Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an Agrin fragment or derivative thereof, and uses of the pharmaceutical composition. The present disclosure also provides method of producing the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes to a method of treating a metabolic disease in a subject, wherein the method comprises administration of dermatopontin to a subject, wherein the dermatopontin is recombinant dermatopontin and the metabolic disease is selected from a group consisting of weight gain, diet-induced weight gain, obesity, morbid obesity, metabolic syndrome, glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, type I diabetes, type if diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the likelihood of the presence or progression of a hepatocellular carcinoma in a subject, comprising determining the level of extracellular form of Agrin in an extracellular fluid obtained from the subject. Also disclosed are the use of anti Agrin agent for therapy, a pharmaceutical composition comprising anti-Agrin agent, a method of treating cancer comprising an anti-Agrin agent, a use of anti-Agrin agent and a kit thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes to a method of treating a metabolic disease in a subject, wherein the method comprises administration of dermatopontin to a subject, wherein the dermatopontin is recombinant dermatopontin and the metabolic disease is selected from a group consisting of weight gain, diet-induced weight gain, obesity, morbid obesity, metabolic syndrome, glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, type I diabetes, type if diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the likelihood of the presence or progression of a hepatocellular carcinoma in a subject, comprising determining the level of extracellular form of Agrin in an extracellular fluid obtained from the subject. Also disclosed are the use of anti Agrin agent for therapy, a pharmaceutical composition comprising anti-Agrin agent, a method of treating cancer comprising an anti-Agrin agent, a use of anti-Agrin agent and a kit thereof.

Abstract: We provide an anti-TAZ agent for the treatment, prophylaxis or alleviation of cancer. We further provide a kit for detecting breast cancer in an individual or susceptibility of the individual to breast cancer comprising means for detection of TAZ expression in the individual or a sample taken from him or her as well as a method of detecting a cancer cell, the method comprising detecting modulation of expression, amount or activity of TAZ in the cell.

Abstract: We provide an anti-TAZ agent for the treatment, prophylaxis or alleviation of cancer. We further provide a kit for detecting breast cancer in an individual or susceptibility of the individual to breast cancer comprising means for detection of TAZ expression in the individual or a sample taken from him or her as well as a method of detecting a cancer cell, the method comprising detecting modulation of expression, amount or activity of TAZ in the cell.

Abstract: We provide an anti-TAZ agent for the treatment, prophylaxis or alleviation of cancer. We further provide a kit for detecting breast cancer in an individual or susceptibility of the individual to breast cancer comprising means for detection of TAZ expression in the individual or a sample taken from him or her as well as a method of detecting a cancer cell, the method comprising detecting modulation of expression, amount or activity of TAZ in the cell.

Abstract: We provide an anti-TAZ agent for the treatment, prophylaxis or alleviation of cancer. We further provide a kit for detecting breast cancer in an individual or susceptibility of the individual to breast cancer comprising means for detection of TAZ expression in the individual or a sample taken from him or her as well as a method of detecting a cancer cell, the method comprising detecting modulation of expression, amount or activity of TAZ in the cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple, specific and sensitive test for the presence of SARS coronavirus. Kits comprising primers useful in the test are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a matured, glycosylated Spike (S) protein of SARS Coronavirus, fragments of the S protein, methods for producing the same, their use in detecting SARS infection, and their use or the use of their corresponding antibodies to treat patients suffering from SARS.

Abstract: Compositions related to expressed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus group-specific polypeptides are provided. Further provided are methods and compositions related to the use of these polypeptides, in particular use for inducing apoptosis in cells, diagnosing SARS infection and screening for modulator and inhibitor compounds of such polypeptides and in turn the virus itself, and in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disease caused by SARS infection.

Abstract: A chimeric transmembrane protein which promotes viral entry into cells comprises: (i) an extracellular domain capable of binding a virus; and (ii) an intracellular internalisation signal.

Abstract: Proteins such as human &bgr;-interferon or human erythropoietin are prepared by culturing mammalian cells which harbour a nucleic acid sequence comprising: (i) a coding sequence which encodes the desired protein and which is operably linked to a promoter capable of directing expression of the coding sequence in a mammalian cell in the presence of a heavy metal ion; and (ii) a first selectable marker sequence comprises a metallothionein gene and which is operably linked to a promoter capable of directing expression of the metallothionein gene in a mammalian cell in the presence of a heavy metal ion; and optionally (iii) a second selectable marker sequence which comprises a neo gene and which is operably linked to a promoter capable of directing expression of the neo gene in a mammalian cell.