Abstract: Pertactin (PRN) is an outer membrane protein expressed by Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica, which induces protective immunity to Bordetella infections. The immunodominant and immunoprotective epitopes of pertactin include two repeated regions, I and II. Comparison of these two repeated regions showed the pertactin of B. parapertussis is invariant, whereas the pertactin of B. pertussis varies mostly in region I and B. bronchiseptica varies in both the repeated regions I and II. Compositions containing pertactins and pertactin fragments containing variant sequences in these regions are useful as immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: An isolated DNA encoding the enzyme I-SceI is provided. The DNA sequence can be incorporated in cloning and expression vectors, transformed cell lines and transgenic animals. The vectors are useful in gene mapping and site-directed insertion of genes.

Abstract: Use of an antagonist compound of protein ESM-1 for the production of a drug for the treatment of a cancer.

Abstract: Several genes encoding subunits of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have been cloned and regulatory elements involved in the transcription of the ?:2 and ?:7-subunit genes have been described. Yet, the detailed mechanisms governing the neuron-specific transcription and the spatio-temporal expression pattern of these genes remain largely uninvestigated. The ?2-subunit is the most widely expressed neuronal nicotinic receptors subunit in the nervous system. We have studied the structural and regulatory properties of the 5? sequence of this gene. A fragment of 1163 bp of upstream sequence is sufficient to drive the cell-specific transcription of a reporter gene in both transient transfection assays and in transgenic mice. Deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis of this promoter reveal two negative and one positive element. The positively acting sequence includes one functional E-box.

Abstract: Methods of modifying, repairing, attenuating and inactivating a gene or other chromosomal DNA in a cell are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating or prophylaxis of a genetic disease in an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for early detection of a flavivirus-induced infection, comprising the detection of the flavivirus non-structural glycoprotein NS1 in a biological sample during the clinical phase of the infection, by an immumological method using at least two identical or different antibodies, the first antibody consisting of polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies pre-selected for their high affinity for said NS1 protein hexameric in shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glycoconjugate, a composition and vaccine comprising the same and to the use thereof for enhancing the immune response in cancer therapy wherein the induction of a humoral or a cellular immune response is sought. The invention also relates to a diagnosis kit and to a method for the diagnosis of a cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the early diagnosis of a disease having a pre-inflammatory phase, or for the diagnosis of a predisposition to said disease, in a mammal, prior to any clinical signs, comprising measuring the level of at least a marker protein chosen amongst the following murine proteins Pap, Reg3a, Reg2, Cel, Reg1, Tff2, Clps, Spp1, Klk9, Klk6, Rib1, Klk5, Muc1, Cckar, Ggh, Ang, Nucb2, Pnliprp2, Pla2g1b, Ela1, Ela2, 2210010C04Rik, Pnliprp1, Itmap1, Vtn, C1qb, Sycn, Amy1, Ctrb1, 1110002O23Rik, 1810014Ll2Rik and their respective mammalian orthologs, in a body fluid or tissue sample obtained from said mammal, comparing the measured level to a reference level for said marker protein and diagnosing the later onset of said disease if the measured level is significantly superior to the reference level. The invention also encompasses related methods and uses of these early markers of diseases having a pre-inflammatory phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to biosensors, methods for obtaining them and their use fro detecting, assaying or locating, in direct immunofluorescence, a ligand such as an antigen or hapten, in a heterogeneous population. The biosensor includes (i) at least one fragment of a receptor which is protein in nature, capable of binding to a ligand via an active site, where at least one amino acid residues of the fragment located in the proximity of said active site is naturally present in the form of a cystein Cys residue, or is substituted with a Cys residue, and (ii) a fluorophore coupled to the Cys residue.

Abstract: An isolated DNA encoding the enzyme I-SceI is provided. The DNA sequence can be incorporated in cloning and expression vectors, transformed cell lines and transgenic animals. The vectors are useful in gene mapping and site-directed insertion of genes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for in vitro detection of an infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mammals, and methods for in vitro distinction between mammals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in which the disease is declared (active form) and mammals which are infected but asymptomatic for tuberculosis (latent form), and a method for in vitro distinction between mammals presenting an active form of tuberculosis and mammals not infected by M. tuberculosis or presenting a latent form of tuberculosis. The present invention also pertains to kits for detection and distinction between infected mammals presenting tuberculosis symptoms and infected mammals with no disease development, and a kit for distinguishing between mammals presenting an active form of tuberculosis and mammals not infected by M. tuberculosis or presenting a latent form of tuberculosis.

Abstract: The present application identifies the involvement of the HIF?-homologous Arntl2 gene in the control of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of determining the susceptibility of a subject to developing insulin-dependent diabetes based on the expressing level of the Arntl2 gene. The present invention also provides a method for identifying compounds effective for treating or preventing insulin-dependent diabetes in a subject in need thereof and a method of treating or preventing insulin-dependent diabetes by administering an effective amount of compound identified by the identification method. The present invention also provides a method of enhancing protection against insulitis progression or autoimmune diabetes development in a subject in need thereof comprising, enhancing expression of the Arntl2 gene or modulating the expression of target genes thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating a novel form of life comprising the steps consisting of: a) irreversible alteration of the genome of a microbial clone; b) cultivation of a vast population of microbial cells originating from the altered clone obtained in step a) during numerous generations under conditions allowing selection for a higher and stable proliferation rate; c) isolation of descendant clones within the cultivated population of step b) still bearing the alteration of step a).

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel mycobacterial protein named DES, which appears to share significant amino acid sequence homology with soluble stearoyl-ACP desaturases. The results of allelic exchange experiments, indicate that the des gene may be essential to the survival of mycobacteria. These results coupled with the surface localization, the unique structure of DES, and the fact this antigen is expressed in vivo, and DES protein induces a humoral response in human patients, indicate that the DES protein provides a new target for the design of anti-mycobacterial drugs. This invention provides methods of screening molecules that can inhibit the DES enzyme activity of purified DES protein, in order to identify antibiotic molecules that are capable of inhibiting the growth or survival of mycobacteria.

Abstract: This invention provides identification and characterization of racemases and definition of protein signatures of these racemases. This invention also provides identification of nucleic acid molecules encoding a peptide consisting of a motif characteristic of the protein signatures, and to the peptides consisting of these motifs. Antibodies specific for the peptides and to immune complexes of these antibodies with the peptides are also provided. Further, the invention relates to methods and kits for detecting racemases using the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, as well as the peptides consisting of the motifs and antibodies to these peptides.

Abstract: A purified polynucleotide having a chain of nucleotides corresponding to a mutated sequence, which in wildtype form encodes a polypeptide implicated in hereditary sensory defect, wherein said mutated purified polynucleotide presents a mutation responsible for prelingual non-syndromic deafness selected from the group consisting of a specific deletion of at least one nucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nine residue peptides (ApoptoM) from flavivirus M ectodomain able to modulate specifically the apoptotic activity of diverse flavivirus, to pharmaceutical composition comprising the same and their use for the treatment and/or the prevention of flavivirus-linked infections and cancers.

Abstract: A method of screening cellular polypeptides for pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic activity in a cell of a particular cell-type, said method comprising: (a) culturing cells of said particular cell-type under non apoptotic conditions and culturing cells of said particular cell-type under apoptotic conditions, and (b) determining subcellular localisation of said cellular polypeptides in the cultured cells, wherein a localization of a cellular polypeptide in lipid rafts in cultured cells under non apoptotic conditions and a segregation of said cellular polypeptide from lipid rafts in cultured cells under apoptotic conditions is indicative that said cellular polypeptide has a pro-apoptotic or an anti-apoptotic activity in said particular cell-type.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polynucleotides derived from M. tuberculosis genes imparting resistance to antibiotics and chemically related compounds. This invention also relates to the use of the polynucleotides as oligonucleotide primers or probes for detecting M. tuberculosis strains that are resistant to antibiotics and related compounds in a biological sample. Kits containing the primers and probes are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns recombinant vectors replicated in mycobacteria, a set of sequences coding for exported polypeptides detected by fusion with alkaline phosphatase, in particular one polypeptide, called DP428, of about 12 kD corresponding to an exported protein found in mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The invention also concerns methods and kits for detecting in vitro the presence of a mycobacterium and in particular a mycobacterium belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in a biological sample using said polypeptides, their fragments or polynucleotides coding for the latter. The invention also concerns immunogenic or vaccine compositions for preventing and/or treating infections caused by mycobacteria and in particular a mycobacterium belonging to said complex, particularly tuberculosis.