Abstract:
Human membrane cofactor protein (MCP), a protein involved in regulation of complement activity, has been purified to homogeneity. The cDNAs encoding six isoforms of this protein have been retreived and permit deduction of the complete amino acid sequences and the recombinant production of proteins with this activity. Pharmaceutical compositions in which MCP is the active ingredient for use in treating autoimmune diseases, antibody preparations for diagnosis, and DNA probes are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A diagnostic method and screening test for atherosclerosis and analogous diseases involving activated phagocytes and/or inflammation is provided which comprises determining the presence of 3-chlorotyrosine in a test sample of a body fluid or tissue at a level which is elevated relative to the level in a normal patient.
Abstract:
A novel death agonist, BID, which contains only a BH3 domain but not the BH1, BH2, BH4 or membrane anchoring domains found in related BCL-2 family members is provided along with derivatives of BID, bid polynucleotides and derivatives thereof and compositions and uses therefor.
Abstract:
Entry into mitosis requires the activity of the Cdc25C phosphatase which functions to activate Cdc2/Cyclin B. In asynchronously growing cells, Cdc25C is stoichiometrically phosphorylated on serine 216. Levels of serine 216 phosphorylation remain constant throughout the G1-, S- and G2-phases of the cell cycle. A human kinase, denoted TcAK1 (for Twenty-five C Associated protein Kinase) that phosphorylates Cdc25C on serine 216 has been cloned and sequenced (see the figure). A method is also provided for measuring levels of TcAK1 in RNA or of TcAK1 protein in cells. Phosphorylation of Cdc25C on serine 216 with TcAK1 creates a 14-3-3 recognition motif. The interaction between Cdc25C and 14-3-3 proceeds in a phosphorylation-specific manner. TcAK1 functions to mediate interaction between 14-3-3 proteins and other cellular proteins associated with oncogenesis of key signalling events.
Abstract:
A method to determine the site of action of a receptor modulating compound is disclosed. The method comprises: a) determining the effect of said compound on a first host cell that has been modified to display a mutant form of said receptor, wherein said mutant produces the activated state of its cognate signaling pathway, wherein said determining comprises measuring the intracellular level of cyclic AMP or other post-binding event; b) determining the effect of said compound on a second host cell that has been modified to display a derivative of said receptor which is formed by coupling an agonist for said receptor covalently to said receptor; wherein said determining comprises measuring the intracellular level of cyclic AMP or other post-binding event; and c) comparing the effect of said compound as determined in steps a) and b); whereby a compound that alters the level of cyclic AMP or downstream event in both a) and b) has a site of action at the binding site for agonists, and a compound that alters the level of cyclic AMP or post-binding event in step a) but not in step b) has a site of action other than at the agonist binding site.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to novel GRB2 associating proteins and nucleic acids which encode these proteins. In particular, these novel proteins possess inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase and phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphatase activities, important in growth factor mediated signal transduction. As such, the proteins, nucleic acids encoding the proteins, cells capable of expressing these nucleic acids and antibodies specific for these proteins will find a variety of uses in a variety of screening, therapeutic and other applications.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a stable, pseudotyped retrovirus packaging cell line comprising packaging cells which generate helper-free recombinant pseudotyped retrovirus. The packaging cell line comprises one or more non-retroviral expression constructs, such as an expression construct with the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early promoter or derivatives of this promoter (e.g., pMD), which direct expression of: (a) retroviral gagpol genes and (b) a non-retroviral gene which is under the control of an inducible operator system and whose gene product pseudotypes retroviral core virions. The present invention further relates to a method of making a stable, pseudotyped retrovirus packaging cell line which generates helper-free recombinant pseudotyped retrovirus. The present invention further relates to the particular packaging cell lines described herein (i.e., H29 gagpol, H29 new gagpol) and the particular cells and constructs (i.e., packaging elements) used to produce the stable, pseudotyped retrovirus packaging cell line described herein (e.g., H29 cells and pMD, pMDtet, pMDtet.G, PMD.gagpol, pMD.new gagpol constructs). The present invention relates to a retroviral vector for producing a cDNA library for expression in mammalian cells, comprising two retroviral long terminal repeats, a cloning site for insertion of cDNA and a cytomegalovirus promoter. The invention also relates to a cDNA library for expression in mammalian cells, the library comprising retroviral vectors of the present invention. The present invention also relates to a method of expression cloning in mammalian cells. The present invention also relates to a method of cDNA expression cloning in mammalian cells. The present invention also relates to a method of identifying a gene defect responsible for a mutant phenotype using cDNA expression cloning by complementation in mammalian cells.
Abstract:
The present invention comprises the use of a compound of formulae (I), (II), or (III) for reducing glutamate neurotoxicity, and medicaments, containing said compounds, for the treatment of neurotoxic injury; wherein R1 is halogen or methyl; R2 is halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, benzyloxy or beta , beta , beta -trifluoroethoxy wherein at least one of R1 and R2 are halogen; R3 is hydrogen, halogen or methyl; M is hydrogen, a pharmaceutically acceptable cation or lower-alkyl; more particularly meclofenamate sodium and tolfenamate sodium; wherein R4 is lower alkyl; more particularly mefenamate sodium; more particularly flufenamate sodium, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, inhibit glutamate-induced neurotoxicity.
Abstract:
A herpes simplex virus (HSV) mutant, UL41NHB, is disclosed which is deficient in the virion host shutoff ( vhs ) function. This mutant is shown to be profoundly attenuated in its ability to replicate at the periphery and in the nervous system, and in its ability to reactivate from latency.