Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for performing primer extension reactions, including employment of amplification primers having 5? tags to incorporate into amplicons variant nucleotides of interest from target nucleic acids at known ratios, with or without sequences surrounding the variant nucleotides of interest. The invention provides identifying the variant nucleotides generated from the target nucleic acid and generated from the 5? tags, comparing the results, evaluating the efficiency of the primer extension reactions, and monitoring the efficacy of such reactions. The invention accounts for DNA sequence and experimental variables that may affect efficiency of incorporation of nucleotides, and provides a reference point for the interpretation of polymorphisms. The invention also provides methods of breeding scrapie-resistant sheep populations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of obtaining altered plasmid contents in bacteria, bearing mutation in at least one of the chromosomal genes, nusG, rho, and dnaC, and the bacterial strains thereof, having the mutated chromosomal genes, individually or in various possible combinations, capable of altering the level of plasmids.

Abstract: An isolated WT1 interacting protein having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, or an isolated protein that has an amino acid sequence in which one or a plurality of amino acids have been substituted, deleted, inserted, and/or added is functionally equivalent to the protein having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2; and comprises the amino acid sequence from Glu at position 449 to Met at position 541 in SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: This invention discloses a commercially advantageous process for extraction and purification of protein from microorganisms. The initial steps of the process are useful for purifying many insoluble proteins while later steps are designed to renature denatured somatotropins produced by transformed microorganisms. The process is especially useful for purifying recombinantly-produced bovine somatotropin.

Abstract: DNA is efficiently transformed into a host by electroporation in the presence of a methylation package, which greatly improves the efficiency of the transformation. The methylation package comprises a source of cysteine, such as cysteine, homocysteine, or glutathione, with optional iron and magnesium ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides adipose-derived stem cells and lattices. In one aspect, the present invention provides a lipo-derived stem cell substantially free of adipocytes and red blood cells and clonal populations of connective tissue stem cells. The cells can be employed, alone or within biologically-compatible compositions, to generate differentiated tissues and structures, both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, the cells can be expanded and cultured to produce hormones and to provide conditioned culture media for supporting the growth and expansion of other cell populations. In another aspect, the present invention provides a lipo-derived lattice substantially devoid of cells, which includes extracellular matrix material from adipose tissue. The lattice can be used as a substrate to facilitate the growth and differentiation of cells, whether in vivo or in vitro, into anlagen or even mature tissues or structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of acetyl CoA synthetase (ACS), plastidic pyruvate dehydrogenase (pPDH), ATP citrate lyase (ACL), Arabidopsis pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), and Arabidopsis aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), specifically ALDH-2 and ALDH-4. The present invention also provides a recombinant vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding one of the aforementioned enzymes, an antisense sequence thereto or a ribozyme therefor, a cell transformed with such a vector, antibodies to the enzymes, a plant cell, a plant tissue, a plant organ or a plant in which the level of an enzyme has been altered, and a method of producing such a plant cell, plant tissue, plant organ or plant. Desirably, alteration of the level of enzyme results in an alteration of the level of acetyl CoA in the plant cell, plant tissue, plant organ or plant.

Abstract: This invention provides a DNA fragment having a promoter function capable of expressing a structural gene which can be expressed in a plant, and discloses a DNA fragment having a promoter function in a plant which is originated from a gene encoding a rice metallothionein as shown by SEQ ID NO: 1, a vector comprising the DNA having the promoter function, a plant cell transformed by the vector; and a regenerated plant and seeds obtainable from the plant cells.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for obtaining specific and stable integration of nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells. The invention makes use of site-specific recombination systems that use prokaryotic recombinase polypeptides, such as the &PHgr;C31 integrase, that can mediate recombination between the recombination sites, but not between hybrid recombination sites that are formed upon the recombination. Thus, the recombination is irreversible in the absence of additional factors. Eukaryotic cells that contain the recombinase polypeptides, or genes that encode the recombinases, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioassay system, for detection of hazardous chemical substances, natural toxic substances in the environment and unknown toxic compounds, with high sensitivity, simplicity and speed. The invention provides cells and a method of using the cells for use in the bioassay system. The cell provided by the invention contains a heat shock factor binding DNA sequence and a transcriptional regulatory sequence necessary on an occasion of stress induction as a transcriptional regulatory factor binding site. The cell also possesses a reporter gene under the control of the promoter. The reporter gene is connected, on the downstream side, to the SV40pA signal without any intervening intron.

Abstract: A method for aqueous phase nucleic acid isolation from a sample, comprising a step of nucleic acid adsorption on a particulate substrate, is disclosed. The method comprises an adsorption reagent preparation step (a) that includes a sol consisting of a aqueous continuous phase and a dispersed particulate substrate phase including a functionalized particulate polymer prepared by polymerizing (1) a first water-soluble acrylamide or acrylamide derivative monomer, (2) at least one cross-linking agent and (3) at least one second water-soluble, cationic and functional monomer, said polymer having a predetermined lower critical solubility temperature (LCST) of 25-45° C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and method useful in screening a compound for its interaction and/or effect with a molecular target and/or cellular process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the isolation and use of super-infective, tumor-specific vectors that are strains of parasites including, but not limited to bacteria, fungi and protists. In certain embodiments the parasites include, but are not limited to, the bacterium Salmonella spp., such as Salmonella typhimurium, the bacterium Mycobacterium avium and the protozoan Leishmania amazonensis. In other embodiments, the present invention is concerned with the isolation of super-infective, tumor-specific, suicide gene-containing strains of parasites for use in treatment of solid tumors.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to vascular smooth muscle proliferation and, in particular, to a method of inhibiting arterial and venous smooth muscle proliferation resulting, for example, from arterial injury or vein grafting. The invention also relates to an expression construct encoding a G&bgr;&ggr; inhibitor suitable for use in such a method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for cleaving a nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner. Enzymes, including 5′ nucleases and 3′ exonucleases, are used to detect and identify nucleic acids derived from microorganisms. Methods are provided which allow for the detection and identification of bacterial and viral pathogens in a sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for site-specific recombinase-mediated mobilization of viral replicons and associated DNAs of interest from T-DNA. The methods of the invention comprise Agrobacterium-mediated transfer of T-DNA to a plant cell, wherein the T-DNA contains a viral replicon flanked by directly repeated target sites for a site-specific recombinase and optionally a DNA of interest linked to the viral replicon. The DNA of interest may also contain a non-identical target site for the recombinase. An expression cassette for the site-specific recombinase is present on the T-DNA or the plant genome, or is transiently introduced into the plant cell. Expression of the site-specific recombinase in the plant cell results in excision of the viral replicon and the associated DNA of interest. The viral replicon and DNA of interest are then replicated to high copy number in the host plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for identifying a substance for the treatment of bone disorders that are associated with reduced bone mass in which the substance is tested for its ability to upregulate the expression of Fra-1 or to modulate the expression of a Fra-1 target gene in osteoblasts where the upregulation or modulation results in an increased bone formation in vivo. The identified osteoinductive compounds and DNA molecules encoding biologically active Fra-1 molecules can be used for the therapy of bone disorders characterized by a circumscribed or systemic reduction of bone mass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the isolation of prostatic cancer tumor cells from a biological fluid, using a magnetic activated cell sorter (MACS).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for influencing the p53 binding to a target gene, wherein the conformations of p53 and the target gene are coordinated especially by means of conformation modulators and the binding of p53 can be directly or indirectly detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting activity of TGF-&bgr;, comprising contacting tissue expressing TGF-&bgr; with an amount of ebaf or an ebaf analogue. The present invention further provides a method for treating a condition associated with overactivity of TGF-&bgr;, particularly fibrosis, a defect in cell proliferation, or a coagulation defect. The present invention also provides a method for inhibiting activity of TGF-&bgr;, comprising contacting tissue expressing TGF-&bgr; with a modulator of ebaf expression, or a modulator of expression of an ebaf analogue. The present invention is further directed to a method for treating fibrosis in a subject in need of treatment, comprising administering to the subject an amount of ebaf or an ebaf analogue effective to treat the fibrosis.