Abstract:
Compositions and methods are provided for identifying factors, including organellar factors, that are differentially expressed when cells in different states, such as metabolic, respiratory, disease or apoptotic states, are compared. In preferred embodiments the invention relates to mitochondria DNA depleted ( rho ) and cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) cells, such as mitochondrial cybrid cells. Use of the invention to identify species specific expression of organellar factors such as organelle associated macromolecules is contemplated. Also disclosed are examples of organellar factors that are differentially expressed in organelle associated disease, including a variety of human genes that are differentially expressed in Alzheimer's disease.
Abstract:
A process for increasing the activity of a zeolite-containing particulate solid containing contaminants which block the pores of the zeolite and adversely affect the activity thereof wherein the contaminated zeolitic material is slurried with a liquid containing an acid, detergent or surfactant, the slurry is agitated to liberate the pore-blocking contaminants from the zeolite pores so that they are suspended in the liquid, a portion of the liquid is withdrawn from the slurry and filtered to remove the suspended contaminants, the resulting liquid is returned to the slurry, and the treated zeolite-containing particulate solid is removed from the solution and recovered.
Abstract:
A method developed to identify receptor modulators, involving providing a mutant receptor, wherein said mutant receptor has a mutation that alters the activity of said mutant receptor compared to a wild type receptor; contacting said mutant receptor with a candidate compound; and determining whether said candidate compound modulates the activity of said mutant receptor.
Abstract:
It is shown that pimavanserin can be administered with or without food without significant effect on absorption or pharmacokinetics. It is also shown that pimavanserin can be used to treat Parkinson's disease psychosis without significantly worsening motor symptoms.
Abstract:
A filter (2) and a method of using the filter for removing contaminants from LPG. The LPG enters the filter through an inlet (22) and passes through a first filtration element (42) where chemical contaminants are removed by a chemical entrapping agent, preferably a zeolite. Subsequently, the LPG passes through a second filtration element (48) where particulate contaminants are removed. The invention is also a method of removing contaminants from LPG including the step of routing the flow of the LPG through chemical and particulate filter elements so that chemical and particulate contaminants are sequentially removed.
Abstract:
The invention provides compositions and methods for altering insulin secretion using an agent that inhibits calcium efflux via the mitochondrial calcium/ sodium antiporter (MCA). Methods of treatment are thereby provided, and are particularly useful for treatment of subjects having, or suspected of being at risk for having, diabetes mellitus. Compositions and methods related to the identification of gene sequences encoding the mitochondrial calcium/ sodium antiporter, expression of such sequences and screening assays using expressed MCA products are also provided.
Abstract:
Cobalt-porphyrin (Co-P) complexes for use as anti-obesity agents, and compositions and methods related thereto. The Co-P complexes exhibit reduced redox activity compared to cobalt mesoporphyrin (Co-MP) and cobalt protoporphyrin (Co-PP), which alleviates the deleterious effects associated with administration of Co-P associated with oxidative stress, particularly in the context of injection site toxicity.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods are provided for producing adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) polypeptides and fusion proteins, including the production and use of recombinant expression constructs having a regulated promoter. ANT ligands and compositions and methods for identifying ANT ligands, agents that binds ANT and agents that interact with ANT are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to genetic mutations in mitochondrial genes that segregate with diabetes mellitus. The invention provides methods for detecting such mutations, as a diagnostic for diabetes mellitus, either before or after the onset of clinical symptoms. Examples of specific mutations in the ATP synthase 8/6 sequence and tRNA sequence are given. The invention also provides treatments for dysfunctions due to genes for mitochondrial functions that segregate with diabetes mellitus. Cybrid cell lines are described which are useful as model systems for the study of the mitochondrial metabolic disorders that are associated with diabetes mellitus, and for identifying therapeutic compounds and treatments for this disease.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to genetic mutations in mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase genes that segregate with Alzheimer's disease (AD), diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease and other diseases of mitochondrial origin. The invention provides methods for detecting these mutations, either before of after the onset of clinical symptoms. The invention further provides treatment of cytochrome c oxidase dysfunction. Cybrid cell lines which have utility as model systems for the study of disorders that are associated with mitochondrial defects are also described. The cybrids are constructed by treating immortal cell lines with an agent that irreversibly disables mitochondrial electron transport, and then transfecting the cells with mitochondria isolated from diseased tissue samples. One such cybrid was constructed using neuroblastoma cells and mitochondria from a patient suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. Methods for using such cybrids for screening drugs and therapies for utility in treating such disorders are also provided. In addition, cybrid animals, methods of producing them, and methods of using them in drug and therapy screening are also provided.