Abstract: This invention provides a method of inhibiting the transcription of a gene, which is activated by AP-1 or an AP-1 component, comprising binding AP-1 or the component with a nuclear receptor so as to prevent the binding of AP-1 to the gene. The nuclear receptor can be the retinoic acid receptor, glucocorticoid receptor, vitamin D3 receptor, thyroid receptor, or estrogen receptor. Also provided is a composition of matter comprising AP-1 or an AP-1 component bound to a nuclear receptor. These methods and compositions can be used to treat arthritis and cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heterokaryotic filamentous fungus host capable of producing a heterologous heterodimer comprising at least two subunits. The heterokaryon contains a first and second nucleus; each nucleus contains an expression system for one subunit of the heterodimer. The heterokaryon is prepared by culturing together a first fungus host strain and a second fungus host strain that is homozygous with the first fungus host strain with respect to all heterokaryon compatibility alleles, wherein the first and second fungus host strains are cultured together under conditions wherein neither the first nor the second fungus strain can survive unless the heterokaryotic host is formed.

Abstract: A method of transient transfection of obligate intracellular parasites is described. This method is exploited to develop a system for stable transformation utilizing selectable genes. For example, introduction of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene fused to Toxoplasma flanking sequences followed by chloramphenicol selection results in parasites stably expressing CAT. DNA hybridization analysis indicated that the CAT gene had inserted via homologous recombination.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sugar-modified cytokine which ensures migration of almost all of the dose of cytokine to the liver rapidly after administration to the live body and which can be advantageously used to enhance the effect of liver disease therapy and mitigate side effects.

Abstract: A biologically pure DNA sequence which encodes an endo 1,4-.beta.-glucanase, useful for the efficient conversion of cellulose to glucose, is disclosed. Also disclosed are recombinant DNA cloning vehicles (vectors) that contain nucleotide sequences that encode for the aforesaid endoglucanase, proteins that exhibit endoglucanase activity, expression-controlling DNA sequences, microorganisms that contain recombinant DNA cloning vehicles, as well as messenger RNA sequences complementary to a DNA strand of the aforesaid DNA nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing human interleukin-6 with sugar chains, a process for preparing human interleukin-6 by culturing cells in a medium containing ascorbic acid or any of its derivatives, and a process for purifying a crude raw human interleukin-6 solution by chromatography using a carrier with heparin bound. The present invention has allowed the production of high quality human interleukin-6 compositions with sugar chains, and their application to medicines. Furthermore, it has established a process for massproducing human interleukin-6.

Abstract: A gene expression system is used to produce heterologous biologically active proteins, in particular bioactive granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor ("GM-CSF"), secreted from a host selected from the Streptomyces genera. The gene expression system includes a regulatory nucleotide sequence linked to a second nucleotide sequence encoding the heterologous protein. The regulatory sequence, encodes a peptide which directs the secretion of the heterologous protein in bioactive form from a host selected from the Streptomyces genera. The regulatory sequence includes a signal sequence and a promoter sequence. The second nucleotide sequence, which encodes GM-CSF or a biologically active derivative of GM-CSF, may be either natural or synthetic. In particular, the invention relates to an expression system for secreting bioactive, non-glycosylated, oxidized, therapeutically useful GM-CSF from a host selected from the Streptomyces genera.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the production of large polypeptides containing repeating sequences of amino acids utilizing biochemical techniques, specifically DNA sequences coding for the expression of the large polypeptides. Systems utilizing exogenous transcriptional and translational regions to control the production of the large polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: An attenuated enterovirus or rhinovirus, suitable for use as a vaccine, has a reversed base pairing in the part, or in a part corresponding to the part, of the 5' non-coding region of the genome of poliovirus type 3 Leon strain shown below: ##STR1## A suitable attenuated poliovirus has the bases G and C at positions 469 and 534 respectively for a type 1 or type 2 poliovirus or at positions 472 and 537 respectively for a type 3 poliovirus.

Abstract: In a method of producing a virus-safe biological preparation by heating while preserving a least 50% of its biologic activity, a biologially compatible tenside is added to the preparation before heating and heating is carried out in the presence of the same, whereupon the tenside, preferably, is eliminated.

Abstract: A transformant, which harbors a recombinant vector containing a DNA which codes for human nerve growth factor 2 and a DNA which codes for the pro-region of a nerve growth factor at 5'-terminal of said DNA, produces human nerve factor 2 in stable and large amount in a culture medium.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for identifying inhibitors of mature protein hormone formation from a prohormone, and prophylactic and therapeutic uses of the inhibitors for treating diseases associated with elevated levels of the mature hormones, particulary sepsis, AIDS and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides an influenza vaccine which comprises a heat inactivated whole virus influenza free of formalin and .beta.-propiolactone (BPL).

Abstract: A general stochastic method for synthesizing compounds can be used to generate large collections of tagged compounds that can be screened to identify and isolate compounds with useful properties.

Abstract: TATA-binding protein associated factors, TAFs, nuclear proteins involved in RNA polymerase I, II, and III transcription, and nucleic acids encoding TAFs are disclosed. The disclosed methods and compositions find use in developing pharmaceuticals, diagnosis and therapy.

Abstract: A 2 .mu.m plasmid vector for transforming yeast, especially brewing yeast, much which comprises a DNA sequence allowing propagation of the plasmid in bacteria, two copies of the 74 base pair FLP recombination site of the 2 .mu.m plasmid in direct orientation and a DNA sequence coding for a protein or peptide of interest. The plasmid is so constructed that in yeast the bacterial DNA sequence is between the two recombination sites which are in direct orientation and is spontaneously lost following recombination. A "gene of interest" is preferable inserted at the SnaBI site.

Abstract: Plasmids containing synthetic DNA sequences are described which are suitable for the expression of the intermediate protein of the recombinant scu-PA (i.e., the unglycosylated protein moiety of the single chain prourokinase) in Enterobacteriaceae, especially in E. coli, with expression rates far higher than those obtainable according to prior methods. The plasmids comprise operons that include a regulatable, optionally synthetic, promotor, a Shine-Dalgarno sequence, a start codon, a synthetic structural gene with selected codon usage, and downstream of the structural gene, 1 to 2 transcription terminators. The preparation of the plasmids and of synthetic DNA-sequences starting from commercially available plasmids and intermediates is described. The intermediate protein, expressed in high yields by using the plasmids for transforming suitable hosts, may be refolded to produce the therapeutically useful plasminogen activator recombinant scu-PA.

Abstract: Analogs of Factor Xa (Factor Xai) which are inactive as proteases in the prothrombinase reaction are useful in treatment of diseases characterized by thrombosis. These antithrombotic agents can be conveniently prepared using recombinant techniques.

Abstract: A drug delivery virion which contains an expression system for the desired protein active ingredient packaged in an envelope derived from a retrovirus is especially useful in administering materials which need to cross cell membranes in order to serve their function.

Abstract: A method of locating insertion elements (IS elements) or transposons in coryneform bacteria, a positive selection system suitable for the above, the IS elements found in this manner and their use, is disclosed. The method involves:(1) The construction of a non-self-transferrable vector mobilizable from an E. coli mobilizer strain which vector is composed of(a) A DNA segment containing a replicon functional in E. coli,(b) A second DNA segment containing the DNA fragment coding for the mobilization function (Mob site containing the oriT),(c) A third DNA segment which recombines homologously in Gram-positive bacteria and/or contains a replicon functional in coryneform bacteria,(d) A DNA segment from Bacillus subtilis containing the sacB gene,(2) Transfer of this vector by means of conjugative transfer into the coryneform recipient strains,(3) Cultivation of the transconjugants containing the vector in an .about.