Abstract: A DNA element which was isolated from the upstream regulatory region of the CT/CGRP gene and which exhibits cell-specific enhancement of transcription is described. The enhancer activity of the element is further regulated by members of the superfamily of steroids and retinoids which increase or decrease transcription in a cell-specific manner. Methods of gene regulation and therapeutic uses involving the DNA element are also described. Furthermore, proteins which bind to the element and regulate transcription of genes under the control of the DNA element are also described. These proteins can be used for purposes of regulation of gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention describes the isolation and nucleic acid sequence of genes associated with cyptokine induced cell death. As long as these genes function normally, cytokines induce cell death; once the expression of these genes is inhibited, cytokine induced cell death is inhibited One aspect of the invention comprises expressing or the use of expression vectors to promote cell death in abnormal, pathological, cell growth such as cancer and psoriasis and another aspect of the invention is the protection of cells from programmed cell death in abnormal conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. The invention can also be used as a screening device for predisportion to cancer or other uncontrolled cell growth diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are transgenic mice carrying a human HLA-DQ sgene. The transgenic mice are deficient in mouse H-2 class II molecules. Such mice provide animal model systems to identify peptides useful for preventing or treating rheumatoid arthritis. Also disclosed are methods and materials for treating rheumatoid arthritis, including administration of peptides having specific binding affinity for HLA-DQ molecules expressed in a rheumatoid arthritis patient.

Abstract: Gene therapy by using specific expression vectors within the epidermis or epidermal cells. These vectors incorporate regulatory sequences of tissue and differentiation-specific genes.

Abstract: The present invention details methods for the treatment of cancer. In particular, it concerns the induction of apoptosis of cancer cells following treatment with methoxyestradiol. 2-methoxyestradiol (2-MeOE.sub.2) increase wild-type p53 levels in a human non-small lung cancer cell lines associated with accumulation of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p21 WAF1/CIP1. Significant apoptotic cell death occurred after the drug treatment. Thus, 2-MeOE.sub.2 facilitates induction of p53-mediated apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant eukaryotic plasmids comprising an eukaryotic expression vector and an allergen gene for the prevention and/or treatment of allergic diseases. When the recombinant vector containing allergen-gene is administered to an individual in need of such prevention and/or treatment by intramuscular injection, intranasal delivery or intratracheal delivery, the production of allergen-specific IgE synthesis can be inhibited. The invention also relates to the pharmaceutical compositions comprising the recombinant vector for use in the the prevention and/or treatment of allergic diseases and the production of allergen-specific IgE synthesis. A method for the prevention and/or treatment of allergic diseases is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a DNA sequence encoding a mutant L3T4 protein which, when expressed on the surface of a cell, is capable of facilitating infection of the cell by human immunodeficiency virus; the mutant protein includes at least one amino acid residue substitution or deletion in a segment corresponding to the gp120 binding epitope of a native L3T4 protein so as to increase homology between that segment and its counterpart in a CD4 protein; (2) a murine cell line or strain transfected with such a DNA sequence; and (3) a transgenic mouse susceptible to infection by human immunodeficiency virus.

Abstract: Described is a novel in vitro method for obtaining and identifying proteins which, in their natural in vivo setting, are covalently modified after translation. To identify novel isoprenylated proteins for subsequent biochemical study, colony blots of a Glycine max cDNA expression library were ?.sup.3 H! farnesyl labeled in vitro. Proteins identified by this screen contained several different carboxy-termini that conform to consensus farnesylation motifs. These proteins included known farnesylated proteins (DnaJ homologs) and several novel proteins, two of which contained 6 or more tandem repeats of a hexapeptide having the consensus sequence ?E or G! ?G or P!EK?P or K!K. Expression library screening by direct labeling can thus be adapted to recover and identify isoprenylated proteins as well as proteins with other post-translational modifications.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an in vivo system for gene expression and, more particularly, to the use of the system to screen for molecules which are capable of inhibiting, reducing, altering or otherwise modulating expression of a target nucleotide sequence or the activity of a gene product. The in vivo system of the present invention is particularly but not exclusively useful for screening for antisense, sense or ribozyme constructs or transdominant polypeptides, small peptides or other chemical compounds that are capable of inhibiting, reducing, altering or otherwise modulating expression of target genes or target genetic sequences or the activity of target gene products of commercial importance such as in medical, agricultural and industrial fields.

Abstract: A novel type of insect control agent and methods for controlling insect pests are described. The agent consists of a vector, such as a baculovirus of the polyhedral inclusion body type, containing in an antisense orientation cDNA sequence which has been derived from the complete sense sequence of a gene which is essential for the growth and development of the host from which the sequence is derived. In order for the insect control agent to exert its effect the insect pests which are to be controlled must be susceptible to the vector. Specifically described are the sequences from Choristoneura fumiferana and the human c-myc gene as well the methods of production and use of these agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tetracycline repressor-mediated binary regulation system for the control of gene expression in transgenic mice. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that, in a transgenic mouse that carries a first transgene under the control of a modified promoter comprising a tetR operator sequence and a second transgene encoding the tetR protein, expression of the first transgene may be efficiently induced by administering tetracycline to the mouse.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding a multiple drug resistance protein of Aspergillus fumigatus. Vectors and transformed host cells comprising the multiple drug resistance-encoding DNA of Aspergillus fumigatus AfuMDR1 are also provided. The invention further provides assays which utilize these transformed host cells.

Abstract: A keratin K1 vector for expression of a nucleic acid sequence in an epidermal cell. The vector includes a 5' flanking region which includes necessary sequences for expression of a nucleic acid cassette, a keratin K1 3' flanking region which regulates expression of a nucleic acid sequence, predominantly in the epidermis, and a linker which connects the 5' flanking region to a nucleic acid. The linker has a position for inserting a nucleic acid cassette. The linker does not contain the coding sequence of a gene that the linker is naturally associated with. That is, the linker is not the normal gene associated with the 5' and 3' regions.

Abstract: Transgenic mice carrying a transgene comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding protein useful for regulating the expression of genes in eukaryotic cells in a highly controlled manner are disclosed. In the regulatory system of the invention, transcription of a tet operator-linked nucleotide sequence is stimulated by a transcriptional activator fusion protein composed of two polypeptides, a first polypeptide which binds to tet operator sequences in the presence of tetracycline operatively linked to a second polypeptide activates transcription in eukaryotic cells. In a preferred embodiment, the transgene encoding the transcriptional activator fusion protein is integrated at a predetermined location within the chromosome of the transgenic mouse.

Abstract: Several lines of transgenic mice have been generated using the prostate-specific rat probasin (PB) gene promoter to drive expression of the SV40 T antigen (Tag) coding region. Mice expressing high levels of the transgene specifically display progressive forms of prostatic cancer that histologically resemble human prostate cancer ranging from mild prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) to large multinodular malignant adenocarcinoma with metastasis. Adenocarcinomas of the prostate have been detected as early as 10 weeks of age with extracapsular extension (ECE) and seminal vesicle invasion (SVI). Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue has demonstrated that dorsolateral prostate-specific secretory proteins were confined to well differentiated ductal epithelial cells adjacent to, or within the poorly differentiated tumor mass.

Abstract: Process for the in vitro production of non-immortalised haematopoietic progenitor cells of the erythroid lineage, in which a population of erythroid progenitor cells is exposed to a combination of growth factors containing a glucocorticoid and an oestrogen and at least one ligand of a tyrosine kinase receptor at least until the cells begin to renew themselves.

Abstract: A substantially pure DNA comprising an endothelial cell-specific promoter sequence capable of directing endothelial cell-specific transcription of a polypeptide-encoding sequence or an antisense template to which it is operably linked.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA molecule adapted for transfection of a host cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding mammalian erythropoietin, an expression control sequence operatively linked thereto and at least one SAR element. The invention also relates to expression vectors having the recombinant DNA molecule and to mammalian cells transformed with the expression vector. The mammalian cells lack multiple copies of an amplified amplification gene and are capable of expressing recombinant EPO in vitro at levels of at least 1,500 u/10.sup.6 cells in 24 hours. The invention further relates to a method of expressing recombinant mammalian erythropoietin using the expression vectors and to a transgenic non-human animal or embryo whose germ cells and somatic cells contain a DNA construct having the recombinant DNA molecule of the invention.

Abstract: A suspension comprising human neutrophil precursor cells, wherein the cellular component is comprised of at least about 16% human myeloblasts and promyeclocytes, which have been derived from neutrophis progenitor cells obtained from peripheral blood, bone marrow or cord blood, and less than about 5% colony forming units (CFU) of at least about 50 cells is provided. An alternative suspension comprising human neutrophil precursor cells, wherein the cellular component is comprised of at least about 16% CD15+CD11b- cells and less than about 5% colony forming units (CFU) of at least about 50 cells also is provided, wherein at least about 60% of the CD15+CD11b- cells are myeloblasts and promyelocytes. The suspensions of the invention are useful in methods for increasing neutrophil populations in a patient having a reduced populations of neutrophils.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI3K.gamma.), a nucleic acid coding for it, an antibody directed against the protein as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic use of the protein, the nucleic acid and the antibody.