Abstract: This invention is in the field of lymphadenopathy virus, which has been designated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1). This invention relates to a diagnostic means and method to detect the presence of DNA, RNA or antibodies of the lymphadenopathy retrovirus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome or of the lymphadenopathy syndrome by the use of DNA fragments or the peptides encoded by said DNA fragments. The invention further relates to the DNA fragments, vectors comprising them and the proteins expressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated immune complex comprising a protein and an antibody that binds with said protein, wherein the protein is selected from the group consisting of gp80 of HIV-2 and gp65 of SIV, wherein said gp80 is a glycoprotein having an apparent molecular weight of 80 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE, and further wherein said gp65 is a glycoprotein having an apparent molecular weight of 65 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. Also provided are an immunogenic composition comprising an amount of gp80 protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) sufficient to induce an immune response and a pharmaceutically acceptible carrier, and a composition comprising at least one antigen selected from the group consisting of gp80 protein of HIV-2 and gp65SIV.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These reagents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In one embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Abstract: This invention provides recombinant mycobacterium strains of pathogenic origin that have been attenuated by the inactivation of a gene coding for a metabolic protein, specifically a gene coding for a protein necessary for the biosynthesis of a purine or a pyrimidine base, and more precisely, the purC gene that codes for an enzyme of the metabolic pathway of purine biosynthesis. The recombinant mycobacterium of this invention have a reduced capacity to propagate in a mammalian host, but remain viable in the host for a period of time sufficient to induce an protective immune response against the natural pathogenic mycobacterium counterpart.

Abstract: There is provided an immunogenic composition capable of inducing protective antibodies against Helicobacter infection characterized in that it comprises: i) at least one sub-unit of a urease structural polypeptide from Helicobacter pylori (SEQ ID NO: 22,26), or a fragment thereof, said fragment being recognized by antibodies reacting with Helicobacter felis urease (SEQ ID NO: 20-21), and/or at least one sub-unit of a urease structural polypeptide from Helicobacter felis (SEQ ID NO: 20-21), or a fragment thereof, said fragment being recognized by antibodies reacting with Helicobacter pylori urease (SEQ ID NO: 22-26); ii) and/or, a heat shock protein (Hsp), or chaperonin, from Helicobacter, or a fragment of said protein. The preparation, by recombinant means, of such immunogenic compositions is also provided.

Abstract: A recombinant vector capable of replicating in Gram positive bacteria and containing: a) a nucleotide concatenation I of Bacillus thuringiensis with a size of about 2.6 kb between sites BalI-HpaI, or any fragment included in said concatenation as long as its allows replication of the recombinant vector when under the control of functional promoter in Gram positive bacteria, or any sequence which hybridizes with the complementary sequence of concatenation I or the above mentioned fragment under highly stringent conditions, and b) at least on DNA sequence of interest inserted in phase with the above mentioned concatenation.

Abstract: Four glycoproteins of apparent molecular weights 300,000, 140,000, 125,000, and 36,000 (gp300, gp140, gp125, and gp36) are detectable in human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) infected cells. The gp125 and gp36 are the external and transmembrane components, respectively, of the envelope glycoproteins of HIV-2 mature virions. The gp300, which is a dimeric form of gp14O, the precursor of HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein, is probably formed by a pH dependent fusion in the endoplasmic reticulum. Such a doublet is also observed in cells infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a virus closely related to HIV-2. On the other hand, the envelope glycoprotein precursor of HIV-1 does not form a dimer during its processing. Experiments carried out with various inhibitors of oligosaccharide trimming enzymes suggest that transient dimerization of the glycoprotein precursor is required for its efficient transport to the Golgi apparatus and for its processing.

Abstract: A mutant mouse has germ cells and somatic cells containing a mutation comprising a disruption of the endogenous &agr;4 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) gene, wherein the disrupted &agr;4 subunit of the nAChR gene results in the mouse lacking detectable levels of the endogenous &agr;4 subunit of nAChR without a change in level of expression of other nAChR subunits as compared to a wild type mouse. The mutant mouse is useful for studying the roles of the various subunits of the nAChR. The results are useful in studying the antinociceptive, hypothermia, and locomotor effects of nicotine in other mammals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for in vitro diagnosis of an infection by human cytomegaloviruses. The process consists of contacting cells possibly carrying the infection, with a monoclonal antibody reacting with a polypeptide of molecular weight 68,000, induced by human cytomegalovirus and which possesses a protein-kinase activity. The detection of the reaction is preferably carried out by immunofluorescence.

Abstract: There is provided an immunogenic composition capable of inducing protective antibodies against Helicobacter infection characterized in that it comprises: i) at least one sub-unit of a urease structural polypeptide from Helicobacter pylori, or a fragment thereof, said fragment being recognized by antibodies reacting with Helicobacter felis urease, and/or at least one sub-unit of a urease structural polypeptide from Helicobacter felis, or a fragment thereof, said fragment being recognized by antibodies reacting with Helicobacter pylori urease; ii) and/or, a heat shock protein (Hsp), or chaperonin, from Helicobacter, or a fragment of said protein. The preparation, by recombinant means, of such immunogenic compositions is also provided.

Abstract: Recombinant screening, cloning and/or expression vector characterized in that it replicates in mycobacteria and contains 1) a mycobacteria functional replicon; 2) a selection marker, 3) a reporter cassette comprising a) a multiple cloning site (polylinker) b) a transcription terminator which is active in mycobacteria and is located upstream of the polylinker, and c) a coding nucleotide sequence derived from a gene coding for an expression, export and/or secretion protein marker, the nucleotide sequence being deprived of its initiation codon and its regulating sequences. This vector is used for identification and expression of exporter polypeptides, such as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis P28 antigen.

Abstract: Eukaryotic genomes are duplicated by the activation of multiple bidirectional origins of replication. The replication programs of these cells depend on the temporal and spatial organization of replication origins throughout the genome. To investigate the replication program in a higher eukaryote, we employed a technique called molecular combing. This technique allows for a quantitative analysis of DNA replication on a genome wide basis. As a model system, Xenopus laevis sperm chromatin were differentially labeled at successive time points after the beginning of DNA synthesis. Genomic DNA was then extracted and combed on a glass surface. Direct measurements made on the labeled DNA provided a comprehensive analysis of the spatial and temporal organization of the X. laevis early embryo replication program and revealed that the number of replication origins activated per kilobase increases throughout the period of DNA synthesis.

Abstract: This invention relates to Helicobacter species aliphatic amidase AmiE polypeptides, the DNA encoding those polypeptides and transformed microorganisms capable of expressing those polypeptides. This invention also relates to the use of Helicobacter sp. (particularly Helicobacter pylori) amidase AmiE polypeptides and antibodies specific for those polypeptides in immunogenic, therapeutic, and diagnostic applications. The invention additionally relates to processes of producing Helicobacter species aliphatic amidase AmiE polypeptides and intermediates useful in the production of those polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention concerns DNA fragments derived from the genomic DNA of HPV-33. These fragments are selected from the group of fragments extending between the nucleotide extremities defined hereafter in relation to the nucleotide-numbering in FIGS. 1a and 1b respectively: 76-556 543-864 867-2811 2728-3808 3326-3575 3842-4079 4198-5611 5516-8091. The invention also relates to the use of these fragments as probes for the detection of HPV in tissue cultures.

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: A mycobacteria transformed with an antigen-encoding gene, such as nef, under the control of a Streptomyces stress-responsive promoter, such as the S. albus groES/groEL1 promoter, and preferably associated with a synthetic ribosome binding site. The recombinant mycobacteria can be used as a vaccine against, for example, a pathogen which carries the antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the parallel alignment of macromolecules on the surface S of a solid support by displacement of a meniscus formed by the triple interface surface S/solution/air. The apparatus includes a container receiving a solution including the macromolecules to be aligned, a means for immersing the solid support into the solution, with the solid support surface configured to anchor macromolecules, and a means for the relative rectilinear displacement of the surface S and the surface of the solution to thereby cause motion of the meniscus and establish the parallel alignment of the macromolecules. The present invention also relates to a method for the parallel alignment of the macromolecules using the apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing 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. The invention also relates to vectors containing said 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for immunizing a mammal against infection by a first Bordetella species. The method comprises administering to the mammal a preparation comprising a portion of the amino acid sequence of mature adenylate cyclase of a second Bordetella species. The invention also relates to vaccine preparations comprising a portion of the amino acid sequence of mature adenylate cyclase from Bordetella species.

Abstract: This invention relates to oligonucleotides encoding HCV E1 peptides, labeled oligonucleotide probes, recombinant DNA molecules comprising HCV E1 nucleotides, plasmid, expression vectors and transformed hosts.