Abstract: An apparatus for attaching support legs (10) to the inner walls or sides of a canoe or small carriable boat so that the canoe or boat can be inverted and positioned at an angle high enough above the ground to allow a lone person to step under the carrying yoke (12) or center seat and more easily lift the vessel to a portage position. Support legs (10) may be removed or pivoted out of the way for portaging through brush or over rough terrain. The apparatus also allows a canoe to be stored off the ground in a position which provides emergency shelter or a support frame for draping a tarpaulin and achieving more complete shelter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cell containing a modified peptide. More specifically, the N-terminal amino acid residue of the peptide is modified by the addition of an aryl ketone group which, when contacted with an appropriate substrate, and exposed to light having a wavelength of about 330 nm or greater, results in the covalent bonding of the peptide to the substrate by a C--H insertion dominant mechanism. In preferred, embodiments, the aryl ketone is a benzophenone moiety. The peptide can be designed to specifically bind to a protein of interest in the cell. The cell is then contacted with light having a wavelength of greater than about 330 nm to bind the peptide covalently to the binding site on the intracellular protein of interest. In this way, the modified peptide can be used to specifically and irreversibly block a binding site on an intracellular protein of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the detection of primary adhalinopathy. More specifically, disclosed herein are nucleic acid probes which hybridize specifically, under stringent hybridization conditions, to a mutant adhalin gene or the complement thereof, but not to the corresponding region of a wild-type adhalin gene. Also disclosed are methods for the detection of a mutation in the human adhalin gene which is responsible for primary adhalinopathy. Such methods include the use of the nucleic acid probes of the invention for detection of the myopathy by hybridization, as well as detection by direct DNA sequencing techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is the isolation of a 140,000 kDa protein which binds with high affinity to Z-DNA. Z-DNA is defined herein as a non-B-DNA conformer which is stabilized by negative supercoiling. The isolated protein also has a binding site for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Peptide sequences from this protein show similarity to double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase (dsrad), an enzyme which deaminates adenosine in dsRNA to form inosine. Assays for this enzyme confirm that dsrad activity and Z-DNA binding are properties of the same molecule. The coupling of these two activities in a single molecule indicate a novel mechanism of gene regulation which is in part dependent on DNA topology.

Abstract: Disclosed are expressible reverse gene constructs, and oligonucleotides, which are characterized by the ability to hybridize with an Ii mRNA molecule, thereby inhibiting translation of the Ii mRNA molecule. These compositions are referred to generally as inhibitors of Ii expression. Also disclosed are MHC class II-positive antigen presenting cells containing an inhibitor of Ii expression. A particularly important class of MHC class II-positive antigen presenting cells are malignant MHC class II-positive antigen presenting cells (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma and melanoma). Also disclosed are methods which results in the display of an autodeterminant peptide, in association with an MHC class II protein, on the surface of an MHC class II-positive antigen presenting cell. In such methods, a specific inhibitor of Ii synthesis is introduced into an MHC class II-positive antigen presenting cell. The specific inhibitor functions, directly or indirectly, through the formation of a duplex molecule with mRNA encoding Ii.

Abstract: An elastomeric sealing gasket particularly for cooking oven doors, to be placed between a front edge of the oven and the door of the oven itself, comprising a continuous strip, provided with metal elements, having respective hooks for engagement in corresponding holes provided in the oven structure, in which said metal hooking elements comprise a base provided with transverse notches, said base being seamed to an outer longitudinal rib on the strip and subsequently being bent in the case of hooking elements placed in the corners of the gasket.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel UVB/UVA-absorbing chromophores that are present in the natural products of a marine hydroid, and derivatives thereof, useful as sunscreening agents. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for protecting skin from the damaging effects of solar ultraviolet radiation. This method comprises topically applying to the skin an effective coating of a sunscreen composition of the present invention. Additional embodiments of the invention use these natural UV-absorbing compounds, or derivative thereof, as additives as a means of providing UV-protective plastics, paints, and waxes.

Abstract: The N-degron is an intracellular degradation signal whose essential determinant is a specific, destabilizing, N-terminal amino acid residue. A set of N-degrons containing different destabilizing residues is manifested as the N-end rule, which relates the in vivo half-life of a protein to the identity of its N-terminal amino acid residue. Disclosed herein is a heat-inducible N-degron module. A heat-inducible N-degron module is a protein or peptide bearing a destabilizing N-terminal amino acid residue which becomes a substrate of the N-end rule pathway only at a temperature high enough to result in at least partial unfolding of the protein. At this elevated (nonpermissive) temperature, the heat-inducible N-degron module (and any protein or peptide attached at its C-terminus) is rapidly degraded in a cell in which the N-end rule pathway is operative.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a therapeutic method for treating a clinical disorder associated with a mutation in the carboxypeptidase E gene. In the therapeutic method of the invention, a molecule having carboxypeptidase activity is introduced into the plasma of the individual being treated. Such molecules include, for example, carboxypeptidase H, carboxypeptidase M, carboxypeptidase N, carboxypeptidase U and carboxypeptidase B. Also disclosed are methods for identifying individuals falling within the class for which the therapeutic method described above can be effective. These methods include, for example, the isolation of DNA encoding carboxypeptidase E followed by either: 1) sequence determination and comparison to wild-type; or 2) expression and comparison of activity to wild-type activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the preparation of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which bind specifically to a 43 kDa dystrophin-associated. The molecular weight of the 43 kDa protein is determined by electrophoretic separation under denaturing conditions, followed by transfer to a solid support and staining with wheat germ agglutinin. The method includes a step in which the peptide PKNMTPYRSPPPYVP (SEQ ID NO: 15) is administered to stimulate an immune response. Also disclosed are polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which bind specifically to the 43 kDa dystrophin-associated protein.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a generic class of ubiquitin-specific proteases which specifically cleave at the C-terminus of the ubiquitin moiety in a ubiquitin fusion protein irrespective of the size of the ubiquitin fusion protein. More specifically, the disclosure relates to ubiquitin-specific proteases of this class which have been isolated from a cell. The disclosure also relates to isolated DNA sequences encoding the proteases of this class.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application are methods for the identification of favored and suppressed patterns of hydrophobic and nonhydrophobic amino acids in naturally occuring proteins and polypeptides. Methods are disclosed which enable protein structure alteration based on information gained from hydrophobicity pattern analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a substantially pure nucleic acid sequence encoding a mammalian 43 kDa non-dystrophin component (.beta.-sarcoglycan) of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Also disclosed are immunogenic peptides which, when used to immunize a mammal, stimulate the production of antibodies which bind specifically to the .beta.-sarcoglycan. Mutations in the .beta.-sarcoglycan gene which are associated with autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy are also disclosed. The identification of such mutations enables the design of nucleic acid probes which hybridize specifically to a mutant form of .beta.-sarcoglycan, or the complement thereof, but not to the DNA of the wild-type form of the gene (or the complement thereof), under stringent hybridization conditions. Such probes are useful, for example, in connection with the diagnosis of autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Methods of designing or modifying protein structure at the protein or genetic level to produce specified amino-termini in vivo or in vitro are described. The methods can be used to alter the metabolic stability and other properties of the protein or, alternatively, to artificially generate authentic amino-termini in proteins produced through artificial means. The methods are based upon the introduction of the use of artificial ubiquitin-protein fusions, and the discovery that the in vivo half-life of a protein is a function of the amino-terminal amino acid of the protein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a therapeutic method for treating a clinical disorder associated with a mutation in the carboxypeptidase E gene. In the therapeutic method of the invention, a molecule having carboxypeptidase activity is introduced into the plasma of the individual being treated. Such molecules include, for example, carboxypeptidase H, carboxypeptidase M, carboxypeptidase N, carboxypeptidase U and carboxypeptidase B. Also disclosed are methods for identifying individuals falling within the class for which the therapeutic method described above can be effective. These methods include, for example, the isolation of DNA encoding carboxypeptidase E followed by either: 1) sequence determination and comparison to wild-type; or 2) expression and comparison of activity to wild-type activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions and methods, based on ubiquitin subdomain fusion proteins, which are useful for studying the interactions of two members of a specific binding pair, both of which are predetermined. A preferred embodiment relates to the determination of a predetermined ligand in a sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching vertically oriented support legs (10) to the inner walls or sides of a canoe or small carriable boat so that the canoe or boat may be inverted and positioned at an angle high enough above the ground to allow a lone person to step under the carrying yoke (12) or center seat and more easily lift the vessel to a portage position. Support legs (10) may be removed or pivoted out of the way for portaging through brush or over rough terrain. The apparatus also allows a canoe to be stored off the ground in a position which provides emergency shelter or a support frame for draping a tarpaulin and achieving more complete shelter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods which are useful in the identification and isolation of components involved in transmembrane receptor-mediated signaling. Such components include the receptors themselves (e.g., tyrosine kinase receptors, cytokine receptors and tyrosine phosphatase receptors), as well as ligands which bind the receptors and modulators of the downstream intracellular catalytic event which characterizes receptor-mediated signalling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic non-human mammal, whose germ cells and somatic cells contain a recombinant env gene sequence which is operably linked to a promoter effective for the expression of the gene in the neuronal tissues of the mammal and effective for the simulation of neurological syndromes associated with HIV-1, the gene being introduced into the mammal, or an ancestor of the mammal, at an embryonic stage. The transgenic non-human mammal is such that transcription of the env gene may be under the control of a promoter sequence, such as a neuron specific promoter of human neurofilament light gene (NFL). The promoter can be synthetic or inducible. The transgenic non-human mammal can be a rodent, such as a mouse.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to the identification of mutations in the I.sub.i protein which result in an alteration of the endoprotease cleavage pattern of the mutant I.sub.i as compared with the endoprotease cleavage pattern of the wild type product. Methods for the identification of such mutants, and the mutants themselves are useful for the identification of classes of compounds to be further tested for immunomodulatory activity. A specific example of such a use is the screening of small organic compounds for the ability to bind to an intermediate in the I.sub.i endoprotease processing pathway. An small organic molecule having the ability to bind to such an intermediate can be further screened for the ability to modulate antigen presentation. The present invention also relates to the identification of immunomodulatory peptides. Peptides which either enchance or inhibit MHC Class II-restricted presentation of antigenic peptides are identified.