Abstract: The invention relates to novel plant plasmid vectors comprising geminivirus DNA or a portion thereof having inserted therein a heterologous DNA sequence or gene, to processes and DNA intermediates useful in producing said vectors and to methods utilizing such vectors to replicate and express heterologous DNA sequences or genes in plants. In some embodiments, methods and compositions are provided for Ti plasmid delivery of these novel vectors into plants. In other embodiments, methods and compositions are provided which allow for the generation of geminivirus DNA containing plant plasmids in stably transformed plants. In still other embodiments, methods and compositions are provided for replicating and expressing heterologous DNA sequences or genes in plants employing the geminivirus DNA containing vectors of the present invention without causing disease symptoms.

Abstract: Variant somatotropins are described in which the asparagine located in the 95-101 region are replaced by glutamine which somatotropins exhibits enhanced stability.

Abstract: The growth of milk-producing mammary parenchyma in a mammal can be significantly enhanced by administering to the mammal by intramammary infusion a substance having a mitogenic effect on mammary epithelial cells in said mammal. Good growth enhancement can be achieved using very small quantities of such substances, and in relatively short periods of time.

Abstract: The growth of milk-producing mammary parenchyma in a mammal can be significantly enhanced by administering to the mammal by intramammary infusion a substance having a mitogenic effect on mammary epithelial cells in said mammal. Good growth enhancement can be achieved using very small quantities of such substances, and in relatively short periods of time.

Abstract: Variant forms of mammalian somatotropins, particularly bovine and porcine somatotropin, in which the asparagine located between positions 95-101 has been replaced by glutamine exhibit enhanced stability at high pH and at elevated temperatures while retaining bioactivity equivalent to the corresponding unmutated somatotropins, and are useful in the treatment of animals to enhance growth and/or milk production.

Abstract: A method for bacterially producing IGF-I is disclosed in which Gram-negative bacteria are caused to express a gene consisting of a lamB or ompF signal sequence operatively joined to a DNA sequence encoding IGF-I and producing IGF-I which is secreted into the periplasmic space of the bacteria.

Abstract: The growth of milk-producing mammary parenchyma in a mammal can be significantly enhanced by administering to the mammal by intramammary infusion a substance having a mitogenic effect on mammary epithelial cells in said mammal. Good growth enhancement can be achieved using very small quantities of such substances, and in relatively short periods of time.

Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptides in bacteria with an alanine rather than a methionine at the N-terminus. The DNA sequence expressed has an alanine codon immediately following from at least one methionine codon, and allows for the expression of polypeptides having the amino acid sequence essentially the same as such naturally occurring eucaryotic protein as various bovine and porcine somatotropin species. In another important embodiment, the invention provides a class of compositions comprising certain valine-containing somatropin species which increase milk production in lactating mammals to a significantly greater extent than otherwise-identical leucine somatotropin species.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel peptides having utility for promotion of growth and/or lactation in animals, to processes and DNA useful in production of such peptides, and to methods utilizing such peptides to promote growth or lactation in animals. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to peptides having bovine IGF-II biological activity, to production of such peptides, and to their use in effecting proliferation of certain cells (e.g. mammary epithelial or muscle) or in enhancing lactation in cattle or other animals.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA sequences encoding a human preproinsulin-like growth factor I protein and novel extension peptides. A novel preproinsulin-like growth factor I protein and novel extension peptides are also provided. The present invention further provides a human IGF-I gene which has been sequenced and which encodes at least two preproinsulin-like growth factor-I proteins. Various genes and DNA sequences useful in producing essentially pure mature IGF-I, preproinsulin-like growth factor I proteins and IGF-I gene related proteins are also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptides in bacteria with an alanine rather than a methionine at the N-terminus. The DNA sequence expressed has an alanine codon immediately following from one to about three contiguous methionine codons including a translation start signal and allows for the expression of polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of, for example, naturally occurring eucaryotic proteins such as various bovine and porcine somatotropin species.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel peptides having utility for promotion of growth and/or lactation in animals, to processes and DNA useful in production of such peptides, and to methods utilizing such peptides to promote growth or lactation in animals. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to peptides having bovine IGF-II biological activity, to production of such peptides, and to their use in effecting proliferation of certain cells (e.g. mammary epithelial or muscle) or in enhancing lactation in cattle or other animals.