Abstract: Restriction maps of DNA derived from Human Papillomavirus Types 49, 50, 54, and 55 are disclosed as well as methods for providing recombinant forms of same.

Abstract: Synthetic oligonucleotides of 17 or more consecutive nucleotides of the 49 bases of formula (A) to be used as molecular probes for sexing the embryos or foetuses of ruminant mammals or as molecular probes for detecting a Y chromosome in a spermatozoid population of ruminant mammals of the Bos genus and their use in process of amplification and hybridization assays.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composition useful for the manufacture of vaccines containing particles having the immunogenic properties characteristic of the antigen HBsAg, these particles being more particularly characterized by the fact that the said particles equally contain a receptor for polymerized human albumin. They are obtained by transformation of human or animal cells by a vector containing a DNA sequence coding for the S and pre-S regions of a genome of viral hepatitis B, this DNA sequence being placed under the direct control of a promoter permitting the effective transcription of the said sequence in the human or animal cells transformable by the said vector.

Abstract: A previously isolated hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration in a 147 bp cellular DNA fragment linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was used as a probe to clone the corresponding complementary DNA from a human liver cDNA library. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the overall structure of the cellular gene, which has been named hap, is similar to that of the DNA-binding hormone receptors. Six out of seven hepatoma and hepatoma-derived cell-lines express a 2.5 kb hap mRNA species which is undetectable in normal adult and fetal livers, but present in all non-hepatic tissues analyzed. Low stringency hybridization experiments revealed the existence of hap related genes in the human genome. The cloned DNA sequence is useful in the preparation of pure hap protein and as a probe in the detection and isolation of complementary DNA and RNA sequences. The hap protein is a retinoic acid (RA) receptor identified as RAR-.beta.. The RAR-.beta.

Abstract: Method for the production of antigens vaccinating against the virus of B viral hepatitis. It consists of transforming a cell culture with a vector, more particularly a plasmid, itself containing an insertion sequence including itself at least the part of the viral DNA coding for the immunogen protein, capable of inducing in vivo antibody production active with respect to the whole virus, as well as the viral promoter under the control of which the transcription and translation of the above-said part of viral DNA is normally carried out, in particular in a host infected with the corresponding virus.

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 gp140, 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 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: 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: The cyta gene encoding the 28 kDa polypeptide of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis crystals was disrupted in the 72 MDa resident plasmid by in vivo recombination. The absence of the 28 kDa protein in B. thuringiensis israelensis did not affect the crystallization of the other toxic components of the parasporal body. However, the absence of the 28 kDa protein did abolish the hemolytic activity of B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis crystals. The mosquitocidal activity of the 28 kDa protein-free crystals did not differ significantly from the wild-type crystals.

Abstract: A hybridoma is provided which provides a monoclonal antibody of isotope IgG2a, which recognizes a strip corresponding to a peptidic fragment of 8kD, isolated by controlled proteolysis of the 28kD polypeptide of S. mansoni.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new variety of retroviruses designated Immunodeficiency Virus Type II, HIV-II, samples of which have been deposited at CNCM as I-502 and I-532. It also concerns purified forms of the antigens which can be obtained from this virus, in particular from the gp 36 and gp 130-140 proteins. These various antigens are useful in medical diagnosis and kits, in particular by being placed in contact with serum of the patient to be diagnosed. Lastly, the invention relates to immunizing compositions, in particular containing at least one of glycoproteins gp 36 and gp 130-140.

Abstract: The invention relates to any fragment of DNA derived from the genome of B. licheniformis coding for a polypeptide of 46 amino acids, or for any fragment of this polypeptide possessing the property of stimulating the production of enzymes secreted by B. subtilis by introduction of the above-mentioned fragment of DNA into this latter by the intermediary of a plasmid.The invention also relates to a procedure for the stimulation of the production of a specific polypeptide by B. subtilis by introduction of the above-mentioned fragment of DNA in a strain of B. subtilis, the genome of which has been modified so that it contains a sequence of DNA coding for the said specific polypeptide.

Abstract: A process for preparing a vaccine against malaria comprising at least one polypeptide extracted from a schizont form of a strain of Plasmodium containing polypeptides antigenic to malaria. The polypeptides are recognized by immunoglobulin from a Saimiri Sciureus monkey resistant to the strain. The process includes the steps of:(a) treating a preparation of a strain of Plasmodium with a solution of a detergent which is able to separate the cellular structures from the parasite proteinic constituents;(b) recovering from the treated preparation, a polypeptide fraction having intact polypeptides of molecular weight ranging from about 70,000-85,000 or 90,000-120,000. The polypeptide fraction induces, in a first splenectomized Saimiri Sciureus monkey, a protective antibody against such strain, the polypeptides being recognized by immunoglobulin from a second Saimiri Sciureus monkey resistant to the strain.

Abstract: A previously isolated hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration in a 147 bp cellular DNA fragment linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was used as a probe to clone the corresponding complementary DNA from a human liver cDNA library. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the overall structure of the cellular gene, which has been named hap, is similar to that of the DNA-binding hormone receptors. Six out of seven hepatoma and hepatoma-derived cell-lines express a 2.5 kb hap mRNA species which is undetectable in normal adult and fetal livers, but present in all non-hepatic tissues analyzed. Low stringency hybridization experiments revealed the existence of hap related genes in the human genome. The cloned DNA sequence is useful in the preparation of pure hap protein and as a probe in the detection and isolation of complementary DNA and RNA sequences.

Abstract: Polypeptides encoded by the nef gene of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which is the major etiological agent of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), are identified. The polypeptides, a diagnostic method for detecting antibodies to HIV in biological fluids, a diagnostic kit for carrying out the method, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the polypeptides are described. The polypeptides are useful in viral vaccines and for the early detection of HIV infection in humans.

Abstract: Protein compositions containing proteins of the lymphadenopathy virus, which compositions are used for diagnosis of antibodies of such protein in biological fluids, especially blood serum, for the detection or absence of infection. Such compositions contain typically the p18, p13 and/or p25 proteins.

Abstract: Characterization of the envelope transmembrane protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) was carried out using murine polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies or patient sera specific for HIV-2 proteins. A 80-Mr glycoprotein (gp80) was produced in HIV-2 infected cells along with three other glycoproteins that were recently reported: the extracellular glycoprotein (gp125), the envelope glycoprotein precursor (gp140), and the transient dimeric form of gp140 (gp300). The gp125 and gp80 were detectable after the synthesis of gp140 and the formation of gp300. Among these four glycoproteins, only gp80 and gp125 were associated with HIV-2 virions. As the other glycoproteins, gp80 was recognized by all HIV-2 positive sera. A murine polyclonal antibody raised against the purified gp300 recognized all four glycoproteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a DNA fragment containing at the most 315 pairs of nucleotides coding for a peptide which can be recognized by antibodies acting both against the "C" and "D" particles of the same poliovirus and against the VP-1 structural polypeptide of the capsid of this poliovirus. This peptide contains in particular the following sequence:Asp Asn Pro Ala Ser thr Thr Asn Lys Asp Lys Leu.

Abstract: Antiparasitic agents constituted by a siderophore substance including at least one hydroxamate group, at least one peptide bond, and having a molecular weight of less than 1,000 D, e.g. aerobactin. A method of isolating antiparasitic agents by purification from the supernatant of a culture of an appropriate bacteria such as pathogenic enterobacteria applicable as antiparasitic agents, in particular as antimalarial agents.

Abstract: Nucleic acid of reduced size and vector containing said nucleotidic sequence of which DNA codes an immunogenic peptidic 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. 3A. Application to the production by cloning in a bacterium of an immunogenic protein immunizing against hepatitis B, or application to the obtention of probes for the diagnosis of the presence of Dane particles in a serum.