Abstract: This invention relates to an agarase enzyme system purified from bacterial strain 2-40, which has a high level of activity for the depolymerization of complex polysaccharides, including agar and agarose. Further, the invention relates to methods of purifying, defining, characterizing and assaying the agarase enzyme system and the encoding gene(s). Finally, the invention relates to methods of using the purified agarase enzyme system.

Abstract: Mutant human acidic fibroblast growth factor proteins are recombinantly produced having replaced cysteine residues with amino acids incapable of disulfide bond formation. The recombinantly produced mutant human acidic fibroblast growth factor proteins have improved biological activity in the absence of heparin when compared to wild-type recombinant human acidic fibroblast growth factor.

Abstract: A cDNA sequence encoding human .kappa.-casein.

Abstract: A ribonuclease molecule altered at a single amino acid, relative to its wild-type form, displays altered substrate specificity and substrate binding mechanism. The altered protein cleaves RNA efficiently after C, U and A residues, whereas the wild-type protein cannot cleave efficiently after A. The change that alters the specificity also permits the protein to cleave poly (A) portions of an RNA molecule processively.

Abstract: The present invention provides unique prepared immunogens, site-specific polyclonal antisera and monoclonal antibodies against the DNA-binding domain of estrogen receptor protein, and immunoassay to determine the functional status of estrogen receptors in a cellular sample. Collectively or individually the component parts of the invention provide the ability not only to identify accurately the presence of human estrogen receptor but also the capability of determining whether the estrogen receptor exists in a functional or non-functional state.

Abstract: E. coli harboring the mutant plasmid pKGP-HA1mut4 and an inactive pCM-X# are chloramphenicol resistant and that the mutation responsible for the expression of CAT from the inactive pCM-X# plasmid is a G to A transition at nucleotide 664 of T7 gene 1 that converts glutamic acid (222) to lysine. This mutation expands the range of T7 promoter sequences that can be utilized by the enzyme. The mutant T7 RNA polymerase, GP1(lys222), utilizes inactive T7 promoter point mutants more efficiently than wild-type T7 RNA polymerase both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the correlation of in vivo and in vitro promoter utilization suggests that the restoration of chloramphenicol resistance in the cotransformed E. coli results from the ability of GP1(lys222) to initiate transcription from T7 promoter point mutants that are normally inactive.

Abstract: Novel substantially pure periplasmic 3':5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases are provided which are obtainable from gram negative bacterium capable of growing on restricted media containing cAMP or cGMP as a sole carbon source. Also provided is the isolated DNA coding for such enzymes and related methods of producing the same.

Abstract: Use of human blood coagulation factor XIII for the treatment of ulceration colitisThe use of human blood coagulation factor XIII for the treatment of ulcerative colitis is demonstrated in 4 representative cases. Treatment with factor XIII leads to rapid and total disappearence of the chief symptoms realizing transition to the remission stage.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel bacterial cells characterized by hypersecretion of an amino acid, wherein a DNA inversion gene has been incorporated into said bacterial cells. Also disclosed are methods of producing said bacterial cells and methods of producing amino acids from said bacterial cells.

Abstract: A method of combatting dental caries in a mammal comprises topical application to a surface of a tooth in the mammals mouth of a monoclonal antibody raised against antigen I or antigen I/II of Streptococcus mutans serotype c.

Abstract: The method of preventing arterial thrombotic occlusion or thromboembolism by administering plasma-derived or recombinant produced protein C alone or in combination with a thrombolytic agent or combinations of thrombolytic agents.

Abstract: An assay for screening snake venom for the presence or absence of platelet aggregation inhibitors (PAIs) based on specific receptor binding is described. Using this assay, the identification and characterization of the PAI in a wide range of snake venom samples were accomplished. The purified PAI from several of these active snake venoms is described. In addition, PAIs lacking the Arg-Gly-Asp adhesion sequence but containing Lys-Gly-Asp are prepared and shown to specifically inhibit the binding of fibrinogen or von Willebrand Factor to GP IIb-IIIa.

Abstract: Novel hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies which react specifically with human pancreatic cancer cells are described. Methods for producing antigenic preparations to generate the hybridoma cell lines and for selecting, purifying and characterizing the monoclonal antibodies reactive with human cells, including pancreatic cancer cells, are disclosed. The antigens to which the antibodies of the invention are specific are characterized.

Abstract: Type III TGF-.beta. receptor is identified in and purified from normal human embryonic palatal mesenchyme (HEPM) cells and the purified product characterized structurally and functionally. HEPM cells were found to express high levels of the type III TGF-.beta. receptor and were found to significantly down-regulate two classes of TGF-.beta. receptor binding site. Purification of the type III TGF-.beta. receptor from solubilized HEPM cell membranes by affinity chromatography yielded a biologically active protein of about 205 kd which specifically binds both the recombinant and natural forms of TGF-.beta.1 and TGF-.beta.2, with affinity dissociation constants in the picomolar range.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a mutant cephalosporin C acylase derived from a precursor of the formula:A.sup.1-268 --X.sup.1 --Tyr--X.sup.2 --A.sup.272-304 --X.sup.3 --A.sup.306-773(SEQ ID NO:1), wherein:A.sup.1-268 is the same amino acid sequence as that from Thr.sup.1 to Gly.sup.268 of native CC acylase,A.sup.272-304 is the same amino acid sequence as that from Gln.sup.272 to Tyr.sup.304 of native CC acylase,A.sup.306-773 is the same amino acid sequence as that from Val.sup.306 to Ala.sup.773 of native CC acylase,X.sup.1 is Met or other amino acid,X.sup.2 is Ala or Tyr, andX.sup.3 is Cys or Ser,provided that when X.sup.1 is Met and X.sup.2 is Ala, X.sup.3 is Ser; and that the mutant cephalosporin C acylase has a property selected from the group consisting of higher enzymatic potency and higher processing efficiency, as compared to native CC acylase.

Abstract: An important intermediate for preparing cephalosporin antibiotics, 7-aminodesacetoxy cephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA), is prepared by a novel bioprocess in which a transformed Penicillium chrysogenum strain is cultured in the presence of an adipate feedstock to produce adipoyl-6-APA (6-amino penicillanic acid); and the in situ expression of an expandase gene, e.g., from Streptomyces clavuligerus, with which the P. chrysogenum has been transformed, converts the adipoly-6-APA by ring expansion to adipoyl-7-ADCA. The final product, 7-ADCA, is then prepared by cleavage of the adipoyl side chain using an adipoyl acylase. The entire synthesis, accordingly, is carried out using bioprocesses, and is efficient and economical.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the determination of an enzyme from an isoenzyme mixture in a liquid sample by inhibition of the disturbing isoenzymes and determination of the non-inhibited enzyme, wherein the isoenzyme mixture is contacted with one or more substances which are able to inhibit the disturbing isoenzymes, the sample containing the inhibiting substance(s) is transferred to a small-pored reaction medium and the disturbing enzyme is there inhibited and the determination of the non-inhibited enzyme is carried out in the resulting liquid.The present invention also provides a test carrier for carrying out this process.

Abstract: The present invention provides unique prepared immunogens, site-specific polyclonal antisera and monoclonal antibodies against the DNA-binding domain of estrogen receptor protein, and immunoassay to determine the functional status of estrogen receptors in a cellular sample. Collectively or individually the component parts of the invention provide the ability not only to identify accurately the presence of human estrogen receptor but also the capability of determining whether the estrogen receptor exists in a functional or non-functional state.

Abstract: Mutant human acidic fibroblast growth factor proteins are recombinantly produced having replaced cysteine residues with amino acids incapable of disulfide bond formation. The recombinantly produced mutant human acidic fibroblast growth factor proteins have improved biological activity in the absence of heparin when compared to wild-type recombinant human acidic fibroblast growth factor.

Abstract: This invention encompasses novel chimeric glycoproteins which are useful for preparing virus specific immune responses against human parainfluenza virus type 3, PIV3. Host cells transformed with structural genes coding for the glycoproteins, expression and replication plasmids containing the structural genes, vaccines made from the glycoproteins and methods for protecting humans by inoculation with said vaccines are also part of this invention.