Abstract: Peptide antigens which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are disclosed. Several of the antigens are immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals identified as having chronic and acute HCV infection. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting HCV infection in humans. Also disclosed are corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic peptides.

Abstract: Modified oligonucleotides 3'-NHP(O)(O.sup.-)O-5' phosphoramidates were synthesized on a solid phase support. The phosphoramidate analogs were found to have significantly increased resistance toward phosphodiesterase digestion. Thermal dissociation experiments demonstrated that these compounds form more stable duplexes than phosphodiesters with complementary DNA and particularly RNA strands. Further, the phosphoramidate analogs can also form stable triplexes with double-stranded DNA target, where under similar conditions parent phosphodiester compounds failed to do so.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified oligonucleotide primers designed to incorporate a cleavable moiety so that a 3' portion of the primer (linked to an extension product) can be released from an upstream 5' portion of the primer. Upon selective cleavage of the cleavable site, primer extension products that contain about five or fewer base pairs of the primer sequence are released, to provide more useful sizing and sequence information per fragment than extension products containing the entire primer.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for separating heteroduplex and homoduplex DNA molecules in a mixture. In the method, such a mixture is applied to a stationary reverse phase support. The heteroduplex and homoduplex molecules are eluted with a mobile phase containing an ion-pairing reagent and an organic solvent. The eluting is carried out under conditions effective to at least partially denature the heteroduplexes (e.g., thermal or chemical denaturing) resulting in the separation of the heteroduplexes from the homoduplexes. The method has many applications including, but not limited to, comparative nucleic acid sequencing, linkage analysis, evolutionary studies, forensics, identification of disease-causing gene mutations, genetic marker development and diagnostics.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences derived from enterically transmitted nonA/nonB viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. DNA sequences encoding specific epitopes within viral protein sequences that are reactive with sera of individuals infected with different strains of HEV are also disclosed. These DNA sequences and fragments thereof are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, for example by using specific amplification of virus-derived DNA sequences, as well as for producing viral proteins or polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric genes having (i) a DNA sequence encoding a product of interest, and (ii) a dru1 promoter, where said DNA sequence is heterologous to said promoter and said DNA sequence is operably linked to said promoter to enable expression of said product. The invention describes vectors, cells, plants, and fruits carrying the chimeric gene, as well as methods related thereto.

Abstract: An antigen composition hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are disclosed. The antigen composition includes peptides corresponding to carboxyl terminal end regions of the second and third open reading frames of the HEV genome.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a genotype by comparing the nucleotide sequence of members of a gene system which flank the polymorphous sections of a locus or loci of interest. In a general embodiment of the method, the nucleotide sequences chosen for comparison (i) contain one or two sequences that are completely conserved between the members of the gene family, where two or more members are selected from different sources, and (ii) the completely conserved sequences flank strongly conserved sections of genetic material. The completely conserved sequences are typically used to amplify, from different sources, the strongly conserved sections of genetic material. The resulting amplified nucleic acid sequences from the different sources are then compared to establish genotypes.

Abstract: An efficient transformation system for plants has been developed that yields high transformation efficiencies and pure transgenic plants. Genomic integration of transgenes was confirmed by genomic DNA hybridization analysis. Pure transgenic plants have been successfully established in soil.

Abstract: The use of AdoMetase to reduce ethylene biosynthesis in plants is facilitated by the exploitation of the tissue and stage specific properties of the E4 promoter from tomato.The E4 promoter, isolated from tomato or other plants by methods described herein, provides a useful regulatable promoter for the expression of a variety of heterologous genes, including the AdoMetase gene.

Abstract: The present invention defines an assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind specific DNA test sequences. The assay is also useful for determining the sequence specificity and relative DNA-binding affinity of DNA-binding molecules for any particular DNA sequence. Also described herein are potential applications of the assay, including: 1) the detection of lead compounds or new drugs via the mass screening of libraries of synthetic or biological compounds (i.e., fermentation broths); 2) the design of sequence-specific DNA-binding drugs comprised of homo- or hetero-meric subunits of molecules for which the sequence specificity was determined using the assay; and 3) the use of molecules for which sequence specificity was determined using the assay as covalently attached moieties to aid in the binding of nucleic acid or other macromolecular polymers to nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: Antigen and antibody vaccine composition effective in preventing hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are disclosed. The antigen composition includes a peptide corresponding to a carboxyl terminal end region of the capsid protein encoded by the second open reading frame 2 of the HEV genome. The composition is effective in preventing HEV infection after vaccination. The antibody composition contains an antibody effective to block HEV infection of human primary hepatocytes in culture.

Abstract: The present invention defines an assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind specific DNA test sequences. The assay is also useful for determining the sequence specificity and relative DNA-binding affinity of DNA-binding molecules for any particular DNA sequence. Also described herein are potential applications of the assay, including: 1) the detection of lead compounds or new drugs via the mass screening of libraries of synthetic or biological compounds (i.e., fermentation broths); 2) the design of sequence-specific DNA-binding drugs comprised of homo- or hetero-meric subunits of molecules for which the sequence specificity was determined using the assay; and 3) the use of molecules for which sequence specificity was determined using the assay as covalently attached moieties to aid in the binding of nucleic acid or other macromolecular polymers to nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention describes the production of interferon-.tau. proteins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The antiviral and anticellular proliferation properties of these proteins and polypeptides are disclosed. One advantage of the proteins of the present invention is that they do not have cytotoxic side-effects when used to treat cells. Structure/function relationships for the interferon-.tau. protein are also described. In one aspect, the invention includes ovine interferon-.tau.. In another aspect the invention includes multiple forms of human interferon-.tau..

Abstract: The present invention defines a DNA:protein-binding assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind DNA test sequences. The assay is versatile in that any number of test sequences can be tested by placing the test sequence adjacent to a defined protein binding screening sequence. Binding of molecules to these test sequence changes the binding characteristics of the protein molecule to its cognate binding sequence. When such a molecule binds the test sequence the equilibrium of the DNA:protein complexes is disturbed, generating changes in the concentration of free DNA probe. Numerous exemplary target test sequences (SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:600) are set forth. The assay of the present invention is also useful to characterize the preferred binding sequences of any selected DNA-binding molecule.

Abstract: The use of AdoMetase to reduce ethylene biosynthesis in plants is facilitated by the exploitation of the tissue and stage specific properties of the E8 promoter from tomato. Expression of AdoMetase is shown to be limited to the ripening tomato fruit. The functional properties of several regions of the E8 promoter are also described. The E8 promoter, and variants described herein, provides a useful regulatable promoter for the expression of other genes as well as the AdoMetase gene.

Abstract: A method of identifying the presence of a known target sequence in nucleic acid contained in a fixed cellular or subcellular biological structure. By adding a stable, reporter-labeled RecA/single-stranded probe complex to the cellular or subcellular structure, the target sequence can be effectively labeled by in situ hybridization, allowing the target sequence to be visualized histologically and microscopically or detected by in situ cytometry or cell sorting flow techniques.