A method and system to identify an epitope unique to a misfolded form of a protein is provided. Sets of one or more amino acid residues are selected from a model representing the structure of the protein; the free energy of unfolding of each set is determined; and the epitope is identified from the sets having a total probability of unfolding above a minimum probability or a free energy of unfolding below a minimum energy. In other aspects, the invention provides for the use of epitopes identified by the epitope prediction methods, and related antibodies, to diagnose and treat disease and to screen samples for the presence of such epitopes.

Provided are modified virus-like particles (VLPs) of paramyxoviruses, compositions containing them, methods of using the VLPs for delivery of any particular protein of interest to any of a variety of cells, kits that contain expression vectors for making, using and detecting VLPs, and methods for screening for anti-viral compounds using the VLPs. The modified VLPs contain a contiguous recombinant polypeptide that contains i) all or a segment of a C-terminal domain of a paramyxovirus nucleocapsid protein and ii) a polypeptide sequence of a distinct protein. Non-covalent complexes of paramyxovirus M protein and fusion proteins that contain a C-terminal domain of a paramyxovirus nucleocapsid protein and a polypeptide sequence of a distinct protein are provided, as are non-covalent complexes of cells, and cell receptors, with modified VLPs.

Provided are novel human copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, also known as superoxide dismutase 1 or SOD1, specific antibodies as well as fragments, derivatives and variants thereof as well as methods related thereto. Assays, kits, and solid supports related to antibodies specific for SOD1 are also disclosed. The antibody, immunoglobulin chain(s), as well as binding fragments, derivatives and variants thereof can be used in pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions for SOD1 targeted immunotherapy and diagnosis, respectively.

The invention discloses a novel high-temperature resistant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a coding gene and application thereof. The superoxide dismutase has a very high stability and activity under various severe conditions such as high temperature, high acidity or alkalinity and various proteases such as pepsin and trypsin. The superoxide dismutase of the present invention overcomes the problems of the existing SOD products, such as unstability, low in activity or even a complete lack of activity and prone to degradation and inactivation in the digestive tract. And the superoxide dismutase of the present invention is expected to be developed into cosmetics or health-care foods or medicines which are stable in activity and have a good effect.

A method of forming a fruit and vegetable juice rich in superoxide dismutase (SOD) comprises subjecting the fruit and vegetable juice to ultra-high-pressure processing, the pressure is 100 MPa to 800 MPa, and the time period is 1 minute to 30 minutes. After processings with the present method, the enzymatic activity of SOD is stable and, at the same time, the microorganisms in the fruit and vegetable juice can be killed. Thus, fruit and vegetable juices rich in superoxide SOD may be provided thereby.

Described herein are compounds and methods for tethering proteins. For example, dimers of proteins, including SOD1 and DJ-1, are described, where the dimers are formed by the covalent bonding of a cysteine on the first monomer to a cysteine on the second monomer via a cyclic disulfide linker. The covalently attached dimers exhibit increased stabilization.

The disclosure relates to double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNAi) agents and compositions targeting a SOD1 gene, as well as methods of inhibiting expression of a SOD1 gene and methods of treating subjects having a SOD1-associated neurodegenerative disease or disorder, e.g., Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Down's syndrome (DS), using such dsRNAi agents and compositions.

Provided herein are isotopically labeled reagents, including isotopically labeled small molecules and peptides, that can be used to detect and/or quantify -N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in the Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1) protein. Further provided are methods for detecting, preventing, or treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a subject using isotopically labeled reagents to detect and/or quantify -N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in the Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase 1 (50D1) protein. Further provided are isotopically labeled reagents and methods for detecting BMAA in additional proteins from patient samples.

Provided herein are isotopically labeled reagents, including isotopically labeled small molecules and peptides, that can be used to detect and/or quantify -N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in a sample. The reagents can be used as stable isotope labeled standards in analytical methods, including in conjunction with mass spectrometry, to detect and/or quantify BMAA in a sample, such as a protein sample from a subject.

The present invention relates to RNA-based methods for inhibiting the expression of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1) gene. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses of the invention deliver DNAs encoding RNAs that knock down the expression of SOD-1. The methods have application in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.