A novel class of NIMA interacting proteins (PIN), exemplified by Pin1, is provided. Pin1 induces a G2 arrest and delays NIMA-induced mitosis when overexpressed, and triggers mitotic arrest and DNA fragmentation when depleted. Methods of identifying other Pin proteins and Pin-interacting proteins and identifying compositions which affect Pin activity or expression are also provided.

A method for determining the presence of an analyte which is a specific binding pair member in a sample suspected of containing the analyte is described. The method involves: bringing together in an aqueous medium, the sample, an enzyme bound to a first specific binding pair member and an inhibitor for the enzyme bound to a second specific binding pair member wherein each specific binding pair member is capable of binding to the analyte or to a specific binding pair member complementary to the a...

Included are methods of identifying compounds that mimic the interaction of Apoptin and APC1, e.g., binding of Apoptin to APC1, e.g., dissociation of APC1 from the APC/C, and compounds identified by the methods. Compounds that specifically mimic an interaction of Apoptin and APC1, e.g., cause dissociation of APC1 from the APC/C, are useful for promoting apoptosis (e.g., in cancer cells). Also included are methods of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by aberrant (e.g., decreased)...

The invention relates to a diagnostic assay for selectively measuring levels of the 35kD form of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFIa or TAFIai), or a derivative or variant thereof, but not the TAFI proenzyme (TAFI) or the N-terminal activation peptide of TAFI.

Disclosed is a binding assay for proteases and phosphatases, which contain cysteine in their binding sites or as a necessary structural component for enzymatic binding. The sulfhydryl group of cysteine is the nucleophilic group in the enzyme's mechanistic proteolytic and hydrolytic properties. The assay can be used to determine the ability of new, unknown ligands and mixtures of compounds to competitively bind with the enzyme versus a known binding agent for the enzyme, e.g., a known enzyme inhi...

There is provided an amino acid sequence comprised within the PV E1 protein region A delineated by amino acids 352 and 439, and any derivative variant or fragment thereof, necessary for the oligomerization of the E1 protein. This amino acid sequence is capable of self-association and of associating with the full length E1 protein and any derivative, variant or fragment thereof comprising the sequence of this invention. A specific aspect of this first embodiment, the amino acid domain of this inv...

The present invention provides a method for the measurement of an analyte in biological samples whereby an uncompetitive inhibitor is coupled to a ligand and utilized in a homogeneous assay. The analyte can be a drug or drug derivative, hormone, polypeptide, or oligonucleotide. The present invention also provides novel compounds, assay reagents and packaged kits useful for performing such measurements.

Chemotactin, diethyl phthalate, is shown to be a chemoattractant secreted by H. pylori. Chemotactin attracts phagocytic cells with a resulting inflammatory episode. Chemotactin and its metabolites may be used for diagnosis and monitoring courses of infection by H. pylori or other chemotactin secreting organisms. In addition, chemotactin may be used in research for studying the inflammatory process, for identifying new drugs for modulating chemoattraction and activation of phagocytic cells, and f...

Fostriecin and a compounds structurally related to fostriecin diminish myocardial infarction and delay the onset of cell injury in an ischemic heart. There is a strong correlation between myocardial protection and the inhibition of certain serine/threonine protein phosphatases. The present invention is drawn to a method for administering fostriecin as a pharmacological compound to reduce the size of a myocardial infarction. Further, administration of fostriecin is useful also as an adjunct thera...

A composition containing a peptide and an electrolyte excretion promoter, which comprises a peptide or a peptide mixture which is obtained by lysing a food-origin protein with a protease and has an activity of inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme, and one or more electrolyte excretion promoters selected from chitosan, alginic acid or a salt thereof, and further relates to a food containing the same. Said composition has excellent inhibitory activity to rise of blood pressure by synergistic e...