Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for the production of recombinant peptides from bacterial cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the efficient expression of HIV polypeptides in a variety of cell types, including, but not limited to, mammalian, insect, and plant cells. Synthetic expression cassettes encoding the HIV Gag-containing polypeptides are described, as are uses of the expression cassettes in applications including DNA immunization, generation of packaging cell lines, and production of Env-, tat- or Gag-containing proteins. The invention provides methods of producing Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), as well as, uses of the VLPs including, but not limited to, vehicles for the presentation of antigens and stimulation of immune response in subjects to whom the VLPs are administered.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to compositions and methods for affecting signal transduction using the casein kinase I (CKI) gene or gene product. The invention is more specifically directed to affecting the Wnt signal pathway using the CKI gene or gene product. The invention is particularly directed to using the CKI gene or gene product to treat and diagnose cancer, particularly breast and colon cancer. CKI&egr; is the preferred species. The field of the invention is compositions and methods for modulating signal transduction using the (CKI) gene or gene products and variants thereof. The invention is more specifically directed to modulating the Wnt signal pathway using the CKI gene or gene product. The invention is particularly directed to using the CKI gene or gene product to treat and diagnose disorders mediated by the Wnt signal pathway, especially hyperproliferative disorders, particularly breast and colon cancer.

Abstract: Recombinant retroviruses carrying a vector construct capable of preventing, inhibiting, stabilizing or reversing infectious, cancerous or auto-immune diseases are disclosed. More specifically, the recombinant retroviruses of the present invention are useful for (a) stimulating a specific immune response to an antigen or a pathogenic antigen; (b) inhibiting a function of a pathogenic agent, such as a virus; and (c) inhibiting the interaction of an agent with a host cell receptor. In addition, eucaryotic cells infected with, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such a recombinant retrovirus are disclosed. Various methods for producing recombinant retroviruses having unique characteristics, and methods for producing transgenic packaging animals or insects are also disclosed.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules are disclosed, comprising an alphavirus nonstructural protein gene which, when operably incorporated into a recombinant alphavirus particle, eukaryotic layered vector initiation system, or RNA vector replicon, has a reduced level of vector-specific RNA synthesis, as compared to wild-type, and the same or greater level of proteins encoded by RNA transcribed from the viral junction region promoter, as compared to a wild-type recombinant alphavirus particle. Also disclosed are RNA vector replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, and eukaryotic layered vector initiation systems which contain the above-identified nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules are disclosed, comprising an alphavirus nonstructural protein gene which, when operably incorporated into a recombinant alphavirus particle, eukaryotic layered vector initiation system, or RNA vector replicon, has a reduced level of vector-specific RNA synthesis, as compared to wild-type, and the same or greater level of proteins encoded by RNA transcribed from the viral junction region promoter, as compared to a wild-type recombinant alphavirus particle. Also disclosed are RNA vector replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, and eukaryotic layered vector initiation systems which contain the above-identified nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules are disclosed, comprising an alphavirus nonstructural protein gene which, when operably incorporated into a recombinant alphavirus particle, eukaryotic layered vector initiation system, or RNA vector replicon, has a reduced level of vector-specific RNA synthesis, as compared to wild-type, and the same or greater level of proteins encoded by RNA transcribed from the viral junction region promoter, as compared to a wild-type recombinant alphavirus particle. Also disclosed are RNA vector replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, and eukaryotic layered vector initiation systems which contain the above-identified nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Expression vectors and transfection systems providing high expression of a desired polypeptide are provided. Also provided are methods of using the expression vectors and transfection systems and mammalian cells modified by these compositions and methods.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for producing recombinant AAV vector particles; comprising the general steps of (a) introducing into a host cell (i) pfloxAAV, (ii) a recombinant viral vector encoding plasmid, and (iii) a plasmid encoding herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, or adenoviral functions, or a herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, or, adenovirus itself, in order to produce flox AAV particles and recombinant AAV particles; and (b) introducing into a second host cell (i) the recombinant AAV particles and flox AAV particles of (a), (ii) a vector which directs the expression of Cre, and (iii) a vector which directs the expression of herpesvirus, CMV, or adenovirus helper functions, such that said recombinant AAV vector particles are produced.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. comprising an alphavirus nonstructural protein gene which, when operably incorporated into a recombinant alphavirus particle, eukaryotic layered vector initiation system, or RNA vector replicon, has a reduced level of vector-specific RNA synthesis, as compared to wild-type, and the same or greater level of proteins encoded by RNA transcribed from the viral junction region promoter, as compared to a wild-type recombinant alphavirus particle. Also disclosed are RNA vector replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, and eukaryotic layered vector initiation systems which contain the above-identified nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides host cells comprising a translation operator sequence (TOP) and packaging elements. Also provided are viral vectors comprising a TOP operably linked to a transgene. Also provided are methods of using these host cells and viral vectors to produce recombinant virions.

Abstract: Retroviral vector particle producing cells are provided, wherein the cell (a) has greater than 5 stably integrated copies of a retroviral vector construct; (b) produces greater than 10 infectious recombinant retroviral vector particles per cell per day; and (c) produces replication incompetent retroviral vector particles.

Abstract: Recombinant retroviruses carrying a vector construct capable of preventing, inhibiting, stabilizing or reversing infectious, cancerous or auto-immune diseases are disclosed. More specifically, the recombinant retroviruses of the present invention are useful for (a) stimulating a specific immune response to an antigen or a pathogenic antigen; (b) inhibiting a function of a pathogenic agent, such as a virus; and (c) inhibiting the interaction of an agent with a host cell receptor. In addition, eucaryotic cells infected with, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such a recombinant retrovirus are disclosed. Various methods for producing recombinant retroviruses having unique characteristics, and methods for producing transgenic packaging animals or insects are also disclosed.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules are disclosed, comprising an alphavirus nonstructural protein gene which, when operably incorporated into a recombinant alphavirus particle, eukaryotic layered vector initiation system, or RNA vector replicon, has a reduced level of vector-specific RNA synthesis, as compared to wild-type, and the same or greater level of proteins encoded by RNA transcribed from the viral junction region promoter, as is compared to a wild-type recombinant alphavirus particle. Also disclosed are RNA vector replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, and eukaryotic layered vector initiation systems which contain the above-identified nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant alphavirus particles comprising a) an alphavirus vector construct which directs the expression of a heterologous nucleic acid molecule; b) a capsid protein; and c) an envelope glycoprotein from a virus different from said alphavirus vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for utilizing recombinant alphavirus vectors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for making and utilizing eukaryotic layered vector initiation systems.

Abstract: Retroviral vector constructs are described which have a 5′ LTR, a tRNA binding site, a packaging signal, one or more heterologous sequences, an origin of second strand synthesis and a 3′ LTR, wherein the vector construct lacks retroviral gag/pol or env coding sequences. In addition, gag/pol, and env expression cassettes are described wherein the expression cassettes lack a consecutive sequence of more than 8 nucleotides in common. The above-described retroviral vector constructs, gag/pol and env expression cassettes may be utilized to construct producer cell lines which preclude the formation of replication competent virus.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecule are provided comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes, in order, an alphavirus capsid, a signal peptide, and an alphavirus E1 or E2 glycoprotein. Also provided are vectors encoding such nucleic acid molecules, and use of such vectors or expression cassettes to generate recombinant alphavirus particles and alphavirus packaging cell lines. In addition, modified alphavirus vector constructs are provided that permit reduced transgene expression during vector packaging, as well as methods of using such vector constructs for the production of alphavirus vector particles.

Abstract: Expression vectors and transfection systems providing high expression of a desired polypeptide are provided. Also provided are methods of using the expression vectors and transfection systems and mammalian cells modified by these compositions and methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating hepatitis C infections comprising the step of administering a vector construct which directs the expression of at least one immunogenic portion of a hepatitis C antigen, such that an immune response is generated. Also provided are vector constructs which direct the expression of at least one portion of a hepatitis C antigen, as well as recombinant viruses which carry such vector constructs.