Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of Lyme disease. Novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides, serotypic variants thereof, fragments thereof and derivatives thereof. Fusion proteins and multimeric proteins comprising same. Multicomponent vaccines comprising novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides in addition to other immunogenic B. burgdorferi polypeptides. DNA sequences, recombinant DNA molecules and transformed host cells useful in the compositions and methods. Antibodies directed against the novel B. burgdorferi polypeptides, and diagnostic kits comprising the polypeptides or antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of hirudin containing an amino acid different from the amino acid in the natural form at position 47 or 63.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel use of a biologically active protein, p53 as an inhibitor of hepatitis B virus(HBV) replication. The inhibitory role of p53 on HBV replication was assessed by the reduced levels of three different markers, i.e., HBsAg and HBc/eAg secreted into the medium, HBV DNA, and RNAs. Based on the above results, it was concluded that wild-type p53 specifically represses the activity of pregenomic/core promoter of HBV and inhibits the replication of HBV by down-regulation of the pregenomic/core promoter. Therefore, the present invention provides a novel use of protein p53 as a HBV replication inhibitor which can be developed into an agent for the treatment of acute/chronic hapatitis and prevention of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) caused by HBV.

Abstract: A desired protein having the formula:A-B-C-Pwhereina) A is Lys or Arg, and B and C are arbitrary amino acids, orb) A is an arbitrary amino acid different from Pro, Lys and Arg, and B and/or C is Pro,is produced from a biosynthetically formed amino acid extended protein having the formula:X-A-B-C-Pwherein A, B, C and P are as defined above, and X is an amino acid sequence with an even number of amino acids, of which the first one, seen from the N-terminal end, is different from Lys and Arg, all other uneven amino acids are different from Pro, Lys and Arg, and all even amino acids are different from Pro, by reaction with the enzyme dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (DAP I). The desired protein is obtained in a pure state. Thus, e.g. hGH without content of Met-hGH may be produced by the process.

Abstract: A porous particle having a generally isopycnic density with liquid growth medium, a sponge-like character and a diameter of less than 2 mm which is formed from a homogenous biologically compatible matrix is described. This particle is useful in various systems for culturing anchorage-dependent and -independent cells, and is adaptable to large scale tissue culture which permits harvesting of cell products. The method of making such a particle includes preparing a solution containing a biologically compatible material, forming droplets from the solution, freezing the droplets, drying the droplets by sublimation to form a particle, and crosslinking the biologically compatible material in the particle.

Abstract: Endotoxin binding/neutralizing proteins capable of binding endotoxin in vivo, thereby neutralizing the toxic effect or bioactivity of endotoxin which are isolated from a horseshoe crab such as Limulus polyphemus, pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical uses of the proteins, a method of purifying the proteins and an assay for endotoxin based on the proteins, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for making a predetermined, desired peptide in transgenic animals and can be advantageously used for the production of large quantities of the desired peptide. More particularly, the invention concerns the engineering of a transgenic animal having an artificial gene, which is controlled by globin locus control region (LCR) and which encodes a fusion protein, in which the desired peptide is joined via a cleavable peptide linker to a globin polypeptide. The erythrocytes of the transgenic animal express the fusion globin which is incorporated into hemoglobin produced by the host cell. The desired peptide can be obtained from a hemolysate of the red cells of the transgenic animals by enzymatic or chemical cleavage at the linker.

Abstract: Fusion proteins composed of protein A and hirudin peptides are used to prepare hirudin peptides.

Abstract: DNA segments that include DNA sequences defining a structural gene coding for a human tissue factor heavy chain protein and a precursor form of that protein are disclosed. Recombinant DNA molecules capable of expressing a human tissue factor heavy chain protein are also disclosed. Further disclosed are human tissue factor heavy chain binding site polypeptide analogs as well as methods for their use.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for identifying inhibitors of papilloma virus replication are described consisting of soluble cellular extracts supplemented with purified viral E1 and E2 proteins.

Abstract: A human hABH polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for the treatment of mutations and the treatment of diseases which result from damaged DNA, for example, cancer. Antagonists against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to augment chemotherapy of cancer cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing ripe human growth hormone is described which comprises introducing into bacteria a recombinant DNA vector comprising a DNA sequence encoding an amino-terminal extended human growth hormone which amino-terminal extension has a negatively charged amino acid sequence and has an even number of amino acids, growing the bacteria such that the amino-terminal extended human growth is expressed, separating the amino-terminal extended human grown hormone from contaminants, cleaving the amino-terminal extension with dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I to obtain ripe human growth hormone and isolating the ripe human growth hormone produced.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprising Oncostatin M and congeners thereof, as well as methods for their preparation and methods for their use are provided. The compositions may be prepared by isolation from natural sources, or by recombinant means in either prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells. In addition, the DNA and polypeptide sequences for Oncostatin M are disclosed. The compositions find use in modulating growth of cells, in particular inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, and stimulation of normal cell growth, especially cells involved in hematopoiesis. Cell growth inhibition compositions may additionally include an adjunctive agent comprising at least one of a transforming growth factor, tumor necrosis factor, or an interferon. Receptors having high affinity for Oncostatin M may additionally be used to screen polypeptides for Oncostatin M-like activity. Methods for use of antibodies to the compositions and probes specific for Oncostatin M mRNA as a means for detecting tumor cells are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to E2 trans-activation repressors which interfere with normal functioning of the native full-length E2 transcriptional activation protein of the papillomavirus. Native full-length E2 trans-activation protein activates transcription of papillomavirus only through binding to DNA, and it binds to DNA only in the form of a pre-formed homodimer--a pair of identical polypeptide subunits held together by non-covalent interactions. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are proteins, polypeptides or other molecules that dimerize with full-length native E2 polypeptides to form inactive heterodimers, thus interfering with the formation of active homodimers comprising full-length native E2 polypeptides, thereby repressing papillomavirus transcription and replication. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are advantageously used in the treatment of papillomavirus infections and their associated diseases.

Abstract: Endotoxin binding/neutralizing proteins capable of binding endotoxin in vivo, thereby neutralizing the toxic effect or bioactivity of endotoxin which are isolated from a horseshoe crab such as Limulus polyphemus, pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical uses of the proteins, a method of purifying the proteins and an assay for endotoxin based on the proteins, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for biologically degradative-treating a chlorine-substituted ethylene comprising culturing a microorganism capable of producing an alkene monooxygenase in a medium containing a chlorine-substituted ethylene having 1 to 3 chlorine atoms and wherein said chlorine-substituted ethylene is oxidized to a corresponding epoxide. Chlorine-substituted ethylenes are degraded at high rate and efficiency by the oxidation using microorganisms.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical known by the trademark ONCONASE, as described in pending commonly owned application application number 07/436,141 filed Nov. 13, 1989, is combined with two forms of another drug known as Lovastatin. The combination of ONCONASE with Lovastatin has unexpected bioactivity in vitro against ASPC-1 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, A-549 human lung carcinoma cells and HT-520 human squamous cell lung carcinoma cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a new Schwann cell-mitogenic factor of molecular weight about 43 to 45 kilodaltons, when isolated by SDS-PAGE. The invention provides therapeutic formulation comprising the new factor, and the use of the factor and the said formulations in treating conditions which involve a factor-sensitive or factor-responsive cell type.

Abstract: The new glycoprotein, which possesses an anti-tumor activity, a leukemia cell differentiation inducing activity, a cellular immunology enhancing activity, a vascular endothelial cell growth stimulating activity and a hepatocyte growth stimulating activity, can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting an activity of TGF.beta. comprising contacting the TGF.beta. with a purified decorin. In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to the ability of decorin, a 40,000 dalton protein that usually carries a glycosaminoglycan chain, to bind TGF.beta.. The invention also provides a novel cell regulatory factor designated MRF. Also provided are methods of identifying, detecting and purifying cell regulatory factors and proteins which bind and affect the activity of cell regulatory factors.