Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a protein which induces apoptosis, a base sequence encoding the protein, and an agent for use in the treatment of malignant tumors. The present invention is a protein (ASK1) which has protein kinase activity and enhances SEK1 kinase activity and/or MKK3 kinase activity, or a derivative thereof. Malignant tumors can be treated using the protein according to the present invention or the base sequence encoding the protein.

Abstract: Isolated, recombinant nucleic acids which encode an isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS) of human origin have been used to make expression constructs and transformed host cells for the production of a recombinant human IleRS. A recombinant enzyme has been purified, and is active in the specific aminoacylation of tRNA by isoleucine. Isolated, recombinant enzyme, and antibodies made specifically thereto, can be useful in assays to diagnose and monitor the autoimmune disease known as "antisynthetase syndrome." The essential isoleucyl-tRNA synthetases of microbes pathogenic in humans can be the targets of inhibitory agents having antimicrobial activity. A human isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, isolated and purified, can be used to assess the toxic effect in humans of such an inhibitory agent in various biochemical activity assays. This human enzyme can also be expressed in "tester strains," whose cells rely upon the function of the human isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase for tRNA.sup.Ile charging.

Abstract: Recombinant human Interleukin-2 (IL-2) polypeptides are provided. The polypeptides are produced by expression of suitable nucleic acid molecules in transformed host cells such as E. coli.

Abstract: Methods are provided for assessing mutations of the APC gene in human tissues and body samples. APC mutations are found in familial adenomatous polyposis patients as well as in sporadic colorectal cancer patients. APC is expressed in most normal tissues. APC is a tumor suppressor.

Abstract: Isolated, recombinant nucleic acids which encode alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AlaRS) of human origin have been used to make expression constructs and transformed host cells for the production of recombinant human AlaRS. The recombinant enzyme has been purified, and is active in the specific aminoacylation of tRNA by alanine. The isolated, recombinant human AlaRS is also recognized by antibodies made by patients with the particular autoimmune disease known as "antisynthetase syndrome" in which the patients produce antibodies against the human alanyl-tRNA synthetase in their own cells. Thus, the isolated, recombinant enzyme, and antibodies made specifically thereto, can be useful in assays to diagnose and monitor this disease. The essential alanyl-tRNA synthetases of microbes pathogenic in humans can be the targets of inhibitory agents having antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: A gene coded for a polypeptide which possesses interleukin-2 is isolated, and connected with a vector DNA which is capable of replicating in a procaryotic or eucaryotic cell at a position downstream of a promoter gene in the vector obtaining a recombinant DNA, with which the cell is transformed to produce interleukin-2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recombinant plasmid having a gene which encompasses at least the entire coding region of human fibroblast interferon messenger RNA and a method for preparing such plasmid.

Abstract: Recombinantly produced interleukin-2 exhibits human IL-2 activity, has a molecular weight of about 15,000 daltons, is activity stable at a pH of 2-9 and is resistant to elevated temperatures. The recombinant IL-2 has the principal biological activity of human IL-2, promotion of proliferation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recombinant plasmid having a gene which encompasses at least the entire coding region of human fibroblast interferon messenger RNA and a method for preparing such plasmid.

Abstract: Agents against drug-resistant tumor cells comprising a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an aryl group which may be substituted;R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, which may be the same or different, each is a member selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an alkyloxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an aralkyloxycarbonyl group, an aminocarbonyl group, a hydroxycarbonyl group, a formyl group, and a cyano group, each of which may be substituted;R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 is a hydrogen atom or a member selected from the group consisting of a lower alkyl group, a hydroxymethyl group, a cyano group, an amino group, a formyl group, and a halogen atom; andR.sup.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are disclosed that may be produced by hybridomas obtained by fusing a mouse spleen cell immunized with an ADRIAMYCIN.RTM.-resistant human tumor cell and a mouse myeloma cell and which inhibit selectively the growth of cancer cells possessing pleiotropic drug resistance or enhance their sensitivity to said drug.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and useful 2,6-dimethyl-4-(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-yl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicar boxylate derivatives of the following formula: ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, having potent promoting activity of some antitumor agents against various kinds of tumor cells including multiple drug resistant tumor cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel DNA which shows complementarity to human interferon-.gamma. mRNA, a recombinant plasmid containing the DNA, a microorganism containing the recombinant plasmid and a method of producing the same as well as a process for producing a polypeptide having human interferon.gamma. activity using the microorganism.

Abstract: An antibody of a human leukemia virus-related peptide obtained by collecting an antibody produced in a mammal body by administering to the mammal an antigen prepared by reacting a human leukemia virus-related peptide selected from the group consisting of:(a) a peptide represented by formula (1):H-Tyr-Val-Glu-Pro-Thr-Ala-Pro-Gln-Val-Leu-H (1)(b) a peptide represented by formula (2): psR-Ile-Pro-His-Pro-Lys-Asn-Ser-Ile-Gly-Gly-Glu-Val-OH (2)wherein R is the same as defined above;(c) a peptide represented by formula (3):R-Thr-Trp-Thr-Pro-Lys-Asp-Lys-Thr-Lys-Val-Leu-OH (3)wherein R is the same as defined above;(d) a peptide represented by formula (4):H-Val-Val-Gln-Pro-Lys-Lys-Pro-Pro-Pro-Tyr-OH (4)(e) a peptide represented by formula (5):R-Met-Gly-Gln-Ile-Phe-Ser-Arg-Ser-Ala-Ser-Pro-OH (5)wherein R is the same as defined above; and(f) a peptide represented by formula (6):H-Tyr-Pro-Glu-Gly-Thr-Pro-Lys-Asp-Pro-Ile-Leu-Arg-Ser-Leu-OH (6)as a hapten, with a carrier in the presence of a haptencarrier binding agent.

Abstract: Recombinant plasmids are constructed by inserting a DNA fragment coding for a fused protein of an adult T cell leukemia virus antigen peptide and an enzyme into a vector DNA. Microorganisms are transformed with the recombinant plasmid and thereafter cultured to express the fused protein. The fused protein is useful for the detection and diagnosis of adult T cell leukemia.

Abstract: 5-((3,4-dimethoxyphenetyl)methylamino)- 2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-2-isopropylvaleronitrile or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is effective to prevent metastasis of cancer.

Abstract: A viral genomic DNA and fragments thereof which are complementary to genomic RNA of human leukemia virus and a recombinant DNA molecules containing the genomic DNA or fragments thereof. The genomic DNA and fragments thereof and the recombinant DNA molecules are useful for the diagnosis, prevention and therapy of human leukemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human interferon-.beta. gene derived from human chromosome, a DNA containing said gene and a DNA responsible for control of its transcription and a recombinant DNA of said DNA and a vector DNA. The gene and DNA of the present invention are introduced in eukaryotic cells and used for the production of human interferon-.beta..

Abstract: Recombinant plasmids are constructed by inserting a DNA fragment containing the env gene of adult T cell leukemia virus or a part thereof into a vector DNA. Microorganisms are transformed with the recombinant plasmid and thereafter cultured to express the peptide. The antigen polypeptide encoded by the env gene is useful for the detection and diagnosis of adult T cell leukemia.

Abstract: Recombinant vector plasmids containing a DNA fragment coding for human interferon-.beta. inserted downstream from a tryptophan promoter are useful for transformation of microorganisms such as Escherichia coli which transformants produce human interferon-.beta..