Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA derived from microorganisms of the genus Rhodococcus and conferring kanamycin resistance on hosts with a DNA sequence coding for the amino acid sequence of Sequence No. 1 or a polypeptide containing a partial sequence thereof. The kanamycin resistance gene of the present invention is useful to construct vectors for microorganisms of the genus Rhodococcus, particularly vectors for self-cloning of Rhodococcus rhodochrous.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel variants of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) that have surprising biological/pharmacokinetic properties compared with native t-PA. For example, certain of the variants hereof demonstrate increased half-life profiles, and show good fibrin binding activity even though fibrin binding regions of the molecule are deleted. All associated means and methods for preparing such variants recombinantly and for using such variants are also disclosed.

Abstract: A recombinant vaccinia virus capable of expressing HTLV-III envelope protein (env) has been constructed. The expressed env protein is recognized by sera obtained from AIDS patients. The synthesized env protein also produces antibodies when administered to a suitable host, such antibodies having specific binding affinity with the env protein.

Abstract: DNA fragment of phages which are virulent towards a Streptococcus, capable of conferring on a Streptococcus containing it resistance to at least one phage, especially a fragment homologous or hybridizing to the 3.6 kb HindIII fragment present in the plasmid CNCM I-1588 or the 6.5 kb EcoRV fragment present in the plasmid CNCM I-1589. Process for making a Streptococcus resistant to at least one phage, by cloning into a vector a DNA fragment of a phage which is virulent towards a Streptococcus, capable of conferring on a Streptococcus resistance to at least one phage and introducing the vector into a Streptococcus.

Abstract: A process for expression of a protein product in Aspergillus oryzae is disclosed. The process comprises transforming Aspergillus oryzae with a vector system comprising DNA sequences encoding functions facilitating gene expression, a suitable marker for selection of transformants, and a DNA sequence encoding the desired protein product. The process enables industrial production of many different polypeptides and proteins in A. oryzae. Examples of such products are chymosin or prochymosin and other rennets, proteases, lipases and amylases. Also disclosed is an effective promoter for expression of a protein in Aspergillus. A preferred promoter is the TAKA-amylase promoter or functional parts thereof. There is also provided a process for the production of a recombinant Humicola lipase. The recombinant Humicola lipase from A. oryzae differs from the native lipase in having a greater glycosylation and in exhibiting an improved thermostability.

Abstract: A method for determining lung adenocarcinomas is described. The method involves assaying for expression of a gene coding for at least one of tumor rejection antigen precursors MAGE-1, 2 and 3, or their expression product.

Abstract: A method for improving the transduction efficiency of retroviral vectors into a host cell wherein the retroviral vectors are incubated with deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates prior to transduction into the host cell is provided.

Abstract: Methods for treatment, processes for preparing, and compositions for delivering selected nucleic acid sequences to cells, primarily of the treatment of neurological disorders and exploring neurological functions, are disclosed. In particular, the invention provides recombinant Herpesvirus vectors with a high rate of expression of selected nucleic acid sequences and/or a low cytopathicity and its associated methods and processes.

Abstract: An adenovirus wherein the adenovirus fiber protein includes a ligand which is specific for a receptor located on a desired cell type. The adenovirus may have at least a portion of the adenovirus fiber protein removed and replaced with a ligand which is specific for a receptor located on a desired cell type, or the adenovirus may include a fusion protein of the adenovirus fiber protein and the ligand. Such an adenovirus may also include a gene(s) encoding a therapeutic agent(s) and may be "targeted" in order to deliver such gene(s) to a desired cell type.

Abstract: Strains of Pseudomonas have been genetically engineered to have enhanced biocontrol properties. The strains of the invention are particularly effective against plant pathogenic fungi such as species of Rhizoctonia and Pythium, because the strains produce enhanced amounts of antifungal metabolites such as pyrrolnitrin that are active against these fungal pathogens. Both the genetically modified biocontrol strains and the antifungal metabolites can be used as active agents for biocontrol compositions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the high efficiency transformation of species of the genus Nocardia with DNA molecules. DNA vectors for the transformation of genes into Nocardia as well as recombinant Nocardia host cells expressing recombinant genes are disclosed.

Abstract: A plasmid having a temperature-sensitive replication origin which has the following properties:a) capable of autonomous replication in Corynebacterium and being retained in Corynebacterium; and,b) when a cell containing said plasmid is cultured at 31.degree. to 37.degree. C., replication of the plasmid is inhibited and at the same time, the plasmid is removed from the cell body; and a method for performing homologous recombination in Corynebacterium using the plasmid.

Abstract: A method for producing genetically modified neural cells comprises culturing cells derived from embryonic, juvenile, or adult mammalian neural tissue with one or more growth factors that induce multipotent neural stem cells to proliferate and produce multipotent neural stem cell progeny which include more daughter multipotent neural stem cells and undifferentiated progeny that are capable of differentiating into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The proliferating neural cells can be transfected with exogenous DNA to produce genetically modified neural stem cell progeny. The genetic modification can be for the production of biologically useful proteins such as growth factor products, growth factor receptors, neurotransmitters, neurotransmitter receptors, neuropeptides and neurotransmitter synthesizing genes.

Abstract: A bacterial cell (preferably a gram-negative, enteric bacterium such as V. cholerae) the chromosome of which which contains a DNA sequence encoding a heterologous antigen, which sequence is functionally linked to an iron-regulated promoter such as the irgA promoter of V. cholerae.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant DNA viral vectors which co-express lentivirus genes encoding structural and enzymatic polypeptides capable of assembling into defective nonself-propagating viral particles. The viral DNA vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of body weight disorders, including, but not limited to, obesity. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes genes which are differentially expressed in body weight disorder states, relative to their expression in normal, or non-body weight disorder states, and/or in response to manipulations relevant to appetite and/or weight regulation. Further, the present invention identifies and describes genes via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in body weight disorders and/or appetite and/or body weight regulation. Still further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of body weight disorders. Additionally, the present invention describes methods for the diagnostic evaluation and prognosis of various body weight disorders, and for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions.

Abstract: Novel nucleic acid sequences, vectors for expressing same, and uses of said sequences, in particular in actinomycetes fermentation methods.

Abstract: The present invention features packaging cell lines and recombinant retroviral particles produced thereby, particularly pseudotyped retroviral particles. Preferably, the packaging cell lines are derived from HeLa, Cf2Th, D17, MDCK, or BHK cells, most preferably from Cf2Th cells. Retroviral particles are produced by inducibly expressing an envelope protein of interest (e.g., a retroviral envelope or the envelope protein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV G)). Inducible expression of the envelope protein is accomplished by operably linking an envelope protein-encoding nucleotide sequence to an inducible promoter (e.g., a promoter composed of a minimal promoter linked to multiple copies of tetO, the binding site for the tetracycline repressor (tetR) of the Escherichia coli, tetracycline resistance operon Tn10).

Abstract: The present invention provides a human adipocyte-specific differentiation-related protein (HADRP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HADRP. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HADRP and a method for producing HADRP. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding HADRP, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HADRP. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HADRP for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HADRP. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding HADRP.

Abstract: Recombinant polynucleotides are provided that confer at least partial immunity on an individual to an infectious intracellular pathogenic agent. The recombinant polynucleotides encode a costimulatory factor and/or a target antigen polypeptide. The immune response that confers the immunity results from the expression of both polypeptides in an antigen presenting cell in the individual. The immunity is to the pathogenic agent that naturally encodes the target antigen polypeptide.