Abstract: The present invention provides peptides having specificity for fibronectin-binding and vitronectin-binding integrins, and in particular for &agr;5&bgr;1 integrin. These peptides are characterized by having the ability to interfere with extracellular matrix protein binding to integrins; to block attachment of cells expressing these integrins to extracellular matrix proteins; and to promote cell attachment when coated onto a surface.

Abstract: The engineering of foreign vertebrate gene constructs by recombinant DNA techniques for the more efficient processing and secretion of foreign genes in insect systems is done by replacing the foreign vertebrate protein signal peptide sequences with protein signal sequences from insect cell secreted proteins. A baculovirus expression vector system is constructed wherein the natural signal DNA peptide sequence associated with the desired foreign gene, such as CD4 (T cell surface protein T4) is replaced by the signal DNA sequence from the insect signal peptides coding for the cuticle gene or adipokinetic hormone.