Abstract: The present invention is related to the obtaining of chimeric chains coding for proteins capable of inducing, in the recipient, a serotype-specific and protective humoral immune response against the infection by the Dengue virus, thus eliminating the effects of the serotype-nonespecific viral immunoenhancement that causes hemorrhagies and clinical complications described for this kind of pathology. These chimeric chains of nucleic acids are composed by the specific combination of fragments belonging to the gene of a mutated protein from Neisseria meningitidis with dehydrogenase activity and fragments that codify for a region of the envelope (E) protein from the Dengue virus which, when inserted to an expression vector, give rise to chimeric proteins with particular properties. The resultant chimeric molecules from this invention are applicable to the pharmaceutical industry for the obtaining of vaccine preparations and diagnostic means of high serotype-specificity to be used in humans.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of selective peptide isolation for the identification and quantitative analysis of proteins in complex mixture. The method comprises the selective isolation from every protein of those peptides that neither contain arginine nor histidine (NHNR peptides), and the determination of the relative concentrations of one or several proteins in different samples from the ratio between the areas of the estimated theoretical spectra for the NHNR peptides labeled with different isotopes in each sample. The determination of the relative concentration of proteins is valid for any type of isotopic label of the NHNR peptides. The method avoids the separation and purification of the proteins present in a complex mixture, and the analysis of all peptides generated from the enzymatic digest of the samples. The method is applicable to the identification of proteins with vacunal, therapeutic and diagnostic aims.

Abstract: An artificial promoter characterized for been a chimerical recombinant DNA molecule such that, when introduced in any class of plant cells, promotes high expression levels of any DNA molecule fused to its 3? end. The basic genetic elements of the molecule described here are: a core promoter with a consensus TATA box, followed by an Exon/Intron/Exon region and a translation enhancer element, all of them artificially constructed. Transcription regulatory elements can be inserted upstream of the promoter here described to confer temporal-, organ- or tissue-specificity to the expression. The designed artificial genetic elements can be functionally inserted between any promoter active in plant cells and any DNA sequence to increase its transcription/translation levels.

Abstract: A non-instrumental assay for the diagnosis of celiac disease based on the general immunochromatographic assay principles. The assay is rapid and simple and allows the reliable detection of anti transglutaminase antibodies, of both IgA and IgG isotype, in samples of human serum, plasma or blood, using as tracer the antigen transglutaminase conjugated to a colored substance, like colloidal gold or colored latex particles. The conjugated antigen is deposited onto an inert fibrous support, from where it can be released by a liquid sample. The antibodies in the sample react with the conjugated antigen developing an immunocomplex that migrates through a carrier membrane, like nitrocellulose or nylon with a pore size that allows a laminar flow of the reagents, until it reacts with the same antigen transglutaminase immobilized onto a reactive zone of the membrane. As a consequence of this reaction the immunocomplex will be trapped in the reaction site and a colored signal will be seen.

Abstract: The present invention relates a novel immunological effect of one peptide from Limulus anti-LPS factor protein. The immunological effect are, (1) Induce an antiviral state in both the Hep-2 and MDBK cell lines, (2) Supernatant from human mononuclear cells stimulated with peptide Limulus anti-LPS factor (LALF) is able to induce antiviral effect on Hep-2 cell line by mean of IFN-&ggr; (3) LALF peptide is able to modulate the immune response in vitro and in vivo. The present invention can be used in therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment regimens of humans and animals to enhance their immune responses, without stimulating the production of certain biochemical mediators (e.g., TNF-&agr;) that can cause detrimental effects, such as fever and inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention is for a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of an lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding and -neutralizing peptide. The LPS binding and neutralizing peptides of the present invention are analogues of peptides from a lipopolysaccharide binding protein region whose primary sequence have been substituted at particular amino acid sites to obtain an effective binding to and neutralization of LPS.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering techniques, particularly to a method for obtaining mutants obtain from streptokinase, to the molecules obtained from this method, as well as the expression vectors and microorganisms for recombinant obtaining. The object of the present invention is to achieve streptokinase mutants from modifications of skc-2 gene coding for streptokinase SKC-2 (Heberkinase®), such that the obtained mutants conserve their capacity for plasminogen activator complex formation having reduced antigenicity, that could constitute preferred alternatives to native streptokinase for thrombolytic therapy. The molecules obtained from present invention can be used in the treatment of disorders as myocardial infarct, pulmonary thromboembolism, surgical complications and other cases of thrombosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates a novel immunological effect of one peptide from Limulus anti-LPS factor protein. The immunological effect are, (1) induce an antiviral state in both the Hep-2 and MDBK cell lines, (2) Supernatant from human mononuclear cells stimulated with peptide Limulus anti-LPS factor (LALF) is able to induce antiviral effect on Hep-2 cell line by mean of IFN-&ggr; (3) LALF peptide is able to modulate the immune response in vitro and in vivo. The present invention can be used in therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment regimens of humans and animals to enhance their immune responses, without stimulating the production of certain biochemical mediators (e.g., TNF-&agr;,) that can cause detrimental effects, such as fever and inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biotechnology and genetic engineering, particularly the expression of proteins of viral origin in microorganisms through their fusion, by applying the recombinant DNA technology, to bacterial peptides. The present invention provides an efficient process for the expression in Escherichia coli of heterologous proteins as fusion polypeptides with a view to obtaining them with a high degree of purity, in commercially useful amounts, and in an appropriate form for their inclusion in vaccine preparations intended to human use. To this effect, what is essentially used is a stabilizing sequence derived from the first 47 amino acids of the antigen P64k of Neisseria meningitidis B:4:P1.15. In particular, use is made of a recombinant plasmid containing said sequence, under the control of the tryptophane promotor of E.

Abstract: A method for the isolation and expression of a gene coding for dextranase of the fungus Penicillium minioluteum. This enzyme of fungal origin is produced by expression at high levels in yeast. For this purpose, a cDNA copy of the mRNA coding for dextranase enzyme of the Penicillium minioluteum fungus was isolated and sequenced. This cDNA was transfered into Pichia pastoris cells. Recombinant yeasts capable of secreting dextranase to the culture medium were obtained thereby. The dextranase enzyme obtained can be used, e.g. in the sugar industry to hydrolyze the dextran in cane juices to increase the sugar production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering and in particular a novel nucleotide sequence which codes for a streptokinase, as well as the recombinant DNA obtained therefrom which is used for the transformation of various host organisms.The present invention is based on the isolation of a new gene which codes for streptokinase from Streptococcus equisimilis of type C (strain ATCC-9542) and the cloning and expression thereof in prokaryotic (E. coli) and eukaryotic (Pichia pastoris) hosts, for which it includes the vehicles of expression which contain the genetic sequences of said gene, as well as the microorganisms transformed with these vectors capable of producing streptokinase.The protein obtained thereby can be used in clinical medicine as a therapeutic agent, in the treatment of disorders such as thromboembolic obstructions including coronary thrombosis.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for the isolation of a nucleotide sequence which codes for a protein having a molecular weight of about 64,000 daltons, which is located on the outer membrane of N. meningitidis, as well as with the recombinant DNA obtained therefrom, which is used for the transformation of a host microorganism. The technical object pursued with the invention is the identification of a nucleotide sequence coding for a highly conserved and common protein for the majority of pathogenic Neisseria strains, the production of this protein with a high level of purity and in commercially useful amounts using the recombinant way, so that it can be used in diagnostic methods and vaccine preparations with a broad immunoprotection spectrum.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of nutrition and the sugar industry and presents a method and apparatus for producing glucose-fructose liquors on an industrial scale from sugar or liquors thereof. The invention uses reactors packed with a catalyst with high hydrolytic activity, and these are installed within a sugar refining factory or in an industry which dissolves it, such that glucose-fructose syrup is produced in a single operation by a continuous flow of the sugar liquor. High levels of hydrolysis may be attained by modification of the residence time. The process of hydrolysis of the sugar does not significantly alter the color of the solution. The product obtained on an industrial scale can be used both in the food industry and in the pharmaceutical industry.