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: A method of preparing a 4'-0-demethy-4.beta.-NHR podophyllotoxin, where R is an aryl or dialkyl amino alkyl group, is disclosed. The method includes reacting H.sub.2 NR under basic conditions with a mixture of .alpha. and .beta. epimers of 4'-0-demethyl-4-bromo-podophyllotoxin, to form an epimeric mixture of the 4'-0-demethyl-4-NHR-podophyllotoxin compounds, removing acidic impurities which bind to silica gel in a dichloromethane solvent, and crystallizing 4'-0-demethyl-4.beta.-NHR-podophyllotoxin from its .alpha. epimer.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting cell infection by an enveloped virus, by administering to an infection site, a therapeutically effective amount of a macrocyclic compound composed of aryl ring subunits connected one to another by ring-attached bridge linkages, and containing sulfonic acid-derived substituents carried on non-bridge atoms of the subunits.

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. Also described herein is a method to capture DNA that has been released from the DNA:protein complex.