Abstract: Improvements in methods of treating cancer with weakly basic anti-cancer compounds are provided. In one aspect, the invention provides an improvement in a method of treating cancer cells whose extracellular environment contains 1–8 mM urea, by exposing the cells to a weakly basic anti-cancer compound which is effective in inhibiting the growth of the cells. The improvement includes (a) exposing the cells to a urease enzyme composition and, (b) by step (a), reducing the amount of anti-cancer compound required to produce a given extent of inhibition in the growth of the cells when the cells are exposed to the anti-cancer agent. Methods of potentiating the specific therapeutic activity of a weakly basic anti-cancer compound in the treatment of a given mammalian cancer which is responsive to the compound are provided as are pharmaceutical compositions for use in intravenous administration to a subject are also provided.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and device for use in detecting or quantitating an analyte present in a liquid sample. The method includes reacting an analyte-containing sample with reagents capable of generating a first coil-forming peptide in solution form. This peptide is then contacted with a biosensor whose detection surface has surface-bound molecules of a second, oppositely charged coil-forming peptide, under conditions effective to form a stable &agr;-helical coiled-coil heterodimer on the detection surface. The formation of the coiled-coil heterodimer produces a measurable change in biosensor signal, which is measured to detect the presence of or quantitate the amount of analyte in a sample. Also disclosed is a biosensor device for carrying out the reaction.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating or preventing infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is disclosed. The composition includes a P. aeruginosa pilin peptide modified to prevent oligomerization of the pilin. The method involves administered the composition to a person infected with Pseudomonas are at risk of such infection.

Abstract: A protein interaction method and composition are described. The method and composition are useful for a number of purposes including: reconstituting multisubunit protein complexes, identifying known binding subunits, determining the kinetics and order of self assembly of a multisubunit protein complex, and drug screening. The method involves contacting a conjugate with a solid surface having an immobilized first coil-forming peptide characterized by a selected charge and an ability to interact with a second, oppositely charged coil-forming peptide to form a stable &agr;-helical coiled-coil heterodimer, where the conjugate comprises (a) the second, oppositely charged coil-forming peptide, and (b) a first subunit polypeptide which is one of a plurality of subunit polypeptides in a multisubunit complex. By said contacting the conjugate is bound to the solid surface. Other subunits of the complex are added under conditions effective to promote self-assembly of the subunit complex on the solid surface.

Abstract: A method for presenting a target protein or an array of target proteins for analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a coding sequence; placing the coding sequence and protein-synthesis components capable of expressing the target protein under selected protein-synthesis conditions in a well on a substrate, the well having a surface which has been functionalized with the second coil-forming peptide; expressing said coding sequence under such conditions, wherein the target protein so synthesized binds to the well through coil-coil heterodimer formation, and is thus presented for analysis in the well in captured form; and washing said well to remove unbound components.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating or preventing infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is disclosed. The composition includes a P. aeruginosa pilin peptide modified to prevent oligomerization of the pilin. The method involves administered the composition to a person infected with Pseudomonas are at risk of such infection.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating or preventing infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is disclosed. The composition includes a P. aeruginosa pilin peptide modified to prevent oligomerization of the pilin. The method involves administered the composition to a person infected with Pseudomonas are at risk of such infection.

Abstract: A diagnostic card device for use in detecting or quantitating an analyte present in a liquid sample, comprising a card substrate having a sample introduction region, a biosensor, and a sample-flow pathway communicating between the sample-introduction region and the biosensor, circuitry for generating an analyte-dependent electrical signal from the biosensor; and a signal-responsive element for recording such signal. In one embodiment, the biosensor includes a detection surface with surface-bound molecules of a first charged, coil-forming peptide capable of interacting with a second, oppositely charged coil-forming peptide to form a stable &agr;-helical coiled-coil heterodimer, where the binding of the second peptide to the first peptide, to form such heterodimer, is effective to measurably alter a signal generated by the biosensor. The sample-flow pathway contains diffusibly bound conjugate of the second coil-forming peptide and the analyte (or an analyte analog) and immobilized analyte-binding agent.

Abstract: A combinatorial library composition and method for using the library to construct oligomers effective to bind to a selected ligand is disclosed. The library composition includes at least two sets of ar oligomer libraries, each library set having selected oligomer subunit positions filled by known subunits, and other subunit positions containing permutations of subunits. In the selection method, oligomers from each library set are identified, and a new permutation library formed of subunits corresponding to the highest binding affinity oligomers in each library is screened for binding affinity to the selected ligand.

Abstract: A peptide having a sequence corresponding to a C-terminal portion of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa pilin protein is disclosed. The peptide is cross-reactive with surface peptides present in certain bacterial and fungal microorganisms, and is effective in inhibiting binding of such organisms to target epithelial cells. The peptide may also be employed in a vaccine composition, for producing immunity against such cross-reactive microorganisms. Also disclosed are methods of preparing peptides which are cross-reactive with the P. aeruginosa pilin peptide, and chimeric monoclonal antibodies immunoreactive with the pilin peptide.