Abstract: Phosphoramidite derivatives of formula (V), ##STR1## wherein X is biotin and Y is a protecting group. There may be a linker arm, of variable length, between X and the rest of the molecule. Examples of the protecting group Y include 4,4'-dimethoxytrityl, trifluoroacetyl and fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc). The phosphoramidite derivatives are useful in single or multiple labelling of synthetic oligonucleotides. Process for the preparation of these phosphoramidite derivatives are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These reagents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In one embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Abstract: A phagemid has been constructed that expresses an antibody fused to coliphage pIII protein. The phagemid is suitable for selecting specific antibodies from large gene libraries with small quantities of antigen. The antibody-pIII gene can be strongly repressed, so that it allows antibody libraries to be amplified without the danger of deletion mutants predominating. After induction, large quantities of the fusion protein may be expressed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel polypeptide, I.kappa.B-.beta., which binds to and affects NF-.kappa.B gene activation. Also provided is the nucleotide sequence encoding I.kappa.B-.beta. and methods of identifying compositions which affect I.kappa.B-.beta./NF-.kappa.B complexes. Methods of treatment of disorders associated with NF-.kappa.B induced gene activation are also described herein.

Abstract: Processes for preparing polypeptides, such as G-CSF or analogues thereof, in which fermentation is carried out in the presence of at least one amino acid which is present in an amount sufficient to give improved accumulation of the polypeptide. The amino acid may be threonine and/or leucine which is present in the growth medium at a concentration of, for example, about 1.25 to 5 g/l.

Abstract: A method of immunizing an individual against pathogen is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of treating an individual who has a hyperproliferative disease, or of treating an individual who is infected by a pathogen. Specifically, the individual is injected with bupivacaine along with DNA in an expressible form, the DNA encoding an antigen. The encoded antigen can be from a protein from the pathogen or from a protein associated with the hyperproliferative disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening a substance for the ability to effect the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer comprising combining the substance and a solution containing retinoid X receptors and determining the presence of homodimer formation. Also provided is a method of screening a substance for an effect on a retinoid X receptor homodimer's ability to bind DNA comprising combining the substance with the homodimer and determining the effect of the compound on the homodimer's ability to bind DNA. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor heterodimer comprising increasing the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer, thereby preventing the retinoid X receptor from forming a heterodimer and preventing the resulting heterodimer activity is also provided. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor homodimer is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are isolated DNA molecules consisting of nucleotide sequences encoding or priming for ospA and/or ospB of various B. burgdorferi or portions thereof and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for identifying genes associated with induction of anergy in T-cells and the use of the nucleic acids or proteins as diagnostics for monitoring induction of tolerance for the presence of tolerized T-cells in a physiological sample, or elucidating the pathway to anergy or activation in T-cells. A cysteine string protein is found to indicate quiescent T-cells and is lost with anergic T-cells.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides are provided which are targeted to nucleic acids encoding human c-raf and capable of inhibiting raf expression. The oligonucleotides contain a methoxyethoxy (2'-O--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3) modification at the 2' position of at least one nucleotide. Methods of inhibiting the expression of human raf using oligonucleotides of the invention are also provided. The present invention further comprises methods of inhibiting hyperproliferation of cells and methods of treating abnormal proliferative conditions which employ oligonucleotides of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of body weight disorders, including, but not limited to, obesity. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes genes which are differentially expressed in body weight disorder states, relative to their expression in normal, or non-body weight disorder states, and/or in response to manipulations relevant to appetite and/or weight regulation. Further, the present invention identifies and describes genes via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in body weight disorders and/or appetite and/or body weight regulation. Still further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of body weight disorders. Additionally, the present invention describes methods for the diagnostic evaluation and prognosis of various body weight disorders, and for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides novel oligonucleotides that form a duplex with a target nucleic acid and then form a triplex with the duplex formed between the oligonucleotide and the target nucleic acid.

Abstract: A novel process for the production of recombinant desulphatohirudin by transformed yeast strains is provided. The process makes use of an expression cassette comprising the yeast CUP1 promoter. The invention concerns also said transformed yeast strains, novel expression vectors and methods for the production thereof.

Abstract: Methods are provided for altering levels of syndecan within a cell. The methods include enhancing syndecan expression via administration of growth factors, preventing suppression of syndecan expression via administration of anti-steroid agents, and altering syndecan biochemistry within the cell. The methods are used to induce or maintain cellular differentiation, and to decrease the growth of malignant cells. Application of the methods to the treatment of patients, including humans, is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to cell lines, particularly mammalian cell lines, established by transforming the cells with vectors, preferably retroviral vectors, containing two or more oncogenes under the control of one or more inducible promoters and/or genetic elements. Also within the scope of the invention are human cell lines with extended in vitro lifespan, transformed by vectors containing one or more oncogenes under the control of one or more, preferably exogenous, inducible promoters and/or genetic elements. The vectors may additionally contain gene(s) encoding for desired gene product(s). Also disclosed are insulin producing human pancreatic cell lines useful for transplantation into human diabetic patients.

Abstract: Recombinant retroviruses carrying a vector construct capable of preventing, inhibiting, stabilizing or reversing infectious, cancerous or auto-immune diseases are disclosed. More specifically, the recombinant retroviruses of the present invention are useful for (a) stimulating a specific immune response to an antigen or a pathogenic antigen; (b) inhibiting a function of a pathogenic agent, such as a virus; and (c) inhibiting the interaction of an agent with a host cell receptor. In addition, eucaryotic cells infected with, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such a recombinant retrovirus are disclosed. Various methods for producing recombinant retroviruses having unique characteristics, and methods for producing transgenic packaging animals or insects are also disclosed.

Abstract: Recombinant retroviruses carrying a vector construct capable of preventing, inhibiting, stabilizing or reversing infectious, cancerous or auto-immune diseases are disclosed. More specifically, the recombinant retroviruses of the present invention are useful for (a) stimulating a specific immune response to an antigen or a pathogenic antigen; (b) inhibiting a function of a pathogenic agent, such as a virus; and (c) inhibiting the interaction of an agent with a host cell receptor. In addition, eucaryotic cells infected with, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such a recombinant retrovirus are disclosed. Various methods for producing recombinant retroviruses having unique characteristics, and methods for producing transgenic packaging animals or insects are also disclosed.

Abstract: Switch regions derived from an immunoglobulin (Ig) gene are used to direct recombination between a targeting construct containing a promoter, a switch region (S.sub.1), and 2) a target locus minimally containing a promoter, a switch region (S.sub.2), and a target sequence.

Abstract: A method of introducing an adenovirus into a cell that comprises a particular cell surface binding site, as well as a chimeric adenovirus penton base protein and recombinant adenoviral vector comprising the chimeric adenovirus penton base protein for use in the method, are provided.

Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs encoding mutated human immunodeficiency virus matrix proteins are described. The mutated proteins lower the incorporation of envelope polypeptides in viral particles, disrupt viral assembly or disrupt viral entry into uninfected cells.