Abstract: A bacterial strain of Escherichia coli BKIIM B-3996, a producer of L-threonine, containing a recombinant plasmid pVIC40 and deposited on Nov. 19, 1987 in the collection of microorganism cultures at the USSR Antibiotics Research Institute under Reg. No. 1867.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oncoprotein specific for hepatocellular carcinomas and to a nucleotide sequence that codes for such a protein. The invention further relates to screening and diagnostic methodologies (and kits based thereon) that make use of the oncoprotein (or antibodies specific for same) and the nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide and amino acid sequences that identify and encode a novel serpin (CAPE) expressed in human hypothalamus. The present invention also provides for antisense molecules to the nucleotide sequences which encode CAPE, expression vectors for the production of purified CAPE, antibodies capable for binding specifically to CAPE, hybridization probes or oligonucleotides for the detection of CAPE-encoding nucleotide sequences, genetically engineered host cells for the expression of Cape, a pharmaceutical composition containing biologically active CAPE, a diagnostic test based on CAPE-encoding nucleic acid molecules, and treatment methods comprising administration of biologically active CAPE.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an RNA molecule with catalytic activity comprising at least one modified nucleoside, wherein the hydroxy group at the 2'-position of the fibose sugar is replaced by a modifier group, selected from halo, sulfhydryl, azido, amino, monosubstituted amino, and disubstituted andno groups, a process for the preparation of modified KNA molecules and the use of modified KNA molecules as therapeutic agents and biocatalysts.

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: The invention relates to the fabrication and use of biosensors comprising a plurality of optical fibers each fiber having attached to its "sensor end" biological "binding partners" (molecules that specifically bind other molecules to form a binding complex such as antibody-antigen, lectin-carbohydrate, nucleic acid-nucleic acid, biotin-avidin, etc.). The biosensor preferably bears two or more different species of biological binding partner. The sensor is fabricated by providing a plurality of groups of optical fibers. Each group is treated as a batch to attach a different species of biological binding partner to the sensor ends of the fibers comprising that bundle. Each fiber, or group of fibers within a bundle, may be uniquely identified so that the fibers, or group of fibers, when later combined in an array of different fibers, can be discretely addressed. Fibers or groups of fibers are then selected and discretely separated from different bundles.

Abstract: The mechanism of hypertension following acute NO synthase blockade is via endothelin mediated vasoconstriction. Thus, NO appears to inhibit endothelin activity by blocking its expression and not as a chronic direct acting vasodilator. Administration of an endothelin antagonist to a patient in a `normal` physiological state may result in specific regional vasodilation. This treatment finds utility in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: Method for purification and synthesis of RNA molecules and enzymatic RNA molecules in enzymatically active form.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods useful in cancer therapy for inhibiting the multidrug resistance phenotype, which often thwarts long-term chemotherapeutic regimens. The novel compositions of matter comprise oligonucleotides targeted to the human MDR1 and MRP genes, which inhibit expression of these genes, thereby rendering tumors and other forms of cancer more susceptible to the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Oligonucleotides are also provided that inhibit the multidrug resistance phenotype by exerting an aptameric effect.

Abstract: Synthetic catalytic RNAs, i.e. ribozyme, including a hairpin portion, binding sites for binding to a human papilloma virus after viral base 419 and 434, respectively, and cleavage sites for cleaving the virus at the binding sites have been constructed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for substantially reducing background signals encountered in nucleic acid hybridization assays. The method is premised on the elimination or significant reduction of the phenomenon of nonspecific hybridization, so as to provide a detectable signal which is produced only in the presence the target polynucleotide of interest. In addition, a novel method for the chemical synthesis of isoguanosine or 2'-deoxy-isoguanosine is provided. The invention also has applications in antisense and aptamer therapeutics and drug discovery.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a compound inhibits apoptosis induction in neural cells expressing a FALS-associated sod-1 mutant. A neural cell culture is provided having a plurality of neural cells expressing a FALS-associated sod-1 mutant, wherein through the expression of the sod-1 mutant, the neural cells have a low resistance to apoptosis induction. The neural cell culture is treated with a substance to form a modified cell culture and apoptosis is induced in the modified cell culture. The modified cell culture is then assayed to determine whether it has a higher resistance to apoptosis induction than the untreated neural cell culture. The method is useful in screening substances for use as potential drugs for treating ALS.

Abstract: The present invention provided compositions, methods and kits for detection and quantitation of pathogenic organisms. The composition of the invention is an oligonucleotide probe comprising a bacteriophage covalently linked to one site on an oligonucleotide probe complementary to a conserved region of a pathogenic organism. At a second site, the oligonucleotide probe is linked to a matrix. The oligonucleotide probe contains a region complementary to one strand of a restriciton endonuclease recognition site or an oligoribonucleotide moiety. The number of pathogenic organisms present in a biological fluid sample may be quantitated in accordance with the method of the invention by combining the composition of the invention with the sample, allowing hybridization to occur. Hybridization generates a DNA-RNA hybrid, and by adding the appropriate nucleolytic enzyme capable of cleaving DNA-RNA hybrids; bacteriophage will be released for measurement.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the production of useful proteins on the growth medium of yeast by using the hsp150 protein or fragments or derivatives thereof as a carrier. The authentic hsp150 protein, encoded by the hsp150 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is secreted efficiently to the growth medium. In the new recombinant DNA vectors the gene encoding the desired protein is joined to the hsp150 nucleotide sequence. The fusion gene is transformed to a yeast host to express the respective fusion protein. The signal sequence of the hsp150 protein, or another sequence, guides the fusion protein to the secretory pathway, and the hsp150-carrier takes it to the medium, from where it is harvested. During the secretion protein, the protein product may or may not be detached from the hsp150 carrier by proteolytic enzymes, according to the occurrence or created cleavage sites at carrier-product junction.

Abstract: Herpesviruses naturally deficient in gD, that is to say not expressing their gD gene in vitro or not possessing this gene, are transformed to express gD in vitro. This transformation by genetic recombination can consist in replacement of the natural promoter by another one or insertion of an expression cassette containing gD and a promoter. The invention also relates to these viruses incorporating a gene coding for an antigen of interest, to the vaccines obtained and to the methods of culture thus improved. The invention relates in particular to avian herpesviruses, especially MDV, and the VZV virus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel nucleic acid sequence encoding a novel human phosphodiesterase IV (hPDE IV) isozyme. It also relates to a polypeptide encoded by such sequence.This invention also relates to an assay method for detecting the presence of such novel isozyme in human cells, and to a method of identifying compounds or other substances that inhibit or modify the activity of such isozyme.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the interaction between a first test protein and a second test protein, in vivo, using reconstitution of the activity of a transcriptional activator. This reconstitution makes use of chimeric genes which express hybrid proteins. Two types of hybrid proteins are prepared. The first hybrid contains the DNA-binding domain of a transcriptional activator fused to the first test protein. The second hybrid protein contains a transcriptional activation domain fused to the second test protein. If the two test proteins are able to interact, they bring into close proximity the two domains of the transcriptional activator. This proximity is sufficient to cause transcription, which can be detected by the activity of a marker gene which contains a binding site for the DNA-binding domain.

Abstract: A method for sequencing nucleotides by attaching magnetizable moieties to the components of a mixture of such polynucleotide proteins and fragments, subjecting the mixture to a separation procedure to distribute the compounds on a substrate in a pattern according to molecular size and quantity, imparting magnetic properties to the attached magnetizable moieties, and then subjecting the substrate to magnetic reading to determine the molecular size and quantity of the compounds. Also disclosed is a method for monitoring a molecule amplification process wherein primers are used to produce copies of a molecule, which primers become part of the copy of the molecule by attaching a magnetized moiety to each primer such that the copy has magnetizable moieties at each end. The magnetizable moieties may then be magnetized.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified oligonucleotides that are useful for studies of gene expression and for the antisense therapeutic approach. The invention provides inverted hybrid oligonucleotides and inverted chimeric oligonucleotides, both of which produce reduced side effects, relative to traditional phosphorothioate, hybrid or chimeric oligonucleotides.