Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic animal wherein gene expression regulatory region for a gene from chromosomal DNA is introduced in the animal to enable the expression of the desired exogenous gene in the animal. More specifically, this invention relates to a process in the field of transgenic animal technology wherein expression of a desired substance in a mammal is enabled by producing a recombinant expression vector capable of amplifying in a host cell such as E. coli by using a DNA fragment including a part of the structural gene coding for mC26 protein and sequences in the upstream and downstream of the mC26 gene that regulate the expression of the mC26 gene; and introducing the gene expression regulatory region for the mC26 gene in the animal by using the thus produced expression vector to produce a model animal for the gene expression regulatory experiment, and to thereby enable the expression of the desired substance in the mammary gland or other tissue of the animal.

Abstract: Rapid screening methods are described for determining human patients at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The screening involves, for example, comparing an angiotensin-converting enzyme genomic DNA of a patient with a sequence region of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene from a person with no mutations in the region. The invention features methods of analyzing the predisposition of patients to cardiovascular disease which involves detecting small deletions, insertions, and point mutations in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene. Small deletions, insertions, or point mutations can be detected by detecting mismatches between an angiotensin-converting enzyme genomic DNA sequence or angiotensin-converting enzyme genomic DNA-polymerase chain reaction products from a patient and a probe specific for a sequence region of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene from a person with no mutations in the region.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for detecting and treating heart failure which are based on the down-regulatory activity of the cytoplasmic RNA-binding polypeptide, AUF1 (A+U-rich element RNA-binding/degradation Factor) toward .beta.-adrenergic receptors. Methods are disclosed for detecting pharmacologicals that inhibit the down-regulatory activity of AUF1 polypeptide for .beta.-adrenergic activity. Methods are disclosed for treating a patient with a high level of the AUF1 gene.

Abstract: A rapid screening method is described for detecting, localizing, and expressing pathogenic mutations in patients suffering from diseases which can include genetically inherited diseases. The screening method allows simultaneous localization and expression of the mutation. By identifying the types and locations of the mutations causing a disease, the method can aid in determining the course of treatment for the disease. The method involves making an expression vector containing a sequence encoding an inactive enzyme by deleting a segment of the coding sequence of the enzyme in the vector, replacing the deleted segment with a corresponding segment from a patient's enzyme coding sequence to make a hybrid enzyme, expressing the hybrid enzyme and assaying the hybrid enzyme for activity to determine whether the Patient's enzyme cDNA contains a pathogenic mutation.

Abstract: A method of increasing the yield and heme saturation of hemoproteins in microorganisms. In this method, an effective amount of a heme precursor is added to a culture of hemoprotein producing microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses peptides derived from the 15 residue peptide 9-23, Ser-His-Leu-Val-Glu-Ala-Leu-Tyr-Leu-Val-Cys-Gly-Glu-Arg-Gly (SEQ ID NO:1), of the B chain of insulin. Peptides of the present invention are capable of acting as tolerogens for preventing type I diabetes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the DNA sequence encoding the AUF1 polypeptide, or fragments thereof. Also, the invention relates to the AUF1 polypeptide itself or fragments thereof. Methods are disclosed for detecting the severity of neoplastic transformation. Methods are disclosed for detecting pharmacologicals that enhance the anti-tumor activity of AUF1. Methods are disclosed for treating a patient with a low level of the AUF1 gene.

Abstract: Polypeptides and mutants and variants associated with programmed cell death in mammalian cells and DNA sequences, and fragments and derivatives thereof, encoding the polypeptides are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for detecting programmed cell death in mammalian cells, a method of activating programmed cell death in unwanted mammalian cells, and methods for preventing unwanted cell death occurring in degenerative disorders of mammals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a purified and isolated DNA sequence encoding human cystathionine .beta.-synthase. Also disclosed is a purified and isolated human cystathionine .beta.-synthase encoded by this DNA sequence. Included is a composition of human cystathionine .beta.-synthase in a pharmacologically acceptable carrier for treating a human suffering from homocystinuria. Also provided are methods of screening human patients to detect mutations in the cystathionine .beta.-synthase gene.

Abstract: A method that permits the rapid amplification of unknown DNA that flanks a known site, such that one can walk into an uncharacterized region of DNA. In this method, human genomic DNA is restriction enzyme digested and then ligated to a 5' phosphorylated-oligonucleotide so that the 5' end of each strand of genomic DNA is extended and phosphorylated. The phosphorylated-oligonucleotide is constructed to render 5' end extensions that are complementary to the known sequence. Following denaturation and re-annealing under dilute conditions that promote intrastrand annealing and under high stringency, only those DNA strands containing the known sequence will form a stem-loop structure with a recessed and phosphorylated 5' end, rendering a substrate for a subsequent heat-stable ligation reaction to another oligonucleotide. This second oligonucleotide is complementary to the sequence immediately adjacent to the phosphorylated-oligonucleotide high stringency annealing site.

Abstract: A method that permits the highly specific PCR amplification of unknown DNA that flanks a known sequence region. In this method, known DNA is placed on the uncharacterized side of that specific sequence that contains the unknown DNA by a DNA polymerase mediated generation of a PCR template that is shaped like a pan with a handle. Generation of this template permits specific amplification of the segment of interest.

Abstract: A cDNA sequence encoding human .kappa.-casein.

Abstract: Mutants of 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase A, an enzyme used to produce 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, a precursor of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) are prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. These mutants have increased catalytic activity, increased expression levels, and/or enhanced temperature stability.

Abstract: Polypeptides and mutants and variants associated with programmed cell death in mammalian cells and DNA sequences, and fragments and derivatives thereof, encoding the polypeptides are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for detecting programmed cell death in mammalian cells, a method of activating programmed cell death in unwanted mammalian cells, and methods for preventing unwanted cell death occurring in degenerative disorders of mammals.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the systemic delivery of dextromethorphan for the treatment of a neurological disorder resulting in injury to nervous tissue, which comprises administering to a patient suffering from the disorder an amount of a cytochrome P450IID6 enzyme inhibitor, sufficient to block dextromethorphan metabolism, and an amount of dextromethorphan sufficient to treat the neurological disorder. Quinidine is particularly suitable for use in the method of the invention.

Abstract: A machine applies a cyclic localized thrusting force against the back of a patient recumbent upon his or her back on a support bed in order to manipulate the user's back or spine. Several (typically three) spaced-apart thruster members reciprocate between a first position retracted into the support bed below its top surface and a second position thrusting into pressured contact with the patient's back. The reciprocal thrusting is variable and controllable in real time with respect to the locations, area, patterns of contact, amplitude, frequency, numbers of cycles, pressure, and number of separate sites. Spinal therapy normally performed by a human therapist may correspondingly be comprehensively mechanically replicated.