Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to treat Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), and particularly, human immunodeficiency virus associated KS through the administration of antisense oligonucleotides complementary to basic fibroblast growth factor RNA.

Abstract: Method of propagating viruses that replicate in embryonated eggs or in primary cultures of chicken embryo cells on an immortal, virus-free, contact-inhibited, and non-oncogenic chicken embryo cell line. The method supports replication of avian viruses of the Birnaviridae, Coronaviridae, Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Picornaviridae, Polyomaviridae, Poxviridae, and Reoviridae families. The immortal cell line of the present invention supports replication of swine influenza virus, for instance. The cell line is useful for virus isolation diagnostic assays and for propagating virus suitable for live or killed vaccines.

Abstract: Analogs of blood factors which are transiently inactive are useful in treatment of diseases characterized by thrombosis. In addition, modified forms of activated blood factors that generate the active blood factor in serum but have extended half-lives are useful in treating hemophilia conditions. These modified forms of the blood factor may be acylated forms which are slowly deacylated in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlled transgene transcription using chimeric activator and repressor proteins functioning in a novel regulatory network. The target transgene is actively silenced in non-inducing conditions by a novel class of chimeric proteins consisting of the DNA-binding tetracycline repressor fused to distinct multimerized eukaryotic transcriptional repression domains. In the presence of a tetracycline "inducer", the repressor does not bind to the promoters for both the target gene and for another regulatory gene encoding a transactivator (e.g., GAL4-VP16). Under these inducing conditions, the transactivator activates expression of the target transgene and of its own gene, in an additional autoregulatory positive feedback loop.

Abstract: A fusion sequence having a carrier protein which is preferably an E. coli protein having a predicted solubility probability of at least 90% fused to a target heterologous peptide or protein, and a host cell (especially E. coli) transformed with, or having integrated into its genome, a DNA sequence comprising a DNA encoding a carrier protein as defined herein fused to the DNA sequence of a selected heterologous peptide or protein. This fusion sequence is under the control of an expression control sequence capable of directing the expression of a fusion protein in the cell. An objective of the present invention is to improve the purification process of recombinant fusion proteins by avoiding the initial expression of these fusion proteins in E. coli as insoluble inclusion bodies.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing or preventing the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells are provided. The method involves the step of administering an isolated GATA-6 molecule to a subject to prevent or reduce vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. The isolated GATA-6 molecule can be a GATA-6 nucleic acid or a GATA-6 protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic transfection or blocking system comprising as a carrier a cationic, water soluble or water dispersable polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylate or poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylamide. In addition, it relates to a method for introducing DNA fragments in target cells, comprising contacting these DNA fragments with a polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylate or poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylamide, which is at least partially substituted with cationic substituents and subsequently contacting the obtained transfection system with target cells. Finally, the invention involves the use of a polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylate or poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)acrylamide, which is at least partially substituted with cationic substituents as a DNA carrier system.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases or disorders amenable to treatment through modulation of Activating Protein 1 (AP-1) expression are provided. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, oligonucleotides are provided which are specifically hybridizable with c-fos or c-jun, the genes encoding c-Fos or c-Jun, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, a method of modulating the metastasis of malignant tumors via modulation of one or more of the AP-1 subunits is provided; this method can be effected using the oligonucleotides of the invention or any other agent which modulates AP-1 or AP-1-mediated transcription.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are capable of inhibiting HBV replication. These oligonucleotides are specifically hybridizable with HBV RNAs which encode a P gene product, S gene product or C gene product, or with the 5' cap region, U5 region, .epsilon. region or translation initiation site of HBV RNA. Methods of diagnosing HBV infection, methods of inhibiting HBV replication, methods of treating an HBV infection and methods of treating or preventing HBV-associated diseases using the oligonucleotides of the invention are also provided. Such diseases may include acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, fulminant hepatitis, or hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract: The invention provides novel tumor suppressor genes, methods for making and using these and related tumor suppressor genes and proteins and peptides, and nucleic acids encoding these and related tumor suppressor proteins and peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes of the CDK2 protein with proteins identified as interacting with CDK2 by a modified yeast two hybrid assay system. The proteins identified to interact with CDK2 are cyclin H, cyclin I, ERH, and two gene products, hsReq*-1 and hsReq*-2, which are splice variants of the gene hsReq. Thus, the invention provides complexes of CDK2 and cyclin H, cyclin I, ERH, hsReq*-1, and hsReq*-2, and derivatives, fragments and analogs thereof. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding the hsReq*-1 and hsReq*-2, and proteins and derivatives, fragments and analogs thereof. Methods of screening the complexes for efficacy in treating and/or preventing certain diseases and disorders, particularly cancer, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative disease are also provided.

Abstract: Switch regions derived from an immunoglobulin (Ig) gene are used to direct recombination between a targeting construct containing a promoter, a switch region (S.sub.1), and 2) a target locus minimally containing a promoter, a switch region (S.sub.2), and a target sequence.

Abstract: A vector particle (e.g., a retroviral vector particle) containing a chimeric envelope includes a receptor binding region that binds to a receptor of a target cell. The receptor of the target cell is other than the amphotropic cell receptor. The receptor binding region may be a receptor binding region of a human virus. A portion of the envelope gene may be deleted and the deleted portion is replaced with another receptor binding region or ligand. Such vector particles are targetable to a desired target cell or tissue, and may be administered directly to the desired target cell or tissue as part of a gene therapy procedure, or administered directly into the patient.

Abstract: A process for producing anthracyclines and intermediates thereof expressing in a foreign Streptomyces host a DNA fragment relating to the biosynthetic pathway of anthracyclines and, if desired, intermediates obtained may be converted to anthracyclines or aglycones thereof using e.g. non-producing Streptomyces mutant strains.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA molecule adapted for transfection of a host cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding mammalian erythropoietin or tissue plasminogen activator, an expression control sequence operatively linked thereto and at least one SAR element. The invention also relates to expression vectors having the recombinant DNA molecule and to mammalian cells transformed with the expression vector. The mammalian cells lack multiple copies of an amplified amplification gene and are capable of expressing recombinant EPO or tPA in vitro at levels of at least 1,500 u or 500 u/10.sup.6 cells in 24 hours respectively. The invention further relates to a method of expressing recombinant mammalian EPO or tPA using the expression vectors and to a transgenic non-human animal or embryo whose germ cells and somatic cells contain a DNA construct having the recombinant DNA molecule of the invention.

Abstract: A method of detecting a stealth virus is provided by culturing a sample under conditions in which any stealth virus in the sample is able to induce a cytopathic effect. A method for culturing a virus is also provided by (a) cocentrifuging a sample of said virus with a permissive cell line of indicator cells; (b) inoculating the cell mixture into culture vessels; (c) adding viral enhancing medium to the culture; and (d) detecting in vitro a cytopathic effect in the permissive cell line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences of TCL-1 genes and amino acid sequences of their encoded proteins, as well as derivatives and analogs thereof, and antibodies thereto. The TCL-1 gene sequence is preferentially expressed early in T and B lymphocyte differentiation. The present invention further relates to the use of TCL-1 genes and their encoded proteins as diagnostic and therapeutic reagents for the detection and treatment of disease states associated with chromosomal abnormalities.

Abstract: The invention provides platinum-based probe compounds having the structure: ##STR1## wherein: Pt is a platinum atom, PROBE is a probe biomolecule for associating to a target biomolecule, M is a detectable marker moiety, and X and Y are stabilizing substituents. Also provided are platinum-based labeling compounds having the structure: ##STR2## wherein: Pt is a platinum atom, M is a detectable marker moiety, A is a displaceable leaving group, and X and Y are stabilizing substituents. The invention further provides platinum-based linker compounds having the structure: ##STR3## wherein: Pt is a platinum atom, A and B are the same or different reactive moieties, and X and Y are stabilizing substituents. Other Pt.sup.II and Pt.sup.IV compounds are also provided. Moreover, the invention provides methods for the preparation and use of these compounds, as well as diagnostic kits which contain the compounds.

Abstract: Genetic testing allows an individual to determine whether or not he or she has a predisposition to a certain disease. The degree of expressivity of a certain disease will be determined in part by an individual's environment and lifestyle. The present invention interprets a patient's gene sequence and his or her environment and lifestyle to come up with a personalized prognosis. This procedure can be repeated many times over the course of a disease state to monitor a patient's condition. In addition, disease-causing pathogens can also have their genes sequenced. Using these sequences in combination with information about a patient's environment and lifestyle, it is possible to come up with a personalized treatment plan, ideally to eliminate the pathogen. It is also possible to use the procedure described above to monitor the course of the disease-state produced by a pathogen. Finally, a genotype-to-phenotype map or database can be constructed for developing better treatments and for research purposes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for identifying proteins and other agents that modulate transactivation of HCMV early genes. In particular, agents that inhibit the cell-type specific transactivation of HCMV DNA polymerase are provided. Such agents may be used, for example, in the treatment of patients infected with HCMV.