Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing viral infections using modulators of host cell enzymes relating to mTOR. The invention also provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing viral infections using modulators of host cell enzymes relating to mTOR and modulators of the unfolded protein response.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compounds for treating viral infections using modulators of host cell enzymes relating to long chain fatty acid and lipid droplet metabolism. It includes a method of treating viral infections using triacsin C and its relatives, analogues and derivatives as well as other inhibitors of long chain fatty acid metabolism and lipid droplet metabolism.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compounds for treating viral infections using combinations modulators of an HCV-associated component and modulators of host cell enzymes. The present invention also provides methods and compounds for treating viral infections using combinations of modulators of host cell enzymes and other agents that work, at least in part by modulating hos factors.

Abstract: Latency promoting genomic sequences from human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and virus variants lacking function of one or more of the latency promoting genes are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of using the altered viruses and latency promoting genes and their gene products for the production of vaccines and for identifying antiviral compounds.

Abstract: A method for producing helper-free stocks of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) which can be used to efficiently and stably transduce foreign genes into host cells or organisms. The method comprises the cotransfection of eukaryotic cells with rAAV and with helper AAV DNA in the presence of helper virus (e.g. adenovirus or herpesvirus) such that the helper AAV DNA is not associated with virion formation. The crux of the invention lies in the inability of the helper AAV DNA to recombine with rAAV vector, thereby preventing the generation of wild-type virus. The pure stocks of recombinant AAV provide an AAV viral expression vector system with increased yield of recombinant virus, improved efficiency, higher definition, and greater safety than presently used systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing helper-free stocks of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) which can be used to efficiently and stably transduce foreign genes into host cells or organisms. The method comprises the cotransfection of eukaryotic cells with rAAV and with helper AAV DNA in the presence of helper virus (e.g. adenovirus or herpesvirus) such that the helper AAV DNA is not associated with virion formation. The crux of the invention lies in the inability of the helper AAV DNA to recombine with rAAV vector, thereby preventing the generation of wild-type virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing helper-free stocks of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) which can be used to efficiently and stably transduce foreign genes into host cells or organisms. The method comprises the cotransfection of eukaryotic cells with rAAV and with helper AAV DNA in the presence of helper virus (e.g. adenovirus or herpesvirus) such that the helper AAV DNA is not associated with virion formation. The crux of the invention lies in the inubility of the helper AAV DNA to recombine with rAAV vector, thereby preventing the generation of wild-type virus. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the vector comprises a recombinant AAV genome containing only the terminal regions of the AAV chromosome bracketing a non-viral gene, and the helper AAV DNA comprises a recombinant AAV genome containing that part of the AAV genome which is not present in the vector, and in which the AAV terminal regions are replaced by adenovirus sequences.

Abstract: A human ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, designated hUBC-9, its full amino acid sequence, and nucleic acid polymers which encode hUBC-9 are disclosed. In addition to having functional ubiquitin conjugating activity, this enzyme has transcriptional repressor activity which is independent of the conjugating activity. The conjugating activity of hUBC-9 enhances transcription through degradation of transcription suppressor proteins such as WT1, and possibly, of hUBC-9 itself. The repressor activity of hUBC-9 suppress gene transcription, probably by disrupting the transcriptional initiation complex through specific interactions with the DNA binding region of the TATA binding protein (TBP). In use, hUBC-9, yUBC-9 and other ubiquitin conjugating enzymes having repressor activity can be fused to proteins having a DNA binding domain, such as Gal4, or used in conjunction with reppressors such as Wilm's tumor suppressor gene product, WT1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing helper-free stocks of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) which can be used to efficiently and stably transduce foreign genes into host cells or organisms. The method comprises the cotransfection of eukaryotic cells with rAAV and with helper AAV DNA in the presence of helper virus (e.g. adenovirus or herpesvirus) such that the helper AAV DNA is not associated with virion formation. The crux of the invention lies in the inability of the helper AAV DNA to recombine with rAAV vector, thereby preventing the generation of wild-type virus. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the vector comprises a recombinant AAV genome containing only the terminal regions of the AAV chromosome bracketing a non-viral gene, and the helper AAV DNA comprises a recombinant AAV genome containing that part of the AAV genome which is not present in the vector, and in which the AAV terminal regions are replaced by adenovirus sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chimeric transactivating proteins comprising a functional portion of a DNA binding protein and a functional portion of a transcriptional activator protein. The chimeric transactivating proteins of the invention offer a variety of advantages, including the specific activation of expression of genes engineered to comprise transactivator responsive elements, thereby achieving exceptionally high levels of gene expression. Furthermore, in various embodiments of the invention, the transactivator proteins may be used to increase expression of some genes while repressing the expression of others, thus permitting a greater degree of control of gene expression patterns than other currently available systems. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the function of the chimeric transactivator proteins may be induced, for example, by chemical agents (e.g. IPTG) or changes in temperature.

Abstract: A panel of probes detects and distinguishes between sets of human p53 gene or protein mutations that frequently occur or are selected for in pre-cancer and cancer cells Each set of mutations gives rise to a phenotype that is different from that of wild-type p53 and of at least one other set of p53 mutations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing helper-free stocks of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) which can be used to efficiently and stably transduce foreign genes into host cells or organisms. The method comprises the cotransfection of eukaryotic cells with rAAV and with helper AAV DNA in the presence of helper virus (e.g. adenovirus or herpesvirus) such that the helper AAV DNA is not associated with virion formation. The crux of the invention lies in the inability of the helper AAV DNA to recombine with rAAV vector, thereby preventing the generation of wild-type virus. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the vector comprises a recombinant AAV genome containing only the terminal regions of the AAV chromosome bracketing a non-viral gene, and the helper AAV DNA comprises a recombinant AAV genome containing that part of the AAV genome which is not present in the vector, and in which the AAV terminal regions are replaced by adenovirus sequences.

Abstract: A kit for an amplified hybridization assay is described in which a family of signal-generating secondary probes bind to a primary probe that hybridizes to the target sequence of interest. Thus, an enormously amplified signal is generated by the hybridization event. The assay can be used for a variety of laboratory and clinical purposes and is automatable. A hybridization assay kit is also described. The kit is used for the detection of a target nucleotide sequence. One embodiment of the kit includes a plurality of secondary probes, each secondary probe capable of binding to a distinct binding site of the primary probe.

Abstract: A panel of probes that detect and distinguish between sets of human p53 gene or protein mutations that frequently occur or are selected for in pre-cancer and cancer cells, each set giving rise to a phenotype that is different from that of wild-type p53 and of at least one other set of p53 mutants.

Abstract: An amplified hybridization assay is described in which a family of signal-generating secondary probes bind to a primary probe that hybridizes to the target sequence of interest. Thus, an enormously amplified signal is generated by the hybridization event. The assay can be used for a variety of laboratory and clinical purposes and is automatable.