Abstract: The present invention relates to the construction of functional engineered peptide synthetases capable of displaying a correct activity and their use for the non-ribosomal production of modified peptides.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, acylglucosamine 2-epimerase as shown in FIG. 1 and derivatives thereof, DNA coding for said enzyme, a recombinant vector containing said enzyme, a transformant integrated thereinto said vector, a method for producing said enzyme and a mrthod for producing N-acetylmannosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid using renin binding protein.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel peptides which have the property of interfering with the biosynthesis of the enzyme trypsin. This property enables the use of these peptides to, for example, inhibit the formation of progeny in blood-ingesting insects, since trypsin is an essential enzyme for food digestion which provides the essential building blocks for egg development in such insects.

Abstract: Human ELF3 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such ELF3 and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such ELF3 for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers, in particular prostate, breast, lung or other epithelial tumors, among others.

Abstract: Disclosed is a 68 kD recombinant hybrid protein comprising an enzymatically active Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase ("SOD-1") moiety and a tetanus toxin fragment C ("TTC") moiety, wherein the TTC moiety selectively delivers the hybrid protein into neurons, and the SOD-1 moiety retains substantial enzymatic activity, following neuronal uptake. Also disclosed are a DNA expression vector encoding the hybrid protein.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a novel ceramide glucosyltransferase having catalytic activity of glucose transfer from UDP-Glc to ceramide, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding the ceramide glucosyltransferase.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to I.kappa.B regulating proteins, known as T2K proteins, and related nucleic acids. The proteins may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells from the disclosed T2K encoding nucleic acid or purified from human cells. The invention provides specific hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed T2K gene, T2K-specific binding agents such as specific antibodies, and methods of making and using the subject compositions in diagnosis, therapy and in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a newly identified family of protein serine/threonine kinases which phosphorylate microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). It is based, in part, on the cloning and characterization of novel MAP2 kinases designated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1, 2, and 3 (ERK1, ERK2, ERK3) which are expressed in the central nervous system, and on the identification of another ERK family member, ERK4, with antisera. The present invention provides for recombinant nucleic acid molecules and proteins representing members of the MAP2 kinase family, and also for microorganisms, transgenic animals, and cell lines comprising recombinant MAP2 kinase molecules. In additional embodiments of the invention, the present invention provides for methods for assaying cellular factor activity, including, but not limited to, nerve growth factor activity, in which the activation of MAP2 kinase serves as an indicator of cellular factor activity.

Abstract: Polymers are provided comprising protein polymers comprising blocks of repeating units and sequences comprising amino acids, individually or in defined sequences, capable of enzyme catalyzed covalent bond formation for cross-linking, as exemplified by glutamine and/or lysine reactive for FXIII catalyzed isopeptide formation or non-amino acid polymers having side chains comprising such amino acids or sequences, which may be used for preparation of articles of manufacture, particularly cross-linkable compositions. By appropriate choice of the polymer, resorbable implantable polymers may be used in internal applications for mammals as formed objects or depots.

Abstract: A method for modifying the specificity or efficiency of an enzyme, while retaining its catalytic activity, is disclosed. The method is characterized by selecting an enzyme, the tertiary structure of which is substantially known or deduced; identifying a single specificity or efficiency-related region of the enzyme; identifying or constructing unique restriction sites bounding the identified region in the DNA coding therefor; generating a DNA sequence which corresponds to at least a portion of the identified region, except that the nucleotides of at least one codon are randomized, using the generated DNA sequence to replace the original such sequence; expressing the DNA including the generated DNA sequence; and selecting for a desired modification so that the DNA coding therefor may be isolated; the randomized DNA being generated by means of a PCR assembly method. Enzyme generated using this method, and having enhanced specificity or efficiency, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid constructs comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding xylanolytic enzymes derived from a strain of Bacillus agaradherens, recombinant vectors and host cells comprising such constructs, and methods for obtaining xylanolytic enzymes.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding the stem peptide biosynthetic gene murA of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also provided are vectors and transformed heterologous host cells for expressing the MurA enzyme product and a method for identifying compounds that inhibit stem peptide biosynthesis.

Abstract: A coryneform bacterium having high L-lysine productivity is provided by integrating a gene coding for aspartokinase originating from coryneform bacteria with desensitized feedback inhibition by L-lysine and L-threonine, into chromosomal DNA of a coryneform bacterium harboring leaky type homoserine dehydrogenase or a coryneform bacterium deficient in homoserine dehydrogenase gene.

Abstract: A mutation in the human sonic hedgehog gene is associated with tumorigenesis. A variety of human tumors, including basal cell carcinomas, breast carcinomas, medulloblastomas, etc., have a somatic mutation that results in an amino acid substitution at position 133 ?*his133 SHH!, or in a mutation at position 114. Such mutated genes and fragments thereof, encoded protein, and antibodies specific for the mutated protein are useful in characterizing the phenotype of associated tumors. The mutant protein is useful in drug screening for compositions that antagonize or otherwise modulate HH activity or expression. The encoded protein is also used as a therapeutic, to modulate cell proliferation and differentiation, and treatment of pathological conditions associated with decreased hedgehog signaling.

Abstract: The invention provides protein-based sensors which report changes at a cell surface membrane. These sensors comprise an endogenous cell surface protein having a post-translationally generated luminescer at a predetermined residue. In operation, the protein adopts one of a plurality of different interconvertable signal-dependent conformations, whereunder the luminescer provides corresponding different luminescence. The cells comprise transgenes encoding the protein sensor which is translated from such transgenes by the host cell's machinery with natural amino acids and expressed on the cell surface. After surface expression, the cell is contacted with a luminescer generating reagent which generates a luminescer at a predetermined residue of the protein. A wide variety of luminescers and chemistries for generating the selected luminescer at the target residue of the sensor protein may be used.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hyperthermostable protease gene originating in Pyrococcus furiosus, in particular, a hyperthermostable protease gene encoding the amino acid sequence represented by the SEQ ID NO 1 in the Sequence Listing or a part thereof which retains the activity of the hyperthermostable protease. There is also disclosed a process for producing the protease by culturing a transformant transformed with a plasmid into which the above gene has been inserted.

Abstract: This invention relates to stabilization of phenylalanine ammonia lyase against proteolytic degradation by chemical modification with crosslinking agents, or by genetic modification, a phenylalanine ammonia lyase variant, a method of preparing the variant and a pharmaceutical composition containing phenylalanine ammonia lyase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide which identifies and encodes a novel human mRNA editing enzyme (REE). The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding REE. The invention also provides for the use of substantially purified REE and its agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors in the commercial production of recombinant proteins and in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of REE. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to REE in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of diseases associated with the expression of REE. The invention also describes diagnostic assays which utilize diagnostic compositions comprising the polynucleotide, fragments or the complement thereof, which hybridize with the genomic sequence or the transcript of polynucleotides encoding REE or anti-REE antibodies which specifically bind to REE.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly glycosylated iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme comprising an iduronate-2-sulfatase polypeptide with at least 5 kilodalton (kDa) more sugar than iduronate-2-sulfatase purified from a natural source, e.g. human liver. The present invention also provides an enzymatically active polypeptide fragment or variant of such a highly glycosylated iduronate-2-sulfatase. The present invention further provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding iduronate-2-sulfatase, as well as an expression vector, a host cell and a method for producing the present highly glycosylated iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to serine protease mutants of the chymotrypsin superfamily that are resistant to inhibition by their cognate inhibitors, and genes that encode the same. The present invention also relates to serine protease inhibitor mutants that inhibit the serine protease mutants of the present invention, and genes that encode the same. The serine protease, mutants and serine protease inhibitor mutants are useful as, e.g., pharmacological agents.