Abstract: A human growth hormone having a molecular weight of 20,000 daltons can be effectively secreted and produced in the periplasm of Escherichia coli by constructing a human growth hormone secretion plasmid comprising a vector DNA replicable in E. coli and a DNA fragment including a promoter, a ribosome binding site, a secretion signal coding region, which are all those of the neutral protease gene of B. amyloliquefaciens and a gene encoding 20 kD hGH placed just downstream from the secretion signal coding region; introducing the said plasmid into E. coli; and culturing the resultant transformed cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a human Tumor Necrosis Factor mutein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof having selective binding affinity for the human p55-Tumor-Necrosis-Factor-Receptor characterized in that the amino acid sequence of human Tumor Necrosis Factor is changed at least at position 86 having a threonine instead of a serine residue, a DNA sequence coding for such a mutein, a vector comprising such a DNA sequence, and a host cell transformed by such a vector.

Abstract: Multimers of the soluble forms of the tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNF-Rs) are provided. These multimers are produced either by chemical or by recombinant methods. The multimers of the soluble forms of TNF-Rs are useful for protecting mammals (including humans) from the deleterious effects of TNF.

Abstract: Medicaments, and methods of identifying the same, are described that are useful for treating papillomavirus diseases that have the characteristics of preventing, interfering with, or reversing the binding of the appropriate papillomavirus proteins E1 or E2 to a nucleotide sequence homologous to a nucleotide sequence present in the papillomavirus genome, or of the formation of a complex consisting of papillomavirus proteins E1 and E2, or the binding of the complex to the nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: Ala-Glu-IGF-I is a novel compound which exerts IGF-I activity and is a precursor for the preparation of IGF-I. Ala-Glu-IGF-I may by converted to IGF-I by renaturation after recombinant production in E. coli under specified conditions and then cleaving Ala-Glu from the IGF-I.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for obtaining, from transformed cells, the polypeptide called nerve growth factor (.beta.-NGF), and more precisely to the process for obtaining, by recombinant DNA technology using genetic constructions insertible in appropriate eukaryotic cell lines, the biologically active human mature form (.beta.-subunit).

Abstract: A novel polypeptide [Ala IL-8].sub.77 is provided which is a potent modulator of neutrophil functions. The polypeptide factor and related compositions find use as anti-inflammatory agents and as therapeutics for clinical indications in which damage to vascular endothelium and other tissues occurs. The amino acid and nucleotide sequence of the factor and methods for its purification, recombinant production and pharmaceutical use are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to DNA sequences encoding chimeric polypeptides comprising extracellular portions of cytokine receptor polypeptides attached to a sequence encoding portions of IgG polypeptides. The invention relates generally, as well, to DNA sequences encoding chimeric polypeptides comprising extracellular portions of cytokine receptor polypeptides attached through oligomers encoding specifically cleavable peptide linkers to a sequence encoding portions of IgG heavy chain polypeptides More specifically, the invention relates to a construction in which a cDNA sequence encoding the extracellular domain of the human 55 kD TNF receptor is attached through an oligomer encoding a thrombin-sensitive peptide linker to a sequence encoding the F.sub.c portion and hinge region of a mouse IgGl heavy chain.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a human Tumor Necrosis Factor mutein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof characterized in that the TNF sequence is changed by a deletion, insertion, substitution or combinations thereof, of one or more amino acids so that the mutein shows a significant difference between its binding affinity to the human p75-Tumor-Necrosis-Factor-Receptor and to the human p55-Tumor-Necrosis-Factor-Receptor. The invention also includes DNA sequences coding for such muteins, vectors comprising such DNA sequences, host cells transformed with such vectors and a process for the production of such muteins employing such transformed host cells and pharmaceutical compositions containing such muteins and their use for the treatment of illnesses, for example cancer.

Abstract: Derivatives of naturally occurring G-CSF having at least one of the biological properties of naturally occurring G-CSF, and a solution stability of at least 35% at 5 mg/ml are disclosed in which the derivative has at least Cys.sup.17 of the native sequence replaced by a Ser.sup.17 residue and Asp.sup.27 of the native sequence replaced by a Ser.sup.17 residue. Nucleotide sequences coding for part or all of the amino acid sequence of the derivatives of the invention may be incorporated into autonomously replicating plasmid or viral vectors employed to transform or transfect suitable procaryotic or eucaryotic host cells such as bacteria, yeast or vertebrate cells in culture.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of hyperproliferative epidermal conditions comprising the specific negative growth factor activin A, and their use in methods of treatment of hyperproliferative epidermal conditions.

Abstract: A cDNA clone from HL60 neutrophils, designated p2, which encodes a human interleukin-8 receptor. This IL-8 receptor can be expressed in oocytes or transfected host cells. This receptor has 77% amino acid identity with a second human neutrophil receptor isotype that also binds IL-8. It also exhibits 69% amino acid identity with a protein reported to be an N-formyl peptide receptor from rabbit neutrophils.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide with binding affinity for the p185.sup.HER2 receptor, designated heregulin-.alpha., has been identified and purified from cultured human cells. DNA sequences encoding additional heregulin polypeptides, designated heregulin-.alpha., heregulin-.beta.1, heregulin-.beta.2, heregulin-.beta.2-like, and heregulin-.beta.3, have been isolated, sequenced and expressed. Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences encoding the amino acid sequences of heregulins useful in the production of heregulins by recombinant means. Further provided are the amino acid sequences of heregulins and purification methods therefor. Heregulins and their antibodies are useful as therapeutic agents and in diagnostic methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant proteins of steroid hormone receptors. These mutant proteins are useful in methods of distinguishing a steroid hormone receptor antagonist from a steroid hormone receptor agonist. The present invention also provides plasmids containing mutated steroid hormone receptor proteins and cells transfected with those plasmids. In addition, the present invention provides methods for determining whether a compound is a steroid hormone receptor antagonist or agonist. Also, the present invention provides methods of determining endogenous ligands for steroid hormone receptors.

Abstract: A human gene termed APC is disclosed. Methods and kits are provided for assessing mutations of the APC gene in human tissues and body samples. APC mutations are found in familial adenomatous polyposis patients as well as in sporadic colorectal cancer patients. APC is expressed in most normal tissues. These results suggest that APC is a tumor suppressor.

Abstract: An isolated DNA that includes a sequence encoding a polypeptide with which the monoclonal antibody TIA-1 produced by the hybridoma designated ATCC#HB10319 is immunologically reactive; a vector or a cell containing such a DNA; and a method of using such a DNA to identify cytolytic lymphocytes.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide corresponding to the epitope of porcine somatotropin is provided by this invention as well as methods of enhancing the growth of an animal by administering to the animal this polypeptide in compositions.

Abstract: Glioma-derived growth factor is purified from the culture media used to maintain mammalian glioma cells. The protein stimulates mitogenesis of mammalian vascular endothelial cells and 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 concerns hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) variants that compise an amino acid alteration at a site within the protease domain of HGF and retaining substantially full receptor binding affinity of the corresponding wild-type HGF.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated, purified transcription factor expressed in the telencephalic region of the brain of a developing animal or in structures derived therefrom. Also provided is a nucleic acid molecule, e.g., an RNA or a DNA molecule encoding the transcription factor of this invention. Further provided are a pharmaceutical composition comprising the transcription factor and a method of correcting an animal's defective synthesis of the transcription factor which comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition. Still further provided are an expression vector containing this nucleic acid molecule, a host vector system containing the vector and a method of producing the transcription factor comprising growing the host vector system under suitable conditions.This invention provides methods of diagnosing the overexpression of the transcription factor in tissue in which it is normally expressed and of detecting the presence of the factor in tissue.