Patents Assigned to Rockefeller University
  • Patent number: 5556944
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel polynucleotide sequence cloned from emm2.2 gene of a Group A streptococcus, Type II strain which codes for an IgA-binding protein,ML2.2. The subject invention further concerns the novel IgA-binding protein. A process for producing the protein is given. The invention also concerns the protein in an immunoadsorbent and as a tracer for use in measuring and purifying IgA. Kits are given comprising the immunoadsorbent and the tracer form of the protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Vincent A. Fischetti, Debra E. Bessen
  • Patent number: 5545553
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acids encoding glycosyltransferases, the proteins encoded thereby, and to methods for synthesizing oligosaccharides using the glycosyltransferases of the invention. In particular, the present application is directed to identification a glycosyltransferase locus of Neisseria gonorrhoeae containing five open reading frames for five different glycosyltransferases. The functionally active glycosyltransferases of the invention are characterized by catalyzing reactions such as adding Gal .beta.1.fwdarw.4 to GlcNAc or Glc; adding GalNAc or GlcNAc .beta.1.fwdarw.3 to Gal; and adding Gal .alpha.1.fwdarw.4 to Gal. The glycosyltransferases of the invention are particularly suited to the synthesis of the oligosaccharides Gal.beta.1.fwdarw.4GlcNAc.beta.1.fwdarw.3Gal.beta.1.fwdarw.4Glc (a mimic of lacto-N-neotetraose), GalNac.beta.1.fwdarw.3Gal.beta.1.fwdarw.4GlcNAc.beta.1.fwdarw.3Gal.beta.1. fwdarw.4Glc.beta.1.fwdarw.4 (a mimic ganglioside), and Gal.alpha.1.fwdarw.4Gal.beta.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventor: Emil C. Gotschlich
  • Patent number: 5538983
    Abstract: Various first messengers linked to phospholipase C, including acetylcholine and interleukin-1, regulate the production both of the secreted form of the amyloid protein precursor and of amyloid .beta.-protein. Intracellular signals which are responsible for mediating these effects have now been identified, and that activation of phospholipase C may affect APP processing by either of two pathways, one involving an increase in protein kinase C and the other an increase in cytoplasmic calcium levels. The effects of calcium on APP processing appear to be independent of protein kinase C activation. The observed effects of calcium on APP processing are of therapeutic utility in the treatment of Alzheimer-type amyloidosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Joseph D. Buxbaum, Paul Greengard
  • Patent number: 5514676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins by reacting with a carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignees: The Rockefeller University, Alteon Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Ulrich, Anthony Cerami, Dilip R. Wagle, Michael E. Lankin, David H. Shih, San-Bao Hwang
  • Patent number: 5480867
    Abstract: Glucagon analogs characterized principally by the removal or replacement of the 9-aspartic acid residue or its replacement with another amino acid residue together with replacement of the 16-serine residue and possible replacement of the 11-serine residue and 21-aspartic acid residue with or without a histidine at the amino terminal are useful adjuncts to insulin therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Robert B. Merrifield, Cecilia G. Unson
  • Patent number: 5478724
    Abstract: Nucleic acid oligonucleotide probes or primers that hybridize specifically and exclusively to two regions of the pol gene, identified as LV I and LV II, conserved among a wide range of lentiviruses, wherein the preferred amino acid sequences of the conserved regions are:PHPX.sub.1 GLX.sub.2 KX.sub.3 X.sub.3 X.sub.4 X.sub.5 Twherein X.sub.1 =A, P or G, X.sub.2 =K or A, X.sub.3 =K or R, X.sub.4 =S or R, and X.sub.5 =V or I; andWX.sub.1 GX.sub.2 X.sub.3 LX.sub.4 PX.sub.5 KWX.sub.6wherein X.sub.1 =M, L or I; X.sub.2 =Y, F or T; X.sub.3 =E or Q; X.sub.4 =H or W; X.sub.5 =D or T; and X.sub.6 =T or K. Methods of use of the probes and primers in the detection of lentiviral genomic sequences in biological samples and the termination of replication of lentiviruses are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Stephen S. Morse, Irwin H. Gelman, Hidesaburo Hanafusa
  • Patent number: 5476849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins by reacting with a carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignees: The Rockefeller University, Alteon Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Ulrich, Anthony Cerami, Dilip R. Wagle
  • Patent number: 5468777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and agents for preventing and reversing the staining of teeth caused by the nonenzymatic browning of proteins in the oral cavity. Suitable agents for the inhibition of nonenzymatic browning may be formulated as rinses and toothpastes, and include cysteine and cysteine derivatives. These preparations may further include known anti-plaque agents, such as chlorhexidine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignees: The Rockefeller University, Alteon Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis S. France, Anthony Cerami, Peter C. Ulrich, Laura A. Norton, David L. Neer
  • Patent number: 5455240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preventing pneumococcal infection. In particular, the invention relates to identification of the major reception for Streptococcus pneumoniae on activated human cells, and diagnostic and therapeutic compositions and methods based thereon. In particular, the invention relates to the discovery that platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor is an adhesive ligand for pneumococcal adherence to activated lung epithelial and venous endothelial (i.e., host) cells. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method for preventing or treating an infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae by administering an antagonist of platelet activating factor receptor. The invention further relates to recognition that adherence to activated cells also involves a carbohydrate ligand found on such activated cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignees: The Rockefeller University, Beth Israel Hospital Association
    Inventors: Elaine I. Tuomanen, Diana R. Cundell, Norma P. Gerard
  • Patent number: 5453247
    Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for DNA sequencing, and particularly for sequencing of the entire human genome. Different base-specific reactions are utilized to use different sets of DNA fragments from a piece of DNA of unknown sequence. Each of the different sets of DNA fragments has a common origin and terminates at a particular base along the unknown sequence. The molecular weight of the DNA fragments in each of the different sets is detected by a matrix assisted laser absorption mass spectrometer to determine the sequence of the different bases in the DNA. The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide a relatively simple and low cost technique which may be automated to sequence thousands of gene bases per hour, and eliminates the tedious and time consuming gel electrophoresis separation technique conventionally used to determine the masses of DNA fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Ronald C. Beavis, Brian T. Chait
  • Patent number: 5439808
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method for the high level expression of the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of expressing the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins in E. coli wherein the meningococcal group B porin proteins yard fusion proteins thereof comprise more than 2% of the total protein expressed in E. coli. The invention also relates to a method of purification and refolding of the meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof and to their use in vaccines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignees: North American Vaccine, Inc., The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Milan S. Blake, Joseph Y. Tai, Huilin L. Qi, Shu-Mei Liang, Lucjan J. J. Hronowski, Jeffrey K. Pullen
  • Patent number: 5436321
    Abstract: An antibody to septin, in which septin is an opsonin. Septin is isolated from human serum and is present at high levels in normal serum in distinction to the acute phase protein lipoprotein binding protein (LBP). Septin is an opsonin that is capable of binding to lipopolysaccharide to form a complex that is recognized by a receptor on monocytes, macrophage cells and polymorphonuclear cells, and that possesses an apparent molecular weight of about 90 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis. Utilities of the antibody are provided, and testing procedures, materials in kit form, recombinant materials and procedures, and compositions are likewise set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventor: Samuel D. Wright
  • Patent number: 5399560
    Abstract: The mechanism of the inhibition of advanced glycosylation by aminoguanidine and other hydrazine type compounds was investigated using a solution of one or two molecules of aminoguanidine or other hydrazine type compound incubated with an Amadori product (1-propylamine-1-deoxy-D-fructose) under physiological conditions. This inhibition was found to proceed through the reactive intermediate 1-propylamino-1, 4-dideoxyosone to form the corresponding triazine and the dehydrazone of 1,4-dideoxyglucosone, respectively.The triazine and dehydrazone products are useful as macrophage stimulants to activate a macrophage to effect removal of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs). Additionally, they can be used in a variety of investigative methods in an effort to measure the extent of nonenzymatic glycosylation of a protein sample wherein aminoguanidine or other hydrazine-type compound is or was present during the glycosylation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Anthony Cerami, Hauh-Jyun C. Chen
  • Patent number: 5385901
    Abstract: Compounds of the structure ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl radicals of 1-6 carbon atoms, the phenyl radical, and the benzyl radical; and wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of the phthalimido radical and the succinimido radical and of the structure ##STR2## wherein X is CH.sub.2 or C.dbd.O; R" is H, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, --C.sub.6 H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, or ##STR3## and hydrolysis products of said compounds wherein R" is H and the piperidino ring or both the piperidino and the imido ring are hydrolyzed are useful for the control of abnormal concentrations of TNF .alpha. manifested in septic shock, cachexia and HIV infection without substantially effecting the concentration of other cytokines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Gilla Kaplan, Elisabeth P. Sampaio
  • Patent number: 5385915
    Abstract: A method of regulating phosphorylation of proteins involved in controlling processing or function of key proteins found in intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer disease comprising introducing an effective amount of a kinase modulator or phosphatase modulator, the modulator capable of increasing or decreasing the rate of proteolytic processing, or modulating the function, of said key proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Joseph D. Buxbaum, Samuel E. Gandy, Paul Greengard
  • Patent number: 5362864
    Abstract: The active portion of a trans-activating factor, TAF-1, has been identified, isolated and characterized. This proteinaceous factor binds to motif-I-like sequences previously identified within numerous plant promoter elements. TAF-1 may be engineered into cell culture systems or transgenic plants to increase or modulate the expression of heterologous genes fused to promoter elements containing one or more copies of cis-acting sequences known to bind TAF-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: The Trustees of the Rockefeller University
    Inventor: Nam-Hai Chua
  • Patent number: 5358960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging), Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises 2-aminoimidazoles capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins by reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation, The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition, Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignees: The Rockefeller University, Alteon Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Ulrich, Anthony Cerami, Dilip R. Wagle
  • Patent number: 5356895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises; an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins by reacting with the carbonyl moiety of the early glycosylation product of such target proteins formed by their initial glycosylation. Suitable agents contain an active nitrogen-containing group, such as a hydrazine group. Particular agents comprise aminoguanidine derivatives. the method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Peter C. Ulrich, Anthony Cerami
  • Patent number: 5352588
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel polynucleotide sequence cloned from emm2.2 gene of a Group A streptococcus, Type II strain which codes for an IgA-binding protein, ML2.2. A process for producing the protein is given. The invention also concerns the protein in an immunoadsorbent and as a tracer for use in measuring and purifying IgA. Kits are given comprising the immunoadsorbent and the tracer form of the protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Vincent A. Fischetti, Debra E. Bessen
  • Patent number: 5348963
    Abstract: Agents which modulate or affect the intracellular trafficking and processing of proteins in the mammalian cell can be utilized to affect the trafficking and processing of APP, thereby inhibiting production of Alzheimer type amyloidosis. Particularly useful agents are chloroquine and its related derivatives such as primaquine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Samuel E. Gandy, Gregg L. Caporaso, Paul Greengard