Patents Examined by Gabriele E. Bugalsky
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Patent number: 6538122Abstract: Disclosed are a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises a sequence ranging from serine residue at the second position to proline residue at the 331st position in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 wherein the N-terminal amino acid of the protein corresponds to serine residue at the second position of SEQ ID No. 1, a DNA encoding the protein, a transformant having the DNA, and a process for producing a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant in a medium. The protein can be produced in a large amount with the transformant using a host such as E. coli.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.Inventors: Keiichi Yokoyama, Nami Nakamura, Tetsuya Miwa, Katsuya Seguro
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Patent number: 6500626Abstract: A Bcl-2 associated protein (Bax) and uses thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Washington UniversityInventor: Stanley J. Korsmeyer
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Patent number: 6242669Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates, pesticidal toxins, genes, and nucleotide probes and primers for the identification of genes encoding toxins active against pests. The primers are useful in PCR techniques to produce gene fragments which are characteristic of genes encoding these toxins. The subject invention provides entirely new families of toxins from Bacillus isolates.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Mycogen CorporationInventors: Jerald S. Feitelson, H. Ernest Schnepf, Kenneth E. Narva, Brian A. Stockhoff, James Schmeits, David Loewer, Charles Joseph Dullum, Judy Muller-Cohn, Lisa Stamp, George Morrill, Stacey Finstad-Lee
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Patent number: 5962301Abstract: Described herein is the discovery that human interleukin-1.beta. convertase (ICE) is structurally similar to the protein encoded by the C. elegans cell death gene, ced-3. Comparative and mutational analyses of the two proteins, together with previous observations, suggest that the Ced-3 protein may be a cysteine protease like ICE and that ICE may be a human equivalent of the nematode cell death gene. Another mammalian protein, the murine NEDD-2 protein, was also found to be similar to Ced-3. The NEDD-2 gene is implicated in the development of the murine central nervous system. On the basis of these findings, novel drugs for enhancing or inhibiting the activity of ICE, ced-3, or related genes are provided. Such drugs may be useful for treating inflammatory diseases and/or diseases characterized by cell deaths, as well as cancers, autoimmune disorders, infections, and hair growth and hair loss. Furthermore, such drugs may be useful for controlling pests, parasites and genetically engineered organisms.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1995Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: H. Robert Horvitz, Junying Yuan, Shai Shaham
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Patent number: 5919450Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1998Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer L. Hillman, Neil C. Corley, Purvi Shah
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Patent number: 5834296Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1997Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Toshihiko Iizuka, Michito Tagawa, Satoshi Arai, Masatsugu Niizeki, Toshiro Miyake
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Patent number: 5834262Abstract: An improved process for preparing glyoxylic acid comprising using the enzyme glycolate oxidase in the form of permeabilized microbial cell transformants selected from Aspergillus nidulans, Hansenula polymorpha, Pichia pastoris and Escherichia coli to oxidize glycolic acid with oxygen in an aqueous solution that includes an amine.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1996Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: David Leroy Anton, Robert DiCosimo
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Patent number: 5821224Abstract: The present invention provides a new family of cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides isolated from bovine neutrophils herein named beta defensins. Thirteen structurally homologous peptides were purified to homogeneity from a granule-rich cytoplasmic fraction of purified blood neutrophils. These antimicrobial compounds are useful in human and veterinary medicine, and as agents in agricultural, food science, and industrial applications.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1994Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Michael E. Selsted, James S. Cullor
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Patent number: 5814481Abstract: The present invention provides a novel heat shock-like protein (HSPRO) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HSPRO. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of HSPRO.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer L. Hillman, Purvi Shah
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Patent number: 5736131Abstract: The present invention provides, inter allia, a B.t. hybrid toxin fragment comprising at its C-terminal domain III of a first Cry protein or a part of the domain or a protein substantially similar to the domain, with the proviso that the N-terminal region of the fragment is the N-terminal region of a second Cry protein or a part of the region or a protein substantially similar to the region.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1996Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: Sandoz Ltd.Inventors: Hendrik Jan Bosch, Willem Johannes Stiekema
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Patent number: 5690930Abstract: The cDNA which encodes heme-regulated eIF-2.alpha. kinase (HRI) has been cloned from a lambda Zap II cDNA library of rabbit reticulocytes. The rabbit HRI cDNA is highly homologous to human HRI and hybridizes to the human HRI DNA under moderately stringent conditions. The rabbit HRI cDNA contains 2729 amino acids. In vitro translation of HRI mRNA transcribed from HRI cDNA yields a 90 kDa polypeptide with eIF-2.alpha. kinase activity. Since HRI is a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis, it is anti-proliferative in nature. In addition, the unusually high degree of homology of HRI to three protein kinases involved in the regulation of cell division suggests that HRI plays a direct role in the regulation of cell division.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1996Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Jane-Jane Chen, Irving M. London
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Patent number: 5674846Abstract: This invention relates to an insecticidally effective peptide isolated from the spider, Segestria sp., characterized by its paralytic effect on insect pests and low mammalian toxicity. This invention also discloses methods for producing recombinant peptides, as well as methods of utilizing these peptides as insecticidal agents.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1996Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Janice H. Johnson, Robert M. Kral, Jr.
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Patent number: 5643768Abstract: A method for the cell-free synthesis and isolation of novel genes and polypeptides is provided. Within one embodiment, an expression unit is constructed onto which semi-random nucleotide sequences are attached. The semi-random nucleotide sequences are first transcribed to produce RNA, and then translated under conditions such that polysomes are produced. Polysomes which bind to a substance of interest are then isolated and disrupted; and the released mRNA is recovered. The mRNA is used to construct cDNA which is expressed to produce novel polypeptides.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Optein, Inc.Inventor: Glenn H. Kawasaki
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Patent number: 5635182Abstract: Provided by the present invention are novel methods of detecting ligand interactions, as well as regents useful in the method, including DNA and host cells; and more specifically relates to novel methods for the detection of protein/protein interactions and their application in epitope mapping and the study of ligand/receptor interactions. Also provided are vaccines and kits comprising the expression products and host cells of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1994Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Genetics Institute, Inc.Inventors: John M. McCoy, Zhijian Lu
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Patent number: 5550049Abstract: DNAs encoding voltage-activated cation channels have been cloned and characterized. The cDNA's have been expressed in recombinant host cells which produce active recombinant protein. The recombinant protein is also purified from the recombinant host cells. In addition, the recombinant host cells are utilized to establish a method for identifying modulators of the channel activity, and channel modulators are identified. Channel modulators are useful as insecticides and arachnicidic agents.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1994Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Merck & Co., IncInventors: Leonardus H. T. Van Der Ploeg, Jeffrey W. Warmke
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Patent number: 5505943Abstract: Compositions and methods of use are provided for debriding and wound healing applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: April 9, 1996Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.Inventors: Donald Z. Fortney, Donald R. Durham
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Patent number: 5308762Abstract: A T4 endonuclease V DNA repair enzyme contains an amino acid sequence within its carboxyl terminal region which is involved in dimer specific binding. The region includes polar nonaromatic basic amino acids and aromatic amino acids between amino acid 128 to 137 positions. The specific activity of the enzyme is greatly increased at low salt concentrations when substitutions are made in aromatic amino acids in the carboxy terminal region.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1992Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: Vanderbilt UniversityInventor: R. Stephen Lloyd
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Patent number: 5266475Abstract: A genetically engineered glucose isomerase with improved affinity for D-glucose and the method of preparation of such a glucose isomerase are disclosed. The glucose isomerase is obtained by mutagenizing the gene of a naturally occurring glucose isomerase such that a smaller amino acid replaces a larger amino acid in the catalytic site. In an especially advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the Clostridium glucose isomerase sequence is mutated and the residue replaced with a smaller amino acid is either Trp.sub.139 or Val.sub.186.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1991Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: Michigan Biotechnology InstituteInventors: Chanyong Lee, Michael Bagdasarian, J. Gregory Zeikus, Menghsiao Meng