Abstract: The invention provides methods for the systematic analysis of the structure and function of polypeptides by identifying active domains which influence the activity of the polypeptide with a target substance. Such active domains are determined by substituting selected amino acid segments of the polypeptide with an analogous polypeptide segment from an analog to the polypeptide. The analog has a different activity with the target substance as compared to the parent polypeptide. The activities of the segment-substituted polypeptides are compared to the same activity for the parent polypeptide for the target. A comparison of such activities provides an indication of the location of the active domain in the parent polypeptide. The invention also provides methods for identifying the active amino acid residues within the active domain of the parent polypeptide.

Abstract: DNA isolates coding for a vascular endothelial cell growth factor may be used to produce the protein via recombinant expression systems. Such protein is useful therapeutically to treat conditions in which a selective action on the vascular endothelial cells, in the absence of excessive connective tissue proliferation, is desirable.

Abstract: A tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) variant is prepared that has an amino acid deletion at positions 466 to 470 of the corresponding wild-type t-PA. This alteration renders the variant fibrin (and plasma clot) specific as compared to the corresponding wild-type t-PA. DNA sequences can be prepared that encode the variant, as well as expression vectors incorporating the DNA sequences, and host cells transformed with the expression vectors. The variant may be used in a pharmaceutical preparation to treat a vascular disease or condition or to prevent fibrin deposition or adhesion formation or reformation in mammals.

Abstract: Sequential degradation of peptides for sequencing purposes by successive cleavage of amino acids from one end of the peptide chain is performed in an adsorption column with flows of the degradation reagents and wash liquids passing through the column in both directions. Migration of the peptide in one direction is thereby compensated by a subsequent migration in the other, and loss of peptide from the column over repeated cleavages is avoided. In preferred embodiments, the column contains two serially arranged adsorbent zones with differing adsorption characteristics, and the directions of flow of the various system components through the column are selected with a view toward a difference in peptide partitioning between the stationary and mobile phases in one zone vs. the other. The result is that any migration of the peptide occurring at any stage of a given cycle of the procedure occurs at a greater rate toward the zone interface than away from it.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2-KLG) from 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid (2,5-DKG) using a DNA sequence encoding 2,5-DKG reductase. The 2-KLG is a precursor for the synthesis of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

Abstract: Production of human relaxin or novel human relaxin analogs by combination of a human relaxin A-chain and B-chain comprises combining the reduced form of the human relaxin A-chain and the reduced form of the human relaxin B-chain in an aqueous medium having a pH of about 7.0 to 12 at room temperature, under conditions that are mildly denaturing for the relaxin B-chain such that the human relaxin or novel human relaxin analog can be formed.

Abstract: The use of aqueous N-methyl pyrrolidone as a solvent for a substrate containing tetraalkyl benzidine chromogen and a peroxide in determining peroxidase enzyme activity provides increased stability of the substrate solution and decreased substrate drift in carrying out enzyme immunoassays or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.