Abstract: A method of enhancing growth and/or commercial yield of a plant is provided. The method is effected by expressing within the plant a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence at least 60% homologous to that set forth in SEQ ID NOs:3, 5, 6 or 7.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the production of anti-self antibodies and antibody fragments, being antibodies or fragments of a particular species of mammal which bind self antigens of that species. Methods comprise providing a library of replicable genetic display packages (rgdps), such as filamentous phage, each rgdp displaying at its surface a member of a specific binding pair which is an antibody or antibody fragment and each rgdp containing nucleic acid sequence derived from a species of mammal. The nucleic acid sequence in each rgdp encodes a polypeptide chain which is a component part of the sbp member displayed at the surface of that rgdp. Anti-self antibody fragments are selected by binding with a self antigen from the said species of mammal. The displayed antibody fragments may be scFv, Fd, Fab or any other fragment which has the capability of binding antigen. Nucleic acid libraries used may be derived from a rearranged V-gene sequences of unimmunised mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides expressed and processed in yeast, a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence encoding such polypeptides, vectors carrying such DNA fragments and yeast cells transformed with the vectors, as well as a process of producing heterologous proteins in yeast.

Abstract: A method for the production of transgenic plants is provided in which a vector carrying a gene encoding the green fluorescent protein is introduced into cells, the cells are screened for the protein and transformed cells are selected and regenerated. The cellular toxicity of the green fluorescent protein is circumvented by regulating expression of the gene encoding the protein or directing the protein to a subcellular compartment where it is not toxic to the cell. DNA constructs are provided for cell transformation in which the expression of a gene encoding the green fluorescent protein is placed under the control of an inducible promoter. In addition, DNA constructs are provided in which a nucleotide sequence encoding the green fluorescent protein is operably linked to a signal sequence which directs the expressed protein to a subcellular compartment where the protein is not toxic to the cell.

Abstract: The invention concerns a biological material for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating a mammal by gene transfer, comprising, either at least a nucleic acid sequence containing a therapeutic gene and in a form enabling in vivo transfer of said gene into the cells of the mammal, or at least one cell of the mammal not naturally producing antibodies, genetically modified in vitro by at least a previous nucleic acid sequence, and in a form enabling its incorporation into the organism of the mammal as well as optionally its previous culture. The invention is characterized by the fact that said nucleic acid sequence contains an antibody gene and elements for expressing in vivo said antibody gene and the secretion in the blood circulation of a mammal of a therapeutically effective amount of this antibody or a fragment of it, by cells of said mammal genetically modified by said nucleic acid sequence and not naturally producing antibodies.

Abstract: Hybrid nucleic acid sequences including at least the coding region of an unedited mitochondrial gene of superior plants and controlling the male fertility of plants containing said sequences, transgenic plants having such sequences and methods of production of transgenic male-sterile plants and method of restoring male-fertile plants. The nuclei of the transgenic plants contain a hybrid sequence capable of being expressed (transgene), comprising at least one coding region of an unedited mitochondrial gene of superior plants and a sequence capable of transferring the protein expressed by said coding region, to the mitochondrion, said hybrid sequence being capable of modifying the male fertility of plants having incorporated said transgene, while leaving the other phenotype characteristics of said plants unaltered.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of controlling endosperm and seed development in plants.

Abstract: CGTases, which, when converting starch or starch-like substrates to CD, produce &ggr;-CD to an increased extent and still exhibit at least 60% of the specific total CGTase activity of the starting CGTase which was used for preparing the enzyme concerned. The amino acid sequences differ from the amino acid sequences of known CGTases by the deletion of from 3 to 8 amino acids from the region from amino acid position 155 up to and including amino acid position 195, where position 1 of the protein sequence is the beginning of the signal peptide of the CGTase and the deletion brings about the increase in the &ggr;-CGTase activity of the protein.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a polynucleotide encoding a chimeric protein comprising an endoplasmic reticulum localization signal peptide, a transport moiety, and a moiety of interest, wherein the endoplasmic reticulum localization signal peptide, the transport moiety, and the moiety of interest are operably linked with each other, a vector comprising the polynucleotide, a cell comprising such a vector, and a method of expressing a protein comprising the transport moiety and the moiety of interest.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods for effecting the production of recombinant mammalian procollagen in yeast, as well as compositions comprising yeast cells cap producing mammalian procollagen.

Abstract: A method for identifying target cells and tissues which internalize known or putative ligands is provided. A ligand displaying genetic package that carries a reporter or selectable marker and presents a ligand on its surface is utilized to screen a variety of cells and tissue types for the ability to be successfully transduced by the ligand displaying genetic package.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for identifying secretory genes and in particular adherence genes from Helicobacter pylori as well as a suitable gene bank therefor.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for detection of recombinant proteins. The fusion proteins of the invention comprise a capture tag sequence, a detection tag sequence, and polypeptide sequence of interest.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the cloning, sequencing and expression of a conserved immunoreactive 28-kDa protein gene (P28) from a polymorphic multiple gene family of Ehrlichia canis. E. canis P28 has an 834-bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 278 amino acids with four variable regions, and shares similar surface-exposed regions, antigenicity and T-cell motifs with E. chaffeensis P28. Also disclosed is that recombinant E. canis P28 protein reacts with convalescent phase antiserum from an E. canis-infected dog.

Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences are provided for the diagnosis of the presence of retroviral infection in a human host associated with lymphadenopathy syndrome and/or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, for expression of polypeptides and use of the polypeptides to prepare antibodies, where both the polypeptides and antibodies may be employed as diagnostic reagents or in therapy, e.g., vaccines and passive immunization. The sequences provide detection of the viral infectious agents associated with the indicated syndromes and can be used for expression of antigenic polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates in general to plants, plant cells, methods of making, and methods of using plants and plant cells transformed to contain a DNA sequence encoding an AMPA-N-acetyltransferase, and to plants and plant cells exhibiting resistance to AMPA in an amount which inhibits the growth of a plant or plant cell lacking a sequence encoding an AMPA-N-acetyltransferase.

Abstract: Novel nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins involved in the synthesis and assembly of core lipopolysaccharide in P. aeruginosa; and novel proteins encoded by the nucleic acid molecules are described. Methods are disclosed for detecting P.aeruginosa in a sample by determining the presence of the proteins or a nucleic acid molecule encoding the proteins in the sample.

Abstract: A process for site-directed integration of multiple copies of a gene in a mould is provided, which comprises transforming a mould cell containing in its chromosomal DNA a restriction site for a rare-cutting endonuclease, e.g., I-Scel, preferably introduced at a desired locus, e.g., within a selectable marker gene or in the neighborhood thereof, with a piece of DNA comprising multiple copies of at least one expressible gene comprising at least one structural gene encoding a desired protein, surrounded by two DNA fragments homologous to part of the DNA upstream and downstream, and in the neighborhood, of said restriction site, while during the transformation of the mould the presence of the rare-cutting endonuclease is provided, followed by selecting or screening for a mould cell in which the multiple gene copies of said expressible gene are inserted into the chromosomal DNA of the mould.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a class of genes called oil body protein genes that have unique features. The discovery of these features allowed the invention of methods for the production of recombinant proteins wherein a protein of interest can be easily separated from other host cell components. The invention is further exemplified by methods for exploitation of the unique characteristics of the oil body proteins and oil body genes for expression of polypeptides of interest in many organisms, particularly plant seeds. Said polypeptides include thioredoxin and/or thioredoxin reductase. The invention can also be modified to recover recombinant polypeptides fused to oil body proteins from non-plant host cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to the genetic manipulation of plants to increase oil accumulation in plant tissues, particularly seeds. Methods for decreasing &bgr;-oxidation in plants and optimizing oil accumulation in a seeds are provided. The methods find use in increasing the accumulation of oil or particular oil constituents in plant seeds. Isolated nucleotide molecules, isolated proteins, expression cassettes and transformed plants, plant tissues and plant cells are additionally provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to cassettes for the expression of storable gene products in leaves and specifically in seeds, especially single-chain antibody fragments in leaves and seeds of transgenic tobacco and pea plants. The fields of application of the invention are biotechnology, medicine (diagnosis and therapy), foodstuffs and plant control and agriculture. The expression cassette of the invention comprises constitutive or seed-specific promoters, the LeB4 signal peptide, a gene to be expressed and an ER retention signal. Preference is given to an expression cassette containing the CaMV 35S promoter as the constitutive promoter, the gene for a single-chain antibody fragment as the gene and the amino acid sequence KDEL as the ER retention signal.

Abstract: New bacteriocins capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria are disclosed, along with methods of obtaining secretion of proteins from lactic acid bacteria, and methods for protecting foodstuffs.

Abstract: The present invention provides and includes nucleic acids, proteins and antibodies associated with novel genes in the MEP pathway. The invention further encompasses methods utilizing such molecules, for example in gene isolation, gene analysis and the production of transgenic plants. The present invention also includes transgenic plants modified to express proteins associated with the MEP pathway.

Abstract: A therepeutic method whereby an individual suspected of having an &agr;-galactosidase A deficiency, such as Fabry disease, is treated either with (1) human cells that have been genetically modified to overexpress and secrete human &agr;-gal A, or (2) purified human &agr;-gal A obtained from cultured, genetically modified human cells.

Abstract: Methods for the production of recombinant proteins containing repeating units are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for the production of degenerate polynucleotides encoding said recombinant proteins. In addition, polypeptides and polynucleotides produced by the methods of current invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for z219a, a novel member of the human 2-19 protein family. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, may be used for detecting human chromosomal abnormalities. The present invention also includes antibodies to the z219a polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing recombinant virus. This method is based on the use of baculovirus for providing the complementary functions. It also concerns constructs used for implementing this method, the producing cells, and the resulting virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oligonucleotide (aarC) which encodes a novel bacterial polypeptide (AarC) that is essential for the viability of bacteria. The invention provides recombinant expression vectors comprising the nucleotide sequence encoding AarC, as well as host cells containing these expression vectors. Further provided herein are methods for screening bacteria which contain aarC or variants or homologs thereof. Also provided are methods for using the aarC oligonucleotide sequence to screen antimicrobials which target AarC activity in gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of aarC in diagnostic assays which utilize the aarC oligonucleotide to hybridize with nucleic acid sequences encoding AarC as well as with AarC mRNA. The invention further describes monoclonal and polyclonal AarC antibodies and their use in diagnostic assays for the detection of bacteria which express AarC.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for engineering and selecting an active protease able to cleave a user-defined target amino acid sequence. The method is useful for designing proteases for medical therapeutics and industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence comprising at least three positively charged amino acid residues, positioned upstream and in frame with a second nucleotide sequence encoding a protein. In addition, the present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a DNA binding protein, positioned upstream and in frame with a second nucleotide sequence encoding a protein. An isolated nucleic acid is also provided, which comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding a bacteriophage lambda repressor protein, positioned upstream and in frame with a second nucleotide sequence encoding a protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic plants or algae expressing an AGP enzyme coupled to a transit peptide. In particular, the present invention relates to transgenic plants or algae in which the activity of the AGP enzyme or subunit thereof is substantially independent of any level of in vivo 3-phospho-glycerate and any in vivo level of inorganic phosphate and wherein the activity of the AGP enzyme or subunit thereof is not stimulated by fructose-1,6-bisP and is not inhibited by AMP.

Abstract: Novel vectors are disclosed for expressing and secreting heterologous polypeptides from filamentous fungi. Such vectors are used in novel processes to express and secrete such heterologous polypeptides. The vectors used for transforming a filamentous fungus to express and secrete a heterologous polypeptide include a DNA sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide and a DNA sequence encoding a signal sequence which is functional in a secretory system in a given filamentous fungus and which is operably linked to the sequence encoding the heterologous polypeptide. Such signal sequences may be the signal sequence normally associated with the heterologous polypeptides or may be derived from other sources. The vector may also contain DNA sequences encoding a promoter sequence which is functionally recognized by the filamentous fungus and which is operably linked to the DNA sequence encoding the signal sequence.

Abstract: A plant, the nuclear genome of which is transformed with a foreign DNA sequence encoding a protein or polypeptide which disrupts the metabolism, functioning and/or development of stamen cells of the plant, said foreign DNA under the control of a stamen-specific promoter. The foreign DNA sequence also optionally encodes a marker.

Abstract: Methods are provided for infecting eukaryotic cells with a bacterial virus comprising introducing into the eukaryotic cell DNA that expresses a membrane receptor for a bacterial virus and exposing the cell to the bacterial virus. Eukaryotic cells that contain DNA that expresses a membrane receptor for a bacterial virus are also provided.

Abstract: A gene has been isolated from Arabidopsis encoding sinapoylglucose:malate sinapoyltransferase (SMT). SMT is responsible for the substitution of a glucose moiety on sinapoylglucose with a malate moiety to form sinapoylmalate in plant vacuoles. The enzyme is useful the manipulation of plant secondary metabolism.

Abstract: A Bacillus strain has a chromosome with the following modifications: a mutation of a spoIIIE gene which blocks transfer of the prespore chromosome; a mutation which prevents loss of SpoOJ function from blocking sporulation; a first reporter gene dependent on &sgr;F factor and placed at a location where impaired SpoOJ function leads to increased trapping in the prespore; and a second reporter gene having a promoter which is dependent on &sgr;F factor and where impaired SpoOJ function leads to reduced trapping in the prespore. The strain is useful in a method of screening for putative antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to secretion in Gram-positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for the Bacillus subtilis secretion factors SecDF. The present invention also provides improved methods for the secretion of heterologous or homologous proteins in gram-positive microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to high-level production of pHBA in green plants using a unique expression cassette. The latter comprises a chorismate pyruvate lyase (CPL) coding sequence operably linked to a suitable promoter capable of driving protein expression in higher plants. Additionally, the CPL cassette comprises a sequence encoding a chloroplast transit peptide, its natural cleavage site, and a small portion of the transit peptide donor protein fused to the N-terminus of CPL. The chloroplast targeting sequence targets the foreign protein to the chloroplast compartment and aids in its uptake into the organelle. The cleavage site is unique to the transit peptide, and cleavage of the chimeric protein encoded by the cassette at this site releases a novel polypeptide that has full enzyme activity, comprising the mature CPL enzyme and a small portion of the transit peptide donor.

Abstract: Human insulin-like growth factors is synthesized in recombinant cell culture by host cells transformed with expression vectors bearing DNA encoding human insulin-like growth factors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant-DNA-technology, and particularly to genes involved in the control of basic metabolic processes in fungi. The invention specifically provides a mutated form of the native glucose repressor gene cre of filamentous fungi, wherein the mutation is situated in the C-terminal domain, the N-terminal first zinc finger being intact and the C-terminal region including the second zinc finger being mutated so that the viability of a strain carrying said mutated gene is maintained and the glucose repression is relieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-throughput screen for use in assaying for enzyme inhibitors of a target organism, comprising: a microorganism host in which an endogenous enzyme encoding gene has been replaced by a functionally complementing enzyme encoding gene from the target organism. The present invention also provides a method of identifying an inhibitor of a target organism enzyme, comprising the step of assaying a test inhibitor using a high-throughput screen comprising a microorganism host in which an endogenous enzyme encoding gene has been replaced by a functionally complementing enzyme encoding gene from the target organism.

Abstract: The present invention discloses genetically engineered plants which display altered structure or morphology. The transgenic plants express a cell wall modulation transgene or gene construct that results in the altered structure or morphology. The altered structure or morphology can be associated with, for example, altered biomass, growth, yield, greater or less resistance to biodegradation, more or less digestible to ruminants, altered cellulose content, larger leaves/normal hypocotyls or smaller leaves/longer hypocotyls, etc. compared to a non-transgenic plant of the same species. The cell wall modulation transgene can be any cellulose binding domain, a cellulose binding protein, or a cell wall modifying protein or enzyme such as endoxyloglucan transferase, xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase, an expansin, cellulose synthase, or a novel isolated endo-1,4-&bgr;-glucanase of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Abstract: A plant, the nuclear genome of which is transformed with a foreign DNA sequence encoding a product which selectively disrupts the metabolism, functioning and/or development of stamen cells of the plant. The foreign DNA sequence also optionally encodes a marker.

Abstract: A method of enhancing inorganic carbon fixation by a photosynthetic organism. The method is effected by transforming cells of the photosynthetic organism with an expressible polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having a bicarbonate transporter activity. Preferably, the polynucleotide further includes a plant promoter. Sequences and constructs for implementing the method are also described.

Abstract: A plant, the nuclear genome of which is transformed with a foreign DNA sequence encoding a product which selectively disrupts the metabolism, functioning and/or development of stamen cells of the plant. The foreign DNA sequence also optionally encodes a marker.

Abstract: The invention relates to plants, especially transgenic plants, plant parts and plant cells overproducing an iron binding protein (e.g. ferritin) and having an enhanced resistance against a wide range of abiotic and biotic oxidative stress conditions (e.g. against treatment with paraquat or fusaric acid and against viral, bacterial and fungal infections). The invention also comprises nucleic acid sequences encoding an alfalfa ferritin or functional variants thereof and the use of said sequences for rendering plants resistant against oxidative stress conditions.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel Fas antigen derivative which comprises at least a part or entire portion of Fas antigen extracellular region polypeptide in which at least one amino acid residue is deleted from a group of amino acid residues starting from the N-terminal amino acid residue of the Fas antigen polypeptide to a cysteine residue most close to the N-terminal side (excluding said cysteine residue), as well as a DNA fragment which encodes Fas antigen derivative, a recombinant DNA molecule which contains DNA sequence, a transformant in which recombinant DNA molecule is introduced, a method for the production of Fas antigen derivative, a medicament which contains novel Fas antigen derivative as the active ingredient and a method for the improvement of activities and functions of Fas antigen and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for identifying inhibitors of the interaction between phosphopeptide binding pairs, i.e., a protein domain having at least one phosphopeptide binding domain and the phosphorylated ligands that bind these domains. These inhibitors may be used for pharmaceutical compositions and in therapeutic treatments for diseases in which a phosphopeptide domain binding is implicated.

Abstract: Methodology is provided for the production of uniformly transformed plants capable of transmitting a foreign gene to progeny by sexual reproduction. A foreign gene is introduced into the zygote in an isolated embryo sac and a transformed plant is recovered. Alternatively, a foreign gene is introduced into an egg cell in an isolated embryo sac, the egg cell is fertilized with an isolated sperm cell and a transformed plant is recovered. Sperm cells may be transformed with a foreign gene, an egg cell in an isolated embryo sac is fertilized with the transformed sperm cells, or nuclei isolated from the transformed sperm cells, and a transgenic plant is recovered. Another method for the production of transgenic plants is transformation of an embryo in an isolated embryo sac. The transgenic plant produced by any one of these methods is homogeneously transformed and capable of transmitting the foreign gene to progeny by sexual reproduction.

Abstract: A group of novel rice &bgr;-glucanase genes, identified as &bgr;-glucanases 2-9 (Gns 2-9), and the corresponding &bgr;-glucanase enzymes, are disclosed. The genes, and the gene promoters, are useful in a variety of transgenic monocot plants, for achieving increased plant resistance to fungal infection, improved growth characteristics, and high levels of expression of heterologous protein in various tissues obtained from the plants.