Merck Frosst Canada, Inc.

Merck Frosst Canada & Co.

Merck + Co., Inc.

Johns Hopkins University

Donald W Nicholson

John P Vaillancourt

Neil A Munday

Ambereen Ali

Michel Gallant

Marc Labelle

Yves Gareau

Nancy A Thornberry

Livia Angela Casciola-Rosen

Rejean Ruel

Felipe A Andrade

Anthony Rosen

Jennifer Rotonda

Joseph W Becker

Sophie Roy

Dita M Rasper

Erin P Peterson

Kimberly M Fazil

The present invention provides a method of producing autoantigens, compositions comprising autoantigenic fragments and methods of using autoantigenic fragments in the treatment of a condition associated with an autoimmune response. Also provided are assays for the detection or assessment of an autoimmune response.

Autoantigenic fragments, methods and assays

Leukotriene C,synthase polypeptide identified by photoaffinity labelling, and purification of leukotriene C,synthase to homogeneity is described.

Leukotriene C4 synthase

A complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding full length form of ICE.sub.rel -II is identified, sequenced and isolated. The cDNA is cloned into expression vectors for expression in recombinant hosts. The cDNA is useful to produce recombinant full length ICE.sub.rel -II. The cDNA and the recombinant ICE.sub.rel -II protein derived therefrom are useful in diagnostic kits, laboratory reagents and assays. The cDNA and the recombinant ICE.sub.rel -II protein may be used to identify compounds that affect ICE.sub.rel -II function, inflammation and cell apoptosis. ICE.sub.rel -II function, inflammation and cell apoptosis may also be modulated by ICE.sub.rel -II antisense or gene therapy.

DNA encoding precursor of interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme--related

Interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme-related cysteine proteinase II

The apopain:Ac-DEVD-CHO complex has been crystallized and its structure determined by x-ray crystallography. Based upon this crystal structure of the complex, a method for identifying inhibitors of apopain is presented which comprises designing putative inhibitors having specific contacts with apopain, making the putative inhibitors, and testing the putative inhibitors for their ability to inhibit apopain.

Method for identifying inhibitors for apopain based upon the crystal

Peptidyl derivatives as inhibitors of pro-apoptotic cysteine proteinases

DNA encoding precursor of interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme-related

Disclosed is a method for purifying Human interleukin-5 (IL-5) a single chromatographic step. After removing cells from a cell culture expressing human interleukin-5, IL-5 is purified by first adjusting the culture supernatant to the calculated pI value of mature IL-5 (pI=7.44) and then passing the conditioned supernatant through tandem linked anion- and cation-exchange columns. The resulting pass-through fraction contains the IL-5 and is devoid of all other contaminating proteins. An optional hydrophobic-interaction chromatography step is disclosed for positive selection of IL-5 and in order to concentrate the preparation. Pure IL-5 was recovered with a high overall yield (&gt;90%), was N-glycosylated and was entirely homodimeric.

Method of purification of recombinant human interleukin-5

A complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding full length form of ICE.sub.rel -III is identified, sequenced and isolated. The cDNA is cloned into expression vectors for expression in recombinant hosts. The cDNA is useful to produce recombinant full length ICE.sub.rel -III. The cDNA and the recombinant ICE.sub.rel -III protein derived therefrom are useful in diagnostic kits, laboratory reagents and assays. The cDNA and the recombinant ICE.sub.rel -III protein may be used to identify compounds that affect ICE.sub.rel -III function, inflammation and cell apoptosis. ICE.sub.rel -III function, inflammation and cell apoptosis may also be modulated by ICE.sub.rel -III antisense or gene therapy.

DNA encoding precursor of interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme - related

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Montreal, Canada

Donald W Nicholson