Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of the pyrH/smbA gene which encodes the UMP kinase gene in B. subtilis, M. tuberculosis, and H. influenzae, which are activated, stablilized an inhibited by specific nucleotides, methods of purifying UMP kinase, methods of characterizing UMP kinase and methods of stablizing UMP kinase.

Abstract: The molecular cloning and characterization of a novel human retrovirus, designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus, or LAV, is disclosed. LAV was originally isolated from a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A cloned LAV complementary DNA (cDNA) was used to screen a library of recombinant phages constructed from the genomic DNA of LAV-infected T lymphocytes. The nucleotide sequence of an insert obtained from the recombinant phage clone &lgr;J19 was ascertained through M13 shotgun cloning and the dideoxy chain termination sequencing method. The env coding region was identified and various hydrophilic peptides obtained therefrom. These peptides correspond to amino acids 551-577, 594-603, 621-630, 657-679, and 719-758 of the LAV envelope glycoprotein. These peptides should provide suitable diagnostic reagents for the detection LAV-specific antibodies and for the generation of LAV-specific immunological reagents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polynucleotide carrying an open reading frame coding for an antigenic polypeptide from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, named lhp, which is placed under the control of its own regulation signals which are functional in mycobacteria, specially in mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and also in fast growing mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium smegmatis. The invention is also directed to the polypeptide LHP encoded by lhp and most preferably to suitable antigenic portions of LHP as well as to oligomeric polypeptides containing more than one unit of LHP or an antigenic portion of LHP. The invention concerns also immunogenic and vaccine compositions containing a polypeptide or an oligomeric polypeptide such as defined above, as well as antibodies directed specifically against such polypeptides that are useful as diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: A signal amplification system comprises a bacterial multi-hybrid system, and more preferably a two-hybrid system, of at least two chimeric polypeptides containing a first chimeric polypeptide corresponding to a first fragment of an enzyme and a second chimeric polypeptide corresponding to a second fragment of an enzyme or a modulating substance capable of activating said enzyme. The first fragment is fused to a molecule of interest and the second fragment or the modulating substance is fused to a target ligand. The activity of the enzyme is restored by the in vivo interaction between the molecule of interest and the target ligand. Signal amplification is generated and, for example, triggers transcriptional activation. The signal amplification system is useful in a method of selecting a molecule of interest, which is capable of binding to target ligand, wherein the interaction between the molecule of interest and the target ligand is detected with the signal amplification system as a kit therefor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a novel human retrovirus isolated from West African AIDS patients. This virus was originally designated lymphadenopathy associated virus (LAV) type II and subsequently renamed the human immunodeficiency virus type 2, or HIV-2. This virus is genotypically and phenotypically distinct from both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). A recombinant &lgr; phage library was prepared by subjecting HIV-2-infected CEM genomic DNA to digestion with Sau3AI. The library was screened with an HIV-2-specific cDNA probe and molecular clones of the virus were obtained. Restriction maps and the nucleotide sequences of these clones were ascertained. These nucleic acids should prove useful, inter alia, as probes for the detection of HIV-2 in biological samples and for the expression of HIV-2 gene products.

Abstract: Retroviruses associated with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), including Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus (LAV), are isolated from the sera of patients afflicted with Lymphadenopathy Syndrome (LAS) or AIDS. LAV is a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Viral extract, structural proteins and other fractions of the retrovirus immunologically recongize the sera of such patients. Immunological reaction is used to detect antibodies that specifically bind to antigenic sites of the retrovirus in samples of body fluids from patients with AIDS or risk of AIDS.

Abstract: Nucleotide vector composition containing such vector and vaccine for immunization against hepatitis. Nucleotide vector comprising at least one gene or one complementary DNA coding for at least a portion of a virus, and a promoter providing for the expression of such gene in muscle cells. The gene may be the S gene of the hepatitis B virus. A nucleotide vector composition when administered to even chronic HBV carriers is capable of breaking T cell tolerance to the surface antigens of hepatitis B virus. A vaccine preparation containing said bare DNA is injected into the host previously treated with a substance capable of inducing a coagulating necrosis of the muscle fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to the detection and analysis of viral protein-protein interactions using a two-hybrid system. This invention allows the definition and use of minimal peptides involved in these protein-protein interactions. In particular, this invention relates to the use of a two-hybrid assay to screen for molecules that interact with hepatitis C virus proteins.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA modified by a nucleotide sequence coding for a specific polypeptide sequence whose expression is sought, this recombinant DNA being appropriate to the transformation of eucaryotic cell lines, notably human or animal, the endogenous polymerases of which are susceptible of recognizing the adenovirus promoters. The DNA according to the invention is more particularly characterized by the fact that the said insertion nucleotide sequence is placed under the direct control of the early promoter of the E1A region of the genome of adenovirus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) capable of inducing lymphadenopathies (LAS) and acquired immune deficiency syndromes (AIDS) in patients which has been designated the lymphadenopathy associated virus strain MAL (LAVMAL). Although the overall genomic organization of LAVMAL is similar to other known HIV-1 isolates such as LAVBRU and HTLV-III, nevertheless, this virus also displays considerable genotypic and phenotypic diversity as compared to these isolates. A proviral molecular clone of the virus was obtained and characterized. The complete nucleotide sequence of this clone was ascertained and putative regulatory regions (e.g., U3, R, U5,), regulatory elements (e.g., the TATA box, AATAAA polyadenylation signal, primer binding site), and open reading frames (e.g., Gag, Pol, Env, Vif, Vpr, Tat, Rev, Nef) identified. Of particular interest are unique polypeptides derived from the viral envelope.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant obtained by assembling in vitro various elements in order to form a neo-organ which is introduced preferably in the peritoneal cavity of the recipient. The implant comprises a biocompatible support intended to the biological anchoring of cells; cells having the capacity of expressing and secreting naturally or after recombination a predetermined compound, for example a compound having a therapeutical interest; and a constituent capable of inducing and/or promoting the geling of said cells. The invention also relates to a kit for the preparation of the implant as well as to a new recombinant retroviral vector comprising a provirus DNA sequence modified in that the genes gag, pol and env have been deleted at least partially so as to obtain a proviral DNA capable of replication. The invention also relates to recombinant cells comprising the new retroviral vector.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of screening molecules capable of inhibiting the survival of Helicobacter pylori in vivo by specifically inhibiting the activity of UreI, to the molecules identified by these methods, and to the use of these molecules to treat or prevent H. pylori infection.

Abstract: A process produces DNA corresponding to that of the DNA of the virus of B hepatitis. It comprises cloning in bacteria the latter DNA, previously repaired by means of the corresponding precursor nucleotides in the presence of a polymerase. Vectors contain the cloned DNA in their genomes. The cloned DNA is useful as a probe for detecting the presence of the virus of B hepatitis in biological samples, particularly blood or plasma. Its expression in bacteria provides a hybrid protein containing a protein fragment having vaccinating properties against hepatitis B. Nucleic acid of reduced size and a vector containing the nucleotide sequence of which DNA codes an immunogenic peptide sequence capable of inducing the generation of antibodies to the virus of viral hepatitis B. It comprises totally or partly the sequence of nucleotides represented in FIG. 9A.

Abstract: A variant of a LAV virus, designated LAVELI and capable of causing AIDS. The cDNA and antigens of the LAVELI virus can be used for the diagnosis of AIDS and pre-AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention provides fragments of a sodA gene from gram positive bacteria, methods of using these fragments as probes to detect and identify microorganisms in a sample and kits containing suitable reagents to perform the method.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to new polynucleotides or new combinations of polynucleotides useful as diagnostic tools for predicting the occurrence of a human hepatocellular carcinoma disease. The invention is also directed to polynucleotides that consist in candidate tumor suppressor genes the alteration of which is involved in the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient, as well as to polynucleotides derived from such new candidate tumor suppressor genes and to the corresponding expressed polypeptides. The invention also concerns diagnostic methods using said polynucleotides as diagnostic tools.

Abstract: A variant of a LAV virus, designated LAVELI and capable of causing AIDS. The cDNA and antigens of the LAVELI virus can be used for the diagnosis of AIDS and pre-AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel protein complex receptor for HIV retroviruses, namely the “V3 loop HIV receptor”, which consists in the association of three proteins named P95/nucleolin, P40/PHAPII and P30/PHAPI. The invention also concerns peptidic or non peptidic molecules having the ability to alter and/or prevent the binding of the said novel HIV receptor to the HIV retrovirus, specifically to the gp120 glycoprotein of said HIV retrovirus. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions containing an effective amount of the molecules altering and/or preventing the binding of the HIV retrovirus to the novel HIV receptor as well as to therapeutic or diagnostic methods using such pharmaceutical or diagnostic composition.

Abstract: An HIV-1 type (or subtype) O retrovirus protein, or a natural or synthetic polypeptide or peptide including at least a part of said protein, which is capable of being recognised by antibodies isolated from a serum resulting from infection by an HIV-1 type O VAU strain or an HIV-1 type (or subtype) O DUR strain.

Abstract: The invention concerns a retrovirus extract containing a p25 protein which recognizes immunologically sera of patients afflicted with lymphadenopathy syndrom (LAS) or acquired immune deficiency syndrom (AIDS). It relates to a method and kit for in vivo assay of LAS or AIDS involving contacting sera from patients to be diagnosed for such diseases with said retrovirus extract and by detecting the immunological reaction, if any.