Abstract: A method for modulating in a cell the expression of one or more genes involved in the biosynthesis of a metabolite or a precursor for this metabolite by inserting into a cell a nucleotide sequence coding for a transcription factor comprising an AP2 DNA-binding domain, and/or by modifying the expression of a nucleotide sequence coding for such a transcription factor already present in the cell is provided. The method is useful for enhancing the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants such as alkaloids including terpenoid indole alkaloids. Also provided is a method for enhancing stress tolerance in plants by the use of such transcription factors.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of ubiquicidine or optionally modified peptide fragments derived therefrom for the preparation of a drug for the treatment, diagnostics or prophylaxis of infections in humans and animals. A peptide fragment derived from ubiquicidine comprises for instance a preferably continuous series of at least 3, preferably at least 7-13 amino acids from the amino acid sequence of ubiquicidine; KVHGSLARAGKVRGQTPKVAKQEKKKKKTGRAKRRMQYNRRFVNVVPTFGKKKGPN ANS (SEQ ID NO: 1). Hybrid molecules comprise for instance a cationic peptide with an antimicrobial action and/or a peptide fragment of ubiquicidine and/or a derivative thereof and one or more effector molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for typing of alleles of the Minor Histocompatibility Antigen HA-1 in a sample. The method comprises: a) contacting the genomic polynucleic acids in the sample with at least one pair of primers, whereby the 51- and/or the 31-primer of the at least one pair of primers specifically hybridize to target regions comprising polymorphic nucleotides in the alleles, and performing an amplification reaction; b) for each of the at least one pair of primers detecting whether or not in step a) an amplification product is formed; c) inferring from the result of step b) which HA-1 allele is present in the sample. The present invention also provides a method for genomic typing of alleles of the Minor Histocompatibility Antigen HA-1 in a sample.

Abstract: A device for introduction into an animal or human body, especially into an artery. The device is preferably positioned in an aneurysmal sac in an artery between the wall of the artery and the wall of an endoprosthesis. The device has at least a pressure sensor and transducer for wirelessly transmitting data available from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Novel peptide-like FPP-analogues suitable for inhibiting protein:prenyl transferases, such as protein:geranylgeranyl transferase-1, and other prenyl pyrophosphate-consuming enzymes such as squalene synthase and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to novel peptide analogs suitable for inhibiting protein:prenyl transferases. As such they are therapeutically useful in e.g. inhibiting oncogenesis and other unwanted cell proliferation, and in supressing aberrant high signal transduction. The analogs comply with the following formula: in which: R1 is hydrogen or a thiol-protecting group; R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; R4 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 acyl or peptidyl; R5 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; R6 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; A is a direct bond or an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkylene chain; Y represents an oxo group or two hydrogen atoms; Z is oxygen, sulphur, imino or C1-C5 alkyl-, aryl- or acylimino; M is 0, 1 or 2; N is 0 or 1.

Abstract: Device for introduction into a human or animal body, especially into an artery, specifically to be positioned in an aneurysmal sac in an artery between the wall of the artery and the wall of an endoprosthesis, comprising at least a pressure sensor and a transponder for wireless transmitting data available from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Method of isolating exonic gene segments of a eukaryotic gene by preparing a loaded exon trapping vector, bringing the loaded exon trapping vector in an environment in which transcription of DNA to RNA and RNA processing can occur, isolating processed RNA which includes exonic gene segments of the eukaryotic gene and, optionally, preparing a DNA copy of the isolated processed RNA. The loaded exon trapping vector comprises a large-insert DNA vector containing a segmented donor gene construct and, inserted in or close to said segmented donor gene construct, a target DNA fragment of at least 10 kb of eukaryotic genomic DNA. Use of vectors containing large genomic inserts allows to isolate exonic gene segments present in the correct transcriptional orientation as a complete set, without need for reordering individually isolated exons and verifying their continuity from isolated cDNAs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a two-dimensional heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy method for the measurement of solid state NMR samples. The nuclear spins are decoupled in the evolution interval by means of a FSLG-RF pulse sequence irradiated in the proton frequency band. Since this sequence may be very short compared to the ones hitherto used, and it is not necessary to irradiate simultaneously radio frequency in the area of the S-nuclei, the method is suitable in particular for high rotational velocities of the sample and high magnetic fields, where it effects a considerable improvement of the resolution.

Abstract: Phospholipid- and cholesterol-free aqueous compositions for topical application to the skin contain a pharmaceutically active ingredient and a vector system of controlled and in-depth transport and release of the active ingredient through the skin. The vector system comprises at least one first non-ionic surfactant which forms vesicles upon dispersion in water and a lamellar phase upon concentrating the vesicles, and at least one second non-ionic hydrophilic surfactant. The ratios of the two non-ionic surfactants are such that the vector system comprises flexible vesicles.

Abstract: Induction of an antigen-specific T-lymphocyte response in a T-lymphocyte culture, e.g. a primary cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response, by loading antigen-presenting vehicles which carry empty MHC molecules with an antigen-derived T-cell-immunogenic MHC-binding peptide, culturing T-lymphocytes in the presence of the peptide-loaded antigen-presenting vehicles under specific T-lymphocyte response-inducing conditions. Optionally, an antigen-specific T-lymphocyte is isolated from the resulting culture and cultured. The process can be used for preparing CTL which are specific for viral or other foreign antigens, or CTL which are specific for autologous peptides. The process can also be used for the identification of peptides that are capable of binding to MHC and inducing a T cell response.

Abstract: Cosmetic and dermatological light protection formulations, characterized by an active content of thiols and/or thiol derivatives.

Abstract: A peptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from human p53 protein, wherein said amino acid sequence has the ability to bind to a human MHC Class I molecule. Its use in prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of diseases such as human cancers showing p53 protein overexpression, and its use in induction of primary p53-specific T cells that can be used in therapeutic treatment. Its use in diagnostic tests or assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various functional variants of recombinant protein S (PS) that do not significantly bind C4b binding protein (C4BP) and uses of the variants as a therapeutic reagent. In particular the invention is directed at deletion mutants of protein S, having cofactor activity toward APC and lacking at least the two postulated C4BP binding domains of the SHBG-like domain of the corresponding mature wild type protein S. Such a deletion mutant in particular lacks at least amino acid residues 401-457 and 583-635 of the corresponding mature wild type human protein S.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various functional variants of recombinant protein S (PS) that do not significantly bind C4b binding protein (C4BP) and uses of the variants as a therapeutic reagent. In particular the invention is directed at deletion mutants of protein S, having cofactor activity toward APC and lacking at least the two postulated C4BP binding domains of the SHBG-like domain of the corresponding mature wild type protein S. Such a deletion mutant in particular lacks at least amino acid residues 401-457 and 583-635 of the corresponding mature wild type human protein S.

Abstract: Pt-containing compound with the formula {Pt.sup.II (w)(x)(y)(z)} or {Pt.sup.IV (u)(v)(w)(x)(y)(z)}, wherein u, v, w, x, y and z represent whether or not the same whether or not interconnected ligands, of which at least one is a leaving ligand and at least one of the remaining ligands represents a detectable marker group. According to the invention (CH.sub.3).sub.2 SO, Cl or H.sub.2 O appears to be suitable as a leaving ligand while as detectable marker group a fluorescent group merits preference and is the ligand fluorescein or tetramethyl rhodamine. A suitable Pt-containing compounds is {Pt(ethylenediamine)(Me.sub.2 SO)(fluorescein-NH(CS)-NHCH.sub.3)} (PtF). Further, the invention comprises a process for the preparation of the Pt-containing compounds, where the Pt-containing compounds are prepared in a manner known per se for analogous compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the incorporation of foreign DNA into chromosomes of dicotyledonous plants by infecting the plants or incubating plant protoplasts with Agrobacterium bacteria, which contain one or more plasmids, wherein bacteria are used which contain at least one plasmid having the vir-region of Ti (tumor inducing) plasmid but no T-region, and at least one other plasmid having a T-region with incorporated therein foreign DNA but no vir-region, as well as to a Agrobacterium bacteria, suitable for use in the process according to claim 1 wherein at least one plasmid which has the vir-region of a Ti (tumor inducing) plasmid but no T-region and at least one other plasmid which has a wild type T-region with incorporated in it foreign DNA but no vir-region.

Abstract: Process for introducing foreign DNA into the genome of plants by infecting plants or explantates thereof or plant protoplasts or by incubating plant protoplasts with Agrobacterium, in which Agrobacteria are used, which contain one or more T-regions and a Vir-region from the Ti-plasmid of Agrobacterium in their genetic material and/or one or more T-regions comprising an artificial T-region which consists of each DNA desired, flanked by border sequences as present in the wild type T-region of Agrobacterium or sequences being functionally analogous thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to recombinant DNA comprising vector-DNA and a DNA sequence corresponding with, or relates to, a salicylate-inducible promoter of a GRP gene of plants, such as tobacco plants. The invention also relates to microorganisms, plant cells and plants transformed using the recombinant DNA, to a process for introducing an inducible property in plants and to a process for producing a polypeptide or protein, using plant cells and plants transformed using the recombinant DNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to macromolecules, such as proteins, including immunologically specific antibodies, lipoproteins, polynucleotides, etc., provided with luminescent labels.The invention further relates to a process for preparing macromolecules, such as proteins, including immunologically specific antibodies, lipoproteins, polynucleotides, etc., provided with luminescent labels, and also to the use of labelled immunologically specific macromolecules, such as antibodies, for immunological or immunocytochemical assays.