Abstract: This invention provides for a mechanism to reverse the activated Ras induced malignant transformation of mammalian cells by use of certain peptides. Specifically, the anti-oncogenic protein fragments of the Neurofibromatosis type 1 protein (NF1) were found to reverse, inhibit, or otherwise interfere with the malignant transformation of V-HaRas induced transformed cells. The invention further identifies several specific fragments of the NF1 protein which are capable of reversing activated Ras induced transformation, including the NF338, NF91, NF78 and NF56 protein fragments. The invention also provides for nucleic acid molecules, cell lines, and expression vectors associated with the NF1 fragments, in addition to protein complexes of the NF1 and Ras proteins. A method for screening molecules which are capable of reversing activated Ras induced transformation is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: This application relates to modified blood coagulation factors, DNA sequences coding for such modified factors and a process for their production.

Abstract: Recombinant Factor VIII production is increased by supplementing the serum-free culture of mammalian host cells containing the gene therefor in a serum-free nutrient media with lipoprotein obtained from a mammalian source, preferably low density human lipoprotein or total bovine lipoprotein.

Abstract: Neurotransmission by excitatory amino acids (EAAs) such as glutamate is mediated via membrane-bound surface receptors. DNA coding for one family of these receptors, of the kainate binding type of EAA receptors, has now been isolated and the receptor protein characterized. Herein described are recombinant cell lines which produce the EAA receptor as a heterologous membrane-bound product. Also described are related aspects of the invention, which are of commercial significance. Included is use of the cell lines as a tool for discovery of compounds which modulate EAA receptor stimulation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel DNA compounds which function as transcriptional activating sequences. Recombinant DNA expression vectors which contain the transcriptional activating sequences and host cells transformed with these expression vectors are also provided. When properly positioned in an expression vector, the novel transcriptional activating sequences enable regulatable expression of an operably linked gene and enhance the structural stability of the expression vector.

Abstract: A protein, which is useful as an antagonist of hepatocyte growth factor, is composed of two disulphide-linked chains of 50 kDa and 75 or 85 kDa respectively, the 5 kDa chain being the .alpha.-chain of the tyrosine kinase encoded by the MET protooncogene and the 75 or 85 kDa chain being a C-terminal truncated form of the .beta.-chain of the said tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved plasminogen activators (improved t-PA) which have a prolonged biological half life, an increased stability to heat and acids and can be expected to be effective as inhibiting inflammation around the site in which thrombus is formed.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides are isolated from the venom of the parasitic wasp, Bracon hebetor, and are designated Brh-I to Brh-V. These polypeptides are paralytic and/or toxic to insects. The entire amino acid sequence of Brh-I and the DNA encoding it is also determined. These polypeptides may be cloned into a baculovirus, and used for insect control.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for identifying colon cancers in an individual. In one embodiment of the invention, a colon adenocarcinoma-associated protein may be detected in a tissue or body fluid sample of an individual, to provide an indication of the presence of an adenocarcinoma of the colon in the individual. The target adenocarcinoma-associated protein, may be detected, e.g., by reacting the sample with a labeled binding moiety, such as a labeled antibody, capable of specifically binding the protein. In another embodiment, the protein may be detected by isolating one or more colon adenocarcinoma-associated proteins from the sample, separating the proteins by two dimensional gel electrophoresis, and comparing the gel electrophoresis pattern with a standard. The invention provides a wide range of assay methods and compositions which may be used for detecting colon tumors in an individual rapidly and reproducibly, optimally at early stages of the disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to an enzyme that degrades oxalic acid. In particular, the invention relates to the enzyme oxalate decarboxylase and to a DNA sequence encoding same. The invention further relates to a recombinant molecule comprising the oxalate decarboxylase encoding sequence and to a host cell transformed therewith. In addition, the invention relates to a method of protecting a plant from the deleterious effects of oxalic acid and to a method of reducing the oxalic acid content of a plant.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase that has been increased transglycosylation activity by substituting another amino acid residue for the tyrosine residue that is present in the active center of the hydrolase, which hydrolase is an amylase or an enzyme analogous to amylase; a gene or a DNA sequence of the carbohydrate hydrolase with mutation introduced into the base sequence that encodes the tyrosine residue; and a vector or a transformant which comprises the DNA sequence. There is also disclosed a method for producing a variety of oligosaccharides and the like by using the variant-type carbohydrate hydrolase.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of cysteine-altered von Willebrand Factor fragment which is substantially free of aggregate and capable of therapeutic use for treating thrombosis and a process for preparing such a solution comprising:(A) providing an aqueous solution of the fragment and denaturant;(B) purifying the solution of fragment and denaturant under conditions which promote conversion of aggregated forms of the fragment to the dimeric and/or monomeric forms thereof to provide purified fragment;(C) separating the dissolved, purified fragment from the denaturant while maintaining the aqueous solution of the fragment at a pH of about 2.5 to less than about 5.5 to increase monomerization of, and decrease aggregation of, said purified fragment, thereby forming an aqueous solution of fragment which is substantially free of aggregate.

Abstract: L-Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase mutants, a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof for the in vivo incorporation of non-proteinogenous amino acids into peptides or proteins.The invention relates to L-phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases from microorganisms which, by reason of a modification generated by genetic engineering, have an altered substrate selectivity, and to their preparation and use for the in vivo incorporation of non-proteinogenous amino acids into peptides or proteins.

Abstract: A method for isolating a desired protein which comprises: providing a host cell expressing the desired protein as an insoluble aggregate; culturing the host cell with an effective mount of Cu.sup.++ ; disrupting the host cell producing a lysate; incubating the insoluble fraction non-disulfide-bond reducing or non-copper competing chaotropic conditions to solubilize contaminants; separating the insoluble from the soluble fraction; and exposing the insoluble fraction to disulfide-bond reducing or copper competing chaotropic conditions to solubilize the desired protein.

Abstract: This invention disclosed herein provides an alcohol acetyl transferase ("AATase"), an AATase encoding gene and a yeast having an improved ester producing ability due to transformation with the AATase encoding gene. This invention also provides a process for producing an alcoholic beverage having an enriched ester flavor using the transformed yeast.

Abstract: A fibrinolytically active amino acid sequence variant of a plasminogen activator is prepared that has one or more glycosylation sites in regions that are not glycosylated in the native molecule. DNA sequences can be prepared that encode the variants, as well as expression vectors incorporating the DNA sequences, and host cells transformed with the expression vectors. The variants may be used in a pharmaceutical preparation to treat a vascular disease or condition in patients.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding the multiple drug resistance protein of Aureobasidium pullulans. Vectors and transformed host cells comprising the multiple drug resistance-encoding DNA of Aureobasidium pullulans are also provided. The invention further provides assays which utilize these transformed host cells.

Abstract: More effectively controlled expression of DNA sequences in coding desired heterologous proteins is achieved in differentiated eucaryotic cells by methods of this invention. Disclosed herein are control modules derived from selectively expressed genes of eucaryotic cells, such as, for example, insulin and chymotrypsin genes. These control elements contain cis-acting sequences which are responsive to indigenous trans-acting substances in the differentiated cell, which substances control the expression of the gene. Such cis-acting elements occur within the promoter region of such selectively expressed genes, and also in the five prime flanking region of the coding sequence in a position upstream of the promoter. These upstream enhancer sequences may be located using the methods disclosed herein, and ligated into differentiative expression modules for production of desired heterologous proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and purification of a herpes protease and a nucleic acid segment coding for two proteins. The first protein is the herpes protease which is able to cleave itself and also cleave the second protein. This protease is required for the assembly of the herpes virus capsid, therefore is essential for replication. The second protein has previously been designated as the family of proteins in viral infected cells, ICP35. The protease and its substrates are encoded by overlapping nucleic acid segments. This invention also relates to a promoter sequence for the second protein. Methods are presented of producing a viral protease, screening a protease inhibitor which may be used in a drug designed for the treatment of herpes disease, methods for treating herpes and other viral infections wherein the virus employs a protease substantially similar to the herpes protease, for capsid production.

Abstract: The invention relates to thrombolytically active pro-urokinase (pro-UK) mutants comprising the amino acid sequence of native pro-UK, but including a mutation which causes the pro-UK mutants to induce less fibrinogenolysis and non-specific plasminogen activation than native pro-UK, to have at least a 10-fold lower intrinsic activity than native pro-UK, and to have substantially the same fibrin promotion and thrombolytic activity after plasmin activation compared to native pro-UK when administered to a patient.