Abstract: A combination of adenoviral and retroviral vectors used to construct second generation packaging cells that deliver marker genes to target cells is described. A vector based upon Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV) was used to deliver marker genes, and an adenovirus-based delivery system was used to deliver MLV structural genes (gagpol and env) to cultured cells. The procedure transformed the cells into new retroviral producer cells, which generate replication-incompetent retroviral particles in the culture supernatant for transferring marker genes to target cells. The titer of the retroviral-containing supernatant generated from the second generation producer cells reached above 105 cfu/ml which is comparable to the MLV-based producer cell lines currently used in human gene therapy trials. The vector and procedures are adaptable for experimental human gene therapy in which the new producer cells are transplanted into patients for continuous gene transfer.

Abstract: Drug delivery conjugates of including a BAL C-tail peptide including all or a portion of the carboxy terminal region of human bile salt-activated lipase (BAL) conjugated to a biologically active substance are described. The C-tail peptide-drug conjugates, when orally ingested, compete with native BAL in binding to the intestinal surface, and, as a result, permit drug compositions to be delivered specifically to the intestine. Useful C-tail peptides are derivatives of the carboxy terminal region of BAL derived from all or portion of the region containing amino acid residues 539 to 722, and have a mucin-like structure containing at least three of the repeating proline-rich units of eleven amino acid residues each.

Abstract: Compositions including all or a portion and chemically or recombinantly synthesized analogues of the carboxy terminal region of bile salt-activated lipase (BAL) are described, which, when orally ingested, compete with native BAL in binding to the intestinal surface and thus reduce the amount of cholesterol taken into the blood stream.

Abstract: Compositions derived from all or a portion of the carboxy terminal region of human bile salt-activated lipase (BAL) are described, which, when orally ingested, compete with native BAL in binding to the intestinal surface, thus reducing the physiological role of BAL in mediating the transfer of cholesterol into the intestinal cells, and, as a result, reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed from the intestine into the blood stream. Useful derivatives of the carboxy terminal region of BAL are derived from all or portion of the region containing amino acid residues 539 to 722, and have a mucin-like structure containing at least three of the repeating proline-rich units of eleven amino acid residues each.

Abstract: A 46,000 Dalton thermostable, very acidic protease, which has been named thermopsin, was purified to homogeneity from the culture medium of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius by a five-step procedure including column chromatographies on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, Sephadex G-100, MonoQ (FPLC), and gel filtration (HPLC). The enzyme is a single polypeptide chain having proteolytic activity over pH range 0 to 11 at temperatures between 0.degree. C. and 100.degree. C., with maximal activity at approximately pH 2 and 90.degree. C. Antibodies directed against thermopsin have been prepared. Through studies using various aspartic protease inhibitors, thiol and metalloprotease inhibitors, and serine protease inhibitors, it was determined that, although similar to some aspartic proteases, the active site of thermopsin is clearly not identical to that of other aspartic proteases.

Abstract: The complete structure of human milk BAL cDNA is disclosed. The nucleotide sequences of the cDNA inserts of two clones overlap and together contain 2951 base pairs of BAL cDNA which codes for an open reading frame of 742 amino acid residues between initiation and termination codons. There is a putative signal sequence of 20 residues which is followed by a 61-amino-terminal sequence of BAL. The cDNA sequence also contains a 678-base 5'-untranslated sequence, a 97-base 3'-untranslated region, and a 14-base poly(A) tail. The deduced BAL protein structure contains in the carboxyl-terminal region fourteen repeating unis of 11 amino acids each. The repeating units have the basic structure of Pro-Val-Pro-Pro-Thr-Gly-Asp-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-, with only minor substitutions.

Abstract: A thermostable, very acidic protease, which has been named thermopsin, was purified to homogeneity from the culture medium of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius by a five-step procedure including column chromatographies on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, Sephadex G-100, MonoQ (FPLC), and gel filtration (HPLC). The enzyme is a single polypeptide chain having proteolytic activity over pH range 0 to 11 at temperatures between 0.degree. and 100.degree. C., with maximal activity at approximately pH 2 and 90.degree. C. Antibodies directed against thermopsin have been prepared. Through studies using various aspartic protease inhibitors, thiol and metalloprotease inhibitors, and serine protease inhibitors, it was determined that, although similar to some aspartic proteases, the active site of thermopsin is clearly not identical to that of other aspartic proteases.

Abstract: Dietary compositions, especially cow's milk-based infant formulas, are fortified with bile salt-activated lipase. Methods are provided for feeding newborn and premature infants which include administration of bile salt-activated lipase to increase fat digestion and therefore growth rate. Similarly, a method is provided to treat subjects for inadequate pancreatic enzyme production by administration of bile salt-activated lipase in conjunction with ingestion of fats.