The present invention provides ST6GAL1, GALNT7, FUT8 and GCNT1 as novel biological fluid (e.g. blood or urine) biomarkers for prostate cancer. Methods for diagnosing prostate cancer or the risk of developing prostate cancer, or for monitoring prostate cancer progression (including prostate cancer relapse) and methods for treatment of prostate cancer are also provided. The invention also provides methods for determining the therapeutic effect of appropriate treatment regimens for prostate cancer or determining a subject's compliance or adherence with a prescribed treatment regimen for prostate cancer. Corresponding kits, assay devices and uses are also provided.

An isolated sucrose synthase peptide. Also, a method of preparing ADPglucose by incubating the isolated sucrose synthase peptide with ADP in suitable conditions and then isolating and purifying the ADPG produced. Also, an assay kit for the spectrophotometric, fluorimetric or amperometric determination of sucrose, which kit includes the isolated sucrose synthase peptide. Also, a method of producing a transgenic plant that overexpresses sucrose synthase by inserting a genetic construct containing a DNA fragment that encodes the sucrose synthase peptide into a vector and transferring to a plant genome, and a transgenic plant obtained thereby.

In alternative embodiments, provided are methods for the glycosylation modification of bioactive compounds and drugs using isolated, recombinant or genetically modified uridine diphosphate glycosyl-transferases (UGTs). In alternative embodiments, provided are methods for modifying UGTs to generate recombinant UGTs with altered donor and/or acceptor specificities. In alternative embodiments, provided are methods for screening for recombinantly engineered UGTs with new or altered properties, for example, for new or altered donor and/or acceptor specificities, where in alternative embodiments the screening comprise use of bacterial, yeast or baculovirus expression system.

PD-L1 expression by tumor cells prior to treatment correlates highly with response to anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapy (e.g., nivolumab (Bristol-Myers Squibb), pembrolizumab (Merck)) and anti-PD-L1 monotherapy (MPDL3280A (Genentech/Roche)). Nonetheless, the majority of patients with PD-LI(+) tumors do not respond to PD-1 pathway blockade. Distinct gene profiles associated with differential response to treatment with an anti-PD-1 antibody in patients with PD-L1+ renal cell carcinoma have been identified. In particular, a strong up-regulation of genes involved in metabolic functions and pathways was found in patients not responding to the therapy. Additionally, a down-regulation of genes involved in cellular migration functions was found in the same group of patients (non-responders). Specific biomarkers can be used to stratify responders from non-responders for PD-1 pathway blocking drugs. Additionally, the biomarkers represent therapeutic targets for anti-PD-1 combination therapy, and companion diagnostic products for such combination therapies.

The present invention provides an α-1,3 fucosyltransferase mutant having an increased expression level of soluble protein and increased activity, a DNA encoding the α-1,3 fucosyltransferase mutant, a recombinant vector comprising the DNA encoding the α-1,3 fucosyltransferase mutant, a host cell transformed with the recombinant DNA vector, an extract of the host cell, a method for producing 3-fucosyloligosaccharide, a method for preparing an α-1,3 fucosyltransferase mutant, and a method for screening an α-1,3 fucosyltransferase mutant. The α-1,3 fucosyltransferase mutant of the present invention has a significantly increased soluble protein expression level and activity.

Materials and non-invasive methods are provided for determining a subject's present drug metabolic capacity by assessing a biofluid sample taken from the subject following administration of a compound and identifying phenotypic variations in activity of one or more drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) enzymes extracted from extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the biofluid sample. Additional materials and methods are provided for determining compound (e.g., drug) efficacy and dose ranging, either in a subject or in a treatment cohort, by quantifying level of expression of such ADME enzymes EVs selectively isolated from biofluid.

Provided herein are small molecule-inhibitors of site-specific O-glycosylation and the identification of such using cell-based fluorescent biosensors. Also provided herein are methods of treating kidney disease and cancer, such as breast cancer.

The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising an epitope having a sequence homology of at least 75% to a sequence section of both Clostridium difficile toxin A and B. Moreover, the present invention refers to a vaccine comprising such polypeptide. The invention further relates to an antibody binding to Clostridium difficile toxins A and B and to a method for isolating and/or detecting such antibody and to uses of the polypeptides and antibodies.

Compositions and kits for exosome capture include an antibody specifically binding the human asparagine-linked glycosylation 6 homolog (ALG6). The compositions and kits may be employed in a method for diagnosing a disease or condition in a subject.

Disclosed herein are methods, assays, compositions and kits for the detection and measurement of UDP-glucose in biological samples. The methods, assays, compositions and kits are suitable for use with equipment that is readily available in a clinical laboratory, and permit rapid and reproducible detection and measurement of UDP-glucose at physiologically relevant levels in biological samples.