Tetrameric N-terminally acetylated α-synuclein is prepared by transforming an expression system with an expression vector encoding α-synuclein, wherein the expression system expresses a native NatB acetylase complex or ortholog thereof and/or wherein an exogenous NatB acetylase complex or ortholog thereof is co-expressed in the expression system, inducing protein expression in the transformed expression system, lysing cells in the transformed expression system to produce a cell lysate, performing salt precipitation of the cell lysate, recovering tetrameric N-terminally acetylated α-synuclein by centrifugation, and purifying the tetrameric N-terminally acetylated α-synuclein. Compositions comprising the same and methods for identifying compounds that stabilize natively folded tetrameric α-synuclein are also provided.

Provided is a compound comprising the structure:

(SIG)-(SI-MOD).sub.m.

In this compound, SIG is a signaling molecule, SI is a self-immolative structure bound to SIG such that SIG has a reduced signal relative to the signal of SIG without SI, MOD is a moiety bound to SI that is subject to modification by an activator, and m is an integer from 1 to about 10. With this compound, when MOD is modified by an activator, SI is destabilized and self-cleaved from SIG such that SIG generates an increased signal. Also provided is a method of determining whether a sample comprises an activator, using the above-described compound. Additionally provided is a method of determining whether a cell comprises a nitroreductase using the above-described compound where nitroreductase is the activator. Further provided is a method of determining whether a mammalian cell is hypoxic using the above-described compound where nitroreductase is the activator. A method of detecting a microorganism that comprises a nitroreductase, using the above-described compound where nitroreductase is the activator, is also provided. Also provided is a method of identifying nitroreductase in a sample, using the above-described compound where nitroreductase is the activator.

Methods of assessing, such as characterizing or determining, condensate-associated characteristics of a compound, such as a test compound, and applications thereof are provided. For example, methods of determining a partition characteristic of a test compound in a target condensate, methods of determining a relative partition characteristic of a test compound in a target condensate, and methods of determining a condensate preference profile of a test compound are provided. Additionally, methods of designing and/or identifying and/or making a compound, or portion thereof, with a desired relative condensate partition characteristic are provided.

The present invention relates to the identification of biological markers of ovarian cancer. Specifically, cancer-associated autoantibodies to ANXA1, ARP3, SAHH, SERPH, ARAP1, OTUB1, ATP1A1, UBA1, and CFAH have been identified in subjects with early stage ovarian cancer. These autoantibodies can be utilised for a range of purposes including methods for detecting ovarian cancer, methods for screening for early stage ovarian cancer, and methods for assessing treatment response as well as disease progression and recurrence. The autoantibodies also represent prognostic markers of ovarian cancer development.

A method for screening compounds for their ability to interact with transmembrane proteins is provided. Also provided is a method for determining whether proteins such as transmembrane proteins are able to oligomerise.

This invention provides methods for predicting response to anti-TNFα biological agent treatment in a rheumatoid arthritis patient and methods for selecting a treatment for a rheumatoid arthritis patient, the methods comprising determining the level of expression of PIK3CD as a biomarker, and optionally also determining the level of expression of CX3CL1 as a second biomarker. The invention additionally provides kits for carrying out the methods described.

The present invention provides for novel methods for regulating and detecting the cytosine methylation status of DNA. The invention is based upon identification of a novel and surprising catalytic activity for the family of TET proteins, namely TET1, TET2, TET3, and CXXC4. The novel activity is related to the enzymes being capable of converting the cytosine nucleotide 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine by hydroxylation.

The present invention relates to a carrier for delivering a substance to extracellular matrix-producing cells in the intestine, the carrier containing a retinoid as a targeting agent, and an agent for treating fibrosis of the intestine utilizing the carrier.

The present invention relates to a medicament design pocket of ODC. Based on the crystal structure of human ODC, the binding site area of putrescine and PLP ligand on the ODC homodimer interface is the medicament pocket, which is used for screening or designing or modifying inhibitors of human ODC, or screening or designing or modifying inhibitors of non-human ODC, or screening or designing or modifying protein inhibitor highly homologous to the binding site of putrescine and pyridoxal phosphate on the interface of ODC homodimer. The invention also provides the structure of the inhibitor and its application thereof. The technical solutions in the invention provide reliable theoretical basis for the research and development of human ODC, the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of tumors and pathogenic microbial infections, and the research and development and preparation of medicaments for the treatment of tumors or pathogenic microbial infections.

Provided are methods and systems for determining functional relationships between ex vivo skin models and an inflammatory skin condition. Also provided are methods and systems for identifying modulators of inflammation of skin, as well as the use of modulators identified by such methods or systems for the preparation of cosmetic compositions, personal care products, or both.