Abstract: Human elastase IV polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques and utilizing such polypeptide for therapeutic purposes, for example, restoration of elasticity of arterial walls, improvement of serum lipid abnormality and improvement of serum lipoprotein metabolism are disclosed. Also disclosed are antagonist/inhibitors against such polypeptides and their use in treating inflammation, arthritis, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, septic shock, pancreatitis and limiting tissue damage in ulceration. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention are also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptide ligands of target molecules wherein candidate mixtures comprised of ribosome complexes or mRNA.multidot.polypeptide copolymers are partitioned relative to their affinity to the target and amplified to create a new candidate mixture enriched in ribosome complexes or mRNA.multidot.polypeptide copolymers with an affinity to the target.

Abstract: Recombinant materials for the production of low molecular weight hydrophobic lung surfactant proteins are disclosed and claimed. The monomeric forms of the proteins from human and canine sources have apparent molecular weights of about 5 kd and form dimers under some conditions. The availability of these recombinant materials permits production of large amounts of these proteins through recombinant techniques and permits the use of these proteins in pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment of respiratory deficiency syndromes.

Abstract: A novel crystal protein as an effective ingredient in harmful organism controlling agents, Bacillus thuringiensis var. japonensis strain N141 producing the protein, and a gene coding for the protein. This novel strain produces an insecticidal crystal toxin and is useful for a harmful organism controlling agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a bcl-2 related protein, Bad, Bad muteins, two-hybrid systems comprising interacting Bad polypeptide sequences, Bad polynucleotides, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified casein phosphopeptide(CPP) having a novel amino acid sequence and a purified casein including same wherein the 25th Arg from N-terminal in a conventional CPP is replaced by Cys, rendering the CPPs to forming a dimer by disulfide bond. In the corresponding DNA sequence, cytosine is replaced by thymine to cause the amino acid replacement from Arginine(Arg) to Cysteine(Cys). The CPP or the casein containing same has an improved ability of solubilizing minerals and absorbing thereof in animals. The CPP or the beta-casein H containing same can be added to foodstuffs, beverages, medication, cosmetics, feed in an effective amount of enhancing a mineral absorption in animals. An oral composition comprising the beta-casein H or the inventive CPP and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can reduce or relieve a dentinal hypersensitivity.

Abstract: A metalloprotease that converts TNF-.alpha. from the 26 kD cell form to the 17 kD form has been isolated and purified and the cDNA sequence known. In particular, the protease has a molecular weight of approximately 80 kD. The isolated and purified protease is useful for designing an inhibitor thereof, and may find use as a therapeutic agent. Assays for detecting the protease-inhibiting activity of a molecule are also an aspect of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel protein which has a molecular weight of 45,000.+-.5,000 and pI 5.7.+-.0.5 and exhibits cancer metastasis-inhibitory activity. The protein can be prepared by culturing human cells, animal cells and microorganisms capable of producing the protein in a nutrient culture medium while stimulating them with an inducer such as Bacille Calmette-Guerin and lipopolysaccharide.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide derived from the leech Hirudo medicinalis was found to be able to inhibit Factor Xa thereby reducing the extent of blood coagulation. The polypeptide is useful in treating conditions of excessive blood coagulation. A recombinant organism containing cDNA encoding the polypeptide has been deposited in the ATCC under Accession No. 69134. Recombinant microorganisms able to produce the polypeptide have been deposited in the ATCC under Accession Nos. 69135, 69137 and 69269.

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 is directed to Bacillus thuringiensis isolates active against lepidopteran pests, and certain lepidopteran-toxic crystal proteins produced by the Bacillus thuringiensis isolates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing large amounts of 7.beta.-(4-carboxybutanamido)-cephalosporanic acid acylase ("GA") enzyme, which process consists in growing, under suitable culture conditions, a recombinant Escherichia coli K12 strain and subsequently extracting the enzyme from the resulting culture.Enzyme production is controlled by a particular expression system which can be induced by corn-steep liquor, an extremely low cost component of the culture medium.The enzyme can be used in the enzymatic preparation of 7-amino-cephalosporanic acid by starting from 7.beta.-(4-carboxybutanamido)-cephalosporanic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant staphylokinase polypeptides with plasminogen activator effect and to their production and use. The polypeptides are obtained by expression of DNA sequences which are free from signal-peptide-coding regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene derived from Pseudomonas chlororaphis B23 strain which encodes a polypeptide having nitrile hydratase activity being capable of hydrating nitriles to amides. The invention also relates to a recombinant DNA containing the gene, and a transformant transformed with the recombinant DNA. The present invention further relates to a method of producing nitrile hydratase using the transformant and of amides using nitrile hydratase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for increasing secretion of an overexpressed gene product present in a host cell, by inducing expression of chaperone proteins within the host cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of fish hemoglobins that exhibit a Root effect to increase tissue oxygenation in patients suffering from disease states associated with compromised oxygen delivery to tissues.

Abstract: Nucleotide fragments which encode a bacteriocin composition derived from Micrococcus varians and for preparing compositions to obtain the bacteriocin and for obtaining recombinant microorganisms. The nucleotide fragments include, in particular, nucleotides 154 to 228 and nucleotides 88 to 153 and their combination, nucleotides 88 to 228, identified in the sequence lists herein.

Abstract: A method is provided that accelerates the rate of kill of pests such as from the order Lepidoptera. The method comprises treating the pests or their loci with at least two different insect toxins which are expressed from at least one recombinant microbe. Pairs of toxins that do not compete with each other on the same binding site and that differ in their pharmacology have been found to provide synergistic control. Preferred insecticidal microbes are baculoviruses.

Abstract: Protein kinase mutant and wild-type genes encoding polypeptides of the class heretofore designated "casein kinase I" and useful in screening compositions which may affect DNA double-strand break repair activity are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods using the polynucleotides in cell-proliferative disorders.