Abstract: The present invention provides the nucleotide sequences of Acetobacter operons, cdg operons encoding genes for the biosynthesis and degradation of cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). Specifically, the nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of 3 phosphodiesterases isozymes, 3 diguanylate cyclase isozymes, and 2 polypeptides of unidentified function are provided. Also provided for are various strains of microorganisms, including Acetobacter cells genetically manipulated so as to produce elevated and/or reduced levels of one or more cdg operon encoded proteins.

Abstract: Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences encoding a novel tumor suppressor, HIC-1, are provided. Also included is a method for detecting a cell proliferative disorder associated, with HIC-1. HIC-1 is a marker which can be used diagnostically, prognostically and therapeutically over the course of such disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA molecules consisting essentially of a nucleotide sequence or part thereof which are asosciated with the genome of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 (SEQ ID NOS: 49-54, 27-37, 55-60, 38-48, and 9-23, respectively) of the specification attached herewith.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the sequential separation of whey proteins using radial-flow chromatography. Different buffer systems adjusted to suitable pH and ionic strength are utilized in the separation process. The method separates at least five different proteins from whey. Infant feeding formulas, and other food formulations are also disclosed incorporating therein in different proportions various proteins separated from the whey.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the PUR protein, nucleotide sequences and expression vectors encoding PUR, and to methods for inhibiting PUR activity. Inhibitors of PUR activity may be used to treat hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant DNA viral vectors which co-express lentivirus genes encoding structural and enzymatic polypeptides capable of assembling into defective nonself-propagating viral particles. The viral DNA vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and genes.

Abstract: New broad spectrum strains of bread-making yeast havinga high multiplication yield,good nitrogen assimilation,preferably good resistance to drying,characterized by the fact that they simultaneously have all the following enzymatic activities:maltose-permease activity after growth of the yeast on glucose medium in the absence of maltose (Test T.sub.1): at least 9 units;maltase activity after growth of the yeast on glucose medium in the absence of maltose (Test T.sub.2): at least 80 units; andinvertase activity (Test T.sub.3): less than 10 units and preferably more than 2 units.

Abstract: A vector and a prokaryote transformed therewith which includes nucleic acid sequences which make possible the autocatalytic deletion of nucleotide sequences encoding an antibiotic resistance phenotype. The prokaryote can be a bacterium, and in particular a mycobacterium. Such transformed mycobacteria may be employed in vaccines, thereby eliminating the attendant risk of vaccines including antibiotic resistance markers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a biochemically active polypeptide from a biochemically inactive polypeptide. The polypeptide is normally but need not be expressed in a precursor form containing a pro-sequence. The inactive polypeptide is reacted with a tailor-made activating peptide. The activating peptide can be synthetic or made by recombinant DNA procedure. The activating peptide is a peptide which contains one or more functional domains which are necessary for folding the inactive polypeptide into a biochemically active conformation. The activating peptide may but need not contain a sequence of amino acids which is identical to the sequence of the natural occurring pro-sequence of the polypeptide. Also, a method is disclosed which permits to identify the one or more functional domains in the pro-sequence of a polypeptide which contribute(s) to the folding of the inactive polypeptide into a biochemically active conformation.

Abstract: The invention described herein allows the production of recombinant retroviruses (retroviral vector particles) from producer cells which are safer and of higher titre than normal. In addition, methods are provided for making helper cells which, when a recombinant retrovirus genome is introduced to make a producer line, produce particles that are targeted toward particular cell types. Methods are also provided for making recombinant retrovirus systems adapted to infect a particular cell type, such as a tumor, by binding the retrovirus or recombinant retrovirus in the particular cell type. Methods are also provided for producing recombinant retroviruses which integrate in a specific small number of places in the host genome, and for producing recombinant retroviruses from transgenic animals.

Abstract: A retroviral vector which includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding a retroviral envelope. The nucleic acid sequence encoding a retroviral envelope includes a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a first envelope portion which is a portion of MCF viral gp 70 protein, a nucleic acid sequence which encodes xenotropic envelope, a nucleic acid sequence which encodes an amphotropic envelope portion, and a nucleic acid sequence which encodes p15E protein. Such retroviral envelopes encoded by such nucleic acid sequence may be included in infectious viral particles. The infectious viral particles also may include gene(s) encoding therapeutic agents, and thus may be used in gene therapy.

Abstract: A multifunctional RNA having self-processing activity, the preparation thereof and the use thereof.Host cells can be transformed so that they express ribozyme RNA and antisense RNA which are connected with each other via a spacer. The RNA molecules can, for example, be complementary to a certain viral RNA. Plants which have been transformed with genes coding for RNA of this type show a significantly improved resistance to viruses.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synthesizing biopolymers, such as polypeptides and polynucleotides. The apparatus includes plural reaction vessels in which subunit coupling to biopolymers in a particle suspension is carried out. The vessels are connected to common valving structure for use in mixing the suspension and removing suspension liquid. In one embodiment, a robotic arm in the apparatus is operable to transfer reaction solution to the reaction vessels, and to transfer particle suspensions from the reaction vessels to a mixing vessel and back to the reaction vessels. The method can be used to produce preferably equi-molar amounts of different-sequence biopolymers, such as polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of body weight disorders, including, but not limited to, obesity. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes genes which are differentially expressed in body weight disorder states, relative to their expression in normal, or non-body weight disorder states, and/or in response to manipulations relevant to appetite and/or weight regulation. Further, the present invention identifies and describes genes via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in body weight disorders and/or appetite and/or body weight regulation. Still further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of body weight disorders. Additionally, the present invention describes methods for the diagnostic evaluation and prognosis of various body weight disorders, and for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmid possessing the restriction enzyme map shown in FIG. 1 , and this plasmid is largely characterized in that the kil gene is linked downstream from the human CRP (C-reactive protein) gene. Using this plasmid, it is possible to produce large amounts of human CRP by extracellular secretion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a triheterocyclic peptide having first, second, and third 5-member heterocyclic moieties having the following formula CR.sub.3 CONH--Q.sup.1 --CONH--Q.sup.2 --CONH--Q.sup.3 -CONH--(CR.sub.3).sub.S --B, wherein Q.sup.1 is selected from a group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein Q.sup.2 is selected from a group consisting of: ##STR2## wherein Q.sup.3 is selected from a group consisting of: ##STR3## wherein at least one of A and Z is other than C; wherein A is C, N, O, or S; wherein B is N(CR.sub.3).sub.n or C(NH.sub.2).sub.2 ; wherein n is an integer from 2 to 10; wherein P is H, a lower alkyl or a halogen; wherein Q1, Q2, and Q3 are the same or different; wherein R is H, a lower alkyl group; wherein S is an integer from 1 to 10; wherein X' represents CR.sub.3, (CR.sub.2).sub.n --NRY, or (CR.sub.2).sub.n --CR.sub.2 Y; wherein X" represents CR.sub.3, (CR.sub.2).sub.n --NRY, or (CR.sub.2).sub.n --CR.sub.2 Y; wherein X'" represents CR.sub.3, (CR.sub.2).sub.n --NRY, or (CR.sub.2).sub.

Abstract: A hybrid vector produced from a linearized cosmid and arms from .lambda. phage vector DNA has been developed. The hybrid vector can be used to generate fragments which are useful as vectors in a helper phage-mediated transformation system, permitting large fragments of foreign DNA to be introduced into a host on an industrial scale.

Abstract: Serial analysis of gene expression, SAGE, a method for the rapid quantitative and qualitative analysis of transcripts is provided. Short defined sequence tags corresponding to expressed genes are isolated and analyzed. Sequencing of over 1,000 defined tags in a short period of time (e.g., hours) reveals a gene expression pattern characteristic of the function of a cell or tissue. Moreover, SAGE is useful as a gene discovery tool for the identification and isolation of novel sequence tags corresponding to novel transcripts and genes.

Abstract: A novel nucleotide sequence in the genome of Marek's disease virus (MDV) containing an open reading frame, whose expression is associated with lytic infection and tumor cell development in MDV-infected cells, is described. Also described is the use of this novel sequence for molecular diagnostics of serotype 1 MDV; and to generate a recombinant MDV by inserting one or more endogenous or exogenous genes, operably linked to a control element for expression, into a region of the MDV genome comprising the novel nucleotide sequence, wherein the insertion interrupts expression of the open reading frame.

Abstract: Immortalized normal human fetal osteoblastic cells that express a temperature sensitive mutant of simian virus 40 large T antigen are provided.