The present invention features methods and compositions for preventing, inhibiting, or reducing the sensation of itch (pruritus) by modulating the gene expression of TMEM184B. Modulating the gene expression of TMEM184B may comprise increasing Tmem184B protein expression, increasing Tmem184B protein activity or both. Furthermore, the methods and compositions described herein may activate the Tmem184B protein or activate a pathway leading to Tmem184B activation. Additionally, the methods and compositions for modulating the gene expression of TMEM184B may be used to help prevent or treat certain diseases or conditions such as dermatitis.

The present disclosure methods for identifying binding partners using cell surface display libraries, where the cells of the library display engineered peptides on their cell surfaces for identification of peptides that bind to targets of interest. The engineered peptides are preferably expressed in the cells under conditions that provide both secretion and display of the engineered peptides on the cell surfaces, thus providing access of the engineered peptides to identify potential binding pairs. The cell libraries cab be engineered using an automated editing system that provides for one or more targeted edits per cell.

Ucn2 derivatives comprising a peptide and a substituent with high potency, high physical and high chemical stability, suitable for administration to humans, and their medical use in treatment and/or prevention of obesity and/or diabetes.

The present invention relates to cells and methods for detecting compounds that affect G protein coupled receptor mediated conditions. The invention also relates to methods for treating adverse drug reactions, autoimmune disorders, and pruritus.

The present disclosure relates to a method for generating variants of a protein based on a native protein regulated by allosteric pathway, the method comprising: i) providing 3D structures of the native protein; ii) identifying at least one pair of coupled allosteric sites within the amino acid sequence of the native protein named microswitch; iii) generating in silico mutations of said identified microswitch to generate a pool of variants; iv) computing at least one score reflecting the variation in allosteric coupling; and/or the variation in the relative stability v) predicting the activity of each variant compared to the native protein based on the computed score. The disclosure also concern a computer implemented program to carry out said method, and a variant of a protein or an active fragment thereof, a polynucleotide.

A method of treating a disorder in a subject. The method comprises administering to said subject an effective amount of an agonist of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). The subject is a heterozygous carrier of an MC4R mutation, and the disorder results from an attenuated response of MC4R to α-melanocortin stimulating hormone (α-MSH).

Fc-fusion protein derivatives against HIV have enhanced yield in mammalian cells, and extended antiviral and immunomodulatory activities. The Fc-fusion protein derivatives can block the entry of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into host cells, elicit effector functions through the activation of natural killer (NK) and other immune system cells, can be produced with high yield in mammalian cells, and have extended activity in vivo. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells can express the Fc-fusion protein derivatives, which have therapeutic and diagnostic applications in human health.

The present invention concerns compounds and their use to treat cardiovascular disease, renal disease, thrombic disease, stroke, metabolic syndrome, cell proliferation, and ischemic cardiovascular disorders. Compounds of the present invention display significant potency as antagonists of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), and function as anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, or anti-growth agents.

Provided herein are methods for determining the functional status of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways in a diseased cell sample obtained from a subject to thereby select for therapeutic use in the subject a RAS node or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) targeted therapeutic. Also provided are methods for determining whether a GPCR signaling pathway is ultrasensitive in a diseased cell sample from a subject. Methods of administering a selected RAS node or RTK targeted therapeutic agent to the subject are also provided.

The invention relates to compositions and methods for making and use of a real-time cellular sensor. Components of a multipart enzyme are sequestered in different cellular compartments and only come together after receptor activation; a pool of substrate is made available in the cell to ensure real-time enzymatic output.