Abstract: Methods for improving the production of a secondary metabolite by a fungus by increasing the yield or productivity of the secondary metabolite produced by the fungus are described. The methods include increasing the expression of LYS14, for example, by transforming a cell with a nucleic acid molecule encoding LYS14.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a Zymomonas integrant and derivatives of these integrants that posses the ability to ferment pentose into ethanol. The genetic sequences encoding for the pentose-fermenting enzymes are integrated into the Zymomonas in a two-integration event of homologous recombination and transposition. Each operon includes more than one pentose-reducing enzyme encoding sequence. The integrant in some embodiments includes enzyme sequences encoding xylose isomerase, xylulokinase, transketolase and transketolase. The Zymomonas integrants are highly stable, and retain activity for producing the pentose-fermenting enzyme for between 80 to 160 generations. The integrants are also resistant to acetate inhibition, as the integrants demonstrate efficient ethanol production even in the presence of 8 up to 16 grams acetate per liter media.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide functional as a promoter in eukaryotic cells is disclosed. The isolated polynucleotide includes an endothelial specific enhancer element as detailed herein. Further disclosed is a method of expressing a nucleic acid sequence of interest in endothelial cells.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing expression levels and secretion of heterologous fusion proteins in a host cell are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule, comprising a nucleic acid which codes for a polypeptide with chorismate mutase activity and derivatives thereof, whereby the derivatives have at least 10% of the chorismate mutase activity of the chorismate mutase, according to the identification number of the SEQ ID NO:2. The invention further relates to vectors containing nucleic acid molecules, to host cells comprising nucleic acid molecules and their use in methods for producing polypetides with chorismate mutase activity. The invention also relates to the polypeptides with chorismate mutase activity and antibodies which specifically recognize the same. In addition, the invention relates to methods for producing auxotrophic yeast strains using the nucleic acid molecules and to the preparation of the yeast strains.

Abstract: The invention provides variant regulator proteins of secondary metabolite production and nucleic acids encoding said variant regulator proteins. In particular, the invention provides variant regulator molecules of the lovE protein.

Abstract: A primary object of this invention is to provide a method which will enable to coexpress simultaneously two (or more) desired genes in plant, animal or yeast cells, in transgenic plants and animals, or in vitro, in plant cell-derived or animal cell-derived translation systems. This objection is to be accomplished by utilizing sequence elements derived from RNAs of a tobamovirus upstream of MP gene or CP gene termed here as IRESMP and IRESCP , respectively. The method of this invention involves the construction of a recombinant nucleic acid sequence which comprises a specific transcriptional promoter, a first gene expressible in eukaryotic cells linked to said transcriptional promoter, IRESMP or IRESCP located 3? to the first gene and a second gene expressible in eukaryotic cells, located 3? to IRES sequence such that the second gene is placed under the transcriptional control of IRES sequence originated from tobamovirus genome.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inducing insulin gene expression in cultured pancreas cells, the method comprising contacting a culture of endocrine pancreas cells expressing a PDX-1 gene and a NeuroD/BETA2 gene with a GLP-1 receptor agonist, wherein the cells have been cultured under conditions such that the cells are in contact with other cells in the culture, thereby inducing insulin gene expression in the cells. The invention also provides high throughput screening methods for modulators of ?-cell function, stable cultures of cells made by the methods of the invention, and methods of treating a human subject using the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel protein that, when expressed in a host cell, increases cellular biomass and cellular protein production and secretion. The invention also provides a polynucleotide encoding the novel protein, and methods for using the polynucleotide and encoded protein to increase cellular biomass and cellular protein production and secretion. Also provided is a genetically altered mutant cell strain with enhanced production and secretion of cellular and heterologous proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inducing insulin gene expression in cultured pancreas cells, the method comprising contacting a culture of endocrine pancreas cells expressing a PDX-1 gene with a GLP-1 receptor agonist, wherein the cells have been cultured under conditions such that the cells are in contact with other cells in the culture, thereby inducing insulin gene expression in the cells. The invention also provides high throughput screening methods for modulators of ?-cell function, stable cultures of cells made by the methods of the invention, and methods of treating a human subject using the methods of the invention.

Abstract: An in-vitro system in which mammalian messenger RNA decapping occurs is provided, for use in identifying modulators, deficiencies, and other aspects of the regulation of RNA turnover.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mating-based yeast two-hybrid system for determining whether a test polypeptide interacts with another test polypeptide in the presence or absence of one or more test compounds. The system is useful in detecting protein-protein interactions and in identifying compounds capable of modulating protein-protein interactions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of genetic modification of a TGB-3 wild type viral sequence for reducing or suppressing the possible deleterious effects of the agronomic properties of a transformed plant or plant cell by the TGB-3 viral sequence, comprising the following successive steps: submitting the sequence to point mutation(s) which allow the substitution of at least one amino-acid into a different amino-acid, selecting genetically modified TGB-3 wild type viral sequences having the point mutation(s) and which are not able to promote cell-to-cell movement of a mutant virus having a dysfunctional TGB-3 wild type viral sequence, when expressed in trans from a replicon, further selecting among the genetically modified TGB-3 viral sequences, the specifically genetically modified sequence which inhibits infection with a co-inoculated wild type virus when the mutant form was expressed from a replicon, and recovering the specifically genetically modified TGB-3 viral sequence.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for monitoring the efficiency of an endonuclease digestion using a plasmid specifically designed for that purpose. The plasmid of the present invention comprises at least two polylinker regions containing a plurality of unique restriction sites distributed so that digestion of the plasmid with any two restriction endonucleases whose sites are represented on the plasmid results in two fragments that are sufficiently different in size from the intact plasmid so as to be readily distinguishable therefrom. To ensure this size differential, the polylinker regions of the plasmid are separated by a spacer segment comprising a restriction site-free nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 15% of the length of the intact plasmid.

Abstract: The present invention solves the problem of integrating multiple copies of a gene of interest by homologous recombination into well defined positions adjacent to conditionally essential genes in a bacterial host strain chromosome, which already comprises at least one copy of the gene of interest in a different position.

Abstract: A Candida albicans gene, CaNik1, is involved in phenotypic switching which is significant because of a direct correlation between the switching and the level of virulence of the organism. A method of screening for anti-fungal pharmaceutical candidates entails bringing a test substance into contact with cells containing a CaNik1 gene or a variant thereof and then monitoring the effect, if any, on the level of expression of the gene.

Abstract: An assay for the detection of substances agonistic or antagonistic to the mevalonate pathway are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and compositions for regulating cell cycle progression are disclosed. Compositions include nucleic acids comprising a human Cdc5 gene, antisense gene and fragments thereof and a human Cdc5 protein and polypeptide fragments thereof polypeptide. The consensus DNA binding site for hCdc5 has been described.

Abstract: A method for detecting interactions between first and second interacting molecules at variable sensitivity. This variable sensitivity may be obtained by providing for the overexpression of either a bait hybrid protein containing a DNA binding domain (desensitization) or a prey hybrid protein containing the DNA activation domain for a reporter gene (enhanced sensitivity). The use of exogenous activators of one or the other according to the needs of a particular system is readily accomplished.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions that enable the experimental determination as to whether any gene in the genome of a diploid pathogenic organism is essential, and whether it is required for virulence or pathogenicity. The methods involve the construction of genetic mutants in which one allele of a specific gene is inactivated while the other allele of the gene is placed under conditional expression. The identification of essential genes and those genes critical to the development of virulent infections, provides a basis for the development of screens for new drugs against such pathogenic organisms. The present invention further provides Candida albicans genes that are demonstrated to be essential and are potential targets for drug screening. The nucleotide sequence of the target genes can be used for various drug discovery purposes, such as expression of the recombinant protein, hybridization assay and construction of nucleic acid arrays.