Abstract: This invention relates to proteins with N-terminal modifications in their amino acid sequence that reduce or eliminate the methylation of the N-terminal methionine that occurs when such proteins are produced in bacteria such as E. coli.

Abstract: Vascular endothelial cell growth factor C subunit DNA is prepared by polymerase chain reaction techniques. The DNA encodes a protein that may exist as either a heterodimer or homodimer. The protein is a mammalian vascular endothelial cell mitogen and as such is useful for the promotion of vascular development and repair. This unique growth factor is also useful in the promotion of tissue repair.

Abstract: The invention provides two novel members of the cytochrome P450 2C subfamily of enzymes, designated 2C18 and 2C19. DNA segments encoding these enzymes are also provided. The 2C19 polypeptide represents the principal human determinant of human S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase activity. The invention also provides methods of identifying drugs metabolized by S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase activity. Drugs shown to be metabolized by this activity should in general not be administered to individuals having, or belong to an ethnic group at risk of, a polymorphic deficiency in S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase activity. The invention also provides methods of diagnosing individuals having a polymorphic deficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic methods for treatment of conditions including the neutralization of the anti-coagulant activity of heparin, inhibition of angiogenesis, tumor and endothelial cell proliferation, and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases by administration of bactericidal/permeability-increasing (BPI) protein products.

Abstract: A method for extracellularly producing an ectoprotein of hepatitis C virus comprises the steps of cultivating a transformant which is transformed with an expression vector containing a DNA fragment coding for the ectoprotein of hepatitis C virus and recovering the ectoprotein of hepatitis C virus extracellularly produced by the transformant. The protein originated from the E1 region prepared by the method can be used as a material for preparing a vaccine for preventing HCV infection. In addition, a diagnostic agent containing the protein is useful for the detection of an HCV antibody or the confirmation of the presence thereof in sera or the like. In other words, the protein of the present invention permits the diagnosis of C type hepatitis in high specificity and sensitivity.

Abstract: The invention provides two novel members of the cytochrome P450 2C subfamily of enzymes, designated 2C18 and 2C19. DNA segments encoding these enzymes are also provided. The 2C19 polypeptide represents the principal human determinant of human S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase activity. The invention also provides methods of identifying drugs metabolized by S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase activity. Drugs shown to be metabolized by this activity should in general not be administered to individuals having, or belong to an ethnic group at risk of, a polymorphic deficiency in S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase activity.

Abstract: Recombinant methods and materials useful in producing lactoperoxidases are disclosed. An illustrative form of lactoperoxidase is the bovine protein shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 also shows the DNA sequence natively encoding the bovine lactoperoxidase, including contiguous regions of the gene. Such DNAs are useful in a variety of applications including antisense technology, formation of triple helices, and performance of diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gene which is related to a D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase which is an enzyme capable of converting D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acids into D-.alpha.-amino acids; a recombinant plasmid in which a DNA fragment containing the gene is incorporated into a vector; a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Bacillus, Serratia, Corynebacterium, or Brevibacterium, which is transformed by incorporating the recombinant plasmid thereinto; a process for the production of D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolases, comprising the steps of cultivating the transformed microorganism and collecting the desired product therefrom; a D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase obtained by the method; and a process for the production of D-.alpha.-amino acids with the aid of an action of the enzyme.The D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acid amidohydrolase can be fixed on a support for immobilization and used as an immobilized enzyme.

Abstract: A method of identifying compounds or molecules which alter (enhance or inhibit) stimulation of kinase activity of pre-MPF and, thus, alter (enhance or inhibit) activation of MPF and entry into mitosis. The present method thus makes it possible to identify compounds or molecules which can be administered to regulate the cell cycle; such compounds are also the subject of this invention.

Abstract: There is provided an advantageous process for production of EPA by a gene recombinant technique wherein genes coding for biosynthesis enzymes for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) useful as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, foods, feeds or the like is obtained from microorganisms.EPA is produced by obtaining genes coding for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) biosynthesis enzymes, constructing a plasmid by joining the genes to a vector, transforming E. coli with the plasmid, and culturing the transformed E. coli.

Abstract: Programmed cell death antagonist proteins and nucleic acids are provided, as well as expression vectors and host cells which contain the nucleic acids encoding the programmed cell death antagonist proteins.

Abstract: A method of reducing immunoglobulin E responses associated with certain immune disorders is provided. The method comprises administering an effective amount of an antagonist to human interleukin-4. Preferably, the antagonist is a blocking monoclonal antibody specific for human interleukin-4, or a fragment or binding composition derived therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention refers in particular to the structural gene sequence of the peptide antibiotic mersacidin. Sequencing revealed that premersacidin consists of an unusually long 48 amino acid leader sequence and a 20 amino acid propeptide part (Seq. ID No:1) which is modified during biosynthesis to the mature lantibiotic.

Abstract: The invention features a novel collagen, type .alpha.1 (XVIII) collagen, and uses therefor.

Abstract: A variant of the C-terminal Kunitz-type protease inhibitor domain of the .alpha.3 chain of human type VI collagen, the variant comprising the following amino acid sequence X.sup.1 X.sup.16 Asp Ile Cys Lys Leu Pro Lys Asp X.sup.2 Gly X.sup.3 Cys X.sup.4 X.sup.5 X.sup.6 X.sup.7 X.sup.8 X.sup.9 Trp Tyr Tyr Asp Pro Asn Thr Lys Ser Cys Ala Arg Phe X.sup.10 Tyr Gly Gly Cys X.sup.11 X.sup.12 X.sup.13 Glu Asn Lys Phe X.sup.14 Ser Gln Lys Glu Cys Glu Lys Val Cys Ala Pro X.sup.15 (SEQ ID NO. 1) wherein X.sup.1, X.sup.15, and X.sup.16 represents a naturally occurring amino acid residues except Cys and X.sup.2 -X.sup.14 each independently respresents a naturally occurring amino acid residue, with the proviso that at least one of the amino acid residues X.sup.1 -X.sup.16 is different from the corresponding amino acid residue of the native sequence. Alternatively, the N-terminal Asp may be preceded by H or 3-5 amino acid residues and the C-terminal Pro may be followed by OH or 3-5 amino acid residues.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for a tumor rejection antigen precursor. Specifically, the tumor rejection antigen precursor, or "TRAP", is processed into at least one tumor rejection antigen, which is presented by HLA-A2 molecules. Ramifications of the discovery are also set forth.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel synthetic isohirudins which have improved stability owing to exchange in the region of the Asp-Gly motif. This results, on the one hand, in an increase in the yield during workup and, on the other hand, in making possible pharmaceutical formulation as directly injectable solution ready for use.

Abstract: The sequences of a pair of human proteins, trichohyalin and transglutaminase-3, in addition to the sequence of the mouse transglutaminase-3 protein, have been discovered. The enzyme transglutaminase-3 is used to cross-link the structural protein trichohyalin in order to form a gel.

Abstract: Transgenic, recombinantly cross-linked polymeric human hemoglobins suitable as cell-free blood substitutes have been produced. A plurality of DNA constructs have been designed for efficient expression of modified human hemoglobins in the erythrocytes of the non-human transgenic animals. Substantially pure, non-immunogenic, artificial human hemoglobins are then easily obtained from the erythroid cells of the transgenic animals.

Abstract: A new family of tumor rejection antigen precursors, and the nucleic acid molecules which code for them, are disclosed. These tumor rejection antigen precursors are referred to as GAGE tumor rejection antigen precursors, and the nucleic acid molecules which code for them are referred to as GAGE coding molecules. Various diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the coding sequences and the tumor rejection antigens, and their precursor molecules are described.