Abstract: Isolated, substantially pure mammalian brain-derived membrane-associated CRF-binding proteins and biologically active fragments thereof are provided as well as isolated and purified DNA fragments which encode the CRF binding proteins or biologically active fragments thereof or homologs of other mammalian species. By administering an amount of such CRF binding protein or a fragment thereof effective to modulate receptor activation, it is possible to modulate the action of CRF upon (a) the brain and nervous system, (b) the pituitary particularly for production of ACTH, beta endorphin and cortisol, (c) sites of inflammation, (d) the placenta, (e) the adrenal glands, (f) the gonads or (g) the gastrointestinal tract. Administration of an N-terminal fragment of the protein increases the binding site density for CRF and thus modulates its biological effect in vivo.

Abstract: A Corticotropin Releasing Factor-binding protein (CRF-BP) is isolated and purified sufficient to provide AA sequence data from which the DNA is obtained, which is then used to produce the protein recombinantly. The CRF-BP is useful for modulating the biological activity of CRF, such as reducing the high ACTH levels in mammals caused by excess CRF. The CRF-BP or fragments thereof and/or antibodies to the proteins may be employed in diagnostic assays to determine the levels of CRF, CRF-BP and the ratio of CRF/CRF-BP in a vascular fluid sample. The DNA or subsequence thereof can be used as probes for genetic material in certain assays. The anti-CRF-BP antibodies are also useful to purify the CRF-BP protein and to modulate the biological effect of CRF-BPs proteins.

Abstract: Isolated, substantially pure mammalian brain-derived membrane-associated CRF-binding proteins and biologically active fragments thereof are provided as well as isolated and purified DNA fragments which encode the CRF binding proteins or biologically active fragments thereof or homologs of other mammalian species. By administering an amount of such CRF binding protein or a fragment thereof effective to modulate receptor activation, it is possible to modulate the action of CRF upon (a) the brain and nervous system, (b) the pituitary particularly for production of ACTH, beta endorphin and cortisol, (c) sites of inflammation, (d) the placenta, (e) the adrenal glands, (f) the gonads or (g) the gastrointestinal tract. Administration of an N-terminal fragment of the protein increases the binding site density for CRF and thus modulates its biological effect in vivo.

Abstract: Mammalian melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is isolated from rat tissue, purified and characterized. These MCH peptides are useful for treating skin disorders, for suppressing the proliferation of skin tumor cells, such as melanomas in mammals, and for modulating the secretion of ACTH. Generally, peptides are provided which have the following formula: ##STR1## or which are naturally occurring homologs of the peptide with said formula. The peptides which are the naturally occurring MCH homologs of mammalian species other than rat can also be obtained using the materials disclosed, as demonstrated specifically with human MCH, which is found to have the same structure as rat MCH. Also disclosed are the amino acid sequences of, and the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs which encode, the putative precursors of rat MCH and human MCH. These precursors may also include one or more biologically active peptides N-terminally of the mature MCH's.

Abstract: Neurotrophic growth factor proteins isolated from novel clonal cell lines grown in culture are mitogenic for fibroblasts and glial cells; some promote nerve cell survival and are prospectively useful in treating diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's which result in cell death in the nervous system, as well as in treating patients prone to epileptic seizures and patients suffering from trauma to the CNS. Certain of these proteins may be useful in nerve regeneration as well as in treating such diseases and injuries. Some are particularly useful in promoting lung development. These proteins are also useful in methods of treating a patient to promote nerve cell regeneration in degenerative eye diseases. The proteins can be topically applied in suitable compositions for wound-healing applications, and they can be administered parenterally to promote lung development and to treat patients afflicted with nerve damage and/or nerve disease.

Abstract: A Corticotropin Releasing Factor-binding protein (CRF-BP) is isolated and purified sufficient to provide AA sequence data from which the DNA is obtained, which is then used to produce the protein recombinantly. The CRF-BP is useful for modulating the biological activity of CRF, such as reducing the high ACTH levels in mammals caused by excess CRF. The CRF-BP or fragments thereof and/or antibodies to the proteins may be employed in diagnostic assays to determine the levels of CRF, CRF-BP and the ratio of CRF/CRF-BP in a vascular fluid sample. The DNA or subsequence thereof can be used as probes for genetic material in certain assays. The anti-CRF-BP antibodies are also useful to purify the CRF-BP protein and to modulate the biological effect of CRF-BPs proteins.

Abstract: Mammalian melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is isolated from rat tissue, purified and characterized. These MCH peptides are useful for treating skin disorders, for suppressing the proliferation of skin tumor cells, such as melanomas in mammals, and for modulating the secretion of ACTH. Generally, peptides are provided which have the following formula: ##STR1## or which are naturally occurring homologs of the peptide with said formula. The peptides which are the naturally occurring MCH homologs of mammalian species other than rat can also be obtained using the materials disclosed, as demonstrated specifically with human MCH, which is found to have the same structure as rat MCH. Also disclosed are the amino acid sequences of, and the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs which encode, the putative precursors of rat MCH and human MCH. These precursors may also include one or more biologically active peptides N-terminally of the mature MCH's.

Abstract: Mammalian melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is isolated from rat tissue, purified and characterized. These MCH peptides are useful for treating skin disorders, for suppressing the proliferation of skin tumor cells, such as melanomas in mammals, and for modulating the secretion of ACTH. Generally, peptides are provided which have the following formula: ##STR1## or which are naturally occurring homologs of the peptide with said formula. The peptides which are the naturally occurring MCH homologs of mammalian species other than rat can also be obtained using the materials disclosed, as demonstrated specifically with human MCH, which is found to have the same structure as rat MCH. Also disclosed are the amino acid sequences of, and the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs which encode, the putative precursors of rat MCH and human MCH. These precursors may also include one or more biologically active peptides N-terminally of the mature MCH's.