Abstract: This invention relates generally to an assay for Lyme disease which detects the antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. More specifically, the assay employs antigens derived from amino acid regions in the flagellum of Borrelia burgdorferi. These antigens are immunoreactive with antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi but are not substantially immunoreactive with antibodies to Treponema pallidum, the syphilis causing agent. DNA sequences of the antigens, clones and vectors containing the DNA sequences are also disclosed. Polypeptides derived therefrom can be used as reagents for the detection of antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi in the body fluids from individuals with Lyme disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a human glutathione-S-transferase (HGST) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HGST. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of HGST.

Abstract: Topoisomerase III polypeptides and DNA and RNA encoding such Topoisomerase III polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such Topoisomerase III for the treatment of infection, particularly bacterial infections. Antagonists against such Topoisomerase III and their use as a therapeutic to treat infections, particularly bacterial infections are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to the presence of Topoisomerase III nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides in a host. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting polynucleotides encoding Streptococcal Topoisomerase III and for detecting the polypeptide in a host.

Abstract: The invention provides a new human heat shock 27 like protein, (HSP27P) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HSP27P. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of HSP27P.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human apoptosis-associated protein (NHAAP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode NHAAP. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding NHAAP and a method for producing NHAAP. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding NHAAP, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of NHAAP. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding NHAAP for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of NHAAP. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding NHAAP.

Abstract: A Bcl-2 associated protein (Bax) and uses thereof.

Abstract: A Bcl-2 associated protein (Bax) and uses thereof.

Abstract: Substantially pure C. albicans topoisomerase I protein is disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules that encode C. albicans topoisomerase I protein, recombinant expression vectors that comprise a nucleic acid sequence that encodes C. albicans topoisomerase I protein, and host cells that comprise recombinant expression vectors that comprise nucleic acid sequences that encode C. albicans topoisomerase I protein are disclosed. Fragments of nucleic acid molecules with sequences encoding C. albicans topoisomerase I protein and oligonucleotide molecules that comprise a nucleotide sequence complementary to fragment of a nucleotide sequence that encodes C. albicans topoisomerase I protein are disclosed. Antibodies which bind to an epitope on C. albicans topoisomerase I protein are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of C. albicans topoisomerase I protein are disclosed. Camptothecin analogs useful as inhibitors of C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human apoptosis-related calcium-binding protein (HARC) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HARC. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HARC and a method for producing HARC. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding HARC, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HARC. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HARC for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HARC. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding HARC.

Abstract: An improved Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) delta-endotoxin is created by the modification of the gene encoding the toxin. The toxicity of a B.t. toxin was improved by replacing the native protoxin segment with an alternate protoxin segment by constructing a chimeric toxin gene.

Abstract: A glycoprotein, PECAM-1, and variants thereof can be obtained by expression in a transformed host cell of a polynucleotide coding for the glycoprotein or a variant polypeptide. PECAM-1 can also be isolated from cellular sources. An antibody specific for PECAM-1 or a PECAM variant can be produced via recombinant techniques, or can be obtained from a hybridoma.

Abstract: The invention provides a human peroxisomal thioesterase (PxTE) and polynucleotides which identify and encode PxTE. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of PxTE.

Abstract: The present invention provides the amino acid sequence and base sequence of a Pseudonocardia thermophila-derived nitrile hydratase, provides further a method for changing its amino acid sequence and base sequence without substantially changing the functions of said nitrile hydratase, and nitrile hydratases having a base sequence and an amino acid sequence as changed on the basis of said method, and provides furthermore a recombinant plasmid having the gene of said nitrile hydratase, a transformant containing said recombinant plasmid, a method of using said transformant for producing said enzyme, and a method of using said transformant for producing the corresponding amide compound from a nitrile compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides having protease activity, in which the polypeptides are obtainable from an alkalophilic Bacillus species having enhanced stability towards bleaching agents of the peroxy type. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as recombinant methods for producing the polypeptides.

Abstract: Novel vaccines for use against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae are disclosed. The vaccines contain at least one Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae outer membrane lipoprotein A, or an immunogenic fragment thereof. Also disclosed are DNA sequences encoding these proteins, vectors including these sequences and host cells transformed with these vectors. The vaccines can be used to treat or prevent porcine respiratory infections.

Abstract: Mutant Proteus vulgaris strains are provided that, when grown in the absence of an exogenous chondroitinase I and II inducer, produce P. vulgans chondroitinase I and chondroitinase II proteins. The mutants typically produce chondroitinase I and II proteins in the absence of exogenous inducers and in amounts in excess of those produced by wild-type P. vulgaris strains induced with such inducers. Two classes of such mutants, Classes 1 and 2, are disclosed. Class 1 and class 2 mutants differ in the relative amounts of chondroitinases I and II produced when cells are grown in casamino acids--supplemented minimal medium. Additional phenotypic variants that release chondroitinase I protein into the culture medium are provided as well. Also contemplated is a method for producing P. vulgaris chondroitinase I and II proteins.

Abstract: Viral morphogenesis, production, release or uncoating can be inhibited by effecting inhibition of prenylation of, or inhibition of post-prenylation reactions of, at least one viral protein. The use of inhibitors of prenylation, and post-prenylation reactions, for example, inhibitors of the mevalonate and prenyl group synthesis pathways, inhibitors of prenyl group transferases and mimics of the prenylation target CXXX box are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a human glutathione S-transferase (GSTH) and polynucleotides which identify and encode GSTH. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating and preventing disorders associated with expression of GSTH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide having a primary structure of amino acid sequence shown by Sequence List Sequence No. 1 and DNA encoding for the polypeptide. The polypeptide is obtainable by following steps (1)-(3):Step (1): extracting small granule fraction of homocytes of horseshoe crab with a buffer containing protein denaturing agent and chelating agent,Step (2): subjecting said extract to reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography,Step (3): eluting by concentration gradient elution with a hydrophobic organic solvent.Also, the polypeptide is produced by chemical synthesis. The polypeptide has similar chemical structure to defensin and is useful as gargles, disinfectants, antiseptics or antimicrobials.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids which can confer on a cell at least a 5-fold increase in cisplatin resistance relative to a cisplatin sensitive cell are disclosed. The nucleic acids of the invention can further confer on a cell resistance to heavy metals such as cadmium and copper. Isolated proteins encoded by the nucleic acids of the invention are also disclosed. The isolated nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful for conferring cisplatin resistance on a cell, for example non-malignant cells in a tumor bearing subject being treated with cisplatin. Alternatively, the cisplatin resistance of a cell can be inhibited by contacting the cell with an agent which inhibits the activity of the protein of the invention, for example to reverse the cisplatin resistance of a tumor cell. The invention also discloses methods for identifying substances which inhibit cisplatin resistance in a cell or which are chemosensitizers of cisplatin.