Abstract: Peptides having essentially the sequence of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (aprotinin) wherein one or more of the amino acids at positions 15, 16, 17, 18, 34, 39 and 52 are replaced by any naturally occurring amino acid produced by recombinant DNA technology, process, expression vector and recominant host therefor and pharmaceutical use thereof. Such peptides being useful as therapeutic agents in diseases connected with the presence of excessive amounts of proteinases.

Abstract: A fusion polypeptide comprising, as at least part of the N-terminal portion thereof, an N-terminal portion of HSA or a variant thereof and, as at least part of the C-terminal portion thereof, another polypeptide except that, when the said N-terminal portion of HSA is the 1-n portion where n is 369 to 419 or a variant thereof then the said polypeptide is one of various specified entities.The HSA-like portion may have additional N-terminal residues, such as secretion leader sequences (signal sequences). The C-terminal portion is preferably the amino terminal fragment of human urokinase-type plasminogen activator. The N-terminal and C-terminal portions may be cleavable to yield the isolated C-terminal portion, with the N-terminal portion having served to facilitate secretion from the host. Such cleavage can be achieved in yeast using a sequence cleavable by the KEX2 protease of S. cerevisiae.

Abstract: The sequence, molecular structure and expression of a cDNA clone, denoted D4, of human and murine origin, preferentially expressed in hematopoietic cells is described herein. The human cDNA clone has been expressed in bacteria and the predicted 24 Kd protein purified. The protein has been used in studies of its biochemical function. As predicted on the basis of sequence, D4 can function as a GDP-dissociation inhibitor of at least several small GTP-binding proteins (CDC42 and rac). The D4 protein was used to generate a polyclonal antibody specific for the protein. The human cDNA was used to obtain several full length murine genomic clones. A clone has been analyzed and sequenced to use for the construction of a gene-targeting vector to produce animals deficient in D4 through disruption of the gene by homologous recombination. These animals can then be used as models for fundamental and applied research on the GTP-binding proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed are proteins derived from the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis capable of inducing vasodilation in mammals and data characterizing the proteins and nucleic acids encoding the proteins. Also disclosed is a method for temporarily inactivating the immune system in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal the Lutzomyia protein, CGRP, calcitonin, or active immune suppressing analogs thereof.

Abstract: Producing a xylanase enzyme of superior performance in the bleaching of pulp. More specifically, a modified xylanase of Family 11 that shows improved thermophilicity, alkalophilicity, and thermostability as compared to the natural xylanase. The modified xylanases contain any of three types of modifications: (1) changing amino acids 10, 27, and 29 of Trichoderma reesei xylanase II or the corresponding amino acids of another Family 11 xylanase, where these amino acids are changed to histidine, methionine, and leucine, respectively; (2) substitution of amino acids in the N-terminal region with amino acids from another xylanase enzyme. In a preferred embodiment, substitution of the natural Bacillus circulans or Trichoderma reesei xylanase with a short sequence of amino acids from Thermomonospora fusca xylanase yielded chimeric xylanases with higher thermophilicity and alkalophilicity; (3) an extension upstream of the N-terminus of up to 10 amino acids.

Abstract: A gene, encoding an endocellulase from a newly isolated mesophilic Clostridium strain IY-2 which can digest bamboo fibers, cellulose, rice straw, and sawdust, was isolated by shotgun cloning in an E. coli expression plasmid pLC2833. E. coli positive clones were selected based on their ability to hydrolyze milled bamboo fibers and cellulose present in agar plates. One clone contained a 2.8 kb DNA fragment that was responsible for cellulase activity. Western blot analyses indicated that the positive clone produced a secreted cellulase with a mass of about 58,000 daltons that was identical in size to the subunit of one of the three major Clostridium cellulases. The products of cellulose digestion by this cloned cellulase were cellotetraose and soluble higher polymers. The cloned DNA contained signal sequences capable of directing the secretion of heterologous proteins from an E. coli host.

Abstract: Cytoplasmic Antiproteinase-2 and Cytoplasmic Antiproteinase-3 nucleic acids and serine protease inhibitor proteins encoded thereby are useful in the purification of proteins and in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and diseases involving apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention also describes the DNA sequence for eukaryotic genes encoding .epsilon. cyclase, isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase and .beta.-carotene hydroxylase as well as vectors containing the same and hosts transformed with said vectors. The present invention provides methods for controlling the ratio of various carotenoids in a host and for the production of novel carotenoid pigments. The present invention also provides a method for screening for eukaryotic genes encoding carotenoid biosynthesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to cathepsin O proteins, nucleic acids, and antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostable xylanase selected from xylanase XP1 having a molecular weight of about 22,500, an isoelectric point at around 8.1 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 70.degree. C. or xylanase XP2 having a molecular weight of about 32,000, an isoelectric point at around 8.5 and an optimum temperature for reaction of 80.degree. C., a gene encoding for the thermostable xylanase, a method for producing the xylanase, applications of the xylanase, a bleaching agent containing the xylanase as an active ingredient, a method for bleaching pulp by using the bleaching agent and Bacillus sp. 2113 and Bacillus sp. 208 both having an ability to produce a thermostable xylanase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (1) a transglutaminase (hereinafter referred to as TG) isolated from a Bacilli such as those of Bacillus subtilis, (2) a fraction having transglutaminase activity, and (3) a method for producing a protein, a non-proteinaceous amino acid polymer, a peptide or derivatives thereof having a crosslinked structure, by crosslinking the glutamine and lysine residues in the same with the TG or the fraction having TG activity to thereby form intermolecular or intramolecular, crosslinked .epsilon.-(.gamma.-Glu)-Lys bonds. The present invention also relates to (4) a DNA coding for a TG derived from a Bacilli such as Bacillus subtilis, (5) a vector comprising said DNA coding for the TG, (6) a cell transformed with the vector, and (7) a method for producing a Bacillus-derived transglutaminase by incubating the transformant.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a 1.9 kb cDNA and new tissue transglutaminase protein encoded thereby. The cDNA was obtained from reverse transcription of mRNA isolated from retinoic-acid treated HEL cells. The invention also relates to vectors and expression systems to produce the new tissue transglutaminase as well as the recombinantly-produced enzyme protein.

Abstract: A method is described for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis by providing a recombinant antigen (RAMA) and detecting rheumatoid arthritis-associated IgM antibodies against the RAMA antigen in patient sera. The RAMA antigen comprises SEQ ID NO:3 and peptides substantially homologous thereto. A purified and isolated DNA encoding the RAMA antigen and a transformed host containing the DNA are also disclosed.

Abstract: An enzyme from Aspergillus aculeatus exhibiting endoglucanase activity, which enzyme is designated EG II or EG IV and is encoded by a DNA sequence comprising at least one of the partial sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 17, 18, or 19. The enzyme may be produced by recombinant DNA techniques and may be used for degradation of plant cell wall material.

Abstract: A double-stranded cDNA molecule which includes DNA encoding human cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase has been created. The sequence of one strand of a double-stranded DNA molecule which encodes human cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase has been discovered. Such molecules may be introduced in procaryotic, e.g., bacterial, or eucaryotic, e.g., yeast or mammalian, cells and the resulting cells cultured or grown under suitable conditions so as to produce human cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase which may then be recovered.

Abstract: Cytoplasmic Antiproteinase-2 and Cytoplasmic Antiproteinase-3 nucleic acids and serine protease inhibitor proteins encoded thereby are useful in the purification of proteins and in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and diseases involving apoptosis.

Abstract: Cytoplasmic Antiproteinase-2 and Cytoplasmic Antiproteinase-3 nucleic acids and serine protease inhibitor proteins encoded thereby are useful in the purification of proteins and in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and diseases involving apoptosis.

Abstract: A novel purified phosphoprotein designated mitosin is provided by this invention. Also provided is the amino acid sequence of mitosin, active fragments of mitosin, and a nucleic acid molecule encoding mitosin. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the protein and nucleic acid molecule are also provided. The nucleic acid molecules are useful to recombinantly produce mitosin and for use as probes. The compositions and methods of this invention are based on the discovery that the intracellular presence of mitosin is necessary for the cell to enter the M phase of mitosis, and that the degradation of mitosin is necessary for the cell to advance to the next stage. Thus, an anti-mitsoin antibody, or a mutant or non-functional analog of mitosin, would inhibit the mitotic cell cycle by preventing cells from entering the M phase, and overexpression of mitosin, or a functional equivalent thereof, would inhibit the cycle by preventing cells from leaving the M phase.

Abstract: Novel chitinase gene, and its associated regulatory region, from a monocotyledon plant is described.