Abstract: Polypeptides derived from the ligand-binding portion of an Integrin alpha subunit are disclosed as are their use for modulation of Integrin ligand binding. Anti-peptide antibodies, hybridomas secreting the antibodies, as well as methods of making and using such antibodies and recombinant DNA molecules coding for the polypeptides are also described. The polypeptides and antibodies to the polypeptides are effective inhibitors of fibrinogen binding to platelets.

Abstract: A synthetic pulmonary surfactant comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable phospholipid admixed with a polypeptide comprising at least 10 amino acid residues and no more than about 60 amino acid residues, said polypeptide including a sequence having alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acid residue regions represented by the formula (Z.sub.a U.sub.b).sub.c Z.sub.d, wherein:Z is a hydrophilic amino acid residue independently selected from the group consisting of R and K;U is a hydrophobic amino acid residue independently selected from the group consisting of V, I, L, C, Y and F;a has an average value of about 1 to about 5;b has an average value of about 3 to about 20;c is 1 to 10; andd is 1 to 3;said polypeptide, when admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable phospholipid, forming a synthetic pulmonary surfactant having a surfactant activity greater than the surfactant activity of the phospholipid alone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of posttranslational modification inhibitors, such as isoprenylation inhibitors, to inhibit activation of phagocyte NADPH oxidase and respiratory burst. Therapeutic compositions containing various inhibitors, and methods of using same, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A culture of Pseudomonas XA cells containing indolyl-3-alkane alpha-hydroxylase(INDH) is produced by aerobic batch fermentation in a culture medium. The culture medium is in a vessel having a means for adjusting agitation rate. During culturing, the cells go through a logarithmic phase and a stationary phase. Oxygen concentration is measured in the culture medium at the beginning of the process to determine a first oxygen concentration. Agitation rate is adjusted to produce a second oxygen concentration in the culture medium of about two to about seven percent of the first oxygen concentration for a time period of about two to about seven hours which ends at the beginning of the stationary phase. An INDH having three subunits of different molecular weight is isolated from the cells. The INDH is stable, free from endotoxin-mediated side effects and has sufficient specific activity to be useful for depletion of tryptophan from aqueous solution. During use, the INDH may be in immobilized form.

Abstract: A method for detecting a new Gaucher disease mutation in an allele in a human having an insertion mutation of a guanine nucleotide adjacent to nucleotide position 57 in the normal glucocerebrosidase gene exon 2 is provided. Identification of the mutation is accomplished by first amplifying, with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer, a region of human genomic DNA containing nucleotide positions 57 and 58 of glucocerebrosidase gene exon 2 followed by detection of the mutation.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of physiologic engineering by genetically altering second messenger levels in cells. This method allows the hyperactivation or inhibition of cell function within cells, tissues and animals by introducing a foreign gene that alters a second messenger system. The use of physiologically engineered animals as systems for determining the effectiveness of therapeutic compositions is also contemplated.

Abstract: An improved "reference" pipet tip supports a number of volume scale ranges on its external body--preferably a scale for each of small volumes 0.5 microliters through 5 microliters, medium volumes 5 microliters to 50 microliters, and large volumes of 50, 100, and 150 microliters--because the geometry of its interior reservoir is non-uniform. In particular, the pipet tip's interior reservoir increases in diameter, and in contained volume, at a first rate, and in response to a first conical angle of rotation, at its distal end, tip, region. The interior reservoir increases at a different, larger, rate at its proximal end region, which proximal end region is connected to a pipettor. Fluid volumes in a broad range from. 0.5 microliters to 150 microliters are typically measurable at accuracies of better than 10%.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates glycopolypeptide multimers having a polypeptide that contain an immunoglobulin amino acid residue sequence and an oligosaccharide that comprises a core pentasaccharide and N-acetylglucosamine-containing outer branches, such that the multimer is free from sialic acid. The production of passive immunity in an animal by administering a sialic acid free glycopolypeptide multimer is also contemplated. In addition, the invention describes a method for producing a glycopolypeptide multimer by introducing first and second mammalian genes encoding the constituent parts of the multimer into first and second respective members of a plant species, generating a progeny from the first and second plant species members, and isolating the glycopolypeptide multimer from the progeny plant.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a metallopeptide and a method for producing the metallopeptide. The metallopeptide comprises a polypeptide bonded to a metal cation at two coordinating amino acid residues that are aqueous solvent-accessible, said metallopeptide having a secondary structure stabilized by said bonded metal cation.

Abstract: Methods are described for characterizing platelet aggregation defects. The defects are characterized as activation, ligand binding, or post-occupancy defects. In one embodiment of the invention a Cam variant of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is characterized as having a ligand binding defect. In another embodiment, a patient with myelofibrosis is identified as having an activation defect. Rapid analysis are afforded using fluorescence-activated flow cytometry. Also, diagnostic kits are described which comprise antibodies suitable for characterizing the above defects.

Abstract: Hybrid proteins containing repressor proteins and substituted receptor binding sites, amino acid and DNA sequences encoding the hybrid proteins are provided. Methods for preparing the hybrid proteins are also described.

Abstract: A beta-galactosidase-free bacteriophage lambda DNA packaging extract is described. The extract can be produced from beta-galactosidase deficient lambda lysogens. Bacteriophage lambda lysogens having the genotype lacZ are provided.

Abstract: Antibodies that immunoreact with the hepatitis B virus HBxAg antigen and with HBxAg polypeptides, as well as diagnostic system and methods for assaying for the presence of HBxAg and anti-HBxAg antibodies in a body sample are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides that immunologically mimic papillomavirus latent proteins and to antibodies and monoclonal antibodies that immunoreact with papillomavirus latent proteins. Systems and methods for detecting the presence and type of papillomavirus in a human subject are also described.

Abstract: A polypeptide consisting essentially of an amino acid residue sequence selected from the group consisting of:Tyr-His-Asp-Arg-Lys-Glu-Phe-Ala-Lys-Phe-Glu-Glu-Glu-Arg-Ala- Arg-Ala-Lys-Trp-Asp-Thr-Ala-Asn-Asn; SEQ ID No 1 andAla-Asn-Asn-Pro-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Glu-Ala-Thr- Ser-Thr-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ile-Thr-Tyr-Arg-Gly-Thr, SEQ ID No 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assaying a sample of cells for the presence of a cell surface antigen. More particularly, the present invention describes methods for detecting the presence of plasma and cell bound autoantibodies against cell surface antigens. In addition, the present invention provides a method of crossmatching donor platelets and transfusion recipients.

Abstract: Apo E polypeptides capable of mimicking apolipoprotein E are described that are useful to prepare diagnostic antibodies, and for use in diagnostic systems and methods for detecting apo E antigens in vascular body fluids.