Inhibitors of Ras protein, methods to modulate the activity of Ras protein, and methods of treatment of disorders mediated by Ras protein are provided. A method for regulating activity of a K-Ras, H-Ras or N-Ras mutant protein with a compound is described. Disorders that can be treated include cancer, such as hematological cancer, pancreatic cancer, MYH associated polyposis, colorectal cancer, or lung cancer.

Mitofusin modulatory peptides are described which may function as activators or inhibitors of mitochondrial fusion. The sequences and compositions comprising the sequences are useful for treating diseases or disorders associated with mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) and/or mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and mitochondrial dysfunction. Methods of treatment, pharmaceutical formulations and methods of identifying compounds that mimic the activity of the peptides for use in screening assays are also described.

Disclosed are therapeutic formulations comprising antibodies against the PEKRAEKIWK (SEQ ID NO:1) epitope of the monomeric isoform of A-protein and a physiologically acceptable carrier. Methods for the treatment of subjects using these therapeutic formulations are also disclosed.

Described herein are methods of preventing, arresting progression of or ameliorating vision loss and other conditions associated with retinitis pigmentosa and x-linked retinitis pigmentosa in a subject. The methods include administering to said subject an effective concentration of a composition comprising a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying a nucleic acid sequence encoding a normal retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR gene), or fragment thereof, under the control of regulatory sequences which express the product of the gene in the photoreceptor cells of the subject, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Compositions of modulators of acyl-CoA lysocardiolipin acyltransferase 1 (ALCAT1) expression, function or activity are provided. In particular, inhibitors of ALCAT1 are useful in treating metabolic diseases, cardiac diseases and, in general diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Assays for identification of novel ALCAT1 modulators are provided.

Compositions of modulators of acyl-CoA lysocardiolipin acyf transferase 1 (ALCAT1) expression, function or activity are provided. In particular, inhibitors of ALCAT1 are useful in treating metabolic diseases, cardiac diseases and, in general diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Assays for identification of novel ALCAT1 modulators are provided.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a repressor of mitofusin gene expression, an inhibitor of mitofusin protein activity, or a mixture thereof as an active ingredient for promoting reprogramming a differentiated cell into a pluripotent stem cell, and a use thereof. The composition according to the present invention increases the efficiency of reprogramming as well as reduces the time required for reprogramming to produce pluripotent stem cells. Therefore, the present composition can be beneficially used to develop the production technology of high efficiency pluripotent stem cell and secure a large-scale culture system. Further, the present composition can be beneficially used to maintain pluripotent stem cells and screen the compounds capable of promoting the reprogramming into pluripotent stem cells.

The invention relates generally to the field of oncology. Provided herein is a method for predicting the likelihood of recurrence or prognosis of a cancer in a subject, comprising comparing the level of expression of one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2), Complement Component 3 (C3), and GTPase, IMAP Family Member 7 (GIMAP7) in a sample obtained from the subject to a reference. In particular, the cancer is nasopharyngeal cancer. Also provided is a composition or solid support comprising a plurality of DNA/RNA complexes, wherein each DNA/mRNA complex in the plurality comprises a biomarker and a first and second DNA probe hybridized to the biomarker, wherein the plurality of DNA/mRNA complexes comprise one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of FGF2, C3, and GIMAP7.

Deacetylation of rat Miro1 on Lysine 105 attenuates axon growth on nonpermissive substrates by making mitochondria more sensitive to Ca levels, depolarizing mitochondrial membranes and blocking mitochondrial transport; the current disclosure provides an antibody that specifically recognizes the lysine 105 acetylated and not the deacetylated Miro1 protein.

The present technology provides compositions and methods for enhancing mitochondrial networks in cells, particularly mammalian cells, and preferably human cells. The compositions and methods incorporate nanoparticles each including a mitochondrial network enhancing agent. When the nanoparticles are taken by the cell, the mitochondrial network enhancing agent binds to the mitofusin (MFN) proteins 1 and 2 thereby promoting fusion of mitochondria of the cell with one another and/or with endoplasmic reticulum of the cell. The present technology's compositions and methods find use in in the treatment of neurological, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic, and/or accelerated aging diseases or disorders including, for non-limiting examples, a progeroid syndrome, an MFN related disorder, Marie-Charcot Tooth disease, or any combination thereof.