Abstract: Microbial strains capable of producing enhanced levels of sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, phytosphingosine and/or derivatives thereof are disclosed. Additionally, there are disclosed methods based on mutagenesis, or other selection techniques, whereby such strains can be produced. As a preferred example thereof, mutant strains of Pichia are provided that are capable of producing about 50% or more of such compounds than wild type strains.

Abstract: The invention discloses a direct interaction between D-type cyclins and a novel myb-like transcription factor, DMP1, which specifically interacts with cyclin D2. The present invention also provides evidence that D-type cyclins regulate gene expression in an RB-independent manner. Also included is DMP1, the transcription factor composed of a central DNA-binding domain containing three atypical myb repeats flanked by highly acidic segments located at its amino- and carboxyterminal ends. The invention includes amino acid sequences coding for DMP1, and DNA and RNA nucleotide sequences that encode the amino acid sequences. A use of DMP1 as a transcription factor is disclosed due to its specificity in binding to oligonucleotides containing the nonamer consensus sequence CCCG(G/T)ATGT. In this aspect of the invention, DMP1 when transfected into mammalian cells, activates the transcription of a reporter gene driven by a minimal promoter containing concatamerized DMP1 binding sites.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide which identifies and encodes a novel human GTP binding protein gamma-3 (HGPG) and HGPG itself. The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors, host cells containing the vector and a method for producing HGPG. The invention also provides a method for identifying pharmaceutical compositions inhibiting the expression and activity of HGPG and for the use of such compositions for the treatment of cancer. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide to hybridize with the transcripts encoding HGPG or anti-HGPG antibodies which specifically bind to HGPG in normal or diseased tissues.

Abstract: The invention features a synthetic gene encoding a protein normally expressed in a mammalian cell or eukaryotic cell wherein at least one non-preferred or less preferred codon in the natural gene encoding the mammalian protein has been replaced by a preferred codon encoding the same amino acid.

Abstract: The immunosuppressive drug of the present invention can suppress both delayed-type hypersensitivity and antibody production against specific antigens and graft tissues and induce immunological tolerance to them by several administrations, instead of long continuous administration.Cysteine protease, a secretory protein accumulated in the tissue of parasitic helminths, is extracted and purified. The cysteine protease is administered to a mammal and then tissue is implanted to the mammal. The immune response of the mammal against the tissue implant is suppressed even one year later.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel collagens and polynucleotide sequences encoding these novel proteins. The present invention further relates to specific collagens and derivatives, specifically .alpha.3(IX) collagen and recombinant trimeric type IX collagen protein.

Abstract: Full-length and deletion subclones of cDNAs for Factor C of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda are provided. These cDNAs have been cloned into .lambda.gt 22 and pGEM 11Zf(+). Further manipulations of the 5' and 3' ends of these cDNAs have been carried out, and these cDNAs have been further subcloned into other expression vectors such as pGEMEX-1, pET 3b, and the yeast shuttle vectors YEpsec 1 and pEMBLyex 4, and pPIC 9 and pHIL D2. Also provided are host cells transformed with expression vectors containing DNA molecules encoding proteins having Factor C-like enzymatic activity, methods of producing such proteins, methods for purifying Factor C zymogens, and methods for protecting Factor C zymogens from autoactivation by Gram negative bacterial endotoxin while the proenzyme is being purified and/or processed from amoebocyte lysates or from recombinant clones, or during storage or subsequent handling. This protection is afforded by the addition of 5-30% Me.sub.2 SO, which reversibly inhibits the Factor C zymogen.