Abstract: Human pineal gland specific gene-1 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptides for the regulation of the pituitary gland and to modulate biological rhythms. Agonists and antagonists against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to control the actions of such polypeptides are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting mutations in the polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide in a host.

Abstract: Human choline acetyltransferase polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for the treatment of cognitive and neurological deficiencies or mental disturbances such as degenerative nervous system disorders, for example, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS and other cholinergic defects, and antagonists for treating Parkinson's Disease and other disorders relating to an over-expression of acetylcholine. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the human Choline Acetyltransferase nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed are human interleukin-1 &bgr; converting enzyme like apoptosis proteases-3 and 4 and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides. Also provided are methods of using the polypeptides, for example, as an antitumor agent, and antiviral agent, and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides for example, for treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and head injury.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human-PGF polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques and antibodies and antagonist/inhibitors against such polypeptides. Also provide are methods of using the polypeptide therapeutically for treating prostate cancer, to promote tissue regeneration and to facilitate wound healing. Also provided is a diagnostic assay to detect prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract: Human choline acetyltransferase polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for the treatment of cognitive and neurological deficiencies or mental disturbances such as degenerative nervous system disorders, for example, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS and other cholinergic defects, and antagonists for treating Parkinson's Disease and other disorders relating to an over-expression of acetylcholine. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the human Choline Acetyltransferase nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a arrays of nucleic acid and methods of screening these arrays for desired nucleotide sequences. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a desired cDNA clone can be obtained in three or less rounds of PCR screening. A master plate containing a population of cDNA, distributed in a plurality of wells, is screened for a desired clone by PCR. After a master well containing the desired cDNA is identified, a second plate containing a cDNA array of the master well can then be screened using the same PCR primers. Since the second plate contains about 50-fold to 100-fold fewer clones than the master plate, an expedient reduction in the number of candidates can be achieved in a single PCR step. The invention also relates to a super-master plate containing at least two, preferably more, different populations of cDNA obtainable from different sources of mRNA.

Abstract: Human ICE LAP-6 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such ICE LAP-6 and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such ICE LAP-6 for the treatment of a susceptibility to viral infection, tumorogenesis and to diseases and defects in the control embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis, and the nucleic acid sequences described above may be employed in an assay for ascertaining such susceptibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a arrays of nucleic acid and methods of screening these arrays for desired nucleotide sequences. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a desired cDNA clone can be obtained in three or less rounds of PCR screening. A master plate containing a population of cDNA, distributed in a plurality of wells, is screened for a desired clone by PCR. After a master well containing the desired cDNA is identified, a second plate containing a cDNA array of the master well can then be screened using the same PCR primers. Since the second plate contains about 50-fold to 100-fold fewer clones than the master plate, an expedient reduction in the number of candidates can be achieved in a single PCR step. The invention also relates to a super-master plate containing at least two, preferably more, different populations of cDNA obtainable from different sources of mRNA.

Abstract: Human choline acetyltransferase polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for the treatment of cognitive and neurological deficiencies or mental disturbances such as degenerative nervous system disorders, for example, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS and other cholinergic defects, and antagonists for treating Parkinson's Disease and other disorders relating to an over-expression of acetylcholine. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the human Choline Acetyltransferase nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: Human paraoxonase enzyme and DNA (RNA) encoding such paraoxonase enzymes are disclosed. Also provided is the procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Uses of such polypeptides include their use as an antidote for organophosphate poisoning and to prevent neuronal cell death.

Abstract: A human prostatic specific reductase polypeptide and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polynucleotides as a diagnostic marker for prostate cancer and as an agent to determine if the prostate cancer has metastasized. Also disclosed are antibodies specific to the prostatic specific reductase polypeptide which may be used to target prostate cancer cells and be used as part of a prostate cancer vaccine. Methods of screening for agonists and antagonists for the polypeptide and therapeutic uses of the antagonists are also dislcosed.

Abstract: Human ICE LAP-6 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such ICE LAP-6 and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such ICE LAP-6 for the treatment of a susceptibility to viral infection, tumorogenesis and to diseases and defects in the control embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis, and the nucleic acid sequences described above may be employed in an assay for ascertaining such susceptibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding human PGF polypeptides, variant polynucleotides encoding analog polypeptides, and variant polynucleotides useful as probes for polynucleotides encoding human PGF polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques.

Abstract: Human serum paraoxonase enzyme and DNA (RNA) encoding such paraoxonase enzymes are disclosed. Also provided is the procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Uses of such polypeptides include their use as an antidote for organophosphate poisoning and to prevent neuronal cell death.

Abstract: Isolated DNAs (e.g., cDNAs or genomic fragments) encoding TGF-.beta. type I receptors, or soluble, ligand-binding fragments thereof; vectors or cells which contain such DNAs; and substantially pure polypeptides encoded by such DNAs, whether produced by expression of the isolated DNAs, by isolation from natural sources, or by chemical synthesis.