Abstract: The present invention is a process for preparing an activated ester of polyethylene glycol or a polyoxyethylated polyol. After the activated ester is prepared, it can be reacted with a protein to form a polymer/protein conjugate. Conjugation with a polymer can reduce the protein's immunogenicity, increase its solubility, and increase its circulating in vivo half-life. Preferred proteins are IL-2, CSFs, and interferons.

Abstract: Bifunctional chemicals useful for linking aldehyde containing moieties to moieties containing functionalities which are or can be reactive with sulfhydryl are claimed and have the formula:L--S--(CH.sub.2).sub.n1 --CONH--SPACER--NH--XwhereinL is a leaving group selected from --H or --S--Ar, wherein Ar represents optionally substituted phenyl or pyridyl;n.sub.1 =2-4;X is selected from: ##STR1## wherein Y is alkylene or oxaalkylene and Z is alkylene or a polypeptide residue briding the N-terminal amino group and C-terminal carboxy group thereof;the SPACER is oxaalkylene or oxaalkylene substituted with hydroxyl and specifically includes residues having formulas selected from--(CH.sub.2).sub.n2 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n2 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n2 --a)wherein each n2 is independently 2-4 and ##STR2## wherein n3 is 2-6. Also claimed are hydrazides, semicarbazides, and thiosemicarbazides of .omega.-mercaptocarboxylic acids which lack SPACER diamine.

Abstract: The present invention is a simplified process for making succinyl acetone (SA). The most preferred embodiment is a one step process that reacts levulinic acid, ethyl acetate, and a base to form SA. Generally, a levulinic acid group may be reacted with an alkyl ester and a base to form SA. Optionally, the reaction may be acidified after completion to remove byproducts.

Abstract: A refractile material containing a heterologous protein is recovered from a host microorganism cell culture transformed to produce the protein. One recovery process involves first reducing the ionic strength of the culture medium prior to disruption to a level effective in preventing reaggregation of cellular debris with refractile material after disruption, disrupting the desalted culture, optionally adding material to the disruptate to create a density or viscosity gradient and separating the refractile material from the cellular debris by high-speed centrifugation. Preferably the salt removal step is carried out by diafiltration and the heterologous protein comprises recombinant M-CSF, IL-2 or IFN-.beta..

Abstract: Compositions useful for detecting ras gene proteins are described consisting of GTP and a protein having an apparent reduced molecular weight of about 115,000-120,000 daltons, or fragments derived therefrom, that stimulate ras protein guanosine triphosphatase activity. Also described are methods whereby the compositions are used to identify cancer therapeutics.

Abstract: Muteins of IL-2 in which one of the amino acids of the mature native sequence of IL-2 is replaced by a cysteine residue are prepared and conjugated through the replaced cysteine residue to a polymer selected from polyethylene glycol homopolymers or polyoxyethylated polyols, wherein said homopolymers are unsubstituted or substituted at one end with an alkyl group. These muteins are made via host expression of mutant genes encoding the muteins that have been changed from the genes for the parent proteins by site-directed mutagenesis. In addition, other species of IL-2 may be conjugated via the cysteine residue at position 125 of the mature IL-2 protein that is not necessary for the biological activity of the IL-2.

Abstract: Murine monoclonal antibodies, or fragments thereof, that bind selectively to human breast cancer cells, are IgGs or IgMs, and when conjugated to ricin A chain, exhibit a TCID 50% against at least one of MCF-7, CAMA-1, SKBR-3, or BT-20 cells of less than about 10 nM. Methods for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating human breast cancer with the antibodies or immunotoxins made therefrom are described.

Abstract: A DNA sequence is described, which is a promoter for Streptomyces. This promoter is stronger than the wild type and ultimately increases transcription initiation and protein expression. Typically, a nucleotide base, such as guanine, is inserted into the promoter sequence between positions -50 and -75 to increase transcription initiation or protein expression. In a preferred embodiment, guanine is inserted between positions -62 and -63 of the promoter regulated by thiostrepton (tipA).