Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of matter comprising 29p protein having bound thereto an agent whose delivery into a eukaryotic cell is desired. The present invention also provides a monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to 29p protein. The present invention further provides methods for delivering an agent into a eukaryotic cell, and methods for causing a eukaryotic cell to secrete a desired protein in the form of a fusion protein. The present invention further provides 29p protein-containing pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention still further provides nucleic acid molecules which hybridize to at least a portion of a nucleic acid molecule encoding 29p protein. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting the presence of, and quantitatively determining the amount of, a 29p protein-encoding nucleic acid molecule in a sample.

Abstract: A novel transcriptional regulatory element which was isolated from the MnSOD gene and which exhibits promoter-enhancer activity is disclosed. The promoter-enhancer activity of the element is further modulated by inflammatory mediators to regulate transcription. Methods of using the promoter-enhancer element to regulate gene expression, and therapeutic uses involving the promoter-enhancer element are also described.

Abstract: A portable DNA sequence is disclosed which is capable of directing intracellular production of metalloproteinase inhibitors. Vectors containing this portable DNA sequence are also set forth, including the vector pUC9-F5/237P10 (ATCC Accession No. 53003). A recombinant-DNA method for the microbial production of a metalloproteinase inhibitor, which method incorporates at least one of the portable DNA sequences and the vectors disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method is provided for introducing nucleic acid into a cell, by contacting the cell with a nucleic acid and applying a low electrical field impulse for a long pulse length. A method is provided for introducing a polypeptide into a cell, by contacting the cell with the polypeptide and applying a low electrical field impulse for a long pulse length.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for enhancing the production of biologically active proteins and peptides in bacterial cells by infecting bacterial cells of the producer strain, which contain a plasmid with one or more targeted genes, with bacteriophage &lgr; with or without the targeted gene(s). The phage increases synthesis of the targeted protein and induces lysis of the producer strain cells. Super-production is achieved by cultivating the producer strain cells under culture conditions that delay lytic development of the phage. The biologically active proteins and peptides subsequently accumulate in a soluble form in the culture medium as the cells of the producer strain are lysed by the phage.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of identifying genetically modified mammalian cells using a mutated protein-tyrosine kinase receptor (PTKR) as a selectable marker in mammalian cells. Particularly preferred mutated PTKR selective markers are mutated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family members, and muscle specific tyrosine kinase receptor (MuSK-R) family members. Further a method for the immunoselection of transduced mammalian cells is disclosed comprising retrovirally transducing mammalian cells with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a mutated EGFR, incubating the transduced cells with a marked antibody which recognizes and binds specifically to the mutated PTKR, and identifying the marked transduced cells.

Abstract: Zinc finger proteins of the Cys2His2 type represent a class of malleable DNA binding proteins which may be selected to bind diverse sequences. Typically, zinc finger proteins containing three zinc finger domains, like the murine transcription factor Zif268 and the human transcription factor Sp1, bind nine contiguous base pairs (bp). To create a class of proteins which would be generally applicable to target unique sites within complex genomes, the present invention provides a polypeptide linker that fuses two three-finger proteins. Two six-fingered proteins were created and demonstrated to bind 18 contiguous bp of DNA in a sequence specific fashion. Expression of these proteins as fusions to activation or repression domains allows transcription to be specifically up or down modulated within cells. Polydactyl zinc finger proteins are broadly applicable as genome-specific transcriptional switches in gene therapy strategies and the development of novel transgenic plants and animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation and improvement of D-pantothenic acid-producing microorganisms by amplification of nucleotide sequences which code for ketopantoate reductase, in particular the panE gene, individually or in combination with one another, and optionally additionally of the ilvC gene, the microorganisms containing these nucleotide sequences, and a process for the preparation of D-pantothenic acid comprising fermentation of these microorganisms, concentration of pantothenic acid in the medium or in the cells of the microorganisms, and isolation of the D-pantothenic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are HSV-1 amplicons that supply all necessary helper functions required for rAAV packaging and methods for their use. These HSV-1 amplicons have been shown to be capable of rescuing and replicating all forms of rAAV genomes including rAAV genomes introduced into cells by infection of rAAV virions, rAAV genomes transfected into cells on plasmids or proviral rAAV genomes integrated into cellular chromosomal DNA. Also provided are methods for preparing high-titer rAAV vector compositions suitable for gene therapy and the delivery of exogenous polynucleotides to selected host cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of poly (hydroxy fatty acids) as well as recombinant bacterial strains for carrying out the process. In addition, new poly(hydroxy fatty acids) and new substrates for the production of conventional and new poly(hydroxy fatty acids) are described. Moreover, the invention also relates to a DNA fragment, which codes for a PhaE and a PhaC component of the poly(hydroxy fatty acid) synthase from Thiocapsa pfennigii, as well as the corresponding poly (hydroxy fatty acid) synthase protein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for expression of at least one heterologous gene in a host cell comprising transforming a host cell with at least one nucleic acid construct comprising a complete &agr; subunit of an RNA polymerase or a portion thereof of a hybrid nucleic acid containing a portion of the &agr; subunit of an RNA polymerase obtained from the same genus as the heterologous gene, and transforming the host cell, with at least one heterologous gene; and culturing the transformed host cell. The present invention further is directed to nucleic acid molecules used in the present method, vectors containing these nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing the nucleic acid molecules. The nucleic acid encoding the &agr; subunit of an Agrobacterium RNA polymerase and the corresponding amino acid sequence and portions thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of in vivo and ex vivo gene delivery, for a variety of cells. More specifically, it relates to a novel carrier system and method for targeted delivery of nucleic acids to mammalian cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to carrier system comprising single-chain polypeptide binding molecules having an a region rich in basic amino acid and having the three dimensional folding and, thus, the binding ability and specificity, of the variable region of an antibody. The basic amino acid rich region can comprise oligo-lysine, oligo-arginine or combinations thereof. Such preparations of modified single chain polypeptide binding molecules also have ability to bind nucleic acids at the region rich in basic amino acid residues. These properties of the modified single chain polypeptide binding molecules make them very useful in a variety of therapeutic applications including gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides intracellular peptide toxins capable of killing bacterial and eukaryotic cells when present within the cell, while substantially lacking the ability to kill such cells when present externally. The invention also provides recombinant bacteriophage containing nucleic acid sequences encoding intracellular peptide toxins, and methods of using such bacteriophage to kill bacteria. Furthermore, the invention provides compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, which can be used to kill bacteria or inhibit the growth of bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. Methods of treating a bacterial infection in a subject are also provided by the invention.

Abstract: Regulatory elements responsible for tissue-specific transcriptional regulation of the human &bgr;3-adrenergic receptor (&bgr;3-AR) were identified. A region localized between −6.50 and −6.30 kb of the proximal promoter contained three sequences that act synergistically to achieve full transcriptional activity. One segment, termed segment A, contains an Sp1 binding site. Another of the sequences, termed segment B, is a binding site for a trans-acting factor present in cells that constitutively express &bgr;3-AR. In a specific embodiment, the trans-acting factor is expressed in neuroblastoma (SK-N-MC) and brown adipose tissue cells, but little or not at all in CV-1, HeLa, or white adipose tissue cells. The third segment, C, is an S1 nuclease-sensitive site having CCTT repeats.

Abstract: A technique for controlling membrane denaturation reactions other than physical shear force was developed. For example, the present invention provides, a method for causing membrane disruption at a specific site by reacting a stimulus such as light with a compound that is activated by the stimulus, where the reaction occurs on a membrane such as a biomembrane. It also provides a membrane structure such as cells in which a specific site has been disrupted, which are obtained by the present method. Introduction of substances such as genes also became possible by using this membrane structure. Further provided is a membrane-destroying member for disrupting a membrane at a specific site. Thus, the present invention enabled, for example, easy membrane penetration using components constituting microelectrodes, micromanipulators, and microinjectors, which were conventionally hardly usable in penetrating cell membranes.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for regulating gene expression in a cell. The invention provides recombinant multi-state genetic oscillators containing an adjustable-threshold genetic switch that is periodically activated by an oscillating amount of an activator agent. The activating agent is a gene product expressed from a promoter regulated by the adjustable-threshold switch and thus forms a feedback loop that causes periodic switching of the adjustable-threshold switch between an “on” state and an “off” state. Multi-state genetic oscillators are useful to express one or more genes of interest in a periodic manner without requiring a periodic application of an external activating agent.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for assessing in vitro the genotoxicity of a compound, which consist in contacting said compound with at least a cell or cell type overexpressing bcl2 protooncogene and/or related anti-apoptotic protein, and observing the genotoxic effects of said compound on said cell.

Abstract: Methods and vectors are described for expressing recombinant proteins on the surface of host cells. These processes and compositions provide the basis for strategies to produce a fusion protein, comprising a membrane anchor that allows extracellular attachment of the fusion protein in a type II orientation.