Abstract: Disclosed are isolated DNAs encoding a kynurenine aminotransferase selected from the group consisting of:(a) isolated DNA sequences which encode rat KAT;(b) an isolated DNA sequence which hybridizes to isolated DNA sequences of (a) above and which encodes a mammalian KAT enzyme; and(c) an isolated DNA sequence differing from the isolated DNA sequences of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a KAT enzyme.Vectors and host cells containing the same, oligonucleotide probes for identifying kynurenine aminotransferase, and isolated and purified kynurenine aminotransferase are also disclosed.

Abstract: 2-amino-1,3-thiazole derivatives represented by formula (I) or (II): ##STR1## where R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as defined herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful in, for example, the treatment of cancer, cell proliferative disorders, Alzheimer's disease, viral infections, auto-immune diseases or neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), wherein: the symbol ---- represents a single or a double bond; R is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; R.sub.f and R'.sub.f, each independently, are C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups substituted by one or more fluorine atoms; and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, each independently, are selected from: a hydrogen atom; a phenyl group; a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more fluorine atoms; a halogen atom; a cyano (CN) group; a group OR.sub.4, wherein R.sub.4 is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; a group SR.sub.5, wherein R.sub.5 is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; and a group COR.sub.6, wherein R.sub.6 is a group OR.sub.4 in which R.sub.4 is as defined above or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group unsubstituted or substituted by one or more fluorine atoms. They are useful as testosterone 5a-reductase inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding for the kynurenine-3-hydrolase (Kyn-3-OHase) and methods of transiently expressing thereof.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (A), wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, Y and Z are organic substituents, are useful in the diagnosis of amyloidosis; some of the compounds of formula (A) are novel. Processes for their preparation, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides the new use in the treatment of amyloidosis with the anthracyclinone of formula (A) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5, are appropriate substituents. Some compounds of formula (A) are novel. Processes for their preparation and pharmaceutical composition containing them are also described.

Abstract: A water soluble camptothecin derivative which is 20(S)-7-ethyl-9(N-methyl-N-phenyl)amidino-camptothecin and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and a process for their preparation are described. The compound of the invention and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts are useful antitumor agents and are further charactcrised by having a remarkable therapeutic index.

Abstract: Ergoline derivative having formula (I) wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen atom or C.sub.1-4 alkyl group; R.sub.2 is hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine atom, methyl or C.sub.1-4 alkylthio group; n is 0, 1 or 2; the substituent at position 8 is in .alpha. or .beta. configuration; Het represents an aromatic 5-membered heterocyclic ring, said ring having three heteroatoms which are the same or different and which are selected from the group consisting of sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen atom and X is hydrogen, chlorine or bromine or fluorine atom, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof are active at the Central Nervous System level. A process for their preparation is also described, as are pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted (1H-indol-2-yl)-5[(2H-pyrrol-2-ylidene) methyl]-1H-pyrrole compounds and their use as immunomodulating agents, to the preparation of the compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.

Abstract: The present invention provides the new use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases with ergoline derivatives of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkenyl group optionally substituted with a C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, a hydroxy group or a R.sub.3 -substituted phenyl group wherein R.sub.3 is a hydroxy or a hydroxymethyl group; R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alkenyl group optionally substituted with a hydroxy group, or a R.sub.3 -substituted phenyl group wherein R.sub.3 is as above defined, or with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxy group; the symbols--at positions 2,3 and 8, 9 independently denote a single or double chemical bond and Z represents a group (CH.sub.2).sub.n OH, wherein n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3, or a group C(R.sub.4).sub.2 OH wherein R.sub.4 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: Novel and known bicyclic 4-aralkylaminopyrimidine derivatives of formula (I) wherein A is a benzene or imidazole ring; B is a benzene, tetralin, indane or 2-oxindole ring R is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)perfluoroalkyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, hydroxy-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkoxy-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.4)acyloxy-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, halobenzoyloxy-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylcarbonyl, carboxy-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, carbamoyl-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkoxycarbonyl-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, halo-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, amino-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, mono- or di-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylamino-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, sulfo-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl or sulfamido-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl; each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which may be the same or different, is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, halogen or --NR.sub.5 R.sub.6 in which each of R.sub.

Abstract: 4-Phenyl-4-oxo-butenoic acid derivatives for use in the treatment of the human or animal body by therapy; particularly as kynurenine-3-hydroxylase inhibitors, in the prevention and/or treatment of a neurodegenerative disease wherein the inhibition of such an enzyme is needed. The present invention further comprises a selected class of the above mentioned 4-phenyl-4-oxo-butenoic acid derivatives, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, a process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 9-amino-10-(1-naphthylsulfonyloxy)-20(S)-camptothecin, 9-amino-10-phenylsulfonyloxy-20(S)-camptothecin, 7-ethyl-9-amino-10-(p-toluensulfonyloxy)-20(S)-camptothecin, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, a process for their preparation, pharmaceutically compositions comprising them and their use as antitumor agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides the new use in the treatment of amyloidosis with the anthracyclinone of formula (A) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5, are appropriate substituents. Some compounds of formula (A) are novel. Processes for their preparation and pharmaceutical composition containing them are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for improving daunorubicin and doxorubicin production by means of a recombinant microorganism in which a gene of daunorubicin metabolism involved in the glycosylation of daunorubicin to acid-sensitive, baumycin-like compounds is inactivated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel hexacyclic camptohecin analogues, having a five-membered aza-heterocycle fused to ring (A) of camptothecin at positions 9 and 10. Such compounds possess high antitumor activity by inhibition of topoisomerase (I).

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are C.dbd.O, C.dbd.NH or CH.sub.2, X.sub.3 is CH.sub.2, CO, CHOH, ##STR2## wherein n=2 or, 3 or C.dbd.N(R.sub.9) wherein R.sub.9 is hydroxy or amino-aryl, and each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are hydrogen, halogen or an organic residue, are useful in the treatment of amyloidosis. A process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are also described.

Abstract: A fluoro-substituted benzoylpropionic acid compound of formula (I) either as a single optical isomer or as a mixture of optical isomers ##STR1## wherein R is hydroxy, amino, hydroxylamine, --OR', --NHR', N(R').sub.2 or --NHOR' in which R' is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or benzyl;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A Disubstituted piperidine compounds of formula (I), wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen; bromo; chloro; a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group; a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxy group; or an optionally substituted phenyl group; R.sub.2 is hydrogen, a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group; X is CH.sub.2, C.dbd.O, CHOH or C.dbd.NOH; R.sub.3 is hydrogen or a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl group; Y is a (CH.sub.2).sub.n group in which n is an integer from 0 to 4, CHOH, C.dbd.O or CH-A wherein A is an optionally substituted phenyl group; A is an optionally substituted phenyl group; W is hydrogen or hydroxy; stereoisomers thereof and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The compounds possess selective neuroprotective activity and are useful in the treatment of an acute or a degenerative CNS disease. A process is described for preparing the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: Novel bicyclic condensed pyrimidine compounds having general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein X is --CH.sub.2 --, --NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --, --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or --S--(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- in which n is zero or 1; A is a 4,5-fused imidazole ring N-substituted by R.sub.3 which is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or benzyl, or A is a 2,3-fused pyridine ring C-substituted by R.sub.4 which is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, halogen or NR.sub.5 R.sub.6 in which each of R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 independently is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; B is a bicyclic ring chosen from tetralin, indane and 2-oxindole; each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, cyano or CF.sub.3 ; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.