Abstract: Small cell lung carcinoma cells (SCLC) contain gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) receptors. The response of the cells to GRP is rapid growth. We have found a group of peptide derivatives that act as GRP antagonists by blocking the binding of GRP to its receptor thereby inhibiting the growth of cells that are sensitive to the growth promoting activity of GRP.

Abstract: A galactose-regulated yeast strain expresses a desired protein in improved yield by growing the transformed yeast cells in culture in fed-batch mode and replacing the culture medium with fresh medium before adding the galactose to induce expression of the foreign protein.

Abstract: The hepatitis B virus preS2 antigen gene linked in one contiguous reading frame to the hepatitis B virus surface antigen gene has been expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae utilizing an optimized plasmid construction. The expressed protein aggregates into a particulate form which displays the major antigenic sites encoded by both domains, thereby highlighting the utility of yeast as a host for the high level expression of the preS2 as well as the S domain. This protein is useful in in vitro diagnostic systems and as a vaccine for the treatment and prevention of hepatitis B virus-induced diseases and/or infections.

Abstract: A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified by DNA sequence analysis. Antibodies directed against peptides imputed from the DNA sequence can react with the glycoprotein, which itself is reactive with neutralizing antibodies. The amino-terminal sequence of the purified glycoprotein is identical to a portion of the amino acid sequence imputed from the DNA sequence. This glycoprotein is useful for the preparation of a vaccine against VZV.

Abstract: A DNA fragment encoding at least part of the ANF protein has been molecularly cloned and its nucleotide sequence partially determined. The composition and sequence of a peptide containing 116 amino acids within the ANF gene have been determined. Biologically active subunit peptides have been identified.

Abstract: Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells contain gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) receptors. The response of the cells to GRP is rapid growth. We have found a group of peptide derivatives that act as GRP antagonists by blocking the binding of GRP to its receptor thereby inhibiting the growth of cells that are sensitive to the growth promoting activity of GRP.

Abstract: A liquid phase containing preS2+S antigen is separated into two phases after which the desired antigen is concentrated, washed and adsorbed and desorbed from a fumed silica to produce a product that is purified and concentrated in antigen:protein ratio and that is suitable for final purification.

Abstract: The pentapeptide Val Val Asn Asp Leu has been found to be the shortest peptide sequence that inhibits the activity of the ribonucleotide reductase enzyme of herpes simplex virus in vitro thereby inhibiting viral replication. Longer peptides containing the foregoing pentapeptide sequence are more potent inhibitors.

Abstract: A series of oligopeptides each of which contains a D-amino acid has been found to inhibit the activity of the ribonucleotide reductase enzyme of herpes simplex virus in vitro thereby inhibiting viral replication.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules in which an avian retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR) has been ligated to the bovine growth hormone gene are described herein. The retroviral LTR was derived from a plasmid clone of a Schmidt Rupin strain of Rous Sarcoma Virus while the bovine growth hormone (BGH) gene was derived from a lambda-bacteriophage genomic library. Using a transient eucaryotic expression assay system, the plasmid constructs were screened for their ability to direct expression and secretion of bovine growth hormone. These constructs were co-transformed into a mammalian cell (mouse) culture in order to obtain a stable cell culture secreting large amounts of bovine growth hormone.

Abstract: Novel peptides having potent natriuretic activity are disclosed with the following amino acid sequence: ##STR1## wherein Z is H, acetyl, Boc or Ser-Leu, E is Phe, NMP, OMT, ChA, F is Gly or DAl, G is Ala or Gly, H is Arg or DAr, Pro, Lys or Dly, I is Ile, Met, MeO, MO.sub.2, Leu, Nle, or Val, J is Aib, .alpha.MG or .alpha.MA, K is Arg or Lys, L is Ile or Val, M is Aib, Gly, Ala or DAl, N is Ala, NMA, Pro, Phe or NMP, O is Gln, DGl, Ala or DAl, P is Ser, His, Arg or Lys, Q is Gly, Pro, Ala or Dal, R is Leu, Phe or ChA, S is Gly, Ala or Dal, Arg or DAr, T is Asn DAs, Ala or Dal, U is Ser, DSe, Ala or DAl, V is Phe, DPh, Ala or DAl, Y is -OH or -NH.sub.2 and n is 0 or 1. Also included are the lower alkyl esters and the physiologically acceptable metal salts and acid addition salts of the foregoing peptides. Unless indicated otherwise all optically active amino acids have the L-configuration.

Abstract: The entire hepatitis B Virus pre-S antigen gene linked in one contiguous reading frame to the hepatitis B virus surface antigen gene has been expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The expressed protein aggregates into a particulate form which displays the major antigenic sites encoded by both domains, thereby highlighting the utility of yeast as a host for the expression of pre-S domains. This protein is useful in in vitro diagnostic systems and as a vaccine for the treatment and prevention of hepatitis B virus-induced diseases and/or infections.

Abstract: A series of peptides has been found to inhibit the activity of the ribonucleotide reductase enzyme of herpes simplex virus in vitro thereby inhibiting viral replication.

Abstract: A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified by DNA sequence analysis. This gene can hybrid select messenger RNA which encodes and expresses a protein which reacts with human convalescent zoster sera and with polyclonal monospecific antisera which neutralize viral infectivity. These proteins are useful for the preparation of a vaccine for VZV.

Abstract: Hepatitus A virus is grown in Vero cells after passage in in vitro cell culture. Virus replication and continued passage in Vero cells requires extended incubation times, up to about four weeks, for early passages and incubation temperatures no higher than about 32.degree. C. Continued passage results in a significant decrease in incubation time and an increase in virus yield. Cultivation of hepatitus A virus in Vero cells meets the development requirements for an inactivated human vaccine.

Abstract: Several distinct peptide regions of the secreted form of purified human interleukin-1 species pI 6.8 have been found to exhibit characteristics associated with highly immunogenic protein moieties and are used to produce specific anti-peptide antibodies. The antibodies raised against the individual peptides are specific for the peptide used for their production and for IL-1, pI 6.8. The individual antibodies bind to both the precursor of IL-1, pI 6.8 and the mature or extracellular IL-1, pI 6.8.

Abstract: Human interleukin-1 (IL-1) charged species (pI 6.8, 6.0, 5.4 and 5.2) are separated and purified by a rapid and efficient two or three stage chromatographic process. Interleukin-1 species present in concentrated culture fluid from stimulated human mononuclear cells are separated and partially purified by anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography. The pI 5.4 and 5.2 species in addition are partially purified by HPLC gel filtration chromatography. Each of the individual IL-1 species are then finally purified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. This process results in homogenously pure pI 6.8, pI 5.4 and pI 5.2 species while the pI 6.0 species is isolated in a substantially pure form.

Abstract: A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified through DNA sequence analysis. Fragments of the DNA have been cloned into a vector which, when placed into a host organism, expresses proteins which react with human convalescent zoster sera and with monoclonal antibodies which neutralize viral infectivity. These proteins are useful for preparation of a vaccine for VZV.

Abstract: A synthetic peptide, containing the predicted amino acid residues 64 to 77 of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) gB structural glycoprotein open reading frame, a synthetic subunit immunogen that stimulates an immune response against HSV1 and which, when prepared, and chemically-conjugated to a protein carrier molecule, and inoculated into test animals, gives rise to a specific anti-peptide IgG response, such that these anti-peptide antibodies react with a purified HSV-specific structural glycoprotein preparation and are capable of neutralizing the infectivity of HSV1.

Abstract: Compounds of the Formula I: ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are inhibitors of leukotriene biosynthesis. These compounds inhibit lipoxygenase, thus preventing the metabolism of arachidonic acid to the leukotrienes. These compounds are thus useful in the treatment of asthma, allergic disorders, inflammation, skin diseases and certain cardiovascular disorders.