Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of a new gene, des, which encodes a M. tuberculosis protein named DES. The des gene appears to be conserved among different Mycobacteria species. The amino acid sequence of the DES protein contains two sets of motifs that are characteristic of the active sites of enzymes from the class II diiron-oxo protein family. Among this family of proteins, DES shares significant homology with soluble stearoyl-ACP desaturases. DES is a highly antigenic protein, which is recognized by human sera from patients infected with M. tuberculosis and M. leprae but not by sera from tuberculous cattle. Thus, the DES protein provides a useful tool for the serodiagnostic analysis of tuberculosis.

Abstract: Amplifying sequences, vectors comprising these sequences and their uses in compositions for the expression of nucleotide sequences in transfected cells, therapeutic and vaccine applications. Amplifying sequences showing a homology of at least 90% with the following SEQ ID N° 1 sequence: TCTATAAATA X1X2X3GC Y1Y2Y3GG TATTTGGGGT TGGCAGCTGT T in which: X1, X2 and X3 may independently represent respectively C or G, C or G, and C or A Y1, Y2 and Y3 may independently represent respectively T or C, C or G, and T or C. Such sequence may included in a sequence or expression vector containing in addition a sequence coding for a protein and a promoter. Such sequences allow very strong amplification of the transcription of the gene coding for the protein.

Abstract: Retroviral vectors contain cis-acting viral elements for the expression, encapsidation, reverse transcription and integration of the retroviral genome nucleic acid sequence. However, these elements are not useful in the integrated provirus and may cause many problems. A retroviral vector is provided for eliminating most of the viral elements. This vector uses, among other things, the bacteriophage P1 Cre-lox recombination system. The 32-nucleotide loxP site is inserted into 3′LTR sequence U3 with the gene to be inserted into the cell. After loxP duplication using the LTR, the LTRs may be recombined by enzyme Cre. The structure of the resulting provirus in the host genome corresponds to a single LTR carrying a single copy of the gene to be inserted into the cell. If the Cre expression unit is inserted between the two LTRS, only single-LTR proviral structures are found following infection with the retroviral vector.

Abstract: Immunological reagents obtained from multimeric forms of the HIV-2 and SIV envelope glycoproteins and their use in the detection of HIV-2 are disclosed. Particularly, the HIV-2 proteins, gp300, p200, p90, and p80, and gp300 of SIV are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides encoded by a nucleotide sequence from an HIV-1, HIV-2, or SIV viral genome, in which the nucleotide sequence is amplified from the viral genome using a pair of primers that contain sequences that are conserved between different HIV and SIV strains. The primers are insensitive to variations in the genomes of different HIV and SIV isolates and, therefore, can be used to amplify nucleotide sequences from HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV strains. The invention also relates to antibodies directed against these polypeptides and methods and kits for diagnosing viral infection.

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: Nucleic acids (SEQ ID NOs: 1-3) encoding a Plasmodium falciparum liver stage antigen, the LSA-3 immunogenic polypeptide, recombinant vectors containing the nucleic acids, and methods of making the polypeptide using the nucleic acids and vectors are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for selecting a prey polypeptide that is able to interact with a bait polypeptide of interest, to a prey polynucleotide encoding the prey polypeptide as well as to the prey polypeptide itself. The invention also concerns plasmids used for performing the method of the invention as well as prokaryotic or eukaryotic recombinant host organisms containing such plasmids and also a collection of said recombinant host organisms consisting in a DNA library, such as a collection of recombinant haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Finally, the invention is also directed to a technical medium containing the whole information concerning the interactions between metabolically related bait and prey polypeptides and/or polynucleotides coding for bait and prey polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating a polynucleotide of interest that is present in the genome of a first mycobacterium strain and/or is expressed by the first mycobacterium strain, where the polynucleotide of interest is also absent or altered in the genome of a second mycobacterium strain and/or is not expressed in the second mycobacterium. The method comprises: (a) contacting the genomic DNA of the first mycobacterium strain under hybridizing conditions with the DNA of a least one clone that belongs to a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) genomic DNA library of the second mycobacterium strain, and (b) isolating the polynucleotide of interest that does not form a hybrid with the DNA of the second mycobacterium strain. This invention further pertains to a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv genomic DNA library, as well as a Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain Pasteur genomic DNA library, and the recombinant BAC vectors that belong to those genomic DNA libraries.

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 cytomagalovirus and which possesses a protein-kinase activity. The detection of the reaction is preferably carried out by immunofluorescence.

Abstract: Several genes encoding subunits of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have been cloned and regulatory elements involved in the transcription of the &agr;:2 and &agr;: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 &bgr;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: The invention relates to the use as therapeutic agents of IL-2 peptides and derivatives having biological activity and anti-IL-2 antibodies which mimic or modulate the biological activities of IL-2. The invention also relates to DNA sequences encoding the IL-2 peptides, and to methods of using the IL-2 peptides and derivatives and anti-IL-2 antibodies to modulate or mimic or antagonize the biological activities of IL-2 in vivo and to assay for the presence and activity of the IL-2 receptor.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward polypeptides derived from novel lentiviruses. A novel lentivirus, designated the human immunodeficiency virus type 2, was isolated from West African patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Several isolates were obtained and designated HIV-2.sub.ROD, HIV-2.sub.IRMO, and HIV-2.sub.EHO. A recombinant lambda phage library was constructed from HIV-2.sub.ROD -infected CEM genomic DNA. Overlapping molecular clones were obtained and the nucleotide sequence of the complete 9.5-kilobase (kb) HIV-2.sub.ROD genome ascertained. The genetic organization of HIV-2 is analogous to that of other retroviruses and consists of the 5'LTR-gag-pol-central region-env-nef-3'LTR. The central region also encodes for the regulatory proteins Tat and Rev, as well as the ancillary proteins Vif, Vpr, and Vpx. The proteins encoded by this proviral clone will provide novel immunologic, biochemic, and diagnostic reagents useful for the detection of HIV-2.

Abstract: Reagents and methods for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus are provided. The reagents contain an antibody that binds to a capsular polysaccharide of type 5 of Staphylococcus aureus, and can be used in methods for detection of oxacillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus that escapes detection by agglutination in the presence of fibrinogen and antibodies directed against protein A of Staphylococcus.

Abstract: An altered MHC class I determinant comprises .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2, .alpha..sub.3, .beta..sub.2 -microglobulin (.beta..sub.2 m) polypeptide domains encoded by a mammalian MHC class I locus in which the .alpha..sub.3 domain is covalently linked to the .beta..sub.2 M domain. An altered MHC class II determinant comprises .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2, .beta..sub.1, and .beta..sub.2 polypeptide domains encoded by a mammalian MHC class II locus, in which the domains are covalently linked to form a polypeptide comprising the .beta..sub.2 -.alpha..sub.2 -.alpha..sub.1 -.beta..sub.1 domains in sequence. The altered MHC class I and class II determinants can be associated with an antigen to elicit an immune response. The invention can be used in the immunization or treatment of diseases such as AIDS, multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, toxic shock or snake bite.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant nucleotide sequence, characterized in that it comprises:a regulatory sequence of the initiation of tanscription, this regulatory sequence containing a promoter in association with the motif GCACTC 9N GAGTGC, in which "N" signifies any one of the 4 bases thymine, guanine, adenine and cytosine;a sequence coding for a polypeptide, called "heterologous polypeptide", which is different from that naturally associated with the said promoter;the said coding sequence being positioned downstream from the said regulatory sequence of the initiation of transcription at a site which, under suitable conditions, would allow the expression of the polypeptide under the control of the said promoter.

Abstract: The invention relates more particularly to any nucleotide sequence corresponding, according to the universal genetic code, to at least one part of the following amino acid sequence (VIII) of 61 kDa (coded by the nucleotide sequence (VII)):1MKKISRKEYVSMYGPTTGDKVRLGDTDLIAEVEHDYTTYGEELKFGGGKTLREGM SQSNNPSKEELDLIITNALIVDYTGIYKADIGIKDGKIAGIGKGGNKDMQDGVKNN LSVGPATEALAGEGLIVTAGGIDTHIHFISPQQIPTAFASGVTTMIGGGTGPAD GTNATTTTPGRRNLKWMLRAAEEYSMNLGFLAKGNASNDASLADQIEAGAIGF KIHEDWGTTPSAINHALDVADKYDVQVAIHTDTLNEAGCVEDTMAAIAGRTMH TFHTEGAGGGHAPDIIKVAGEHNILPASTNPTIPFTVNTEAEHMDMLMVCHHLD KSIKEDVQFADSRIRPQTIAAEDTLHDMIGIFSITSSDSQAMGRVGEVTTRTWQT ADKNKKEFGRLKEEKGDNDNFRIKRYLSKYTINPAIAHGISEYVGSVEVGKVADL VLWSPAFFGVKPNMIIKGGFIALSQMGDANASIPTPQPVYYREMFAHHGKAKYD ANITFVSQAAYDKGIKEELGLERQVLPVKNCRNITKKDMQFNDTTAHIEVNPETY HVFVDGKEVTSKPANKVSLAQLFSIF.sub.--.sbsb.569.Molecular weight: 61,729 daltons.The comparison between the aminoacid sequence (VIII) with the Jack bean urease sequence described in Eur. J. Biochem.

Abstract: The invention relates to sequences of nucleotides of bacteria, particularly Gram positive bacteria such as bacteria of the Bacillus type and more particularly sequences of nucleotides of the gene CryIIIA for the control of the expression of DNA sequences in a cellular host. The invention relates particularly to an expression system comprising a DNA sequence susceptible of being involved in the control of the expression of a coding sequence of nucleotides. Said DNA sequence comprises a promoter, as well as a sequence of nucleotides called "downstream region", situated between the promoter and the coding sequence of the gene to be expressed, and susceptible of acting at the post-transcriptional level during the expression of the gene. Preferably, the downstream region comprises a nucleotide sequence S2 comprising an essentially complementary region at the extremity 3' of the RNA 16S of the ribosomes of Bacillus type bacteria.

Abstract: This invention relates to mutant strains of gram-negative bacteria that constitutively secrete proteins via the type III secretion machinery. It also relates to methods of identifying molecules that are able to activate or inhibit secretion in wild-type strains of gram-negative bacteria by exposing gram-negative bacterial cells to a sample molecule, wherein said bacterial cells contain a reporter gene transcriptionally fused to a promoter of a gene activated or regulated by the type III secretion machinery, and detecting the presence or activity of the product of the reporter gene.

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.