Abstract: An isolated DNA segment is disclosed which is derived from a Saccharomyces cerevisiae sorbitol dehydrogenase gene and which functions to increase expression of an associated foreign polypeptide when the DNA segment and the gene coding for the foreign polypeptide are operably linked in a vector in such a manner that the vector is replicated and carried by a host yeast cell. The functionally active portion of the segment is under the control (i) a transcriptional regulatory sequence of the sorbitol dehydrogenase gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, (ii) a translation initiation regulatory sequence of the sorbitol dehydrogenase gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and (iii) a termination regulatory sequence of the sorbitol dehydrogenase gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast cells containing these regulatory sequences linked to a foreign DNA sequence are grown in medium containing sorbitol under conditions permitting a foreign polypeptide to be expressed.

Abstract: A vector comprising an HIV segment and a heterologous gene segment, which produces a replication competent and an infective HIV virus is disclosed. When the heterologous gene is a marker gene, the spread of the virus can be observed in both in vitro and in vivo systems. The use of this vector in establishing methods for screening anti-viral compounds is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operon encoding enzymes involved in the utilization of L-arabinose, to the promoter derived therefrom, and to expression systems utilizing the promoter. The promoter is particularly useful for expression of DNA sequences in prokaryotes because of their inducibility and repressibility of the promoter. The invention also relates to the enzymes of the operon, and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: Methods for preparing cell lines that contain artificial chromosomes, methods for preparation of artificial chromosomes, methods for purification of artificial chromosomes, methods for targeted insertion of heterologous DNA into artificial chromosomes, and methods for delivery of the chromosomes to selected cells and tissues are provided. Also provided are cell lines for use in the methods, and cell lines and chromosomes produced by the methods. In particular, satellite artificial chromosomes that, except for inserted heterologous DNA, are substantially composed of heterochromatin are provided. Methods for use of the artificial chromosomes, including for gene therapy, production of gene products and production of transgenic plants and animals are also provided.

Abstract: An isolated DNA segment is disclosed which is derived from a Saccharomyces cerevisiae sorbitol dehydrogenase gene and which functions to increase expression of an associated foreign polypeptide when the DNA segment and the gene coding for the foreign polypeptide are operably linked in a vector in such a manner that the vector is replicated and carried by a host yeast cell. The functionally active portion of the segment is under the control (i) a transcriptional regulatory sequence of the sorbitol dehydrogenase gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, (ii) a translation initiation regulatory sequence of the sorbitol dehydrogenase gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and (iii) a termination regulatory sequence of the sorbitol dehydrogenase gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast cells containing these regulatory sequences linked to a foreign DNA sequence are grown in medium containing sorbitol under conditions permitting a foreign polypeptide to be expressed.

Abstract: High throughput DNA sequencing vectors for generating nested deletions using enzymatic techniques and/or transposition-based techniques are disclosed. Methods of constructing contigs of long DNA sequences and methods of generating nested deletions are also disclosed. A truncated lacZ derivative useful in measuring the copy number of the lacZ derivative in a host cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: Repertoires of first specific binding pair (sbp) members wherein each first sbp member has a chemical moiety bound covalently at an amino acid residue within the binding site are made and may be displayed at the surface of an organism such as a bacteriophage. Methods of making such repertoires may involve the provision of a population of encoding nucleic acid molecules wherein a codon encoding a selectively or preferentially modifiable amino acid is introduced in the region encoding the binding site, for instance by mutation or gene construction. First sbp member (e.g. antibodies) wherein binding to second sbp member (e.g. antigen) is enhanced in or dependent on the presence of the chemical moiety in the binding site may be selected from the repertoires.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for obtaining a recombinant retroviral packaging cell capable of producing retroviral vectors as well as the recombinant packaging cell obtained by the method. Also provided is a method of producing recombinant retroviral particles obtained by introducing into the packaging cells obtained according to the methods disclosed herein, a recombinant retroviral vector and propagating the resulting producer cells under conditions favorable for the production and secretion of retroviral vector supernatant. The retroviral supernatant produced by these methods also is claimed herein. This invention further provides a method for screening retroviral vector supernatant for high transduction efficiency and methods for producing retroviral vector supernatant for transducing cells with high efficiency in gene therapy applications.

Abstract: A secretory vector expressed in mycobacteria comprising a promoter, a signal sequence having ligated therewith a DNA nucleotide sequence encoding heterologous polypeptide and replicator region capable of replication in mycobacteria is disclosed. A transformant that has been transformed with the secretory vector, as well as a vaccine comprising the transformant is provided.

Abstract: Recombinant organisms are provided comprising genes encoding glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycerol-3-phosphatase, glycerol dehydratase and 1,3-propanediol oxidoreductase activites useful for the production of 1,3-propanediol from a variety of carbon substrates.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation and use of expression systems capable of producing heterologous polypeptides in halobacterial hosts.

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 relates to novel thrombolitic v-PA's which dissolve blood clots in the human body and thus are suitable for the treatment of cardial infarction, for example.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to intracellular delivering of agents to eukaryotic cells. The compositions include microbial delivery vehicles such as nonvirulent bacteria comprising a first gene encoding a nonsecreted foreign cytolysin operably linked to a heterologous promoter and a second gene encoding a different foreign agent. The foreign agent may be a nucleic acid or protein, and is frequently bioactive in and therapeutic to the target eukaryote. In addition, the invention provides eukaryotic cells comprising the subject nonvirulent bacteria and nonhuman eukaryotic host organisms comprising such cells.

Abstract: The invention provides novel yeast cells comprising genes whose expression can be modulated by growth in the presence or absence of metal ions, methods for making such yeast cells, and methods of using such yeast cells for determining the requirement for expression of particular genes for the growth or viability of the yeast cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treatment of obesity, metabolic syndrome and/or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus by administering a drug capable of modulating the regulation of UCP-2, the use of a drug capable of modulating the regulation of UCP-2 for the production of drug for treatment of obesity, metabolic syndrome and/or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of such a drug. The invention is also related to methods for screening for potential drugs against obesity, metabolic syndrome and/or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and the use of cDNA probe for determination of upregulation of UCP-2 for potential drugs against obesity, metabolic syndrome and/or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: A promoter for a formate dehydrogenase gene from Candida boidinii, substantially comprising a 190 bp or more continuous nucleotide sequence selected from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; a promoter for a formate dehydrogenase gene from Candida boidinii, substantially comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 48, 49 or 50; a terminator for a formate dehydrogenase gene from Candida boidinii, substantially comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; a gene expression cassette comprising said promoter, a heterologous gene and said terminator; a recombinant expression vector comprising said gene expression cassette; a transformant transformed with said recombinant expression vector; a process for producing an expression product of a heterologous gene, which comprises culturing said transformant and recovering an expression product of a heterologous gene from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identification of antibiotic agents which cause the accumulation of ppGpp in bacterial organisms involving a relA-independent pathway. The methods comprise screening assays in which test compounds are brought into contact with relA.sup.- test cells and observing the effect such compounds have on ppGpp levels in the test cells. The invention also provides genetically manipulated relA.sup.- test cells which contain a reporter gene the expression of which is sensitive to the level of ppGpp. The invention also encompasses agents identified by the screening assays, and uses of these agents in the treatment of infectious diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are vectors having enhanced expression and methods for making and using them. Enhancement of expression is from substantially co-temporal expression of at least one first nucleic acid molecule and at least one second nucleic acid molecule. The second nucleic acid molecule encodes a transcription factor or a translation factor or a transcription factor and a translation factor. The contemporaneous expression can be from operably linking the first and second nucleic molecules to a single promoter, or from operably linking the first nucleic acid molecule to a first promoter and the second nucleic molecule to a second promoter wherein the first and second promoters function substantially contemporaneously. Thus, the first and second nucleic acid molecules can be at the same locus in the vector, or at different loci.

Abstract: The invention provides dbpB polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding dbpB polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing dbpB polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.