Abstract: A chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetane includes an alkaline phosphatase triggerable stable 1,2-dioxetane; a polymeric enhancer which is either an ammonium or phosphonium salt of a polyvinylbenzyl chloride and an aqueous enzyme diluent or stabilizer which corresponds to blood component including blood protein. The system is efficacious for single molecule detection of alkaline phosphatase and other enzymes.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of TL-&ggr;, antibodies to TL-&ggr;, methods of screening for TL-&ggr; modulating using biologically active TL-&ggr;, and kits for screening for TL-&ggr;modulators.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively determining LDL cholesterol, including the steps of adding to serum a surfactant selected from among polyoxyethylenealkylene phenyl ethers and polyoxyethylenealkylene tribenzylphenyl ethers and a cholesterol-assaying enzyme reagent so as to preferentially react cholestrols in high density- and very low density-cholesterols among lipoproteins, and subsequently determining the amount of cholesterol that reacts thereafter. This method can eliminate the necessity for pretreatments such as centrifugation and electrophoresis, enables the quantitative determination to be conducted in an efficient, simple manner, and can be applied to various automatic analyzers.

Abstract: A device for collecting nasal secretions that comprises a container designed to fit about a patient's nose. The device comprises a ventilation means to allow the patient to blow their nose into the container while preventing the undesired dispersion of nasal secretion onto the patient and their surrounding environment.

Abstract: A diagnostic agent for colon cancer, which comprises a reagent for detecting a tannase high-producing bacterium or measuring an amount of tannase contained in an intracolonic microflora sample, and a test method for colon cancer, which comprises the step of detecting a tannase high-producing bacterium or measuring an amount of tannase contained in an intracolonic microflora sample.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for diagnosing and treating cancer and muscular disorders are provided. Therapeutic compositions may comprise agents that modulate sphingolipid metabolism and/or signaling pathways. Such compositions may be administered to a mammal afflicted with cancer. Diagnostic methods and kits may employ an agent suitable for detecting alterations in endogenous genes involved in sphingolipid metabolism. Such methods and kits may be used to detect the presence of a cancer or to evaluate the prognosis of a known disease. Screens for identifying agents that modulate sphingolipid metabolism and/or signaling pathways are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting an analyte in an environment includes a first reaction system including a first enzyme and a substrate for the first enzyme. The analyte inhibits the reaction of the substrate catalyzed by the first enzyme (in other words, the analyte inhibits the first enzyme). The sensor further includes at least a second reaction system that reacts to produce a first detectable state when the first enzyme is inhibited. In some embodiments, the reaction of the first reaction system can produce a second detectible state, different from the first detectible state. Another sensor for detecting an analyte in an environment includes a first reaction system including a first enzyme or a first substrate for the first enzyme. In this embodiment, the analyte is either a substrate for the first enzyme if the first reaction system includes the first enzyme or the first enzyme if the first reaction system includes the first substrate.

Abstract: A method of detecting cardiac ischemia by detecting elevated levels of serum free fatty acids in serum unbound to serum albumin (FFAU) compared to an average FFAU level in individuals without cardiac ischemia, wherein the detection method uses a free fatty acid binding protein derivatized with a fluorescent moiety, is disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are methods which identify candidate agents as binding to a protein or as a modulator of the binding characteristics or biological activity of a protein. Generally, the methods involve the use of ADP or phosphate. The assays can be used in a high throughput system to obviate the cumbersome steps of using gels or radioactive materials.

Abstract: The invention features methods of detecting enzymatic activity (e.g., in a magnetic resonance image). In general, the methods include: (1) providing a monomeric substrate (e.g., a substrate that is polymerizable in the presence of an enzyme or as a result of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction), having the generic structure X-Y-Z, where X includes a chelator moiety having a chelated paramagnetic or superparamagnetic metal atom or ion, Y includes a linker moiety (e.g., to provide a covalent or non-covalent chemical bond or bonds between X and Z), and Z includes a polymerizing moiety; (2) contacting the substrate with a target tissue, wherein the substrate undergoes polymerization to form a paramagnetic or superparamagnetic polymer, the polymerization being catalyzed by an enzyme in an extracellular matrix or bound to the surfaces of cells of the target tissue; and (3) detecting an increase in relaxivity for the polymer relative to an equivalent amount of unpolymerized substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates uses of Toxoplasma gondii chorismate synthase, a component components of plant-like metabolic pathways not including psbA or PPi phosphofructokinase and not generally operative in animals or encoded by the plastid DNA, in assays to develop compositions that interfere with Apicomplexan growth and survival. Components of the pathways include enzymes, transit peptides and nucleotide sequences encoding the enzymes and peptides, or promoters of these nucleotide sequences to which antibodies, antisense molecules and other inhibitors are directed. Diagnostic and therapeutic reagents and vaccines are developed based on T. gondii chorismate synthase and its inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting the presence or absence of a target microbe in a liquid sample, the method comprising: providing a powdered medium having one or more nutrient indicators and ingredients to support the growth of the target microbe, the one or more nutrient indicators being operable to alter a detectable characteristic in a medium/sample mixture when metabolized by the target microbes so as to confirm the presence or absence of target microbes in the sample, wherein the medium lacks a gelling agent and the medium is free of target microbes before mixing with a sample; providing a liquid sample; combining the powdered medium and the liquid sample to form a medium/sample mixture; and observing the mixture for the presence or absence of a detectable characteristic wherein the presence of the detectable characteristic results from a target microbe metabolizing a nutrient-indicator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and corresponding kit for assaying the presence, activity, or both, of an enzyme classified within an enzyme classification selected from the group consisting of EC 2.7.1, EC 3.1.3, and EC 3.1.4. The method generally includes the steps of reacting an enzyme with a substrate for a time sufficient to yield phosphorylated or dephosphorylated product; contacting the product with a binding matrix, whereby product is adhered to the matrix; and then analyzing the matrix for presence of, amount of, or both the presence and the amount of the product fixed to the matrix, whereby the presence, the activity, or both the presence and activity of the enzyme can be determined.

Abstract: Effective stabilizing amount at least of one antioxidant is added to a composition containing an esterase and surfactant(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for making biotin from desthiobiotin by either contacting desthiobiotin with an enzyme reaction mixture containing bioB gene product and nifU gene product and/or nifS gene product and isolating the biotin or cultivating a microorganism transformed with DNA encoding the bioB gene product, nifU gene product and nifS gene product and isolating the biotin.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKifC2, antibodies to HsKifC2, methods of screening for HsKifC2 modulators using biologically active HsKifC2, and kits for screening for HsKifC2 modulators.

Abstract: One-step enzyme immunoassays in which enzyme-antibody conjugate or label and enzyme substrate are separated until separation of bound and free enzyme conjugate or label is complete. This separation is accomplished by using variable flow paths, immobilization of substrate at the test line, placement of substrate in a sac or association with a particle label, enzyme product chemical capture, delay zone dissolution and protected enzyme substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a medium for microbiological analysis by biochemical means involving chromogenic or fluorogenic substrates that react with enzymes (esterases) specific for the target strains.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of microscopic nematodes such as C. elegans in functional high throughput in vivo assays suitable for the detection of inhibitors or activators of intestinal lipid uptake.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for assaying a sample for a GHB source are provided. A sample suspected of containing a GHB source is contacted with a first oxidoreductase selective for GHB and an oxidized cofactor. In the presence of GHB in the sample, the first oxidoreductase oxidizes GHB to succinic semialdehyde and reduces the cofactor. The reduced cofactor thus produced can be detected directly, or a hydride abstractor can be used that abstracts a hydride from the reduced cofactor and produces a detectable change. The hydride abstractor can be a second oxidoreductase that oxidizes the reduced cofactor and produces a detectable change in a chromogen or dye. Preferably a visual change is produced, allowing performance of the assay outside of a laboratory setting. Fusion proteins comprising the first oxidoreductase, polynucleotides encoding such proteins, host cells expressing such proteins, and vectors comprising such polynucleotides are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying agents that modulate a level or an activity of tubulin deacetylase polypeptide, as well as agents identified by the methods. The invention further provides methods of modulating tubulin deacetylase activity in a cell. The invention further provides methods of modulating cellular proliferation by modulating the activity of tubulin deacetylase.

Abstract: A novel diagnostic system for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating sputum from saliva. The disclosed methods utilize a test strip or stick assay, or other similar assays, for detecting the presence of leukocyte esterase which correlates to the presence of sputum in a patient sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, systems, and methods for simultaneously detecting the presence and quantity of one or more different compounds in a sample using aptamer beacons. Aptamer beacons are oligonucleotides that have a binding region that can bind to a non-nucleotide target molecule, such as a protein, a steroid, or an inorganic molecule. New aptamer beacons having binding regions configured to bind to different target molecules can be used in solution-based and solid, array-based systems. The aptamer beacons can be attached to solid supports, e.g., at different predetermined points in two-dimensional arrays. The invention includes devices, methods, and computer software for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for using a human cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase belonging to the superfamily of mammalian phosphodiesterases. The invention also relates to methods for using polynucleotides encoding the phosphodiesterase. The invention relates to methods using the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in phosphodiesterase-mediated or -related disorders. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to agonists and antagonists identifiefd by drug screening methods with the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKip3b, antibodies to HsKip3b, methods of screening for HsKip3b modulators using biologically active HsKip3b, and kits for screening for HsKip3b modulators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to arthropod esterase proteins; to arthropod esterase nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such esterase proteins; to antibodies raised against such esterase proteins; and to other compounds that inhibit arthropod esterase activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to protect animals from hematophagous arthropod infestation.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluorescence methods for measuring enzyme activity, in particular enzyme cleaving and joining activities. The invention also relates to fluorogenic substrates which are useful for measuring enzyme activity and as in vitro and in vivo imaging probes.

Abstract: A process for enzymatically producing, from a vegetable oil deodorizer distillate, a dietary sterol fatty acid ester superior in flavor qualities (e.g., color, odor and taste) and safety and containing no or little trans fatty acids, wherein the conditions for treatment of the starting material, synthetic reaction and subsequent purification are controlled so that the sterol fatty acid ester becomes applicable as a daily food material, a health food material or a pharmaceutical material. In the process, fatty acid esters, e.g., triacylglycerol, in the vegetable oil deodorizer distillate are previously degraded by hydrolysis with a chemical catalyst, fatty acids produced in the hydrolysis are removed by molecular distillation to give a sterol-containing fraction. The sterol-containing fraction is added with any fat and oil primarily comprising triacylglycerol. The mixture is used as the starting material, and the synthetic reaction is performed under strictly controlled conditions using a lipolytic enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for screening for histone deacetylase enzyme activity in a test sample. The present invention further relates to novel methods for screening potential inhibitors of histone deacetylase enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for using a human cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase belonging to the superfamily of mammalian phosphodiesterases. The invention also relates to methods for using polynucleotides encoding the phosphodiesterase. The invention relates to methods using the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in phosphodiesterase-mediated or -related disorders. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to agonists and antagonists identifiefd by drug screening methods with the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKif12a, antibodies to HsKif12a, methods of screening for HsKif12a modulators using biologically active HsKif12a, and kits for screening for HsKif12a modulators.

Abstract: A process for measuring enzymatic activity in an identified, isolated, intact, single, viable cell. Each of the viable cells is placed within individual identified locations on a carrier of a cytometer having means to measure enzymatic activity of a single viable cell placed in an identified location. The identified isolated cell is exposed to a substrate of an enzyme to be measured, and the rate of product formed or released following every exposure of the cell to same or different concentrations of the substrate is measured. The isolated cell may be exposed to a sequence of at least two different concentrations of the substrate, and for each exposure the rate of product formed or released, is measured.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the screening of a non-recombinant cell line capable, under appropriate conditions, of exhibiting an upregulated expression of a target protein, preferably an isoenzyme of PDE4, more preferably PDE4A. The invention also concerns methods for the screening of a candidate molecule that modulates the expression or the activity of human phosphodiesterase 4A. The candidate molecules selected by the screening methods of the invention are potentially useful as therapeutic molecules for diseases caused or regulated by cyclic nucleotide-modulated transduction mechanisms, such as airway disorders like asthma.

Abstract: The gene for Streptococcus pyogenes DNase B has been cloned and vectors incorporating the cloned DNA have been used to transform Escherichia coli, allowing efficient and rapid production of the DNase in E. coli without the necessity of growing large quantities of S. pyogenes. The enzyme can be produced with a leader peptide at its amino terminus. An improved method for the purification of naturally occurring S. pyogenes DNase B enzyme is also provided. The DNase B enzyme produced, either by purification of naturally occurring enzyme or by recombinant DNA techniques, can be used to generate antibodies and can also be used in immunochemical assays to detect the presence of anti-DNase B antibodies in serum as a marker of infection by S. pyogenes.

Abstract: Provided is a method of screening gene libraries derived from a mixed population of organisms for a bioactivity or biomolecule of interest. The mixed population of organisms can be a cultured population or an uncultured population from, for example, the environment. Also provided are methods of screening isolates or enriched populations of organisms, which isolates include a population that is spatially, temporally, or hierarchical, for example, of a particular species, genus, family, or class of organisms. Identified clones containing a biomolecule or bioactivity of interest can be further variegated or the DNA contained in the clone can be variegated to create novel biomolecules or bioactivities of interest.

Abstract: A dry-phase triglycerides test strip that can be stored at room or elevated temperatures for several months without significant degradation in its effectiveness. The test strip includes a test membrane which receives plasma and forms a colored response in proportion to concentration of triglycerides in the plasma. The test membrane is impregnated with an aqueous solution containing lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and 4-aminoantipyrine (4AAP). The inventors have found that by reducing the pH of the impregnating solution to less than that of the recommended pH range for one of the key components (viz., less than pH 6.0), overall stability of the test strips was dramatically improved. The improvement in storage capability of these triglycerides test strips represents not just a difference in degree, but a difference in kind.

Abstract: The invention features ABC1 nucleic acids and polypeptides for the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal cholesterol regulation. The invention also features methods for identifying compounds for modulating cholesterol levels in an animal (e.g., a human).

Abstract: A method for determining the presence or amount of gamma-hydroxybutyrate or precursors in a sample, said method comprising contacting said sample with an indicator which specifically binds to gamma-hydroxybutyrate or precursors to form an indicatorcomplex; and, measuring said indicatorcomplex to determine the presence or amount of said gamma-hydroxybutyrate or precursors in said sample.

Abstract: A unitary single use analytic device for detecting an enzyme in a liquid. The device comprises a support structure for manual manipulation and a composition associated therewith which is responsive to the enzyme in such a way as to cause a change in appearance of the device. The device may be adapted for detecting an enzymes from a plurality of classes by having compositions selectively responsive to an enzyme of one class, each responding in such a way as to cause a change in appearance of the device indicative of the presence of an enzyme of a respective class. Also disclosed is a method for estimating the activity of an enzyme in a liquid comprising the steps of inserting a test trip of the present invention into the liquid and measuring the time taken from the moment of insertion until a predetermined change in appearance of the test trip is observed, or noting the appearance of the strip after predetermined time.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for treating dandruff comprising compounds that are non-polymeric and/or have a weight average molecular weight of less than about 1000. These compounds, when used at a concentration of about 0.001% or less, inhibit the activity of any Malassezia globosa lipase by at least 50%. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds for inhibiting lipase activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (DGAT) activity which utilizes a novel solvent system to reduce and/or eliminate the activities of related compounds. The present invention also discloses a method for determining whether a compound is useful for modulating DGAT biological activity. The method is capable of being utilized for mass screening of compounds as modulators of the biological activity of DGAT.

Abstract: Described herein are four phenolic acid esterases, three of which correspond to domains of previously unknown function within bacterial xylanases, from XynY and XynZ of Clostridium thermocellum and from a feruloyl esterase of Ruminococcus. The fourth specifically exemplified phenolic acid esterase is a protein encoded within the genome of Orpinomyces PC-2. The amino acids of these polypeptides and nucleotide sequences encoding them are provided. Recombinant host cells, expression vectors and methods for the recombinant production of phenolic acid esterases are also provided. Further provided are methods for improving nutrient availability and ferulic acid availability when food or feed, or other material is treated with a phenolic acid esterase, desirably in combination with a xylanase.

Abstract: Reagents which regulate human S-acyl fatty acid synthase thioesterase-like enzyme and reagents which bind to human S-acyl fatty acid synthase thioesterase-like enzyme gene products can play a role in preventing, ameliorating, or correcting dysfunctions or diseases including, but not limited to cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and diabetes.

Abstract: There is provided a method for a selective assay of component, particularly cholesterol, in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) which is one of serum lipoproteins.

Abstract: An improved method of performing immunohistochemical staining on a tissue sample to determine the presence of cytoplasmic tumor marker Metallopanstimulin in cells in the tissue sample. The method consists of generally of collecting the tissue sample; fixing the tissue sample in a manner that preserves the Metallopanstimulin in the cytoplasm of the tissue cells; embedding the sample in paraffin; deparaffinizing the tissue; heating the sample to expose antigenic sites; incubating the slide with a stain blocking agent; incubating the tissue with a primary anti-Peptide A antibody having an affinity for the N-terminal portion of the Metallopanstimulin; incubating the sample with chromogen stain; rinsing the sample; dipping the slide in a counterstain; mounting the slide for reading. Materials for performing the above steps are provided in a convenient, reasonably priced kit.

Abstract: The present invention provides high throughput screening systems for identifying compounds that modulate the biological activity of a biochemically functional sarcomere. The method can be performed in plurality simultaneously with fluorescence or absorbance readouts.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for determining the phylogeny of sample Fritillaria genetic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel human PDE8 polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, expression constructs comprising the polynucleotides, host cells transformed with the expression constructs; methods for producing PDE8 polypeptides; antisense polynucleotides; and antibodies specifically immunoreactive with the PDE8 polypeptides.

Abstract: A method of testing a substance potentially active in the field of lipolysis comprising: preparing a substrate containing at least one triacylglycerol; placing this substrate in contact with a substance potentially active in the field of lipolysis, and with a lipoprotein lipase, in the presence of a cofactor of lipoprotein lipase, for a period of time sufficient to release at least in part one fatty acid of the triacylglycerol; and determining the capacity of inhibition of the release of the fatty acid resulting from the activity of the lipoprotein lipase, under the action of said potentially active substance, and evaluating the result of the inhibition which is either compared to the result obtained in the absence of the potentially active substance tested or compared with the result obtained in the presence of a known inhibitor acting as reference. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses are described.

Abstract: A membranous enzyme not yet described in the state-of-the-art can be extracted from cellular membrane fractions of blood leukocytes or monocytes/macrophages. Also disclosed is the use of substrates of this enzyme to prepare medicaments that contain these substrates as pharmaceutical active substance. These medicaments are useful to direct pharmacologically active substances to target cells and to enrich target cells with said substances. Also disclosed are in-vitro research systems containing this enzyme used to detect other substrates of this enzyme.