Abstract: This invention describes pHRT25, a plasmid containing a modified pol gene of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1), formerly HTLV-III, under control of an inducible trp promoter. Methods of expressing reverse transcriptase activity using pHRT25 in E. coli are described.

Abstract: A new class of oncogenic retroviral vectors is disclosed which comprise at least two oncogenes and a heterologous DNA sequence, each of which is independently transcribed in an infected or transfected cell under the control of a separate transcriptional control sequence.

Abstract: A viral vector for the integration and expression of at least one heterologous gene in fowl pest cells consists wholly or in part of the proviral genome of fowl pest erythroblastosis or of a related virus in which said heterologous gene(s) replace(s) the v-erbA gene and/or the v-erB gene. Said gene(s) is(are) controlled either by an LTR promoter of the same virus, in which case the heterologous gene(s); mimics(s) the gene(s) it(they) replace, or by a heterologous promoter, in which case the additional att sequence is situated upstream of said heterologous promoter.

Abstract: A transformed yeast cell containing the following DNA sequences,an HIV tat gene coding for a TAT protein,a first promoter exercising transcriptional control over the tat gene,an HIV regulatory control sequence which is responsive to the TAT protein,a pre-selected gene coding for a desired polypeptide or protein, the pre-selected gene being under the control of the HIV regulatory control sequence, anda second promoter exercising transcriptional control over the HIV regulatory control sequence and the pre-selected gene.Preferably the first and second promoters are yeast promoters, the transformed yeast cell is a S.cerevisiae cell and the HIV regulatory control sequence is a TAT responsive TAR sequence.The transformed yeast cells may be used to screen for agents that inhibit the function of TAT protein.

Abstract: The plasmid of this invention contains the cII translation initiation site and a P.sub.L promoter--both are very efficient, producing large amounts of cII protein. This plasmid contains a unique ClaI restriction site in the aminoterminal portion of the cII gene suitable for insertion of foreign genes. This plasmid is an improvement over other plasmids because the inserted genes are subject to the same transcriptional and translational characteristics of the cII gene; this plasmid, therefore, produces large amounts of the protein coded by the exogenous gene.

Abstract: A complete genomic clone of HIV-2 designated HIV-2.sub.SBL/ISY was cloned from DNA of the neoplastic human cell line HUT78 infected with the HIV-2.sub.SBL6669 viral isolate. The clone was sequenced and the sequence compared with those of known HIV-2 isolates. The invention is advantageous for it provides an animal model for the study of HIV infection in man.

Abstract: A process of mammalian gene therapy. Explanted fibroblasts are genetically modified by introducing a retroviral construct containing a nucleotide sequence encoding for a therapeutic substance. The genetically modified fibroblasts are implanted into a mammalian subject.

Abstract: Viral protein T from Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) is disclosed. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 17 kD and is produced by the vpt gene of HIV-1. This protein is antigenic. Vectors capable of expressing the vpt protein are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA segment encoding a recombinant HIV p24 protein or HIV p24-gp41 fusion protein and a recombinant DNA (rDNA) molecule capable of expressing either protein. Cells transformed with the rDNA, methods for producing the fusion protein and diagnostic methods and systems using the fusion protein are also described.

Abstract: This invention provides a plasmid identified as pHRTRX2 and deposited in E. coli HB101 under ATCC Accession No. 67828. The invention also provides for a polypeptide having HIV reverse transcriptase activity and for a method by which the polypeptide can be prepared which comprises growing a host cell comprising the plasmid pHRTRX2 under suitable conditions permitting production of the polypeptide and recovering the resulting polypeptide.

Abstract: This invention relates to operator DNA specific for the repressor of .phi.105 and to the use thereof. The sequence of the operator DNA is 5'-GACGGAAATACAAG-3', 5', GTCGGAAATACAAT-3', 5'-GACGAAATTCAAG-3' or 5'-GTCGTGAATACCAT-3.

Abstract: Immunologically reactive gag proteins of LAV/HTLV-III are expressed in bacterial cells. The gag proteins are encoded by a recombinant plasmid containing procaryotic transcriptional and translational signals for expression, followed downstream by a DNA sequence comprising pGAG-1. Preferred signals for expression are selected from an inducible and/or suppressible operon, such as the trp operon. The gag proteins are isolated from the bacterial host and are utilized in diagnostic assays which detect the presence of LAV/HTLV-III antigens or antibodies immunologically reactive with LAV/HTLV-III. Further, the proteins produced by the method disclosed may be used as a vaccine against infection by the causative virus for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Abstract: Immunologically reactive gag proteins of LAV are expresesed in bacterial cells. The gag proteins are encoded by a recombinant plasmid containing procaryotic transcriptional and translational signals for expression, followed downstream by a DNA sequence comprising a portion of the gag region of LAV. Preferred signals for expression are selected from an inducible and/or suppressible operon, such as the trp operon. The gag proteins are isolated from the bacterial host and are utilized in diagonstic assays which detect the presence of LAV antigens or antibodies immunologically reactive with LAV. Further, the proteins produced by the method disclosed may be used as a vaccine against infection by the caustive virus for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Abstract: A viral vector comprising at least a portion of the genome of the HIV virus, a gene coding gp160 glycoprotein of the envelope of the HIV virus, as well as the elements providing for the expression of the glycoprotein in cells, wherein the gp160 is expressed as a non-cleavable protein.

Abstract: A novel retrovirus isolated from human lymphoma cells is disclosed. The retrovirus is characterized by a C-type retroviral particle of approximately 100 nm diameter; and an approximately 27,000 molecular weight p24 core protein. Also disclosed are cell lines from which the virus can be obtained and screening methods for detecting the presence of the virus in human sera.

Abstract: Transformed yeasts with yeast expression plasmid containing yeast alcohol dehydrogenase promoter and bovine adrenocortical cytochrome P-450.sub.17.alpha. cDNA, which produce bovine adrenocortical cytochrome P-450.sub.17.alpha., and processes for producing 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone which comprises 17-hydroxylating pregnenolone or progesterone to 17-hydroxypregnenolone or 17-hydroxyprogesterone, respectively, with the said transformed yeasts.

Abstract: DNA encoding recombinant, immunoreactive, chimeric HTLV-III core proteins and methods of producing these proteins are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant fusion polypeptides of HIV envelope and HBsAg, suitable as vaccines against AIDS and/or ARC and hepatitis, as well as immunogens for inducting antibodies for passive protection or treatment of AIDS and/or ARC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant fusion polypeptides of HIV envelope and HBsAg, suitable as vaccines against AIDS and/or ARC and hepatitis, as well as immunogens for inducing antibodies for passive protection or treatment of AIDS and/or ARC.

Abstract: An improved helper cell for growing up stocks of replication incompetent retrovirus vectors is disclosed. The helper cell resists recombination events due to the fact that natural promoters and poly(A) sequences in the helper sequences have been replaced with foreign promoters and poly(A) sequences bearing little or no homology to the vectors. Plasmids containing these modified sequences can still create a helper cell with resulting expression of the needed helper proteins, yet there is much less risk of recombination events in the helper cell. Also disclosed are vectors produced by such helper cells, target cells infected by such vectors, and helper cells which convert vectors so that they can be used with hosts from different species.