Abstract: The present invention relates to antiproliferative genes. More specifically, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human B-cell translocation genes 2 and 3 (BTG-2 and BTG-3). BTG-2 and BTG-3 polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to antibodies to BTG-2 and BGT-3.

Abstract: The structure and specificity of a recombinant &agr;2,3-sialyltransferase from Campylobacter spp., is disclosed. Also provided are methods for using the &agr;2,3-sialyltransferase in the production of desired carbohydrate structures and nucleic acids that encode the sialyltransferase.

Abstract: A process for the production of a protein by cell culture, where the cells that produce the protein are cultured in the presence of a chemical agent that enhances the production of the protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies against VASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein) which only bind VASP as an antigen when VASP is present in phosphorylated form, to hybridoma cells for their preparation, and to the use of the antibodies or antibody fragments as diagnostic agents and/or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A chimeric, non-human animal can be produced by a method that entails providing a microcell that contains one or more foreign chromosomes or fragment(s) thereof and then fusing the microcell with a pluripotent cell, thereby introducing the foreign chromosome(s) or fragment(s) into the latter. The pluripotent cell thus obtained can be used to generate a chimeric, non-human animal, the cells, tissues, and/or progeny of which can be the source of a product, such as an antibody, that is associated with one or more genes on the foreign chromosome(s) or fragment(s).

Abstract: This invention relates to immunological reagents and methods specific for a mammalian, transmembrane protein termed Pgp, having a non-specific efflux pump activity established in the art as being a component of clinically-important multidrug resistance in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The invention provides methods for developing and using immunological reagents specific for certain mutant forms of Pgp and for wild-type Pgp in a conformation associated with substrate binding or in the presence of ATP depleting agents. The invention also provides improved methods for purifying hematopoietic stems cells expressing Pgp and diagnostic and therapeutic methods for cancer cells expressing Pgp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods for producing recombinant heterodimeric BMP proteins useful in the field of treating bone defects, healing bone injury and in wound healing in general. The invention also relates to the recombinant heterodimers and compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing monoclonal antibodies that are highly specific for (1) unique epitopes of Campylobacter jejuni (Cj) only and (2) epitopes conserved between Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli (Cc) outer membranes; to specific monoclonal antibodies made by the methods of the instant invention; and uses thereof The invention is drawn further to immunogens comprising the outer membrane complexes of Cj and Cc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody or functional portion thereof which binds to a mammalian (e.g., human) chemokine receptor 5 protein (CKR-5 or CCR5) or portion of the receptor. The invention further relates to a method of inhibiting the interaction of a cell bearing mammalian CCR5 with a ligand thereof. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of inhibiting HIV infection of a cell which expresses a mammalian CCR5 or portion thereof using the antibodies described herein. Also encompassed by the present invention are methods of treating or preventing HIV in a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to human TNF delta and TNF epsilon polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, methods for producing the polypeptides, in particular by expressing the polynucleotides, and agonists and antagonists of the polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods for utilizing such polynucleotides, polypeptides, agonists and antagonists for applications, which relate, in part, to research, diagnostic and clinical arts.

Abstract: A molecule, protein or peptide characterized in that it is recognized by cytophilic antibodies from individuals who are immune to infection by Plasmodia, and recognized by non-cytophilic antibodies from individuals who are vulnerable to infection by Plasmodiae. Said antibodies are capable of blocking the erythrocytic phase of the parasite by co-operating with accessory cells such as monocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the detection or isolation of prion proteins by use of chaperones specifically binding to said proteins. The invention further relates to a method for in vitro diagnosis of a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy and to pharmaceutical compositions, preferably for the prevention or treatment of said disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for depleting mitochondrial DNA from insulin secreting cells using antiviral compounds, and for producing mitochondrial cytoplasmic hybrid (“cybrid”) cells and animals from mitochondrial DNA depleted cells. Also provided are biological models for diseases associated with altered mitochondrial function, including NIDDM, and methods for diagnosis of such diseases and methods for screening agents useful for treating such diseases. Also provided are biological models and methods for evaluating an antiviral compound for its suitability for use in treating a virally-infected patient having a disease associated with impaired insulin secretion, and for evaluating modifications to antiviral compounds in order to determine if such modifications alter (e.g., ameriolate or exacerbate) undesirable side-effects associated with the antiviral compound.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a protein by culture of hybridoma cells, wherein said protein is an immunoglobulin, are disclosed. The methods involve culturing animal hybridoma cells in continuous presence of an alkanoic acid or salt thereof, which enhances protein production, wherein said alkanoic acid or salt thereof is present at 2 concentration range of 0.1 mM to 200 mM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of nucleotides that encode Ob receptor (ObR), a receptor protein that participates in mammalian body weight regulation. The invention encompasses obR nucleotides, host cell expression systems, ObR proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the receptor, transgenic animals that express an obR transgene, or recombinant knock-out animals that do not express the ObR, antagonists and agonists of the receptor, and other compounds that modulate obR gene expression or ObR activity that can be used for diagnosis, drug screening, clinical trial monitoring, and/or the treatment of body weight disorders, including but not limited to obesity, cachexia and anorexia.

Abstract: The invention provides antibodies and other binding agents that bind specifically to SRCR domains of human CD6 (hCD6) and have advantageous properties, including the capacity to substantially inhibit binding of activated leukocyte adhesion molecule (ALCAM) to hCD6. The binding agents of the invention are useful, inter alia, in methods for screening peptides and drugs that also bind to hCD6 and/or modulate ALCAM binding to hCD6, as well as in diagnostic and therapeutic methods for management and treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides a human glutathione S-transferase (GSTH) and polynucleotides which identify and encode GSTH. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating and preventing disorders associated with expression of GSTH.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation and use of gene banks of human antibodies (Ab). Starting from a mixture of human B-lymphocytes, their mRNA is translated into the cDNA using oligo-dT primers. Subsequently, an amplification of the Ab-specific cDNA by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) takes place using suitable oligonucleotide primer sequences. Expression of this amplified Ab-specific cDNA in a bacterial expression vector, e.g. the vector pFMT described below, in E. coli thus makes available a human-antibody library with a comprehensive repertoire for screening selected antigens in vitro.

Abstract: A particular epitope located within the CD4-binding region of gpl20 of HIV-1, and antibodies specific for the epitope which can inhibit HIV-1 infection of human cells by diverse strains and isolates of the virus, is disclosed. The antibodies are useful for a number of purposes, including diagnosis of HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing secretory Ig molecules. The method comprises transfecting a cell producing an Ig with a polynucleotide encoding an SC to fonn SC transfected Ig producing cells. Secretory Ig molecules, such as secretory IgA, can be used to treat or prevent infection.

Abstract: The invention is directed to antibodies immunoreactive with a Human LERK-6 as a purified and isolated protein, the DNA encoding the LERK-6, host cells transfected with cDNAs encoding LERK-6.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in cell culture are disclosed. The methods involve culturing tPA-producing cells in growth media supplemented with an alkanoic acid or salt thereof at a concentration which enhances tPA production. The most preferred methods utilize butyric acid or sodium butyrate at a concentration of between 0.5 mM and 2.5 mM.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of producing a multimeric protein from a hybrid cell formed from the fusion of two or more cells, each of which cell is engineered to express one component of the multimeric protein, as well as a method for screening for successful fusion of the cells to produce a desired hybrid cell. The methods of the invention are widely applicable to the production of proteins having two or more components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods for producing recombinant heterodimeric BMP proteins useful in the field of treating bone defects, healing bone injury and in wound healing in general. The invention also relates to the recombinant heterodimers and compositions containing them.

Abstract: An isolated and purified non-denatured transferrin receptor protein of a Moraxella strain, particularly M. catarrhalis, has an apparent molecular mass of about 80 to about 90 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The transferrin receptor protein or a fragment analog thereof is useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a strain of Moraxella. The transferrin receptor protein is isolated from strains of Moraxella catarrhalis by a procedure including extraction of agent soluble proteins of a cell mass produced by cultivating the strain under iron-starved conditions. The transferrin receptor protein is selectively solubilized from the extracted cell mass and purified.

Abstract: This invention provides a monoclonal antibody which recognizes an epitope corresponding to amino acids 10 to 220, amino acids 221 to 297, or amino acids 469 to 662, counting from the N-terminus of a human Mx protein MxA, and specifically reacts with the human Mx protein by western blotting, immunoprecipitation or immunocyte staining, and a hybridoma which produces the antibody. The human Mx protein MxA monoclonal antibody of this invention can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of viral infection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for detecting complex protein interactions and protein functional relationships, and reagents for carrying out those methods.