Abstract: An antiviral compound comprises a linear non-carbohydrate polymer having a plurality of side chain groups, wherein at least one of the side chain groups has an anionic- or cationic-containing moiety bonded or linked thereto.

Abstract: A modified cereal (1→3,1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase is produced by the method of single point substitution in a native cereal (1→3,1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase enzyme, whereby the substitution:

Abstract: For proposes of prophylactic or treatment of diseases related to inappropriate angiogenesis, a compound can be administered that is (i) a linear, non-carbohydrate polymer having a plurality of side chain groups or (ii) a dendrimer having a plurality of terminal groups. At least one of the side chain groups of the linear, non-carbohydrate polymer has an anionic- or cationic-containing moiety bonded or linked thereto. The plurality of terminal groups of the dendrimer has at least one anionic- or cationic-containing moiety bonded or linked thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to a (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase (glucanase EII endohydrolase) enzyme, whose amino acid sequence has been modified in order to provide an enzyme whose three-dimensional structure confers improved thermostability and/or pH stability. Specific modifications are based upon a comparison between the three-dimensional structure (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase and that of (1→3)-&bgr;-glucanase. The (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase gene has been modified by site-directed mutagenesis, and modified enzymes have been expressed in E. coli. Modified sequences, DNA molecules encoding them, plasmids, expression vectors and transgenic plants are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biologically-active peptide fragment of the Nef protein of human immunodeficiency virus, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these peptides or biologically-active analogues thereof, to antagonists of the peptides and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these antagonists, and to therapeutic and screening methods utilizing compounds and compositions of the invention.

Abstract: An antiviral compound comprises a dendrimer such as a polyamidoamine or polyly sine dendrimer having a plurality of terminal groups, wherein at least one of the terminal groups has an anionic- or cationic-containing moiety bonded thereto, particularly a sulfonic acid-containing, carboxylic acid-containing or trimethylammonium-containing moiety or the like.

Abstract: A biologically-active peptide fragment of the Nef protein of human immunodeficiency virus is provided, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptide, analogs or derivatives of the peptide and therepeutic and screening methods which utilize the peptide and compositions which comprise them. The invention is particularly useful in the suppression of the immnune respons or in the suppression of symptoms of autoimmune disease.