Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the inhibition of binding of a ligand to an RNA, the inhibition being mediated by a small organic molecule that binds to the RNA, thereby inhibiting ligand binding. A preferred class of small organic molecules are compounds exemplified by 2,5-Bis?4-(2-N,N-dimethylaminopropylamidino)phenyl!furan.

Abstract: Methods for inducing T cell tolerance to a tissue or organ graft in a transplant recipeint are disclosed. The methods involve administering to a subject: 1) an allogeneic or xenogeneic cell which expresses donor antigens and which has a ligand on the cell surface which interacts with a receptor on the surface of a recipient T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function; and 2) an antagonist of the receptor which inhibits interaction of the ligand with the receptor. In a preferred embodiment, the allogeneic or xenogeneic cell is a B cell, preferably a resting B cell, and the molecule on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function is gp39. A preferred gp39 antagonist is an anti-gp39 antibody. The allogeneic or xenogeneic cell and the gp39 antagonist are typically administered to a transplant recipient prior to transplantation of the tissue or organ.

Abstract: The Tax protein of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-I) transcriptionally activated the HTLV-I promoter through binding sites for ATF, a family of cellular bZIP transcription factors. In this disclosure, it is reported that Tax dramatically increases the in vitro DNA binding activity of multiple ATF proteins. Tax also stimulates DNA binding of related bZIP proteins but does not affect the activity of proteins lacking a bZIP domain. The increased DNA binding activity occurs by a novel mechanism in which Tax promotes homodimerization in the absence of DNA. The elevated concentration of the bZIP homodimer results in increased DNA binding.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and compositions for stimulating in an individual an influenza A virus protective response which is subtype cross-protective. Influenza A virus NS1 protein, or a T cell epitope thereof, is administered to the individual in an amount sufficient to stimulate the virus protective response.

Abstract: Methods for inducing antigen-specific T cell tolerance are disclosed. The methods involve contacting a T cell with: 1) a cell which presents antigen to the T cell, wherein a ligand on the cell interacts with a receptor on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function; and 2) an antagonist of the receptor on the surface of the T cell which inhibits interaction of the ligand on the antigen presenting cell with the receptor on the T cell. In a preferred embodiment, the cell which presents antigen to the T cell is a B cell and the receptor on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function is gp39. Preferably, the antagonist is an anti-gp39 antibody or a soluble gp39 ligand (e.g., soluble CD40). The methods of the invention can be used to induce T cell tolerance to a soluble antigen or to an allogeneic cell.

Abstract: A system for spectroscopic imaging of bodily tissue in which a scintillation screen and a charged coupled device (CCD) are used to accurately image selected tissue. An x-ray source generates x-rays which pass through a region of a subject's body, forming an x-ray image which reaches the scintillation screen. The scintillation screen reradiates a spatial intensity pattern corresponding to the image, the pattern being detected by a CCD sensor. The image is digitized by the sensor and processed by a controller before being stored as an electronic image. Each image is directed onto an associated respective CCD or amorphous silicon detector to generate individual electronic representations of the separate images.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the in vivo and in vitro expression of a heterologous protein by transfecting a cell with a first nucleic acid encoding the heterologous polypeptide, wherein at least one codon of mRNA transcribed from the first nucleic acid is replaced by the codon UGA, and a second nucleic acid operably linked to the first nucleic acid, the second nucleic acid directing the translation of the UGA codon as selenocysteine only when the cell can obtain selenium from the medium in which it is grown; and growing the cell under conditions in which the production of the polypeptide is controlled by the level of selenium available to the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a complex of fungal polypeptides, termed TAFs, that are necessary for activated transcription in fungi such as S. cerevisiae. The complex comprises at least nine associated subunit polypeptides, having molecular masses of about 180 kDa, 145 kDa, 116 kDa, 90 kDa, 68 kDa, 51-54 kDa, 47 kDa, and 30 kDa, respectively. TAF-145, having the sequence set forth in FIG. 6B, binds TATA-box Binding Protein (TBP). The invention also includes nucleic acid sequences encoding TAF-145, as well as DNA vectors and transformed cells suitable for recombinant expression of this polypeptide.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and compositions for stimulating in an individual an influenza A virus protective response which is subtype cross-protective. Influenza A virus NS1 protein, or a T cell epitope thereof, is administered to the individual in an amount sufficient to stimulate the virus protective response.

Abstract: A method for processing a digitized image is described. The method includes the step of first generating a digitized image using an image-measuring system and representing the image as a vector g. A point spread function (PSF), represented as the function k(x,y,z), is also determined, with the PSF containing sub-pixels having a closer spacing than points in the g. Both the vector g and the function k(x,y,z) are then processed by: (a) selecting a vector c; (b) calculating the value of ##EQU1## using the vectors g and c, and the function k(x,y,z); and, (c) iteratively repeating steps (a) and (b) to determine a value for c that minimizes .PSI.(c). The image is then reconstructed by substituting in ##EQU2## the value for c that minimizes .PSI.(c) so that the processed image contains sub-pixels having a closer spacing than the points of the vector g.

Abstract: A method of nucleic acid hybridization in living cells is described, which is useful for detecting, quantitating and locating a specific nucleic acid in a cell or tissue, for selecting cells based on the expression or presence of a specific nucleic acid, and for monitoring the amount and location of a specific nucleic acid over time or under various inducing or inhibiting conditions.

Abstract: New nuclear kinases that are regulated by signal transduction and that participate in phosphorylation cascades which regulate transcription and related methods for regulating transcription. The novel nuclear kinases play a vital role in gene expression, particularly with regard to leukemia in humans. The kinase is (i) substantially exclusively intranuclearly localized; (ii) capable of autophosphorylation; (iii) selectively bindable with antibodies raised against the RING3 portion of GST-RING3; (iv) of a molecular weight of from about 82.5 to about 92.7 kilodaltons; and (v) includes peptide sequences Asp-Ser-Asn Pro-Asp-Glu-Ile-Glu-Ile-Asp-Phe-Glu-Thr-Leu-Lys-Pro-Thr-Thr-Leu (SEQ ID NO: 1) and Ala-Val-His-Glu-Gln-Leu-Ala-Ala-Leu-Ser-Gln-Ala-Pro (SEQ ID NO: 2).

Abstract: A CCD-scintillator x-ray image sensor (18) has a high sensitivity at room temperature and a low profile, enabling the use of the x-ray image sensor in most modern mammography x-ray machines. A cassette 10 that encloses the CCD-based x-ray image sensor has the approximate dimensions of 10.5.times.7.7.times.0.6 inches, and is thus form and fit compatible with conventional film-based cassettes. An electronic interface to the cassette requires but a single cable (24) and a standard connector (22) for connection to a CCD sensor electronics unit. The CCD sensor electronics unit interfaces to a computer, such as a conventional personal computer or workstation, having a relatively high resolution display and a provision for digitally recording high-resolution electronic images. The high sensitivity at ambient (room) temperature results from an x-ray scintillator screen (18c) that is coupled to the CCD image sensor (18a) via a bias cut fiber optic faceplate (18b).

Abstract: The oligoribonucleotide analogs of the invention are relatively small, three-dimensional structures derived from larger parental RNA molecules. The analogs include a first nucleic acid structure including one or more nucleotide sequences that are derived from a region of parental RNA, wherein in its native state, the region binds to a ligand, e.g., an aminoglycoside, with a parental RNA ligand binding pattern, and a second nucleic acid structure including one or more nucleotide sequences combined with the first nucleic acid structure to form the analog and provide the analog with a conformation that binds the ligand with a ligand binding pattern that is substantially identical to the parental RNA ligand binding pattern. These analogs can be used to identify novel therapeutic compounds.

Abstract: Methods for inducing T cell unresponsiveness to a tissue or organ graft in a transplant recipeint are disclosed. The methods involve administering to a subject: 1) an allogeneic or xenogeneic cell which expresses donor antigens and which has a ligand on the cell surface which interacts with a receptor on the surface of a recipient T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function; and 2) an antagonist of the receptor which inhibits interaction of the ligand with the receptor. In a preferred embodiment, the allogeneic or xenogeneic cell is a B cell, preferably a resting B cell, and the molecule on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function is gp39. A preferred gp39 antagonist is an anti-gp39 antibody. The allogeneic or xenogeneic cell and the gp39 antagonist are typically administered to a transplant recipient prior to transplantation of the tissue or organ.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of a gene, NMD2, named after its role in the Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay pathway, and the protein, Nmd2p, encoded by the NMD2 gene. The amino acid sequence of Nmd2p and the nucleotide sequence of the NMD2 gene encoding it are disclosed. Nmd2p is shown herein to bind to another protein in the decay pathway, Upf1p. A C-terminal fragment of the protein is also shown to bind Upf1p and, when overexpressed in the host cell, the fragment inhibits the function of Upf1p, thereby inhibiting the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway. The invention also relates to methods of inhibiting the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway to stabilize mRNA transcripts containing a nonsense codon which normally would cause an increase in the transcript decay rate. Such stabilization of a transcript is useful for the production of a recombinant protein or fragment thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and compositions for stimulating in an individual an influenza A virus protective response which is subtype cross-protective. Influenza A virus NS1 protein, or a T cell epitope thereof, is administered to the individual in an amount sufficient to stimulate the virus protective response.

Abstract: Methods for the enhancement of bone marrow stem cell engraftment are provided for use in transplantation therapy and ex vivo gene therapy of a mammal. The methods involve the transplantation of quiescent stem cells for transplantation therapy and quiescent transfected stem cells for ex vivo gene therapy.

Abstract: N.sup.2 -substituted alkylguanine and N.sup.2 -substituted phenylguanine compounds which prevent recurrent herpes simplex infections are disclosed. By virtue of their ability to inhibit herpes virus thymidine kinase in vivo, such compounds will prevent, reduce the frequency of, or reduce the severity of recurring HSV infections in humans. The N.sup.2 -alkylguanine compounds are of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is a normal or branched chain C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 (where n is 1-12); R.sub.2 is H, 2-deoxyribofuranosyl, (CH.sub.2).sub.n OH (where n is 2-5), CH.sub.2 CH(OH)CH.sub.2 OH, (CH.sub.2).sub.n --COOH (where n is 1-4), CH.sub.2 CH(OH)CH.sub.2 --O--COR.sub.4, (CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--COR.sub.4 (where n is 2-5), or (CH.sub.2).sub.n CO--OR.sub.4 (where n is 1-4); R.sub.4 is CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2 or CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H; and R.sub.3 is OH, H, Cl or NH.sub.2, or a tautomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The N.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of immunizing a vertebrate, comprising introducing into the vertebrate a DNA transcription unit which comprises DNA encoding a desired antigen or antigens. The uptake of the DNA transcription unit by a host vertebrate results in the expression of the desired antigen or antigens, thereby eliciting humoral or cell-mediated immune responses or both humoral and cell-mediated responses. The elicited humoral and cell-mediated immune responses can provide protection against infection by pathogenic agents, provide an anti-tumor responses, or provide contraception. The host can be any vertebrate, avian or mammal, including humans.