Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the identification of key diagnostic antibodies and antigens characteristic of a disease state of interest. Key diagnostic antibodies and antigens, diagnostic kits, and methods for diagnosis, are disclosed for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A purified human CMV virion protein that has a molecular weight of approximately 86,000 daltons by SDS-PAGE and exhibits in vivo immunizing activity and a murine monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to the protein and exhibits complement-independent human CMV neutralizing activity are described. The antibody is useful for isolating the protein by affinity chromatography and the protein is, in turn, useful for detecting CMV neutralizing antibody in sera and as a vaccine.

Abstract: A method for obtaining heterologous peptides from fusion proteins wherein at least one of the fusion components is connective tissue-activating peptide-III is provided. Hirudin, a laminin B.sub.1 peptide and platelet factor 4 are polypeptides expressed using this method. DNA sequences encoding the fusion protein, vectors containing these sequences and transformed prokaryotic hosts useful in practicing the method of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A process for recovering highly pure, recombinant IL-2 from transformed microorganisms in which the cells are disrupted; impure recombinant IL-2 is isolated in the form of refractile bodies from the disruptate; the impure IL-2 is dissolved and denatured with at least 6M guanidine hydrochloride containing a reducing agent; the reduced IL-2 is precipitated and resolubilized; the reduced solubilized IL-2 therein is oxidized by a controlled oxidation; the oxidized IL-2 is refolded by reducing the concentration of guanidine hydrochloride in the solution; and the oxidized, refolded IL-2 is further purified by ion exchange chromatography or hydrophobic interaction chromatography and ion exchange chromatography.

Abstract: A biologically active reference therapeutic protein is protected against oxidation by a method involving substituting a conservative amino acid for each methionyl residue susceptible to chloramine T or peroxide oxidation, wherein additional, non-susceptible methionyl residues are not so substituted. The oxidation-resistant mutein so produced is preferably a human mutein of interleukin-2 or interferon-.beta., and the conservative amino acid is most preferably alanine.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA vectors that encode a thermostable DNA polymerase are useful in the recombinant production of thermostable DNA polymerase. The recombinant thermostable polymerase is preferred for use in the production of DNA in a polymerase chain reaction. Especially useful vectors encode the .about.94,000 dalton thermostable DNA polymerase from thermus aquaticus.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the production of human copper/zinc superoxide dimutase (SOD) polypeptides in microorganisms. Bacterially produced human CuZn SOD polypeptides are provided.E. coli strain D1210 (pSODX8) was deposited at the A.T.C.C. on Sept. 27, 1983 and given Accession No. 39453. Yeast strain 2150-2-3 (pCl/1GAPSOD) and E. coli strains D1210 (pSOD11) and D1210 (pS2OR) were deposited at the A.T.C.C. on May 9, 1984, and were given Accession Nos. 20708, 39679 and 39680, respectively.

Abstract: Therapeutic treatment of malignant melanoma in humans is disclosed wherein a synergistically effective amount of DTIC in combination with IL-2 is administered to an individual having such cancer.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is prepared wherein a biologically active conjugated plasminogen activator is selectively conjugated to at least one heparin fragment having a terminal 2,5-anhydro-D-mannose residue which has an aldehyde not involved in intramolecular hemiacetal formation. The resulting conjugate has a prolonged half-life as compared to native tissue plasminogen activator and is able to deliver heparin to the site of clot dissolution to prevent reocclusion.

Abstract: Therapeutic treatment of malignant melanoma in humans is disclosed wherein a synergistically effective amount of DTIC in combination with IL-2 is administered to an individual having such cancer.

Abstract: A method and a cloning vector are described for the controlled accumulation of cloned heterologous gene products in Bacillus subtilis. The cloning vector is capable of being replicated in B. subtilis and includes the heterologous gene located and oriented such as to be under the control of an operator, promoter, and ribosome binding site sequence. The gene codes for a protein which is under the control of a transport mechanism by which the protein is secreted by the B. subtilis. The gene product is recovered from the growth medium for the B. subtilis. The cloning vector is also capable of similar use in other bacteria such as E. coli.

Abstract: A process for recovering substantially pure rIL-2 from transformed microorganisms in which the cells are disrupted, impure insoluble rIL-2 is separated from the bulk of the cellular components, the separated impure rIL-2 is solubilized and partially purified in a reduced form, the solubilized rIL-2 is oxidized, the oxidized rIL-2 is purified to clinically acceptable levels, and the oxidized, purified IL-2 is denatured by placing it into a solution of a chaotropic agent, solids are removed from the solution and rIL-2 is renatured from the solution.

Abstract: A process for recovering dimeric, biologically active CSF-1 from bacterially expressed recombinant CSF1 genes is described. The process comprises recovery of the solubilized monomeric form, followed by dimerization under refolding conditions and further purification of the dimer. Heterodimers may also be produced by this process.

Abstract: A 6-thioguanine-resistant subvariant of the EBV-transformed human lymphoblastoid B cell line WI-L2 is described. The subvariant line, designated LTR228, fuses efficiently with human cells. Human.times.human hybridomas derived from LTR228 that produce monoclonal antibodies against tetanus toxin and blood group A are exemplified.

Abstract: Expression vectors containing coding sequences under the control of SV40 early and RSV promoters are disclosed as useful in producing proteins in saccharomyces yeasts. Construction of such vectors, and their use in yeast transformations are described.

Abstract: Antibodies exhibit specificity toward single amino acid differences between proteins. These antibodies may be produced by synthesizing a peptide of the appropriate amino acid sequence contained in the protein, immunizing a host with the peptide, and extracting sera from the host to obtain the antibodies. The antibodies and the desired protein are then immunoprecipitated under conditions of partial denaturation to expose the epitope of the protein. The antibodies may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Polypeptides that are synthesized or expressed directly in microorganisms, include an amino acid sequence that is homologous to at least a portion of gp70 envelope protein of FELV, and are immunogens that elicit or prime a humoral response in cats and immunize cats against FeLV infection. The microbially produced polypeptides are exemplified by a group of E. coli-expressed fusion proteins that comprise a portion of the trp leader peptide and a portion of the trp E protein fused to various portions of a subgroup B gp70 envelope protein. The synthesized polypeptides are exemplified by polypeptides that are homologous to segments of the hydrophilic domains of the gp70 protein.

Abstract: Antibodies exhibit specificity toward single amino acid differences between proteins. These antibodies may be produced by synthesizing a peptide of the appropriate amino acid sequence contained in the protein, immunizing a host with the peptide, and extracting sera from the host to obtain the antibodies. The antibodies and the desired protein are then immunoprecipitated under conditions of partial denaturation to expose the epitope of the protein. The antibodies may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel selectable recombinant DNA cloning vectors for use in Streptomyces, E. coli and related organisms. The invention further comprises transformants of the aforementioned vectors.