Abstract: Methods for determining the relative binding affinities of various ligands to various nucleic acid sequences, particularly in double stranded form, are described. In a direct binding assay, the effect of adding increasing amounts of a ligand on a signal generated by two “indicator” oligonucleotides is observed. Also described is a competitive binding assay, in which a competitor oligonucleotide is added to an indicator duplex having a ligand bound thereto. The assays allow the rapid and convenient determination of nucleic acid binding specificities and base pair determinants of specificity of particular ligands.

Abstract: Anti-human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, HLA-DR-specific monoclonal antibodies which can induce apoptosis of HLA-DR positive cells are disclosed. The antibodies are used to specifically eliminate HLA-DR antigen positive tumor cells by cross-linking of HLA-DR. Also disclosed are methods for treating cancer using such antibodies, and compositions containing them.

Abstract: Antigens are provided which are derived from the enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent, known as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV antigens and in particular, a soluble 62 kDa species of the capsid protein encoded by ORF2, are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with HEV. The 62K antigen may be produced by a baculovirus expression vector and forms virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigens are useful as diagnostic reagents in diagnostic methods and kits for determining infection of an individual with HEV. The antigens are also useful in vaccine compositions effective in methods for preventing HEV infection.

Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: Antigens are provided which are derived from the enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent, known as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV antigens and in particular, soluble species of the capsid protein encoded by the carboxy terminal region of HEV ORF2, are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with HEV. In one embodiment, these antigens may be produced by a baculovirus expression vector and form virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigens are useful as diagnostic reagents in diagnostic methods and kits for determining infection of an individual with HEV. The antigens are also useful in vaccine compositions effective in methods for preventing HEV infection.

Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: A method of amplifying a mixture of different-sequence DNA fragments which may be formed from RNA transcription, or derived from genomic single- or double-stranded DNA fragments. The fragments are treated with terminal deoxynucleotide transferase and a selected deoxynucleotide, to form a homopolymer tail at the 3' end of the anti-sense strands, and the sense strands are provided with a common 3'-end sequence. The fragments are mixed with a homopolymer primer which is homologous to the homopolymer tail of the anti-sense strands, and a defined-sequence primer which is homologous to the sense-strand common 3'-end sequence, with repeated cycles of fragment denaturation, annealing, and polymerization, to amplify the fragments. In one embodiment, the defined-sequence and homopolymer primers are the same, i.e., only one primer is used. The primers may contain selected restriction-site sequences, to provide directional restriction sites at the ends of the amplified fragments.

Abstract: Method and assay kit for positively identifying HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection from human serum samples. The kit includes peptide antigens from the C-terminal regions of HLTV-I p19 and HTLV-II p21 gag proteins, and peptide antigens from the HLTV-I and HTLV-II env proteins immobilized on a solid support. After reaction of the serum sample with the solid support, an antibody-detection reagent in the kit is added to the support, to detect binding of human serum antibodies to each of the peptide antigens separately. The test allows positive identification of HTLV-I or HTLV-II when antibody binding to each HTLV-I or HTLV-II gag and env peptide antigen, respectively, is observed. Also disclosed is a kit for screening human sera for evidence of HTLV-I or HTLV-II infection.

Abstract: A method of isolating genomic or RNA-derived duplex fragments which are unique to one of two fragment mixtures. The fragments in positive-source and negative-source mixtures are separately equipped with end linkers, and each mixture is amplified by successive primed-strand replications, using a single primer which is homologous to the associated linker. The second-source linker is biotinylated, and the fragments in this mixture are hybridized in molar excess with the fragments in the positive-source mixture. DNA species which are not hybridized with the biotinylated species, i.e., species that are unique to the positive-source mixture, are isolated after removal of hybridized species by affinity chromatography. Also disclosed is a method of amplifying a mixture of DNA fragments by repeated linker/primer replication.

Abstract: The present invention defines a DNA:protein-binding assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind DNA test sequences. The assay is versatile in that any number of test sequences can be tested by placing the test sequence adjacent to a defined protein binding screening sequence. Binding of molecules to these test sequence changes the binding characteristics of the protein molecule to its cognate binding sequence. When such a molecule binds the test sequence the equilibrium of the DNA:protein complexes is disturbed, generating changes in the concentration of free DNA probe. Numerous exemplary target test sequences (SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:600) are set forth. The assay of the present invention is also useful to characterize the preferred binding sequences of any selected DNA-binding molecule.

Abstract: Substantially-isolated polynucleotides encoding human RAD50 polypeptides, human RAD50 genomic sequences, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Novel HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptide antigens are disclosed for use in diagnostics assays for screening and confirming HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are derived from analogous regions of HTLV-I and HTLV-II gp46 envelop proteins, and are differentiated by their immunoreactivity with an HTLV-II specific monoclonal antibody and by HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are also useful in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: Novel HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptide antigens are disclosed for use in diagnostics assays for screening and confirming HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are derived from analogous regions of HTLV-I and HTLV-II gp46 envelope proteins, and are differentiated by their immunoreactivity with an HTLV-II specific monoclonal antibody and by HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are also useful in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: The present invention defines a DNA:protein-binding assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind DNA test sequences. The assay is versatile in that any number of test sequences can be tested by placing the test sequence adjacent to a defined protein binding screening sequence. Binding of molecules to these test sequence changes the binding characteristics of the protein molecule to its cognate binding sequence. When such a molecule binds the test sequence the equilibrium of the DNA:protein complexes is disturbed, generating changes in the concentration of free DNA probe. Numerous exemplary target test sequences (SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:600) are set forth. The assay of the present invention is also useful to characterize the preferred binding sequences of any selected DNA-binding molecule.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E hepatitis. Also disclosed are corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of N-(ABCDE) hepatitis agent infection in primates. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. Methods are presented for the isolation of entire genomes corresponding to the N-(ABCDE) hepatitis agents.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: Peptide antigens which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are disclosed. Several of the antigens are immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals identified as having chronic and acute HCV infection. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting HCV infection in humans. Also disclosed are corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic peptides.

Abstract: Peptide antigens which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are disclosed. Several of the antigens are immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals identified as having chronic and acute HCV infection. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting HCV infection in humans. Also disclosed are corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic peptides.