Abstract: A DNA fragment distinct from the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and erbB-2 genes was detected by reduced stringency hybridization of v-erbB to normal genomic human DNA. Characterization of the cloned DNA fragment mapped the region of v-erbB homology to three exons with closest homology of 64% and 67% to a contiguous region within the tyrosine kinase domains of the EGF-R and erbB-2 proteins, respectively. cDNA cloning revealed a predicted 148 kd transmembrane polypeptide with structural features identifying it as a member of the erbB family, prompting designation of the new gene as erbB-3. It was mapped to human chromosome 12q11-13 and was shown to be expressed as a 6.2 kb transcript in a variety of normal tissues of epithelial origin. Markedly elevated erbB-3 mRNA levels were demonstrated in certain human mammary tumor cell lines. These findings indicate that increased erbB-3 expression, as in the case of EGF-R and erbB-2, plays a role in some human malignancies.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a fluid is described along with various components of an apparatus specifically designed to carry out the method. The method involves taking a reflectance reading from one surface of an inert porous matrix impregnated with a reagent that will interact with the analyte to produce a light-absorbing reaction product when the fluid being analyzed is applied to another surface and migrates through the matrix to the surface being read. Reflectance measurements are made at two separate wavelengths in order to eliminate interferences, and a timing circuit is triggered by an initial decrease in reflectance by the wetting of the surface whose reflectance is being measured by the fluid which passes through the inert matrix. Repeatability is insured by a normalization technique performed on the light source before each reading, and an alignment method operated on the reagent strip prior to emplacement on the apparatus.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a novel means of identifying male infertility. The novel method involves the identification of a unique restriction enzyme digestion pattern which is highly specific to individuals with male sperm binding infertility.

Abstract: A method for making synthetic oligonucleotides which bind to target sequences in a duplex DNA forming colinear triplexes by binding to the major groove. The method includes scanning genomic duplex DNA and identifying nucleotide target sequences of greater than about 20 nucleotides having either about at least 65% purine bases or about at least 65% pyrimidine bases; and synthesizing synthetic oligonucleotides complementary to identified target sequences. The synthetic oligonucleotides have a G when the complementary location in the DNA duplex has a GC base pair and have a T when the complementary location in the DNA duplex has an AT base pair. The synthetic oligonucleotides are oriented 5' to 4' and bind parallel or 3' to 5' and bind anti-parallel to the about at least 65% purine strand.

Abstract: A process for the purification of proteins from solutions containing contaminants of similar net charge and molecular weight is provided, comprising contacting a solution containing the desired protein with an immobilized metal affinity chromatography resin in a buffer containing a low concentration of a weak ligand for the chelant of the resin. The adsorbed protein is then eluted using a buffer having a high concentration of the same weak ligand, e.g., Tris. Particularly preferred features employ agarose-iminodiacetic acid resins having copper cations and are especially useful in obtaining preparations of homogeneous, stable rsT4 proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chemically synthesized nucleotides which have been found to be effective in assaying for the presence of M. tuberculosis.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing fertility in a male mammal exhibiting germinal epithelium failure comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of activin. Preferably, the administration is to the testis of the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluorescence-based methods for sensitively detecting total ADH activity in human sera and selectively measuring the activity of different classes of ADH in human sera and other body fluids and tissues. The present invention also provides highly purified Class I, Class II, and Class III isozymes, and methods for their purifiation. The class of substrates consisting of various naphthaldehydes and quinoline aldehydes provide the requisite sensitivity and selectivity for measurements of the activity of ADH and individual ADH classes. These fluorescence-based methods may serve as a diagnostic aid in disease assessment, in particular, diagnosis of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, alcohol consumption, altered alcohol sensitivity or tolerance.

Abstract: A process for preparing solid perfluorocarbon polymer supports permitting uniform and secure attachment of perfluorocarbon-substituted ligands or binders to carriers is provided utilizing pretreatment of the carriers with water miscible organic solvents.

Abstract: A previously isolated hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration in a 147 bp cellular DNA fragment linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was used as a probe to clone the corresponding complementary DNA from a human liver cDNA library. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the overall structure of the cellular gene, which has been named hap, is similar to that of the DNA-binding hormone receptors. Six out of seven hepatoma and hepatoma-derived cell-lines express a 2.5 kb hap mRNA species which is undetectable in normal adult and fetal livers, but present in all non-hepatic tissues analyzed. Low stringency hybridization experiments revealed the existence of hap related genes in the human genome. The cloned DNA sequence is useful in the preparation of pure hap protein and as a probe in the detection and isolation of complementary DNA and RNA sequences.

Abstract: An immunoassay for cellular proteins which may be present as contaminants in a product purified from mammalian cell culture. Since mammalian cell culture requires the use of protein-containing media, the assay must be specific in recognizing cellular proteins but not media proteins. This is accomplished by selective adsorption of an antiserum to cellular proteins against media proteins. Quantification of the assay may be improved through the use of a purified antigen, namely fibronectin, which is known to be highly immunogenic.

Abstract: Improved nucleic acid probes capable of specifically hybridizing to rRNA of Salmonella and not to rRNA of non-Salmonella are described along with methods utilizing such probes for the detection of Salmonella in food and other samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel strains of Bacillus thuringiensis containing genes that code for P1 endotoxin proteins. The invention also provides methods and compositions for controlling insects or protecting plants from insect attack with a novel strain of Bacillus thuringiensis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA segment comprising linked pregnancy-specific beta.sub.1 -glycoprotein (PS.beta.G) genes encoding PSGGA protein and PSGGB protein. The invention further relates to a probe (DNA, RNA or peptide probe) specific for PSGGB mRNA or protein expressed in human hydatidiform molar trophoblastic tissue and to a bioassay for the detection of gestational trophoblastic diseases. The PSGGB-specific probes of the present invention hybridized most strongly with RNA from molar trophoblastic tissue, suggesting that the PSGGB-like species may be the gene preferentially expressed in gestational trophoblastic diseases.

Abstract: Structure-independent amplification of DNA by the polymerase chain reaction can be achieved by incorporation of 7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine-5'-triphosphate into the amplified DNA.

Abstract: The deazauracil containing probes of the invention are able to withstand higher temperatures, thereby allowing unmatched probes and mismatched probes to be washed off at higher hybridization stringency, thereby eliminating background readings and improving ease and accuracy of probe use.

Abstract: A method for the formation of double stranded nucleic acid molecules from separate single stranded nucleic acid molecules in a single phase reaction solution is disclosed wherein the rate of reaction is greatly increased over the rate of reaction at standard reference conditions. The greatly accelerated reaction rate is accomplished through the use of known concentrations of nucleic acid precipitating agents which are added to the reaction solution. Nucleic acid denaturing agents may also be added. The solution so formed is incubated and then assayed for the presence of double stranded nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: A histidine rich antigen, designated PfHRP-II, has been synthesized from a recombinant DNA clone containing a genomic fragment of Plasmodium falciparum. PfHRP-II is a protein exported from the parasite into the body fluid. This protein passes through the host erythrocyte in concentrated packets and is released from the infected erythrocyte into the body fluid. The antigen has been isolated and is useful for protection against malaria.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for amplifying a specific nucleic acid sequence. The process involves synthesizing single-stranded RNA, single-stranded DNA and Double-stranded DNA. The single-stranded RNA is a first template for a first primer, the single-stranded DNA is a second template for a second primer, and the double stranded DNA is a third template for synthesis of a plurality of copies of the first template. A sequence of the first primer or the second primer is complementary to a sequence of the specific nucleic acid and a sequence of the first primer or the second primer is homologous to a sequence of the specific nucleic acid. The improvement of the amplification process involves the addition of DMSO alone or in combination with BSA, which improves the specificity and efficiency of the amplification.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a new polypeptide and a method for producing the same. The polypeptide has a molecular weight of approximately 30,000 daltons as a dimer and a monomer molecular weight of about 15,000 daltons, an isoelectric pH of about 4.47 and an activity of at least 21,000 units per milligram of protein in the monomer or dimer state. The preferred method comprises chromatographing a crude polypeptide-containing medium on a dextran derived chromatography column; precipitating the eluate in a water-ethanol solution; electrophoresing the precipitate in a polyacrylamide gel; and chromatographing the extract on a reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography column.