Patents Examined by Richard A. Schwartz
  • Cholera toxin gene regulated by tissue-specific promoters
    Patent number: 5416017
    Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of physiologic engineering by genetically altering second messenger levels in cells. This method allows the hyperactivation or inhibition of cell function within cells, tissues and animals by introducing a foreign gene that alters a second messenger system. The use of physiologically engineered animals as systems for determining the effectiveness of therapeutic compositions is also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: Frank H. Burton, J. Gregor Sutcliffe
  • Cross-regulation of gene expression in recombinant cells
    Patent number: 5416008
    Abstract: Recombinant cells providing for the controlled expression of product proteins by way of cross-regulation between interacting operons. A structural gene for a product protein and a structural gene for a repressor of a second operon are included in a first operon. A protein encoded by a structural gene of the second operon is a repressor of the first operon. The second operon may reside on a plasmid or a chromosome of the host cell. The present invention provides for controlled expression of product protein over a range of copy numbers, as well as high transcription efficiency in the induced state. The invention includes methods for the controlled expression of product protein by recombinant cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: James E. Bailey, Wilfred Chen, Pauli Kallio
  • Recombinant coryneform bacterium for producing L-tryptophan
    Patent number: 5407824
    Abstract: L-tryptophan is produced by constructing a recombinant DNA composed of a vector DNA and DNA fragments bearing all of genetic information relating to the synthesis of DS, AS, PRT, PRAI, InGPS, TS and PGDH, introducing the recombinant DNA into a microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium or Brevibacterium, culturing the microorganism in a medium, and recovering L-tryptophan accumulated in the culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Katsumata, Masato Ikeda, Keiko Nakanishi
  • Artificial promoter for the expression of proteins in yeast
    Patent number: 5407822
    Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial promoter for the expression of proteins, especially urate oxidase in yeast, which comprises:a sub-sequence upstream from the TATA component of the sequence of the promoter of the GAL7 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which comprises the upstream activation sequences UAS1 and UAS2; anda sub-sequence of the sequence of an ADH.sub.2 promoter comprising the TATA component and the transcription initiation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Sanofi
    Inventors: Pascal Leplatois, Gerard Loison, Bernard Pessegue, David Shire
  • Bacillus thuringiensis isolates active against lepidopteran pests, and genes encoding novel lepidopteran-active toxins
    Patent number: 5407825
    Abstract: Novel Bacillus thuringiensis genes encoding toxins which are active against lepidopteran insects have been cloned from novel lepidopteran-active B. thuringiensis microbes. The DNA encoding the B. thuringiensis toxins can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes to express the B. thuringiensis toxins. These recombinant microbes can be used to control lepidopteran insects in various environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Mycogen Corp.
    Inventors: Jewel Payne, August J. Sick
  • Acetic acid assimilating gene and a method for preventing accumulation of acetic acid in culture medium
    Patent number: 5405777
    Abstract: The gene responsible for the capability of E. coli to assimilate acetic acid has been isolated and characterized. Transforming bacteria with this gene enhances the bacteria's ability to assimilate acetic acid and results in a bacteria having improved growth characteristics, particularly on culture media containing glucose as a nutrient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Ichihara, Takeshi Mizuno
  • Retrons coding for hybrid DNA/RNA molecules
    Patent number: 5405775
    Abstract: A multicopy single-stranded DNA (msDNA) synthesizing system in E. coli is disclosed. The use of the msDNA system to synthesize cDNA in vivo is disclosed. Construction of synthetic msDNA is also disclosed. Also processes for gene amplification and for producing a stable RNA are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
    Inventors: Masayori Inouye, Sumiko Inouye
  • t-PA with growth factor domain substitutions
    Patent number: 5403734
    Abstract: A plasminogen activator comprising a growth factor domain, a kringle domain and a serine protease domain is disclosed. The growth factor domain contains a plurality of substitutions of substantially consecutive amino acids as compared to the growth factor domain of native t-PA, the substitutions resulting in an increase in plasma half-life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: ZymoGenetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eileen R Mulvihill, Patrick J. O'Hara
  • Expression of MDR-related gene in yeast cell
    Patent number: 5399483
    Abstract: A yeast host which can express P-glycoprotein, i.e., the product of MDR-related gene, in the cell membrane in the same state as observed in multidrug resistant cells produced by connecting the MDR-related gene which carries multidrug resistance to a yeast expression vector and transforming the yeast with said recombinant vector; a cell membrane fraction containing a substantial amount of P-glycoprotein produced by said yeast and a process for the preparation thereof; and a recombinant vector for expressing the MDR-related gene in a yeast host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Shibano, Kazumitsu Ueda, Tohru Komano
  • Chromosomal expression vector
    Patent number: 5395763
    Abstract: A novel chromosomal expression vector based on the bacteriophage Mu is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Robin A. Weinberg, Pamela A. De Ciechi, Mark G. Obukowicz
  • Promoter of the gene which codes for the pilinic subunit fim3 of Bordetella pertussis and its use for the expression in Bordetella of the genes which code for a protein of interest
    Patent number: 5395764
    Abstract: The isolation and characterization of the promoter regions of the genes which code for the pilinic subunits fim2, fim3 and fimx of Bordetella pertussis, are described, as well as the construction of vectors containing the regions, and microorganisms transformed by the vectors.The promoter regions, or nucleotide fragments thereof, are particularly useful for the regulable or non-regulable expression of genes which code for a protein of interest in a strain of Bordetella. The transformed Bordetella strains are particularly suitable for the development of an effective anti-pertussis vaccine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Eniricerhce S.p.A.
    Inventors: Barbara Riboli, Paola Pedroni, Anna Cuzzoni, Francesca de Ferra, Guido Grandi
  • Plasmid pHKY334, an expression vector for EK-BGH and host cells transformed therewith
    Patent number: 5395761
    Abstract: Plasmid pHKY334, an expression vector for Met-Phe-Pro-Leu-(Asp).sub.4 -Leu-BGH, and host cells containing plasmid pHKY334 are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Hershberger, Jeffrey L. Larson
  • Methods for transforming streptomyces and other actinomycetes
    Patent number: 5393665
    Abstract: Novel vectors and methods for a single-stranded DNA mediated gene transfer system via transformation, fusion or transduction of Streptomyces, other actinomycetes, and E. coli using a variety of vectors. Phasmid shuttle vectors of the invention are particularly useful as single-stranded vectors that appear to bypass one or more host cell restriction systems, and thus increase the efficiency of gene transfer into highly restrictive host cell systems. New and useful vectors are provided that allow for the cloning of genes both for increasing the yields of known antibiotics and also for producing new antibiotics, antibiotic derivatives, or any other useful gene product, including a variety of mammalian protein products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Fayerman, Richard K. Stanzak
  • DNA, vectors and transformed hosts encoding Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I
    Patent number: 5393670
    Abstract: Methods and means for the construction of strains of yeast capable of producing cellulolytic enzymes, achieved by the transfer of chromosomal genes or cDNA copies of mRNAs coding for cellulolytic enzymes isolated from the fungus Trichoderma reesei to yeast cells using recombinant DNA vectors capable of replicating in yeast. The correct expression of these cellulolytic genes in yeast leads to the production of cellulolytic enzymes which are secreted from the cell. This allows the yeast to hydrolyze 3-1,4-glucan substrates such as cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Oy Alko AB
    Inventors: Jonathan Knowles, Merja Penttila, Tuula Teeri, Helena M. K. Nevalainen, Paivi Lehtovaara-Helenius
  • Ubiquitin-specific protease
    Patent number: 5391490
    Abstract: A ubiquitin-specific protease which cleaves ubiquitin from any protein or peptide to which ubiquitin is joined and the gene encoding the protease are disclosed. The protease specifically cleaves the peptide bond in a fusion of ubiquitin to a protein or peptide between the carboxyl-terminal amino acid residue of a ubiquitin moiety and the .alpha.-amino group of any non-ubiquitin protein or peptide to which ubiquitin is joined. Recombinant expression vectors containing a DNA sequence encoding the ubiquitin-specific protease can be used to transform cells for production of the protease or to provide the cell with the ability to proteolytically deubiquitinate, in vivo, ubiquitin fusions co-produced by the cell. The protease can also be isolated and used to deubiquitinate ubiquitin fusions in vitro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Alexander J. Varshavsky, John W. Tobias
  • DNA-molecules coding for FMDH control regions and structural gene for a protein having FMDH-activity and their use thereof
    Patent number: 5389525
    Abstract: The invention relates to DNA-molecules comprising DNA-sequences encoding control regions and the structural gene for a protein having formate dehydrogenase (FMDH) activity. Said DNA-molecules may be combined with DNA-sequences encoding foreign genes so as to bring these genes under the stringent control of the regulation of the FMDH regulatory sequences and/or may be combined to DNA-sequences coding for secretory signals. The invention further relates to recombinant vectors containing said DNA-molecules and micro-organisms containing said vectors or DNA-molecules. Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for producing a useful substance by producing this substance by culturing said micro-organisms and recovering the substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Rhein Biotech
    Inventors: Cornelius P. Hollenberg, Zbigniew Janowicz
  • Recombinant avipoxvirus
    Patent number: 5387519
    Abstract: A recombinant Avipoxvirus having inserted exogenous DNA in a DNA region non-essential to proliferation of Avipoxvirus is provided. The recombinant Avipoxvirus is produced by inserting a promoter and exogenous DNA capable of expression under its control into a DNA region non-essential to proliferation of Avipoxvirus, utilizing DNA coding for a readily detectable enzyme, or, non-homologous DNA fragment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Yanagida, Sakiko Saeki, Ryohei Ogawa, Kouichi Kamogawa
  • Gene expression in bacilli
    Patent number: 5387521
    Abstract: The invention relates to genes, vectors and Bacilli transformed with them which are useful in the hyperproduction of enzymes. The invention also relates to processes for producing enzymes using the genes, vectors and organisms of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugenio Ferrari
  • Transfer vectors and microorganisms containing human cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter regulatory DNA sequence
    Patent number: 5385839
    Abstract: The cloning of a eucaryotic promoter-regulatory region that functions preferentially in human cells is disclosed. The invention is exemplified by the cloning of a section of the human cytomegalovirus genome comprising a DNA sequence with regulatory and promoter signals and an initiation site for RNA synthesis. The fragment, termed the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) promoter-regulatory sequence, was obtained from purified HCMV DNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventor: Mark F. Stinski
  • DNA encoding analogs of human alveolar surfactant protein SP-5
    Patent number: 5385840
    Abstract: Various specific human SP-18 and human SP-5 derived peptides have alveolar surfactant protein (ASP) activity. These peptides are prepared using synthetic methods or by recombinant techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Scios Nova Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Benson, Robert T. White, James W. Schilling, Jr., Douglas I. Buckley, Robert M. Scarborough