Abstract: This invention concerns genes or gene fragments which have been cloned from novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates which have nematicidal activity. These genes or gene fragments can be used to transform suitable hosts for controlling nematodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-atherosclerotic peptide, said peptide being an amphipathic helical peptide compared with human apoA-I, characterized by having at least 4 of the following 8 properties: a tandem repeating class A amphipathic helix linked by a proline which forms an optimal arrangement for lipid association, has bilayer membrane stabilizing properties, stimulates HIV-I Gp41-induced cell fusion, stimulates neutrophil activation, stimulates BSA-induced lysis of fatty acid-containing vesicles, stimulates human placental lactogen synthesis, effluxes phospholipid and cellular cholesterol from cholesterol-loaded cells, and competes with HDL for binding to cells. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions, transgenic animals expressing a protein disclosed herein, vectors expressing such proteins.