Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods for producing nonsegmented, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses of the Order designated Mononegavirales virus, including embodiments relating to methods of producing such viruses as attenuated and/or infectious viruses, such as Measles virus (MV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Abstract: A noninfectious insect virus is described having an altered genetic element whose function is restored by genetic complementation, thereby again producing the insect infectious form of the virus. Also described is the insertion of a heterologous gene into the viral genome, such that an insect controlling or modifying substance is also produced by the virus for an improved bioinsecticidal effect and genetic stability of desired traits.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide corresponding to the epitope of porcine somatotropin is provided by this invention as well as methods of enhancing the growth of an animal by administering to the animal this polypeptide in compositions.

Abstract: Novel modified or derivatized recombinant animal somatotropins. Methods for stabilizing recombinant animal somatotropins by modification or deletion of the Cysteine residues utilizing site directed mutagenesis to replace from one to four of the cysteine amino acid residues of said somatotropins with one or more different amino acid residues or by derivatization of (1) both cysteine amino acid residues in the small loop of said somatotropin, both cysteine amino acid residues in the large loop or the four cysteine amino acid residues in both loops of said somatotropin.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for inducing epizootic viral infections in insects which consists essentially of potentiating the latent virulence of indigenous insect viruses by contacting the insect with, or applying to its habitat or food supply, a potentiating amount of a stilbene compound. This invention further describes a method for protecting agronomic crops, trees, shrubs, orchards and ornamentals from attack by an insect which employs the application of a stilbene compound to a plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monocot genes encoding a mutant AHAS enzyme that is specifically resistant to imidazolinone herbicides. Exemplary of these genes are corn DNA sequences which encode an amino acid substitution at position 621 of the wild-type AHAS enzyme. The mutant gene can be used to transform other plants to herbicide resistance; in this regard, the invention also provides host cells and vectors containing the gene, which cells and vectors are useful in the transformation process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monocot genes encoding a mutant AHAS enzyme that is specifically resistant to imidazolinone herbicides. Exemplary of these genes are corn DNA sequences which encode an amino acid substitution at position 621 of the wild-type AHAS enzyme. The mutant gene can be used to transform other plants to herbicide resistance; in this regard, the invention also provides host cells and vectors containing the gene, which cells and vectors are useful in the transformation process.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel method for screening retinoid X receptor agonists or antagonists, comprising: using a retinoid X receptor expressed by a yeast expression system to screen a compound having a retinoid X receptor agonist or antagonist activity as well as a screen for detecting a compound having retinoid X receptor agonist or antagonist activity, which comprises the steps of (1) providing a yeast strain which expresses the retinoic acid receptor and activates a reporter plasmid containing apolipoprotein AI gene site A or a mutated variant thereof; (2) incubating the compound in suitable media and a colorless chromogenic substrate; and (3) examining the media for development of color.

Abstract: A binary assay identifies agents that inhibit sterol .DELTA.14 reductase involved in ergosterol biosynthesis. In the primary screen, sterol .DELTA.14 reductase inhibition by a test sample is assayed by adding the test sample to a culture of Neurospora crassa having an erg-3 mutation and also to a culture of a strain having an erg-1 mutation, comparing the extent of growth inhibition after incubation in the two cultures, and identifying as positives those samples that show growth inhibition in the erg-3 culture exceeding that in the erg-1 culture. In the secondary screen, samples that test positive in the primary screen are reassayed by adding the test sample to a culture of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain into which has been introduced multiple copies of a gene encoding sterol .DELTA.14 reductase and also to a strain of S.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for screening samples for the identification of agents exhibiting potential fungicidal and insecticidal activity for a wide variety of agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical uses. The method utilizes cells that comprise a plasmid-born CTS gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which allows for over expression of chitinase.

Abstract: Seven heterologous signal sequence are described for use with genes for insect controlling proteins, such that when the signal sequence and protein genes are inserted into an insect virus, that virus demonstrates an earlier onset of morbidity than a wild-type insect virus which lacks the gene for the insect controlling protein.

Abstract: A method for screening for sterol biosynthesis inhibitors of potential use as fungicides or antihypercholesterolemic agents identifies agents by the induction of lanosterol 14-.alpha.-demethylase, an enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of ergosterol and cholesterol, in cultures containing the agents. In one screening test, test samples are incubated in a culture of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain sensitive to ergosterol biosynthesis and containing a gene fusion of a lanosterol 14-.alpha.-demethylase clone with a gene for bacterial .beta.-galactosidase. After incubation of the culture, an increase in lancsterol 14-.alpha.-demethylase activity is determined indirectly by measuring .beta.-galactosidase activity. The culture media contains a chromogenic substrate of .beta.-galactosidase such as orthonitrophenyl-.beta.-D-galactoside or 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl-.beta.-D-galactoside, so that active samples are identified by the production of colored product.

Abstract: A gene encoding Saccharomyces cerevisiae sterol .DELTA.14 reductase of the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway is isolated and cloned by selecting strains carrying sequences on a 2.mu. based vector for resistance to a morpholine fungicide such as fenpropimorph. Four distinct plasmid inserts which produce morpholine resistance are obtained, and one of these is characterized and sequenced. The purified and isolated DNA sequence encoding sterol .DELTA.14 reductase encodes a polypeptide exhibiting homology to the S. cerevisiae sterol C-24(28) reductase enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: A gene encoding Saccharomyces cerevisiae sterol .DELTA.14 reductase of the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway is isolated and cloned by selecting strains carrying sequences on a 2.mu. based vector for resistance to a morpholine fungicide such as fenpropimorph. Four distinct plasmid inserts which produce morpholine resistance are obtained, and one of these is characterized and sequenced. The purified and isolated DNA sequence encoding sterol .DELTA.14 reductase encodes a polypeptide exhibiting homology to the S. cerevisiae sterol C-24(28) reductase enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: The invention describes N-fluorosulfonimides which are useful as fluorinating agents. The N-fluorosulfonimides are stable, easily synthesized, and allow the introduction of fluorine into organic compounds under mild conditions.

Abstract: Novel fluorogenic and chromogenic three-dimensional ionophores are provided which selectively bond ions such as potassium, sodium, and lithium, even in neutral aqueous or alcohol media. The novel ionophores comprise an "ion-recognizing system" fused to a "signal-moiety" through one or more heteroatoms having a non-bonded electron pair. The signal-moieties are selected from the group consisting of fused ring heterocyclics, fused aromatics, and subsituted aromatics having at least one nitro or azo moiety. The ion-recognizing system is a three-dimensional cryptand. The ionophores are ideal for the selective and direct termination of ions in biological or environmental samples and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to antibodies, in particular monoclonal antibodies, which specifically bind to somatotropin binding proteins of animals, but not with the corresponding somatotropin receptors. The antibodies may also be used to assay the level of somatotropin binding protein of animals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the enzymatic synthesis of electrically conductive substituted and unsubstituted polyanilines. Aniline monomer(s), an oxidizing agent, which comprises an enzyme and an electron acceptor, and an acidifying agent are reacted together to form polyanilines.

Abstract: A method for the identification of agents which inhibit spindle pole body formation or function, thus exhibiting selective fungicidal activity, involves the incubation of test samples in cultures of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain that produces excess numbers of spindle pole bodies. Cultures containing samples that inhibit spindle pole bodies exhibit enhanced growth because the growing yeast is rescued from the adverse effects of excess spindle bodies. In the preferred practice of the invention, the test sample is added to a S. cerevisiae culture or culture area containing a strain that has a conditional mutation producing excess spindle pole bodies, such as diploid esp1-1 strains. The culture or culture area is preincubated under permissive conditions wherein the strain can grow to some extent, and then conditions are shifted to restrictive conditions so that the mutant strain either cannot grow or grows poorly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for improving the optical, thermal and/or mechanical properties of a polymer by subjecting a melt of the polymer to a shearing action at an effective shear rate, as for example a shear rate of greater than about 100 sec.sup.-1, for a time sufficient to improve said properties.