Abstract: Three new and distinct heterodimers in the very late antigen (VLA) protein family are disclosed, namely VLA-3, VLA-4 and VLA-5, as well as monoclonal antibodies therefor. The N-terminal amino acid sequence for each of the VLA .alpha. subunits is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of increasing platelets in mammals which comprises administering to mammals an effective amount of a heparin-binding secretory transforming factor 1 protein (hst-1) having an N-terminal deletion of 27 amino acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polypeptide compounds which promote the release and elevation of growth hormone levels in the blood of animals. Also disclosed are methods of promoting the release and elevation of growth hormone levels in the blood of animals using the disclosed polypeptide compounds.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a cDNA clone encoding a new human .beta. subunit which was designated .beta..sub.5 was found. Probes for this nucleotide sequence are described. In addition, the .beta..sub.5 protein, its associated subunit and its cell distribution were characterized. In another embodiment, this invention relates to assays for detecting this protein. .beta..sub.5 subunit was found present on carcinomas, but absent from lymphoid cells. Consequently, this protein can be used to determine the presence of carcinoma.

Abstract: A method for protection of a plant from damage caused by an insect pest of the order Lepidoptera and Diptera is disclosed. An insect controlling agent having an active component of an insecticidal crystal toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki No. 145 FERM BP-3905, No. 161 FERM BP-3906, and No. 116 FERM BP-3907 is used in the method for protection of a plant. The insecticidal crystal toxin has a set of molecular weights as determined by 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 125,000 daltons and 60,000 daltons when produced by No. 145, 130,000 daltons and 60,000 daltons when produced by No. 161, and 130,000 daltons and 60,000 daltons when produced by No. 116.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 1,2-benzoquinones; methods of preparation of 1,2-benzoquinones that include preparation of 4,5-substituted-1,2-benzoquinones in a one-pot reaction; and methods of treatment and pharmaceutical compositions that utilize or comprise one or more of such benzoquinones.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compound of the formulas (Ia) or (I): ##STR1## wherein Q is one or two amino acid residues which may be substituted; R.sup.3 is a carboxyl group which may be esterified or an acyl group; A is an alkylene group; B is hydrogen or an alkyl group which may be substituted or an acyl group; or a salt thereof; ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted; R.sup.3, A and B have the same definitions as those shown above; m and n each is 0 or 1; provided that where both m and n are both equal to 0, R.sup.3 is a carboxyl group which may be esterified or an acyl group having not less than 7 carbon atoms; or a salt thereof.The compound (Ia) or (I) shows cathepsin L inhibitory and bone resorption inhibitory activities and are useful as a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides which promote the release of growth hormone when administered to animals are described. These polypeptides have the formula:A.sub.1 --D.sup..beta. Nal--A.sub.3 --Trp--A.sub.5 --A.sub.6 --Zwherein A.sub.1, A.sub.3, A.sub.5, A.sub.6 and Z" are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody is produced from a cloned hybridoma, and the monoclonal antibody combines specifically with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Therefore, the monoclonal antibody can be advantageously used for assay reagents on bFGF or for purification of bFGF.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a structurally novel 6,9-hemiacetal-erythromycin derivative having a hydroxyl group at at least one of the 14- and 15-positions or a salt thereof, which has an excellent gastrointestinal function promoting effect and is low in toxicity; (2) a process for preparing a 6,9-hemiacetal-erythromycin derivative having a hydroxyl group at at least one of the 14- and 15-positions or a salt thereof, which comprises reacting a 6,9-hemiacetal-erythromycin derivative or a salt thereof with an organism-derived oxidase; and (3) a gastrointestinal function promoting agent containing a 6,9-hemiacetal-erythromycin derivative having a hydroxyl group at at least one of the 14- and 15-positions or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A substantially pure non-glycosylated human interleukin-2 protein having a specific activity of not less than 10.sup.4 U/mg is obtained by growing a transformant carrying a DNA having a base sequence coding for human interleukin-2 to cause production and accumulation of human interleukin-2 in the culture broth, subjecting the thus obtained human interleukin-2-containing liquid to a purification process comprising a hydrophobic column chromatography.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a Xenopus laevis bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), (2) a DNA comprising a DNA segment coding for a Xenopus laevis BMP, (3) a transformant bearing a DNA comprising a DNA segment coding for a Xenopus laevis BMP and (4) a method for preparing the Xenopus laevis BMP which comprises culturing the described in (3), producing and accumulating the protein in a culture, and collecting the protein thus obtained. Cells transfected or transformed with the DNA allow large amounts of the Xenopus laevis BMP mature peptides to be produced, which causes the advantageous production of the peptides, which promote the synthesis of proteoglycan and can also be utilized for analysis of the mechanism of organism, particularly human bone-cartilage morphogenetic reaction, and as therapeutic agents for osteoporosis.

Abstract: An H. saimiri-HTLV-1 or 2 X region vector is disclosed. This vector can be used to establish continuous cell lines of difficult to grow cells, such as human T-cells. It can also be used to obtain certain cell products and in methods for screening new compounds.

Abstract: The invention pertains to self-assembled replication defective hybrid virus-like particles having capsid and membrane glycoproteins from at least two different virus types and method of making same. Recombinant viral vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a GTP binding protein containing the following amino acid sequence, with a molecular weight of about 22K dalton and having GTP binding activity which is inhibited by N-ethyl-maleimide and GTP hydrolyzing activity:Thr-Ile-Glu-Asp-Ser-Tyr, and a method for the production of a GTP binding protein, which comprises introducing a DNA fragment containing DNA that encodes the GTP binding protein into a cloning site present at the downstream to a promoter of an expression vector, then introducing the expression vector thus constructed into a host, culturing said host, thereby expressing and accumulating the GTP binding protein and then collecting thereof.

Abstract: A novel antibody capable of binding to a 170,000 dalton P-glycoprotein encoded by the mdr1 gene, wherein said antibody binds to an external epitope on the protein and does not substantially increase the intracellular accumulaton or the cytoxicity of either Daunomycin or vinblastine in multidrug resistant cells is described. Methods of use of such antibodies are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are a peptide represented by formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: ##STR1## wherein M represents a mercaptoacyl group; P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y and Z each represent amino acid residues, wherein an amino acid side chain of Y is either a substituted saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms or an unsubstituted saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 15 carbon atoms other than (1S)-1-methylpropyl; (2) a method for producing the above-mentioned peptide or the salt thereof, which comprises subjecting a peptide represented by formula (II) or a salt thereof to an oxidation reaction:M-P-Cys-Q-R-S-T-Asp-U-Glu-Cys-Val-Tyr-V-Cys-His-W-X-Y-Ile-Z-OH(II)wherein M, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y and Z are as diefined above; and (3) use of the above-mentioned peptide or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an anti-endothelin agent.

Abstract: Optically active derivatives of glycidol are disclosed. These compounds, (2S) and (2R) glycidyl tosylate and (2S) and (2R) glycidyl 4-chloro-3-nitrobenzenesulfonate can be readily crystallized to high enantiomeric purity. Their use in other synthesis reactions is also described.

Abstract: Optically active derivatives of glycidol are disclosed. These novel compounds, (2S) and (2R) glycidyl m-nitrobenzenesulfonate and (2S) and (2R) glycidyl p-chlorobenzenesulfonate can be readily crystallized to high enantiomeric purity. Their use in other synthesis reactions is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a DNA containing a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (2) a precursor protein of PACAP38; (3) a transformant containing a DNA having a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (4) a method for preparing mature PACAP38 comprising cultivating the transformant described in the above (3), producing and accumulating a protein in a culture, and collecting the resulting protein; and (5) a method for preparing the above polypeptide comprising condensing a partial amino acid or a peptide which can constitute the mature PACAP38, with a residual portion, and removing a protective group if a product has the protective group. The DNA is applied to experimental animals to understand their brain functions, which serves to elucidate human brain functions. PACAP38 provides information about growth and maintenance of rat and human brain nerves, and can also be utilized as therapeutic agents for various neuropathy.