Abstract: The present disclosure is in the field of modulation of Htt gene expression and HTT protein levels.

Abstract: A recombinant fusion protein is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) a CD55 peptide sequence, (b) a linker sequence C-terminal to the CD55 sequence, (c) a transmembrane domain C-terminal to the linker sequence, and (d) an intracellular domain C-terminal to the transmembrane domain. The fusion protein does not contain a GPI anchor. The fusion protein can be expressed with an N-terminal secretory signal peptide, which is cleaved to yield the mature protein on the surface of a cell line or an enveloped virus. An oncolytic virus expressing the fusion protein is resistant to complement inactivation and can be used to treat cancer.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating disease and disorders associated with pathological calcification or pathological ossification by modulating the level or activity of NPP1 or a mutant thereof, or a mutant NPP4 modified to exhibit ATP hydrolase activity similar to the hydrolase activity of NPP1.

Abstract: Expression-enhancing nucleotide sequences for eukaryotic expressions systems are provided that allow for enhanced and stable expression of recombinant proteins in eukaryotic cells. Genomic integration sites providing enhanced expression and methods of use thereof are provided for expression of a gene of interest in a eukaryotic cell. Chromosomal loci, sequences, and vectors are provided for enhanced and stable expression of genes in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered alpha-hemolysin subunits having mutated oligomerization domains for assembling into heptameric nanopores in lipid bilayers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the functionalization of a polymeric surface with a protein by physical adsorption. The method enables a membrane spanning protein to be used as an anchor for proteins and/or peptides for display. Also provided are polymeric substrates for protein or peptide display, and related kits and methods of use.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of producing glycosylated proteins in vitro and in vivo. The methods include using host cells to produce glycosylated proteins. Also described herein are glycosylated proteins produced using such methods and uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cells, nucleic acids, and proteins that can be used to produce branched (methyl)lipids, such as 10-methylstearic acids, and compositions that include such lipids. Cells disclosed herein comprise methyltransferase and/or reductase genes from bacteria of the class Gammaproteobacteria, which encode enzymes capable of catalyzing the production of branched (methyl)lipids from unbranched, unsaturated lipids. Saturated branched (methyl)lipids produced using embodiments of the present invention have favorable low-temperature fluidity and favorable oxidative stability, which are desirable properties for lubricants and specialty fluids.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods for treating hypophosphatasia (HPP) in a patient (e.g., an adult having HPP, such as an adult having pediatric-onset HPP, or an adolescent having HPP) exhibiting decreased pyrophosphate (PPi) or pyridoxal 5?-phosphate (PLP) concentrations in, e.g., a plasma sample, physical impairments, or decreased walking ability by administering a soluble alkaline phosphatase (sALP) to the patient.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions, kits and methods for modifying bacteria, preferably naturally occurring bacteria, in situ. These can be used to treat, prevent or cure microbiome-associated diseases or disorders by modulating the molecules expressed and/or secreted by bacterial populations of the microbiome in a specific manner. The genomic modifications can modify the interactions between part or all of these populations and the host in a way that decreases their deleterious potential on host health. The compositions, kits and methods of the invention do not result in the direct death of these populations or a direct significant inhibition of their growth. The invention further includes methods for screening for genetic modifications in the bacteria, for determining the efficiency of vectors at inducing these genetic mutations, and for determining the effects of these mutations on bacterial growth.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by restoring an ASD patient's gut microbiota. These methods can be used with ASD patient with or without ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms. Provided here is a method for ASD treatment in a subject in need thereof comprising or consisting essentially of administering a therapeutic composition comprising a fecal microbe or a fecal microbiota preparation to the subject. Also provided here is a method comprises administering an antibiotic to a human subject; subjecting the human subject to a bowel cleanse; and administering purified fecal microbiota to the human subject. Further provided are evaluation and quantitative characterization of patient symptom improvements upon treatment described here.

Abstract: Provided are a recombinant polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide including a reporter moiety, a substrate moiety, and a destabilization moiety, a host cell including the same, and use thereof to measure the level of a protease by using the recombinant polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel fucosidase mutants that server as fuco-ligases for core fucosylation of a range of biological glycopeptides and glycoproteins including intact therapeutic antibodies. Several mutants with mutation at the general acid/base residue E274 of the Lactobacillus casei ?1,6-fucosidase, including E274A, E274S, and E274G, were able to efficiently fucosylate a wide variety of complex N-glycopeptides and intact glycoproteins. The site specific mutants enable the transfer of fucose to a core GlcNAc-Asn residue and useful for drug delivery and vaccine development.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for reducing antennary fucosylation of complex N-glycans in recombinantly expressed glycoproteins, cell lines that can be used in said methods, respective recombinant glycoproteins, and methods for expressing the same in said cell lines.

Abstract: Provided herein are non-naturally occurring polypeptides comprising a sequence of a fragment of a collagen and recombinant cells containing heterologous nucleic acid sequences encoding the non-naturally occurring polypeptides. Further provided herein are animal-free methods of generating and purifying such non-naturally occurring polypeptides using microorganisms, preferably from bacterial cells.

Abstract: Herein is reported a method for obtaining a polypeptide in monomeric form comprising the steps of a) providing a solution comprising the polypeptide in monomeric form and in aggregated form, wherein the ratio of monomeric to aggregated form is 4:1 or less as determined by size exclusion chromatography, b) performing a mixed-mode chromatography in bind-and-elute mode, or a hydrophobic interaction chromatography in flow-through mode, or a size-exclusion chromatography, and c) performing a weak cation exchange chromatography in bind-and-elute mode or flow-through mode, and thereby obtaining the polypeptide in monomeric form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gene therapy DNA vector VTvaf17 for genetic modification of animal and human cells having SEQ ID No. 1, and methods for its synthesis, involving constructing vectors containing a promoter region of human elongation factor EF1A, a polylinker with sites for restriction endonucleases, a transcription terminator, a polyadenylation sequence of human growth factor, a regulatory element of transposon Tn10 allowing for antibiotic-free positive selection, an origin of replication, and a kanamycin resistance gene. Escherichia coli strain SCS110-AF is also provided by the present invention. The method for creating the strain involves constructing a linear DNA fragment containing regulatory element of transposon Tn10, a levansucrase gene, sacB, a chloramphenicol resistance gene, and two homologous sequences. The E. coli cells are transformed by electroporation and clones surviving chloramphenicol are chosen.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for producing recombinant milk proteins, as well as food compositions comprising the same. In aspects, the recombinant milk proteins of the disclosure are recombinant fusion proteins comprising casein and beta-lactoglobulin.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member. The invention also relates to recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins, formulations containing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing the fusion proteins. Methods for stimulating plant growth and for protecting plants from pathogens by applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members or the formulations to plants or a plant growth medium are also described. The invention also relates to methods for immobilizing spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein on plant roots.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for producing microcystin and recombinant cells capable of producing microcystin. The recombinant cells express exogenous microcystin synthase polypeptides under the control of an exogenous promoter, and further express an exogenous phosphopantethienyl transferase (PPTase). The present invention further relates to microcystin as produced in recombinant cells by the methods described herein.