenesis or stimulate HGF mitogenesis in cells expressing the receptor for HGF.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of soft tissue cancer are described. More specifically, the invention demonstrates that inhibiting or otherwise decreasing the activity of DKK-1 using shRNA or siRNA molecules will be effective at reducing the cancer phenotype of prostate cancer cells.

Abstract: A DNA sequence which encodes a human type ? platelet derived growth factor receptor protein which preferentially binds to the AA homodimer and AB heterodimer forms of platelet derived growth factor and also binds the BB homodimer at high affinity, is described. Substantially pure human a platelet derived growth factor receptor protein and methods for recombinantly producing human ? platelet derived growth factor receptor protein are also described.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used successfully to produce a hitherto unknown type of human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) receptor protein free of other PDGF receptors. These proteins can be produced from DNA segments in cells in various functional forms. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of these novel receptors as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for specific types of PDGF receptor proteins, for example, by measuring mRNA in cells with PDGF receptor type-specific DNA probes or by measuring antigen in biological samples with type-specific antibodies.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used successfully to produce hitherto unknown human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) protein free of other polypeptides. These proteins can be produced in various functional forms from spontaneously secreting cells or from DNA segments introduced into cells. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of this novel protein as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for the KGF protein, for example, by measuring mRNA levels in cells or by measuring antigen secreted in extracellular or body fluids.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used sucessfully to produce hitherto unknown human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) protein free of other polypeptides. These proteins can be produced in various functional forms from spontaneously secreting cells or from DNA segments introduced into cells. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of this novel protein as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for the KGF protein, for example, by measuring mRNA levels in cells or by measuring antigen secreted in extracellular or body fluids.

Abstract: A DNA fragment distinct from the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and erbB-2 genes was detected by reduced stringency hybridization of v-erbB to normal genomic human DNk Characterization of the cloned DNA fragment mapped the region of v-erbB homology to three exons with closest homology of 64% and 67% to a contiguous region within the tyrosine kinase domains of the EGFR and erbB-2 proteins, respectively. cDNA cloning revealed a predicted 148 kd transmembrane polypeptide with structural features identifying it as a member of the erbB family, prompting designation of the new gene as erbB-3. It was mapped to human chromosome 12q11-13 and was shown to be expressed as a 6.2 kb transcript in a variety of normal tissues of epithelial origin. Markedly elevated erbB-3 mRNA levels were demonstrated in certain human mammary tumor cell lines. These findings indicate that increased erbB-3 expression, as in the case of EGFR and erbB-2, plays a role in some human malignancies.

Abstract: Disccoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used sucessfully to produce hitherto unknown human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) protein free of other polypeptides. These proteins can be produced in various functional forms from spontaneously secreting cells or from DNA segments introduced into cells. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of this novel protein as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for the KGF protein, for example, by measuring mRNA levels in cells or by measuring antigen secreted in extracellular or body fluids.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used successfully to produce a hitherto unknown type of human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) receptor protein free of other PDGF receptors. These proteins can be produced from DNA segments in cells in various functional forms. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of these novel receptors as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for specific types of PDGF receptor proteins, for example, by measuring mRNA in cells with PDGF receptor type-specific DNA probes or by measuring antigen in biological samples with type-specific antibodies.

Abstract: The isolation, cloning and characterization of a human gene related to but distinct from the EGF receptor gene has been described. Nucleotide sequence of the gene and amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the gene have been determined. The use of the nucleic acid probes and antibodies having specific binding affinity with said polypeptide for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes has also been described.

Abstract: A DNA fragment distinct from the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and erbB-2 genes was detected by reduced stringency hybridization of v-erbB to normal genomic human DNA. Characterization of the cloned DNA fragment mapped the region of v-erbB homology to three exons with closest homology of 64% and 67% to a contiguous region within the tyrosine kinase domains of the EGFR and erbB-2 proteins, respectively. cDNA cloning revealed a predicted 148 kd transmembrane polypeptide with structural features identifying it as a member of the erbB family, prompting designation of the new gene as erbB-3. It was mapped to human chromosome 12q11-13 and was shown to be expressed as a 6.2 kb transcript in a variety of normal tissues of epithelial origin. Markedly elevated erbB-3 mRNA levels were demonstrated in certain human mammary tumor cell lines. These findings indicate that increased erbB-3 expression, as in the case of EGFR and erbB-2, plays a role in some human malignancies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel truncated forms of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) which specifically antagonizes the activity of HGF and to a novel truncated form of HGF that is a partial HGF agonist. In particular, the present invention relates to the purification, molecular cloning, recombinant expression of the truncated HGF variants and related pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel truncated forms of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) which specifically antagonizes the activity of HGF and to a novel truncated form of HGF that is a partial HGF agonist. In particular, the present invention relates to the purification, molecular cloning, recombinant expression of the truncated HGF variants and related pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention further relates to the utilization of the small HGF variants to either inhibit HGF mitogenesis or stimulate HGF mitogenesis in cells expressing the receptor for HGF.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used sucessfully to produce hitherto unknown human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) protein free of other polypeptides. These proteins can be produced in various functional forms from spontaneously secreting cells or from DNA segments introduced into cells. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of this novel protein as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for the KGF protein, for example, by measuring mRNA levels in cells or by measuring antigen secreted in extracellular or body fluids.

Abstract: The high affinity which is characteristic of homodimers of IgG heavy chains is achieved, along with favorable secretion and flexibility/adaptability properties, in a fusion protein that has a nonantibody portion, comprised of an effector domain, joined to the aminoterminal end of an IgG-derived sequence consisting of a hinge:CH2:CH3 segment which lacks a CH1 domain, with a heterologous signal peptide preferably provided upstream of the nonantibody portion. Chimeric molecules of this structure can be secreted readily in stable form by mammalian cells transfected with DNA encoding the molecule, and are amenable to rapid, efficient purification to homogeneity, for example, using protein A. These molecules are effective substitutes for monoclonal antibodies in contexts such as flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation and ELISAs. A fusion protein as described also can be used in screening for agonists and antagonists to the cognate binding partner of the nonantibody portion of the fusion protein.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used successfully to produce a hitherto unknown type of human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) receptor protein free of other PDGF receptors. These proteins can be produced from DNA segments in cells in various functional forms. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of these novel receptors as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for specific types of PDGF receptor proteins, for example, by measuring mRNA in cells with PDGF receptor type-specific DNA probes or by measuring antigen in biological samples with type-specific antibodies.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA technology was used to clone encoding nucleic acids for the human alpha platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R type alpha). Peptides corresponding to the predicted sequence of this type and of the PDGF-R type beta were used to elicit antibodies specific for either type of the PDGF-R. Immunoassays are described for determining the level of PDGF-R type alpha in biological samples with the PDGF-R type alpha-specific antibodies.