Abstract: Gene expression systems comprising an expression vector and a "trans-acting DNA segment", where the expression vector comprises the gene or genes to be expressed and one or more cis-acting regulatory elements which are responsive to a trans-acting factor produced by said "trans-acting DNA segment". More specifically the invention relates to such gene expression systems where said "trans-acting DNA segment" and said cis-acting regulatory elements comprise one or more segments of the genome from a Bacillus species. Methods for stimulating the production of gene products, vectors for transforming microorganisms, and their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: Mammalian proteins and muteins thereof, designated interleukin-4s (IL-4s), are provided which exhibit both B cell growth factor activity and T cell growth factor activity. Compounds of the invention include native human and murine IL-4s, muteins thereof, and nucleic acids which are effectively homologous to disclosed cDNAs, and/or which are capable of coding for mammalian IL-4s and their muteins.

Abstract: A method for separating male and female determining spermatozoa includes the initial step of exposing freshly ejaculated spermatozoa in a substantially protein free diluent to an excess concentration of a monoclonal antibody directed against H-Y antigen that binds substantially exclusively with male determining spermatozoa. The method continues with the suspending of the exposed spermatozoa together with a conjugate of (1) an immunoglobulin G antibody that binds substantially exclusively to the monoclonal antibody and (2) an immunoabsorbant substrate in a substantially protein free diluent. This forms a conjugate/spermatozoa preparation. The method concludes with the recovering of the separated male and female determining spermatozoa.

Abstract: Glyphosate-tolerant 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphosikimate (EPSP) synthases, DNA encoding glyhphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases, plant genes encoding the glyphosate-tolerant enzymes, plant transformation vectors containing the genes, transformed plant cells and differentiated transformed plants containing the plant genes are disclosed. The glyphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases are prepared by substituting an alanine residue for a glycine residue in a conserved sequence found between positions 80 and 120 in the mature wild-type EPSP synthase.

Abstract: A new viral strain from the cerebrospinal fluid of an HIV seropositive man is identified. The new strain, products derived from the new strain, a diagnostic method for detecting antibodies to the new strain in biological fluids, and a diagnostic kit for carrying out the method are described.

Abstract: A method of producing a heterologous protein in yeast is disclosed, which comprises transforming a yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with recombinant DNA comprising a promoter selected from the group consisting of a yeast promoter or a hybrid promoter derived from a yeast promoter, particularly a hybrid promoter containing the enhancer region of SV40 virus, and a gene coding for a heterologous protein such as HBsAg and Pre S-HBsAg, particularly full length Pre S-HBsAg culturing, the resulting transformed cells to express the gene coding the heterologous protein, and isolating the heterologous protein from the cultured medium. GAP-DH and PH05 promoters and miniaturized ones can be used as the yeast promoter. The expression of the full length Pre S-HBsAg is carried out in the same expression system as that for 2nd or 3rd Pre S-ABsAg.

Abstract: A method of producing a purified lipid-binding peptide which can bind to phospholipids at one or more amphipatic alpha-helical peptide regions. The method includes providing a gene coding for the peptide, and introducing the gene in expressible, heterologous form in a suitable expression system capable of synthesizing a mixture of peptides which includes the lipid-binding peptide. Addition of either endogenous or exogenous lipids to the peptide mixture forms a low-density lipopeptide complex composed of lipid and the lipid-binding peptide, and this complex can be separated easily from nonlipid-binding peptides in the peptide on the basis of its size and/or density. The method is intended particularly for scaled-up production of purified human apolipoproteins and their alpha-helical lipid-binding regions. Also disclosed are related methods for producing recombinant apolipoproteins, therapeutic lipopeptide compositions, and a stabilized lipid emulsion for nutritional therapy.

Abstract: Kluyveromyces hosts and DNA expression cassettes for use in Kluyveromyces are provided for transcription of endogenous and/or exogenous DNA, and production of peptides, for enhancing production of an endogenous product, or producing an exogenous product. The Kluyveromyces hosts find particular use for secretion of a desired peptide product, where signal sequences may be native to the peptide or provided from endogenous or exogenous signal sequences, including synthetic sequences, functional in Kluyveromyces. A transformation procedure is provided for efficiently transforming Kluyveromyces.

Abstract: Yeast is genetically modified by transformation with an integration vector comprising two copies of a homologous 2 .mu.m plasmid DNA sequence in direct orientation relative to one another and encompassing the said DNA sequence, and then isolating, from the transformed yeast obtained, cells containing the endogenous 2 .mu.m plasmid modified by incorporation of the said DNA sequence but not containing the said vector. The resulting yeast can be maintained under non-selective growth conditions.

Abstract: A halogenation method using a haloperoxidase obtained from a fungus selected from the dematiaceous hyphomycetes. The enzyme has an optimum activity above about pH 5.0, and can oxidize chloride, bromide, or iodide ions.

Abstract: A method producing a non-heme haloperoxidase which is substantially resistant to inactivation, at room temperature, in up to 0.3M H.sub.2 O.sub.2 for up to 25 hours, and up to 0.5mM HOCl for up to two minutes. One such haloperoxidase, isolated from Curvularia inaequalis, contains about 2 gram atoms of zinc per molecule. A halogenation reaction employing the enzyme can be performed at H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and hypohalous acid concentrations which produce rapid inactivation of heme-containing haloperoxidases.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing .alpha.-1-antitrypsin in host cells and for selecting transformed cells comprising the step of transforming the host cell with a DNA molecule comprising a gene which complements a deficiency in the host cell. The host cell is a strain having a deficiency in a function necessary for normal cell growth. The gene in the DNA molecule, such as a plasmid, which complements the deficiency serves as a selectable marker whereby the growth conditions for selection may comprise a conventional complex medium.

Abstract: A microbiological prevention of aflatoxin contamination in cereals and nuts is provided. Bacillus subtilis NK-330 and NK-C-3 effectively inhibit not only growth of aflatoxin-producing fungi including Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus but also production of aflatoxin by them.

Abstract: A eukaryotic expression vector includes a controllable repressor operator sequence witin the expression control sequence of the vector. The controllable repressor operator sequence represses expression of a heterologous structural gene located downstream of the expression control sequence in the presence of a gene product or a combination of gene products of a yeast mating type locus. This allows control of the expression level of the heterologous structural gene. Controllable repressor operator sequences responsive to the a1/.alpha.2 and .alpha.2 gene products of the MATa and MAT.alpha. yeast mating type locus alleles are described, both derived from genetic material and synthesized chemically.

Abstract: Recombinant vaccines for immunizing horses against equine influenza virus (EIV) are disclosed. The DNA sequences encoding the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) glycoproteins from the two strains of EIV currently infective in horses are used to construct vaccinia carried vaccines, to design synthetic peptides for primer and booster administration, and to permit recombinant synthesis of HA and/or NA protein based vaccines. These DNA sequences also provide probes useful for preparing similar vaccines from fresh isolates of new strains generated by genetic drift.

Abstract: An export sequence of export DNA can be identified by transforming a population of cells with a vector having a transposon that includes a structural gene encoding a detectable compound, positioned between insertion sequences. The structural gene encodes a detectable compound that, in wild-type organisms, is translated with an export peptide effective to export the compound. Since the transposon lacks DNA coding for an export sequence capable of exporting the detectable gene product, transformants that export the gene product include a DNA fusion of the transposon to export DNA from the parent cell, in a position to allow expression of the fused DNA. The transformants are analyzed to locate the export DNA or a gene comprising it, and the position of the export DNA in the cell's genome is determined; the orientation of the insertion also is determined.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for efficient production of polypeptides having insulin activity. The proinsulin gene is joined to secretion and processing signals for expession and secretion in yeast. The product may be obtained in enhanced yield in the nutrient medium.Cell line AB103(PYinsl) was deposited at the A.T.C.C. on Apr. 6, 1983 and given Accession No. 20,670.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cytotoxic pharmaceutical combination comprising:at least a first antibody possessing the capacity of selective recognition of a target antigen or antigens carried by cells to be destroyed, the said antibody being characteristic of an animal species different from that of the target cells,at least one cytotoxic conjugate obtained by covalent bond coupling of the A chain of ricin with a second antibody specific for immunoglobins of the animal species to which the said first antibody or antibodies belong.

Abstract: DNA frangments containing an alkaline cellulase K gene, which comprise about 4.0, about 2.4 and about 1.9 kilo base pairs, respectively, each having a specific restruction map, recombinant plasmids containing any of these DNA fragments, and recombinant microorganisms harboring any of said plasmids.The alkaline cellulase K gene is derived from a bacterial strain which belongs to the genus Bacillus and is alkalophilic, that is, capable of revealing an optimum growth in an alkaline pH region.

Abstract: An upstream activator sequence derived from the yeast PGK gene. The upstream activator sequence is contained in the 5' region of the yeast PGK gene between nucleotides -324 and -455. The upstream activator sequence has synthetic linkers attached to either end to facilitate attachment to a vector. Vectors including the upstream activator sequence and a heterologous promoter sequence are described. The upstream activator sequence is used in a method for increasing the expression level of a yeast expression vector.