Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for maintaining pregnancy and preventing rejection of transplanted tissue. A polypeptide characterized as capable of isolation from conceptus tissue and capable of inhibiting mitogen induced lymphocyte blastogenesis is employed which is introduced into the uterus or systemically.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the identification of a new voltage-gated potassium channel gene, Kv1.7, which is expressed in pancreatic .beta.-cells. The invention utilizes this new potassium channel for assays designed to identify extrinsic materials with the ability to modulate said channel for the development of therapeutics effective in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a fused protein obtained by combining an antigen used for vaccine and a lymphokine by the application of gene engineering, (2) a recombinant DNA containing a nucleotide sequence coding for the above fused protein, (3) a transformant bearing the above recombinant DNA, (4) a method for producing the fused protein which comprises cultivating the above transformant, producing and accumulating the above fused protein in a culture, and collecting the fused protein, and (5) a hybrid protein obtained by chemically combining an antigen used for vaccine with a lymphokine. The resulting fused and hybrid proteins have strong immunogenicity.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel polynucleotide sequence cloned from emm2.2 gene of a Group A streptococcus, Type II strain which codes for an IgA-binding protein,ML2.2. The subject invention further concerns the novel IgA-binding protein. A process for producing the protein is given. The invention also concerns the protein in an immunoadsorbent and as a tracer for use in measuring and purifying IgA. Kits are given comprising the immunoadsorbent and the tracer form of the protein.

Abstract: The invention described in this disclosure relates to a cloned cDNA encoding the serotonin transporter protein (5HTT) usually found in cells of part of the central nervous system, gut, adrenal gland and in platelets. The invention is further directed to the purified serotonin transporter protein and its use and immunogen for the production of anti-5HTT antibodies. The disclosure also discussses methods for use of the cDNA for diagnostic and treatment applications, and methods for use of permanent cell lines transformed with the serotonin transporter cDNA for pharmaceutical screening. The use of anti-5HTT antibodies as a diagnostic tool is also addressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to somatotropin analogues with amino acid changes in the alpha-helix 1 regions of said somatotropins, alone or in combination with mutations in the alpha-helix 3 and/or alpha-helix 2 regions, plus combinations with other changes to the native amino acid sequence of somatotropins. The resulting analogues are stable for formulation in sustained release formulations, while maintaining biological activity. Further, methods for conducting site-directed mutagenesis on DNA encoding proteins and/or polypeptide also are provided.

Abstract: Neurotransmission by excitatory amino acids (EAAs) such as glutamate is mediated via membrane-bound surface receptors. DNA coding for one family of the kainate-binding type of EAA receptor, has now been isolated and the receptor protein characterized. Herein described are recombinant cell lines which produce the EAA receptor as a heterologous membrane-bound product. Disclosed is use of the cell lines as a tool for discovery of compounds which modulate EAA receptor stimulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides having T cell stimulating activity termed recombitope peptides. Recombitope peptides of the invention preferably comprise at least two T cell epitopes derived from the same or from different protein antigens, and more preferably comprise at least two regions, each region preferably having human T cell stimulating activity and each region comprising at least one T cell epitope derived from a protein antigen. Recombitope peptides of the invention can be derived from protein allergens, autoantigens, or other protein antigens. The invention also provides methods of diagnosing sensitivity to a protein allergen or other protein antigen in an individual, methods to treat such sensitivity and therapeutic compositions comprising one or more recombitope peptides. The invention further provides methods for designing recombitope peptides of the invention where the protein antigen to which the individual is sensitive has unknown or ill-defined T cell epitopes.

Abstract: Polypeptides and proteins comprising the CD2-binding domain of LFA-3 are disclosed. DNA sequences that code on expression for those polypeptides and proteins, methods of producing and using those polypeptides and proteins, and therapeutic and diagnostic compositions are also disclosed. Deletion mutants unable to bind CD2 and methods for their use are also disclosed. In addition, fusion proteins which comprise the CD2-binding domain of LFA-3 and a portion of a protein other than LFA-3, DNA sequences encoding those fusion proteins, methods for producing those fusion proteins, and uses of those fusion proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: Cloned genes which code for the D.sub.1 dopamine receptor are disclosed. The receptors coded for by these clones bind dopamine ligands with the proper pharmacological profile and, when expressed in the cell membrane of a suitable host and so bound, stimulate adenylyl cyclase. Also disclosed are vectors comprising a cloned gene encoding a D.sub.1 -dopamine receptor, cells transformed with such vectors, and oligonucleotide probes capable of selectively hybridizing to DNA comprising a portion of a gene coding for a D.sub.1 -dopamine receptor. The cloned genes are useful for making proteins and cell membrane preparations which can be used to screen compounds for D.sub.1 -dopamine receptor binding activity, are useful in molecular biology, and are useful as diagnostic probes.

Abstract: Muteins of IL-6 and truncated IL-6 are prepared by recombinant DNA techniques. In the muteins, the cysteine residues that occur at positions, or at positions corresponding to positions, 45 and 51 of mature, native IL-6 have been replaced by other amino acids. The cysteine residues that occur at positions, or at positions corresponding to positions, 74 and 84 are retained. The molecule has biological activity that is at least comparable to that of native IL-6.

Abstract: A IFN-.beta. mutein in which phe (F), tyr (Y), trp (W) or his (H) is substituted for val (V) at position 101, when numbered in accordance with wild type IFN-.beta., DNA sequences encoding these IFN-.beta. muteins, recombinant DNA molecules containing those DNA sequences operatively linked to expression control sequences and capable of inducing expression of an IFN-.beta. mutein, hosts transformed with those recombinant DNA molecules, pharmaceutical compositions containing IFN-.beta. muteins and methods of using those compositions to treat viral infections, cancer or tumors or for immunomodulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant human interleukin-3 (hIL-3) variant or mutant proteins (muteins) in which segments of the polypeptide sequence of the human IL-3 polypeptide have been replaced by segments of the murine (mouse) interleukin-3 (mIL-3) polypeptide to form human/murine chimeric hybrid polypeptides. The human/mouse IL-3 may have amino acid deletions at the N-terminus or the C-terminus or at both the N- and C- termini and in some cases may also contain additional amino acid substitutions or deletions. The human/murine IL-3 muteins retain at least one biological activity of native hIL-3 and may also exhibit an improved side effects profile such as a reduction in the stimulation of leukotriene release or histamine release. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the h/m IL-3 hybrids and methods for using them.

Abstract: Inhibition of nerve growth normally helps to prevent aberrant pathway or target selection, but also prevents needed regeneration in the mammalian central nervous system. The responsible inhibitory ligands are unknown, but pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, which are enriched in growth cones, appear to be involved in causing the responding growth cones to collapse. GAP-43 is an intracellular protein that can amplify the response to the stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors. We have attempted to modify the sensitivity of nerves to inhibitory signals by the use of GAP-43 peptides. The peptide corresponding to the native amino terminus sequence stimulates G.sub.o and enhances the growth cone collapse induced by inhibitory ligands. Modification of two critical cysteines generates peptides which inhibit G.sub.o and which markedly reduce the degree of inhibitor-mediated growth cone collapse.

Abstract: A particular TNF degradation product is effective as a cytotoxin with respect both to TNF-sensitive and TNF-resistant tumor cells. Pharmaceutical compositions containing this degradation product are thus useful in treating tumors which are otherwise resistant to TNF. In addition, TNF resistance can be measured as a function of the expression of EGF receptors in tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA segments encoding the Duffy receptor of a Plasmodium parasite, the recombinant DNA and to recombinantly produced Duffy receptor. The Duffy receptor can be utilized as a vaccine for humans against malaria.

Abstract: Patients suffering from certain types of cancer are treated by high-dose chemotherapy. In order to allow a recovery a process for the ex vivo expansion of peripheral blood progenitor cells is described, wherein CD 34.sup.+ -cells are enriched and cultivated in a medium comprising IL-1, IL-3, IL-6, EPO and SCF. The ex vivo expanded peripheral blood progenitor cells can be administered to cancer patients after chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding proteins and fragments thereof that bind to Bcl-2-related proteins. The invention also provides a Bcl-2-associated protein (BAP) such as Bcl-2-associated protein-1 (BAP-1), which binds to Bcl-2. The invention also provides antibodies that specifically bind to a BAP. The invention further provides methods for detecting agents such as drugs that alter the binding of a BAP such as BAP-1 or Raf-related protein with a Bcl-2-related protein and methods for detecting agents that induce dissociation of a bound complex formed by the association of a BAP and a Bcl-2-related protein. The invention further provides methods for modulating the activity of a Bcl-2-related protein in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid encoding a BAP or by introducing into the cell an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a region of a gene encoding a BAP.

Abstract: A protein which is a stimulator of and presumed ligand for the axl receptor has been identified and sequenced. The protein, termed gas6, bears homology to human protein S and is a growth factor for tissues which express axl.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for screening for agents which are modulators of bcl-2 function and can modulate bcl-2-mediated apoptosis and/or modulate neoplastic and immune conditions dependent upon bcl-2 function. The invention also provides a composition comprising a substantially pure protein complex comprising a R-ras polypeptide and a bcl-2 polypeptide.