Abstract: A specific locus (hot spot) for recombinant gene expression has been identified in the genome of Chinese hamster ovary cells. A DNA vector containing the hot spot causes high levels of recombinant gene expression following transfection and stable integration. The selection and cloning of the specific locus and the expression of recombinant genes is disclosed, as are the DNA vectors and the host cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier for the delivery of molecules with biological function into both cellular and nuclear compartments. The carrier disclosed is heat shock protein 70 (“Hsp70”), or a fragment of Hsp70 as described herein, as a vehicle for directed, noninvasive delivery of molecules, such as proteins, peptides, or DNA, that may modulate cellular activity. The present invention also encompasses the use of Hsp70, or a fragment thereof, to modulate cellular activity, preferably to modulate nuclear activity in a cell or cells.

Abstract: The modified sFv molecules of the present invention stimulate adhesion between cells thereby enhancing the immune response against disease. These molecules generally comprise an antigen binding site of an antibody and at least a portion of a transmembrane domain of a cell surface receptor.

Abstract: Obesity is a common clinical problem in most developed nations and is also rapidly becoming a major health concern in developing nations. Overweight individuals frequently suffer from several metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. This invention discloses proof of principle for the role PPAR&dgr; (also known as &bgr;) plays in the development of diet-induced obesity. In accordance with the present invention, a new method for treating obesity, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia through administration of a pharmaceutical composition containing a chemical agent that antagonizes the function of PPAR&dgr;(&bgr;) protein, decreases PPAR&dgr;(&bgr;) gene expression and or transactivation of PPAR&dgr;(&bgr;) target gene expression is disclosed.

Abstract: A specific locus (hot spot) for recombinant gene expression has been identified in the genome of Chinese hamster ovary cells. A DNA vector containing the hot spot causes high levels of recombinant gene expression following transfection and stable integration. The selection and cloning of the specific locus and the expression of recombinant genes is disclosed, as are the DNA vectors and the host cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid and amino acid sequence of a human Pif-1 type helicase. The invention also provides methods of screening for compounds that modulate the activity of human Pif-1 type helicase, as well as methods for affecting viability of a cell by contacting the cell with a human Pif-1 helicase modulator. Such contacting specifically increases or decreases the specific activity of the human helicase in the cell, and may affect its viability, by affecting telomere length regulatory processes.

Abstract: Branched hydrazone linkers for linking a targeting ligand such as an antibody to a therapeutically active drug. The point of branching is at a polyvalent atom and the number of drugs increases by a factor of two for each generation of branching. A preferred drug is doxorubicin.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences, particularly DNA sequences, coding for all or part of the high molecular weight subunit of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, expression vectors containing the DNA sequences, host cells containing the expression vectors, and methods utilizing these materials. The invention also concerns polypeptide molecules comprising all or part of the high molecular weight subunit of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and methods for producing these polypeptide molecules. The invention additionally concerns novel methods for preventing, stabilizing or causing regression of atherosclerosis and therapeutic agents having such activity. The invention concerns further novel methods for lowering serum liquid levels and therapeutic agents having such activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating and isolating cell lines that functionally express molecular targets for drug discovery without utilizing information from the nucleic acid or amino acid sequence of the target protein. This procedure for the first time allows one to develop fast, high throughput screens for evaluation of test compounds that may modulate molecular targets whose specific nucleic acid or amino acid sequences are unavailable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions that inhibit the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. The compositions contain a pre-activation domain (“PAD”) from plasminogen, or a biologically active fragment thereof, and at least one kringle region from plasminogen, or a biologically active portion thereof. The compositions are useful to treat angiogenic associated disorders.

Abstract: Soluble, single chain T cell receptors, nucleic acid sequences, particularly DNA sequences, encoding the soluble, single chain T cell receptor, expression vectors containing the DNA sequences, and host cells containing the expression vectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to KCNQ proteins defining potassium channels. In particular, the invention concerns the human KCNQ2, human KCNQ3, murine KCNQ2, and rat KCNQ2 proteins reported herein. KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 proteins are nervous system-selective and may be involved in neurotransmission and neuroprotection. The KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 of the present invention can be used to assay for modulators of the proteins, which would be useful in treatment of such disorders as ataxia, myokymia, seizures, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, age-associated memory loss, learning deficiencies, motor neuron diseases, epilepsy, stroke, and the like.

Abstract: New mutant penicillin G acylases preferably from E. coli are provided, exhibiting altered enzymatic activity. These penicillin G acylases are obtained by expression of a gene encoding said penicillin G acylase having an amino acid sequence which differs at least in one amino acid from the wild-type penicillin G acylase.

Abstract: An anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody according to the present invention can be: (1) a chimeric nonclonal antibody CD2 SFv-Ig produced by expression of the construct cloned in recombinant Escherichia coli culture ATCC No. 69277; (2) a monoclonal antibody having complementarity-determining regions identical with those of CD2 SFv-Ig; or (3) a monoclonal antibody competing with CD2 SFv-Ig for binding to CD2 antigen at least about 80% as effectively on a molar basis as CD2 SFv-Ig. Anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies according to the present invention, as well as other antibodies that can modulate the interactions between T lymphocytes and monocytes, can be used to inhibit the production of HIV-1 by HIV-1-infected T cells in HIV-1-infected patients. In another use, T cells treated in vitro can be reinfused into AIDS patients to increase the proportion of functional non-HIV-1-producing T cells in the patient.

Abstract: A novel method for preventing, stabilizing or causing regression of cancer is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of inhibiting tumor cell growth. Tumor cells from a pateint are recombinantly engineered to express the B7 surface protein and these cells are then readminsistered to the pateint. The presence of the B7 molecule on the tumor cell surface stimulates a broad immunologic response against both the B7-transfected and non-transfected tumor cells and results in the immunologic killing of localized and metastatic tumor cells. B7 transfection of the tumor cells, or cell membranes, serves as a stimulant to engender a potent immunologic response against the surface antigens present on the tumor cells.

Abstract: Processes for stereoselective enzymatic conversion of certain keto carboxylic acid derivatives to form the corresponding alkylamino acid compounds are described. The invention also concerns an engineered yeast host cell containing recombinant nucleic acid capable of expressing a phenylalanine dehydrogenase, as well as an engineered host cell containing recombinant nucleic acid capable of expressing a phenylalanine dehydrogenase enzyme and nucleic acid capable of expressing a formate dehydrogenase enzyme.

Abstract: High expression vectors for expression of heterologous genes in Escherichia coli. The expression vectors contain, the tac promoter, an intergenic region, a restriction site, and, optionally, groES DNA.

Abstract: The Applicants have discovered a novel antibody, more specifically a chimerized anti-human CD40 monoclonal antibody, which blocks the interaction between gp39 and CD40. The anti-CD40 antibodies of the present invention are effective in modulating humoral immune responses against T cell-dependent antigens, collagen induced arthritis, and skin transplantation, and are also useful for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Abstract: A D-amino acid oxidase promoter isolated from T. variabilis has been incorporated into S. cerevisiae expression vectors to increase the expression of heterologous genes. The heterologous promoter has been placed upstream of selective markers, auxotrophic nutritional and/or dominant selectable markers. Because the promoter is from another yeast specie, it is weakly recognized by and S. cerevisiae. To compensate for the weak transcripts of selectable marker genes transcribed from the weak heterologous promoter, the plasmid containing the gene of the interest is amplified leading to a higher expression of protein of interest.