Abstract:
A method for selecting for enhanced fertility of a male mammal includes obtaining one or more samples of a cell or tissue from a plurality of male mammals and quantifying one or both of a blood pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentration or a PAG genomic DNA in the one or more samples of a cell or tissue. Male mammals of the plurality of male mammals exhibiting a highest circulating PAG and/or a highest PAG genomic DNA are selected. Cells/tissues from the selected male mammals may be utilized in a reproductive procedure. Kits for accomplishing the methods are provided.
Abstract:
The present invention describes methods for determining the risk that a breast precursor lesion will progress to invasive breast cancer and/or the risk of recurrent non-invasive disease in a patient, comprising detecting the presence and/or level of PAPPA and/or PAPPA functional activity in a breast tissue sample obtained from the patient, wherein if PAPPA is not present, or is present at a reduced amount compared to a control, there is the risk of progression to invasive cancer and/or the risk or recurrent disease. In an alternative embodiment, the diagnosis can be carried out by identifying the proportion of mitotic cells in a patient sample that are in prophase or pro- metaphase, wherein if the proportion of cells in prophase or pro-metaphase is 30% or more,this indicates a risk of progression to invasive breast cancer and/or risk of recurrent disease. The present invention also enables the chemosensitisation of mitotically delayed breast cancer cells to anti-proliferative agents, preferably anti-mitotic agents, by restoring normal progression through mitosis. In this embodiment a first drug is applied to release breast cancer cells from the mitotic block and, sequentially,a second drug affecting proliferating cells is administered for cancer cell killing.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an active binding sequence of mammalian alpha- fetoprotein (AFP) to the receptor of AFP (AFPr or RECAP). The sequence is embodied in peptides comprising Lys-Glx-Glx-Xaa-Leu-Ile-Asn (SEQ. ID. NO: 1) and variants thereof, wherein GIx means GIn or GIu, each GIx being selected independently of the other, and Xaa represents Phe or Leu. The peptides bind a site of the AFP receptor. This peptide can be used as a substitute for AFP in the detection, purification and imagining of RECAF. This peptide, as it binds to RECAF which is elevated in cancer cells, allows for a method of diagnostic determination of cancer or chemotherapeutic delivery using cytotoxic or radiological agents.
Abstract translation:本发明提供哺乳动物甲胎蛋白(AFP)与AFP受体(AFPr或RECAP)的活性结合序列。 该序列体现在包含Lys-Glx-Glx-Xaa-Leu-Ile-Asn(SEQ ID NO:1)及其变体的肽中,其中GIx表示Gln或Glu,每个GIx独立于另一个选择,以及 Xaa表示Phe或Leu。 肽结合AFP受体的位点。 该抗原肽可用于替代AFAF的检测,纯化和想象中的AFP。 该肽与癌细胞中升高的RECAF结合时,允许使用细胞毒性或放射性药物诊断癌症或化学治疗递送的方法。
Abstract:
The present invention relates to isolated Cpn10 polypeptides possessing an increased affinity for a PRR ligand compared to Ala Cpn10 polypeptide. In a further embodiment, the present invention also relates to modified chaperonin 10 polypeptides, and to nucleic acids encoding the same and to compositions comprising such polypeptides and uses thereof.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to peptides comprising a fragment of the human alpha- fetoprotein molecule of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said peptides comprise: (a) amino acids 46-55 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a variant of (a) in which one, two or three amino acids are deleted; or (c) a variant of (a) comprising one, two, three or four amino acid substitutions from the sequence of (a); wherein said peptide is capable of activating T cells that produce TGF-ß and/or GM-CSF, and wherein said peptide does not comprise a B cell epitope, a CTL epitope or a ThI epitope.
Abstract translation:本发明涉及包含SEQ ID NO:1的人甲胎蛋白分子的片段的肽,其中所述肽包含:(a)SEQ ID NO:1的氨基酸46-55; (b)其中缺失一个,两个或三个氨基酸的(a)的变体; 或(c)(a)的序列的一个,两个,三个或四个氨基酸取代的(a)的变体; 其中所述肽能够活化产生TGF-β和/或GM-CSF的T细胞,并且其中所述肽不包含B细胞表位,CTL表位或Th1表位。
Abstract:
Disclosed are fusion proteins that include an opioid receptor agonist protein, or a fragment, variant, or an analog thereof fused to a serum protein. Suitable serum proteins for the fusion proteins in albumin, alpha- fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin- AFP hybrid proteins. The fusion proteins have opioid receptor agonist activity. Typically, the fusion proteins may exhibit extended or stabilized opioid receptor agonist activity in vivo or in vitro relative to an opioid receptor agonist that is not fused to the serum protein.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to isolated Chaperonin 10 polypeptides possessing immunomodulatory activity, but lacking, or substantially lacking, protein folding activity.
Abstract:
The present invention provides assays for the study of the interaction of EPF and its EPF-related peptides with a hDRR receptor. The assays are useful to identify whether a test compound can bind to the hDRR receptor under conditions in which EPF or related peptide can bind to the receptor. The assays are also useful to determine whether the test compound is an agonist or antagonist of hDRRs. The above assays can be performed in a variety of formats including competitive, non-competitive and comparative assays in which the interaction of EPF or EPF-related peptides with hDRRs is assessed as a positive or negative control or compared to the results obtained with the test compound.
Abstract:
Therapeutic compounds which are cell proliferation modulators, preferably inhibitors. These modulators contain amino acid structures that are arranged as a hydrophilic analog of an alpha-fetoprotein. The modulator may be a peptide itself, e.g., an octapeptide like that of SEQ ID NO: 5; a peptidomimetic; or may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable scaffold, such as a polycyclic hydrocarbon to which is attached the necessary amino acid structures for biological and/or chemical activity. The modulators of the invention are distinguished in one aspect over previous compounds in that they are orally active, and therefore do not have to be injected into the patient. The compositions and methods are useful for reducing estrogen-stimulated growth of cells, and treating or preventing cancer, such as breast cancer. The treatment or prevention methods can include the use of tamoxifen therapy in combination with the peptide therapy.