Abstract: The invention relates to processes for identifying inhibitors and activators of eukaryotic potassium channels, in which a mutated S. cerevisiae cell is used whose endogenous potassium channels TRK1, TRK2 and TOK1 are not expressed functionally, but which expresses heterologously a eukaryotic potassium channel to be studied. Other subject matters of the invention are mutated S. cerevisiae cells which do not express TRK1, TRK2 and TOK1, and the preparation and use of these mutated S. cerevisiae cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide isolated DNA molecules, tissue-specific expression sequences, and promoter and regulatory DNA sequences involved in the regulation of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). More specifically, the invention relates to regulation of gene expression in a tissue-specific manner. In one aspect, the invention provides zebrafish BMP4 gene, its structural organization, its promoter, and proximal and distal regulatory regions. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for identifying potential compounds/agents, potential molecular regulators, and the expression pattern for the expression of BMP4 gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expression vector for animal cells. Specifically, the present invention relates to an expression vector, pMS vector, pSG vector and pMSG vector, including the human ?-globin 5? MAR complementary sequence or/and the transcription termination site of the gastrin gene. An expression system using an expression vector of the present invention can successfully produce recombinant proteins in various animals cells and recombinant protein having a unique structure and function.

Abstract: Vectors, host cells, and methods are provided for the production of proteins in yeast. The vectors generally contain a selection gene, a yeast 2 micron sequence, and a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide, where the polynucleotide is operably linked to promoter, and where the polynucleotide contains one or more yeast-preferred codons. Host cells are cultured under conditions where, after an initial batch phase, oxygen concentration is kept high and glucose feed is regulated so that the yeast cells stay in respiratory metabolism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vector system comprising a mutated post-transcriptional regulatory element. In particular, the present invention relates to a mutated WPRE sequence that can efficiently express nucleotides of interest in a retroviral vector system. The present invention also relates to methods of delivering and expressing nucleotides of interest to a target cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel baculovirus vector which can provide a desired protein not requiring infectivity to insect cells, on the viral particle surface; method of producing thereof; and method of gene transfer using the baculovirus vector. A method of producing a baculovirus vector including; a process of cotransfecting at least a plasmid containing a gene coding a protein capable of being expressed on a cell surface and one of wild-type, mutated-type form, and recombinant baculovirus DNAs into insect cells, wherein a pseudotyped baculovirus which includes at least one part of the baculovirus DNA and is coated with the protein capable of being expressed on a cell surface, is generated.

Abstract: The yeast which has ?-glutamylcysteine-producing ability and is auxotrophic for pantothenic acid is proliferated in a medium containing a sufficient amount of pantothenic acid, and then it is cultured in a medium containing a limited amount of pantothenic acid to increase the ?-glutamylcysteine content in its cells, whereby the yeast in which ?-glutamylcysteine is accumulated is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides mammalian homologs of the Drosophila Grainyhead (GRH) transcription factor, call MGR and means of identifying such proteins and their genes. Nucleic acid and protein sequences are provided for human and mouse MGR transcription factors. In addition mammalian isoforms of MGR including human MGR p49, human p70, mouse p70, mouse MGR p61, and human and mouse homologs of MGR, brother of mgr (BOM) and sister of mgr (SOM), are disclosed. Antibodies to and methods of using these identified MGR, BOM and SOM transcription factors are also provided. The present invention further provides medical assessment systems including drug evaluation systems comprising genetically modified animals.

Abstract: Cell lines that are commonly used for protein expression are engineered to include genes that encode suppressors of apoptosis (SA). Insect cell lines expressing these SA genes are resistant to apoptosis or programmed cell death, and express certain recombinant proteins at increased levels. These cell lines also have increased resistance to many types of stress. Because some of the SA proteins inhibit apoptosis in a wide spectrum of organisms, these genes may be inserted into other plant or animal cell lines for a variety of purposes involving resistance to apoptosis or resistance to stress.

Abstract: Murine leukemia virus (MLV) and lentivirus vectors have been used previously to deliver genes to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in human gene therapy trials. However, these vectors integrate randomly into the host genome, leading to disruption or inactivation of vital host genes. The present invention discloses a novel lentiviral vector system that overcomes this problem by integrating into a host genome in a site-specific manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for conferring selective death on cells expressing a specific target precursor messenger RNA (selective target pre-mRNA). The compositions of the invention include pre-trans-splicing molecules (PTMs) designed to interact with a target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) expressed within a cell and mediate a trans-splicing reaction resulting in the generation of a novel chimeric mRNA molecule (chimeric mRNA) capable of encoding a light producing protein or enzyme. Cell death is further mediated by the presence of a photosensitizer which upon photoactivation produces cytotoxicity.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions for expressing proteins or polypeptides in prokaryotic hosts using eukaryotic signal sequences.

Abstract: A method for the facile and inexpensive inducible expression of heterologous genes has been discovered. The yhcS regulator gene has been found to be inducible by aromatic carboxylic acids and to alter the expression of operons in the LysR gene family, including the yhcRQP operon, common in enteric bacteria. Heterologous nucleic acid molecules placed under the control of yhcS responsive promoters may be overexpressed in response to the presence of inexpensive aromatic carboxylic acids.

Abstract: Methods for treating proliferative disorders, by administering reovirus to a Ras-mediated proliferative disorder, are disclosed. The reovirus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts ras-mediated proliferating cells. Proliferative disorders include but are not limited to neoplasms. Human reovirus, non-human mammalian reovirus, and/or avian reovirus can be used. If the reovirus is human reovirus, serotype 1 (e.g., strain Lang), serotype 2 (e.g., strain Jones), serotype 3 (e.g., strain Dearing or strain Abney), as well as other serotypes or strains of reovirus can be used. Combinations of more than one type and/or strain of reovirus can be used, as can reovirus from different species of animal. Either solid neoplasms or hematopoietic neoplasms can be treated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function of yeast, which has high activity in a low temperature range, by identifying a DNA fragment, which exists in a non-translation region located upstream of the 5?-terminal side of a gene selected from the group consisting of cold-inducible genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and has a cold-inducible promoter function.

Abstract: Replication-competent adenoviral vectors comprising an EBV-specific transcriptional regulatory element (TRE) operably linked to a gene required for adenovirus replication are provided. By providing for transcriptional initiating regulation dependent upon transcription factors that are only active in specific, limited cell types, virus replication can be restricted to particular target cells. The modified adenovirus may be used as a vehicle for introducing new genetic capability, particularly associated with cytotoxicity for treating neoplasia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a biological substance, comprising: (a) cultivating a fungal host cell in a medium conducive for the production of the biological substance, wherein the fungal host cell comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding the biological substance operably linked to a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a promoter variant selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, and SEQ ID NO: 12; and a subsequence thereof; and hybrid and tandem promoters thereof; and (b) isolating the biological substance from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to the isolated promoter variants and to constructs, vectors, and fungal host cells comprising the promoter variants operably linked to nucleic acid sequences encoding biological substances.

Abstract: Specific genetic deletion are identified in mycobacteria isolates, including variations in the M. tuberculosis genome sequence between isolates, and numerous deletion present in BCG as compared to M. tb. These deletions are used as markers to distinguish between pathogenic and avirulent strains, and as a marker for particular M. tb isolates. Deletions specific to vaccine strains of BCG are useful in determining whether a positive tuberculin skin test is indicative of actual tuberculosis infection. The deleted sequences may be re-introduced into BCG to improve the efficacy of vaccination. Alternatively, the genetic sequence that corresponds to the deletion(s) are deleted from M. bovis or M. tuberculosis to attenuate the pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for site-specific recombinase-mediated mobilization of viral replicons and associated DNAs of interest from T-DNA. The methods of the invention comprise Agrobacterium-mediated transfer of T-DNA to a plant cell, wherein the T-DNA contains a viral replicon flanked by directly repeated target sites for a site-specific recombinase and optionally a DNA of interest linked to the viral replicon. The DNA of interest may also contain a non-identical target site for the recombinase. An expression cassette for the site-specific recombinase is present on the T-DNA or the plant genome, or is transiently introduced into the plant cell. Expression of the site-specific recombinase in the plant cell results in excision of the viral replicon and the associated DNA of interest. The viral replicon and DNA of interest are then replicated to high copy number in the host plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell wall degradative systems, in particular to systems containing enzymes that bind to and/or depolymerize cellulose. These systems have a number of applications.