Abstract: Transgenic plants that are modified to produce fruits that have altered levels of soluble solids compared to non-transgenic species of the same species are provided. The transgenic plants are modified by introduction of DNA constructs that encode invertase operatively linked to DNA encoding regulatory regions that direct transcription of the DNA encoding invertase and to DNA encoding sequences that direct proper processing of the invertase through the secretory pathways of the plant and targeting of the invertase to the vacuole.In particular, DNA constructs encoding tomato plant vacuolar invertase in operative linkage with a developmentally regulated promoter region are provided. Preferred regulatory and structural DNA is obtained from genomic DNA clones and cDNA clones encoding tomato fruit vacuolar invertases from the commercial tomato plant, Lycopersicon esculentum, and wild tomato plant, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium.

Abstract: Transgenic plants that are modified to produce fruits that have altered levels of soluble solids compared to non-transgenic plants of the same species are provided. The transgenic plants are prepared by introducing into plants DNA constructs that encode invertase operatively linked to DNA encoding regulatory regions that direct transcription of the DNA encoding invertase and operatively linked to DNA encoding amino acids that direct proper processing of the invertase through the secretory pathways of the plant and targeting of the invertase to the vacuole.In particular, DNA constructs encoding tomato plant vacuolar invertase in operative linkage with a developmentally regulated promoter region are provided. Preferred regulatory and structural DNA is obtained from genomic DNA clones and cDNA clones encoding tomato fruit vacuolar invertases from the commercial tomato plant, Lycopersicon esculentum, and wild tomato plant, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium.

Abstract: Calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -subunit and .alpha..sub.2 -subunit-encoding cDNAs, and related compositions and methods, are provided.

Abstract: Recombinant cells are provided which are useful for assaying compounds for their agonist or antagonist activity with respect to ion channels and/or cell surface-localized receptors. In addition, assay methods employing the invention recombinant cells are provided.

Abstract: Human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits are described, as are methods for producing cells containing functional receptors employing such subunits. Also described are assay methods for determining the presence of functional HnAChRs in transfected cells, and for determining the agonist or antagonist activity of compounds with respect to such cells.

Abstract: Biologically active aprotinin (APR) molecules, naturally occurring, relatively short, single chain polypeptides, are prepared by growing methylotrophic yeast transformants containing in their genome at least one copy of a DNA sequence operably encoding APR, in operational association with a DNA sequence encoding the S. cerevisiae alpha mating factor pre-pro sequence (including a processing sequence selected from lys-arg-(glu-ala).sub.x, wherein x is an integer falling in the range of 0-3), both under the regulation of a promoter region of a gene of a methylotrophic yeast, under conditions allowing expression of said DNA sequences, and secretion of APR molecules into the culture medium.Also disclosed are novel DNA fragments and novel recombinant yeast strains which are useful in the practice of the present invention.

Abstract: Method for the recovery and purification of intact, correctly-folded, monomeric insulin-like growth factor-1 peptide from large volumes of IGF-1-containing medium are described, comprising a series of adsorption-desorption steps employing a combination of cation exchange and hydrophobic interaction adsorbents. Product IGF-1 peptide is highly purified and suitable for use in a variety of clinical applications.

Abstract: Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is produced by recombinant DNA technology in Pichia pastoris yeast cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for determining the sex of Bovine embryos and fetuses employing male-specific oligonucleotides in nucleic acid probe hybridization assay methods to assay the genomic DNA of embryonic or fetal cells for the presence of male-specific sequences.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting coal to low molecular weight organic compounds comprising combining an aqueous solution of an aqueous-soluble polymeric coal substrate with a lignin peroxidase, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The invention is exemplified using the lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Also provided are aqueous-soluble polymeric coal substrates suitable for lignin peroxidase-catalyzed depolymerization and methods of preparing such substrates. Finally, a method is provided for isolating the lignin peroxidase from mycelia-free, unconcentrated media of cultures of P. chrysosporium producing the enzyme.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting coal to low molecular weight organic compounds comprising combining an aqueous solution of an aqueous-soluble polymeric coal substrate with a lignin peroxidase, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The invention is exemplified using the lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Also provided are aqueous-soluble polymeric coal substrates suitable for lignin peroxidase-catalyzed depolymerization and methods of preparing such substrates. Finally, a method is provided for isolating the lignin peroxidase from mycelia-free, unconcentrated media of cultures of P. chrysosporium producing the enzyme.

Abstract: Nucleic acid hybridizaiton probes are provided which have sequences complementary to sequences of segments in bovine male-specific DNA and are suitable for sexing bovine embryos at the time of embryo transfer with nearly 100% accuracy.

Abstract: Novel, biologically active, 28-amino acid analogs of human vasoactive intestinal peptide are provided.

Abstract: Novel biologically active vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) analogues are provided.

Abstract: Nucleic acid hybridization probes are provided which have sequences complementary to sequences of segments in bovine male-specific DNA and are suitable for sexing bovine embryos at the time of embryo transfer with virtually 100% accuracy.

Abstract: Reaction of a ketoxime-derivatized resin with a strong acid salt of aspartic anhydride or glutamic anhydride yields a novel aspartyl or glutamyl ketoxime ester-derivatized resin, wherein the aspartyl or glutamyl groups are esterified predominantly at the .alpha.-carboxyl group and wherein the aspartyl or glutamyl groups are not covalently protected at the amino group or the carboxyl group that is not esterified. Aminolysis in the presence of a weak acid of the novel aspartyl or glutamyl ketoxime ester-derivatized resin, wherein the aspartyl or glutamyl groups remain as the strong acid salt, with a salt of an amino acid with a base or an amino acid ester yields the corresponding dipeptide or dipeptide ester. After aminoylsis, the ketoxime-derivatized resin can be reused. An advantageous solid-phase method is thus provided for making .alpha.-L-aspartyl dipeptide ester sweeteners, including aspartame, and the immunopotentiating dipeptide, .alpha.-L-glutamyl-L-asparagine.

Abstract: Reaction of a ketoxime-derivatized resin with a strong acid salt of aspartic anhydride or glutamic anhydride yields a novel aspartyl or glutamyl ketoxime ester-derivatized resin, wherein the aspartyl or glutamyl groups are esterified predominantly at the .alpha.-carboxyl group and wherein the aspartyl or glutamyl groups are not covalently protected at the amino group or the carboxyl group that is not esterified. Aminolysis in the presence of a weak acid of the novel aspartyl or glutamyl ketoxime ester-derivatized resin, wherein the aspartyl or glutamyl groups remain as the strong acid salt, with a salt of an amino acid with a base or an amino acid ester yields the corresponding dipeptide or dipeptide ester. After aminolysis, the ketoxime-derivatized resin can be reused. An advantageous solid-phase method is thus provided for making .alpha.-L-aspartyl dipeptide ester sweeteners, including aspartame, and the immunopotentiating dipeptide, .alpha.-L-glutamyl-L-asparagine.

Abstract: Foreign protein segments having specific medically or commercially useful biological functions are incorporated in surface proteins of viruses. The viruses with the incorporated protein segments are convenient agents for introducing the protein segments into animals, such as humans, and are thus useful as vaccines. Small segments of an original protein exhibiting desired functions are identified, and a DNA fragment having a nucleotide base sequence encoding that segment of the protein is isolated from an organism or synthesized chemically. The isolated DNA fragment is inserted into the DNA genome of a virus in a manner such that the inserted DNA fragment expresses itself as the foreign segment of a surface viral protein and in such a way that neither the function of the protein segment nor the function of any viral protein critical for viral replication is impaired.