Abstract: Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II holoenzymes that contain RNA polymerase II and one or more regulatory proteins are described. These holoenzymes selectively initiate transcription in vitro when supplemented with general transcription factors. The regulatory proteins act positively and negatively to regulate transcription initiation, at least in part, via functional interactions with RNA polymerase II.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel anti-microbial agent, more particularly, a novel bacteriocin with nisin-like properties. The bacteriocin is designated lacticin 3147 and has the following properties: a molecular weight of approximately 2.8 kDa; inhibiting activity against lactococci, lactobacilli, enterococci, bacilli, leuconostocs, pediococci, clostridia, staphylococci and streptococci; sensitivity to the proteases trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, proteinase K and pronase E but not pepsin; heat-stability; activity at acid pH; and the capability of inhibiting nisin-producing bacterial strains.

Abstract: There is disclosed cDNA sequences and polypeptides having the enzyme lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT) activity. LPAAT is also known as 1-acyl sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel microorganism, designated Sphingomonas sp. strain AD109, which is capable of selectively desulfurizing dibenzothiophene. The invention also includes isolated proteins and nucleic acid sequences obtained from this microorganism. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of using this microorganism or enzyme preparations derived therefrom in the biocatalytic desulfurization of a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel collagens and polynucleotide sequences encoding these novel proteins. The present invention further relates to specific collagens and derivatives, specifically .alpha.3(IX) collagen and recombinant trimeric type IX collagen protein.

Abstract: This invention provides an imaging agent which comprises a polypeptide labeled with an imageable marker, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin. The invention further provides a method wherein the imaging agent is used for imaging a fibrin-containing substance, i.e., a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque. Further provided are plasmids for expression of polypeptides having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin, hosts containing these plasmids, methods of producing the polypeptides, methods of treatment using the polypeptides, and methods of recovering, refolding and reoxidizing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention provides MurE polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding MurE polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing MurE polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase) from either E. coli or wheat germ. When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.

Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase). When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.

Abstract: A method is described for the direct, exponential amplification and sequencing ("DEXAS") of a DNA molecule from a complex mixture of nucleic acids, wherein truncated DNA molecules as well as DNA molecules of full length are synthesized simultaneously and exponentially between two positions on the said DNA molecule, which initially contains a DNA molecule in a thermocycling reaction, a first primer, a second primer, a reaction buffer, a thermostable DNA polymerase, a thermostable pyrophosphatase (optionally), deoxynucleotides or derivatives thereof and a dideoxynucleotide or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is suitable for the commercial high-level production of a protein or peptide which can be used as a prophylactic and therapeutic drug for various diseases such as senile dementia, cerebrovascular dementia (dementia arising from cerebrovascular disorders), dementia associated with genealogical retroplastic diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease, Huntington's disease, etc.), dementia associated with infectious diseases (e.g. Creutzfeldt-Jakob's and other virus diseases), dementia associated with endocrine or metabolic disease or toxicosis (e.g. hypothyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcoholism, intoxication by drugs, metals, and organic compounds), dementia associated with tumorigenic diseases (e.g. brain tumor), dementia associated with traumatic diseases (e.g. chronic subarachnoidal hemorrhage), and other types of dementia, depression, hyperactive child syndrome (microencephalopathy), and disturbance of consciousness.

Abstract: A coryneform bacterium in which a DNA coding for a diaminopimelate decarboxylase and a DNA coding for a diaminopimelate dehydrogenase are enhanced is cultivated in a medium to allow L-lysine to be produced and accumulated in a culture, and L-lysine is collected from the culture.

Abstract: Disclose are human interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme like apoptosis proteases-3 and 4 and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides. Also provided are methods of using the polypeptides, for example, as an antitumor agent, and antiviral agent, and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides for example, for treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and head injury. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention for detecting diseases are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to genes involved in regulating programmed cell death, the proteins encoded by such genes and methods for controlling programmed cell death by regulating the activity of the cell death gene products.

Abstract: Expression of the polynucleotide molecule, Psx, is restricted to placenta, and in particular, to placenta trophoblast cell layers during embryogenesis. The expression pattern of Psx is exploited to detect trophoblast specific lineages, such as labyrinthine trophoblast layer and giant cells. The invention provides an isolated DNA molecule encoding Psx protein, and chimeric constructs, vector and host cells containing the isolated DNA. Also provided is a method for identifying putative abortion-inducing agents, which may offer an alternative to surgical abortion.

Abstract: The invention provides human SCAD family molecules (HSFM) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HSFM. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with expression of HSFM.

Abstract: The invention provides human fatty acid beta-oxidation enzymes (HUFA) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HUFA. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of HUFA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for the rapid isolation and identification of large numbers of novel enzyme substrates. The novel method provided by the present invention identifies substrates in tissue and/or cell extracts of a non-human model characterized as having an inactive enzyme. Without active enzyme, the substrates of this enzyme accumulate in the non-human model. The tissue or cell extract containing the enzyme substrate is then fractionated by passing the extract through an affinity column. The affinity column comprises an enzyme having similar specificity to the inactive enzyme, bound to a solid support. The affinity resin binds the enzyme substrate so that the substrate may be isolated from other proteins in the extract. The substrate of the enzyme may then be further identified by purifying and sequencing. Also provided by the present invention are novel substrates, and analogs of the substrates identified by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides includeNH.sub.2 -KWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS-COOH (SEQ ID NO:1)andNH.sub.2 -KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS-COOH. (SEQ ID NO:2)Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding each of three subunits, .alpha.1B, .alpha.2.delta., and .beta.3, of a calcium channel, are disclosed. Also disclosed are vectors containing the nucleic acids encoding the subunits; host cells containing the nucleic acids encoding the subunits; methods of isolating nucleic acids encoding related calcium channel subunits; the subunit proteins; fusion proteins comprising the subunit proteins; antibodies to the subunit proteins; assays to identify agents that modulate calcium channel activity, and agents identified thereby; methods of treating certain central nervous system disorders by altering calcium channel activity; and methods of diagnosing diseases associated with particular calcium channels, such as Lambert-Eaton syndrome.