Abstract: The present invention provides for the isolation and characterization of an invertebrate calcium channel subunit gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the isolation and characterization of a calcium channel al subunit gene cloned from Drosophila melanogaster, and designated "DmcalD".

Abstract: A method is provided for immobilizing an enzyme, comprising immobilizing the enzyme or a functional part thereof to the cell wall of a microbial cell using recombinant DNA techniques. The enzyme is immobilized by linking it to the C-terminal part of a protein that ensures anchoring in the cell wall. Also provided is a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a structural gene encoding an enzyme protein, a part of a gene encoding the C-terminal part of a protein capable of anchoring in a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell wall, as well as a signal sequence, in addition to a chimeric protein encoded by the recombinant polynucleotide and a vector and a microorganism containing the polynucleotide. The microorganism is suitable for carrying out enzymatic processes on an industrial scale.

Abstract: A novel class of NIMA interacting proteins (PIN), exemplified by Pin1, is provided. Pin1 induces a G2 arrest and delays NIMA-induced mitosis when overexpressed, and triggers mitotic arrest and DNA fragmentation when depleted. Methods of identifying other Pin proteins and Pin-interacting proteins and identifying compositions which affect Pin activity or expression are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of inhibiting autoreactive immune cell proliferation in a mammal, involving administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein or an immune cell anti-proliferative fragment or analog thereof.

Abstract: Described herein is the self-assembly of amphiphilic peptides, i.e., peptides with alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues, into macroscopic membranes. The membrane-forming peptides are greater than 12 amino acids in length, and preferably at least 16 amino acids, are complementary and are structurally compatible. Specifically, two peptides, (AEAEAKAK).sub.2 (ARARADAD).sub.2, were shown to self-assemble into macroscopic membranes. Conditions under which the peptides self-assemble into macroscopic membranes and methods for producing the membranes are also described. The macroscopic membranes have several interesting properties: they are stable in aqueous solution, serum, and ethanol, are highly resistant to heat, alkaline and acidic pH, chemical denaturants, and proteolytic digestion, and are non-cytotoxic.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids encoding allergens of Canis familiaris, Can f I or Can f II, are disclosed. A cDNA encoding a peptide having a Can f I activity and a predicted molecular weight of about 19,200 daltons is also described. A cDNA encoding a peptide having Can f II activity and a predicted molecular weight of about 18,200 daltons is also disclosed. The nucleic acids can be used as probes to detect the presence of Can f I or Can f II nucleic acid in a sample or for the recombinant production of peptides having a Can f I or Can f II activity. Peptides having a Can f I or Can f II activity can be used in compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration or methods of diagnosing sensitivity to dog dander.

Abstract: Modulators of the immune system can be identified by determining the ability of candidate substances to affect the interaction of PKC-theta or a fragment thereof with its cognate. The interaction can be measured using binding of the cognate as an index, or can be measured using a physiological response.

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 intention 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 provides a novel human phosphoprotein (hPSHP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode hPSHP. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding hPSHP. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing hPSHP or agonists and antagonists to hPSHP, and in the use of these compositions for the treatment of diseases associated with hPSHP. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding hPSHP for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of hPSHP. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, to hybridize to the genomic sequence or transcripts of polynucleotides encoding hPSHP or anti hPSHP antibodies which specifically bind to hPSHP.

Abstract: A (1,3).beta.-glucan synthase mutant useful in the research and development of anti-fungal drugs. A key step in fungal wall assembly, hyphal growth and infection is the synthesis of (1,3).beta.-linked glucan. Because .beta.-glucan is not made by humans, (1,3).beta.-glucan synthase is an attractive target for development of new antifungal antibiotics. A (1,3).beta.-glucan synthase gene has been cloned and the cDNA sequence and polypeptide amino acid sequence of the gene has been established.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids encoding allergens of Canis familiaris, Can f I or Can f II, are disclosed. A cDNA encoding a peptide having a Can f I activity and a predicted molecular weight of about 19,200 daltons is also described. A cDNA encoding a peptide having Can f II activity and a predicted molecular weight of about 18,200 daltons is also disclosed. The nucleic acids can be used as probes to detect the presence of Can f I or Can f II nucleic acid in a sample or for the recombinant production of petides having a Can f I or Can f II activity. Peptides having a Can f I or Can f II activity can be used in compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration or methods of diagnosing sensitivity to dog dander.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermostable mutants of D-N-.alpha.-carbamoylase and means and methods for their preparation. The thermostable mutants have an unaltered or improved activity with respect to the wild-type enzyme and are particularly useful in the preparation of D-.alpha.-amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermostable mutants of Agrobacterium radiobacter D-N-.alpha.-carbamoylase and means and methods for their preparation. The thermostable mutants have an unaltered or improved activity with respect to the wild-type enzyme and are particularly useful in the preparation of D-.alpha.-amino acids.

Abstract: 2-5A-dependent RNase, an endoribonuclease that requires 5'-phosphorylated 2',5'-linked oligoadenylates (2-5A), functions in the molecular mechanism of interferon action. Recombinant, 2-5A-dependent RNase was expressed to high levels (at least 10% of the soluble protein) in insect cells by infecting with baculovirus containing human cDNA to 2-5A-dependent RNase. In contrast, there was no 2-5A-dependent RNase present in control insect cells infected with nonrecombinant baculovirus. The purified, recombinant enzyme eluted from a gel-filtration column as a monomer that showed potent and highly specific, 2-5A-dependent RNase activity. Precise activitor requirements were determined using the purified enzyme of a variety of 2',5'-linked oligonucleotides. The activated enzyme was capable of cleaving both poly(rU) and, to a lesser extent, poly(rA) but not poly(rC), poly(rG), or poly(dT. Interestingly, poly(rU) was cleaved to a series of discrete products ranging between 5 and 22 nucleotides in length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human calcium-binding protein (HCBP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HCBP. The invention also provides expression vectors and host cells, agonists, antibodies, and antagonists. In addition, the invention provides methods for producing HCBP and for treating or preventing disorders associated with the expression of HCBP.

Abstract: Polynucleotides which encode the polypeptide SOD-4, as well as such polypeptides, and antibodies against the polypeptide and the use of the polypeptide as a pharmaceutical for treating cerebral ischaemia, ulcers, inflammation, arrhythmia, oedema and paraquat intoxication as well as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and radiation injury.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide which identifies and encodes a novel human galectin-8. The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding human galectin-8. The invention also provides for the production and use of substantially purified human galectin-8 in pharmaceutical compositions to increase immune responses. The invention also provides for the use of antisense molecules and antibodies in pharmaceutical compositions to decrease immune response. The invention also describes diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide to hybridize with the transcripts and/or genomic DNA encoding human galectin-8 and anti-human galectin-8 antibodies which specifically bind to human galectin-8.

Abstract: This invention relates to glycosyltransferase, genes encoding glycosyltransferase, recombinant vectors having such a gene, host cells transformed with such a recombinant vector, and uses thereof. This invention makes it possible to glycosylate indolopyrrolocarbazole derivatives conveniently and economically.