Christopher S Ferris

US Patent:

6806057, Oct 19, 2004

Filed:

Oct 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/984345

Inventors:

Solomon H. Snyder - Baltimore MD
Samie R. Jaffrey - New York NY
Christopher D. Ferris - Franklin TN
Paul Tempst - New York NY

Assignee:

The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

G01N 3353

US Classification:

435 75, 514 91, 514562, 435 6, 435 71, 435 721, 435 26, 435188, 435 17, 435 12, 436107, 436116, 436173, 436518, 530402, 530408, 530409, 530412, 530413

Abstract:

Many of the effects of nitric oxide are mediated by the direct modification of cysteine residues resulting in an adduct called a nitrosothiol. A method to detect proteins which contain nitrosothiols involves several steps. Nitrosylated cysteines are converted to tagged cysteines. Tagged proteins can then be detected, for example, by immunoblotting and/or can be purified by affinity chromatography. The method is applicable to the detection of S-nitrosylated proteins in cell lysates following in vitro S-nitrosylation, as well as to the detection of endogenous S-nitrosothiols in selected protein substrates.

US Patent:

6984484, Jan 10, 2006

Filed:

Jan 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/889609

Inventors:

Soloman H. Snyder - Baltimore MD, US
Herman Wolosker - Baltimore MD, US
Kevin Sheth - Baltimore MD, US
Takahashi Masaaki - Baltimore MD, US
Jean-Pierre Mothet - Baltimore MD, US
Roscoe Brady, Jr. - Baltimore MD, US
Christopher D. Ferris - Baltimore MD, US

Assignee:

The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

C12Q 1/25
C12N 9/90

US Classification:

435 4, 435233

Abstract:

High levels of D-serine occur in mammalian brain, where it appears to be an endogenous ligand of the “glycine site” of NMDA receptors. We have purified from rat brain a soluble enzyme that catalyzes the direct racemization of L-serine to D-serine. Purified serine racemase has a molecular weight of 37 kDa and requires pyridoxal 5′-phosphate for its activity. The enzyme is highly selective toward L-serine, failing to racemize any other amino acid tested. We have also identified polynucleotide sequences that encode mammalian, including human, serine racemase. Compounds that modulate the activity of mammalian serine racemase are useful for treating conditions and diseases that involve overstimulation of NMDA receptors, such as stroke and various neurodegenerative diseases.

US Patent:

7001738, Feb 21, 2006

Filed:

Aug 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/927140

Inventors:

Solomon H. Snyder - Baltimore MD, US
Samie R. Jaffrey - New York NY, US
Christopher D. Ferris - Franklin TN, US
Paul Tempst - New York NY, US

Assignee:

The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center - New York NY

International Classification:

G01N 33/53

US Classification:

435 75, 435 71, 435 721, 435 26, 435188, 435 772, 435 79, 436518, 436173, 514562, 530402, 530408, 530409

Abstract:

Many of the effects of nitric oxide are mediated by the direct modification of cysteine residues resulting in an adduct called a nitrosothiol. A method to detect proteins which contain nitrosothiols involves several steps. Nitrosylated cysteines are converted to tagged cysteines. Tagged proteins can then be detected, for example, by immunoblotting and/or can be purified by affinity chromatography. The method is applicable to the detection of S-nitrosylated proteins in cell lysates following in vitro S-nitrosylation, as well as to the detection of endogenous S-nitrosothiols in selected protein substrates.

US Patent:

20020128171, Sep 12, 2002

Filed:

Apr 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/840014

Inventors:

Crystal Watkins - `Timonium MD, US
Solomon Snyder - Baltimore MD, US
Christopher Ferris - Franklin TN, US

International Classification:

A61K031/00

US Classification:

514/001000

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods for preventing or treating a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder in a mammal such as a human patient. In one embodiment, the methods include administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that modulates a nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway, particularly in GI neurons. Methods of the invention are particularly useful for the treatment (including prophylactic treatment) of diabetic gastropathies and other GI disorders.

US Patent:

20050004222, Jan 6, 2005

Filed:

May 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/855576

Inventors:

Crystal Watkins - Timonium MD, US
Solomon Snyder - Baltimore MD, US
Christopher Ferris - Franklin TN, US

International Classification:

A61K031/198

US Classification:

514565000

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods for preventing or treating a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder in a mammal such as a human patient. In one embodiment, the methods include administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that modulates a nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway, particularly in GI neurons. Methods of the invention are particularly useful for the treatment (including prophylactic treatment) of diabetic gastropathies and other GI disorders.