Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel isolated leafhopper ecdysone receptor polypeptide. The invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid encoding the leafhopper ecdysone receptor polypeptide, to vectors comprising them and to their uses, in particular, in methods for modulating gene expression in an ecdysone receptor-based gene expression modulation system and methods for identifying molecules that modulate leafhopper ecdysone receptor activity.

http://www.patentlens.net/patentlens/patent/US_2012_0115233_A1/en/

Summary

Although pesticides are employed with the worthy goal of preventing crops from widespread destruction by insects, their use is a cause for concern due to harmful effects on human and animal health, as well as ecological effects. Therefore, agricultural biotechnology continues to hunt for candidate molecules with strong insecticidal activity, but which will specifically target insects without having biological activity in other species (and which will have minimal ecological impact). Molecularly, gene products unique to insects with essential roles in insect development are obvious targets—such as the ecdysteroids and the ecdysone receptors studied herein. The claimed invention includes a novel homopteran ecdysone receptor (NcEcR), and sequence variants thereof, as well as the use of the receptor or its domains as screening tools to identify molecules which are NcEcR agonists or antagonists.

Abstract

The invention relates to systems and methods for producing proteins of interest. The invention employs genetically-engineered animal or plant cells that have modified protein folding or processing capacities. In one aspect, the invention features genetically-engineered cells comprising one or more recombinant expression cassettes which encode (1) a protein of interest and (2) a polypeptide that is functional in the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway of the cells. Co-expression of the polypeptide significantly increases the yield of the protein of interest in the genetically-engineered cells. In one example, the genetically-engineered cells are animal cells, and the co-expressed polypeptide is a component or modulator of an XB1 [transcription factor X-box binding protein 1]- or ATF6 [activating transcription factor 6]- mediated UPR pathway.

http://www.patentlens.net/patentlens/patent/US_8173394/en/

Summary

The purpose of this invention is to improve in vivo production yields of a variety of membrane or secreted proteins. A significant obstacle to increasing in vivo protein production yields is the ER's stress response system, the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. Though attempting to drive high protein yields via high levels of protein expression is the intuitive approach, overexpression can result in reduced yields. Overloading the folding and post-translational modification machineries activates the UPR, which then suppresses translation, and activates cell death pathways if ER stress cannot be attenuated. The inventors find that co-expression of a UPR component or modulator improves in vivo protein production yields. The claimed invention comprises a variety of expression cassette designs as a means of co-expressing a UPR component or modulator with the protein of interest.

Abstract

Compositions and related methods for treating IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders and conditions (e.g., gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenogastric reflux, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, functional heartburn, dyspepsia (including functional dyspepsia or nonulcer dyspepsia), gastroparesis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (or colonic pseudo-obstruction), and disorders and conditions associated with constipation (e.g., constipation associated with use of opiate pain killers, post-surgical constipation, and constipation associated with neuropathic disorders) as well as other conditions and disorders are described. The compositions feature peptides that activate the guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) receptor.

http://www.patentlens.net/patentlens/patent/US_2012_0108525_A1/en/

Summary

Millions of patients in the United States and around the world suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As the inventors indicate, the full costs of this gastrointestinal (GI) disorder estimated to run to the tens of billions, and IBS patients also constantly face a reduced quality of life. Yet there are few treatment options for IBS patients. Although diagnostic criteria for IBS have been defined, the criteria do not explain the entirety of symptoms observed. The claimed invention includes using guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) receptor-activating peptides alone or in combination with known classes of molecules such as calcium channel blockers to treat IBS, other GI disorders, and other medical conditions.

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the use of the maize Ac/Ds transposable elements in vertebrates.

http://www.patentlens.net/patentlens/patent/US_8137974/en/

Summary

Mutagenesis screening, both chemical and insertional, continues to be an essential method in zebrafish. With this work, the inventors have developed the maize Ac/Ds transposon as an additional insertional mutagenesis tool for zebrafish and other vertebrates. The claimed invention comprises modified Ac/Ds transposable elements and their use as insertional mutagens to generate transgenic vertebrates. The claimed invention also comprises the transgenics so generated; sequence identification of insertion events; creation and maintenance of an insert library and database; and use of Ac/Ds-transgenic vertebrates for genetic and small-molecule screening.