Abstract: A recombinant baculovirus is provided with a genetic coding sequence for the production of a foreign protein that is toxic to insects. Preferred are nuclear polyhedrosis viruses, with preferred embodiments having been constructed and expressed in insect cells: BmNPV.AaIT and AcNPV.AaIT. Both embodiments function in insect cells infected therewith so as to have the toxin AaIT (originating from the venom of the scorpion A. australis) secreted. A clone designated (pCIB4223), which contains the Bombyx mori signal sequence fused to the AaIT sequence, has been deposited with the American type culture collection and designated “ATCC 40906.

Abstract: This invention describes a novel human glutamate receptors, designated mGluR4. This invention also encompasses nucleic acids encoding this receptor, or a fragment thereof, as well as methods employing this receptor and the nucleic acid compounds.

Abstract: This invention describes a novel human glutamate receptor, designated mGluR8. This invention also encompasses nucleic acids encoding this receptor, or a fragment thereof, as well as methods employing this receptor and the nucleic acid compounds.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel DNA compounds which function as transcriptional activating sequences. Recombinant DNA expression vectors which contain the transcriptional activating sequences and host cells transformed with these expression vectors are also provided. When properly positioned in an expression vector, the novel transcriptional activating sequences enable regulatable expression of an operably linked gene and enhance the structural stability of the expression vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing expression of low molecular weight polypeptides which are produced by recombinant DNA tranformation of prokaryotic host cells. This invention allows the direct expression of these polypeptides without fusion to an otherwise expressible protein and requires only the addition of a single amino acid to the sequence of the polypeptide product of interest.

Abstract: The instant invention provides novel molecules derived from the components of proinsulin using recombinant DNA technology. The invention provides molecules of the formula A--C--B wherein A is the A-chain of an insulin species, B is the B-chain of an insulin species and C is a connecting peptide. These molecules possess insulin-like activity and are useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, particularly non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. These molecules are also useful for the production of insulin and constitute a novel pathway for the recombinant production of insulin species. The invention provides a method of making insulin proceeding through the compounds of the invention as intermediates. The instant invention further provides recombinant DNA compounds which encode the compounds of the invention.