Abstract: It is desirable to have selective markers suitable for screening of thermophilic bacteria such as Thermus thermophilus. T. thermophilus are good research materials for investigating the interrelation between enzyme structures and functions since they are stable at extreme pH, crystallize easily and are easy-to-handle. Novel mutants of Staphylococcus aureus kanamydn nucleotidyltransferase with markedly improved thermostability are disclosed, as well as a selective marker using the same, and a screening method for thermophilic bacteria such as T. thermophilus using said selective marker.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids encoding human pancreatic islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase proteins and nucleic acids having diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, and other uses. These nucleic acids and proteins are useful for diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of a number of human and other animal disorders. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and non-human transgenic animals in which a nucleic acid molecule of the invention has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated polypeptides, fusion polypeptides, antigenic peptides, and antibodies. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The molecular cloning and characterization of a novel human retrovirus, designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus, or LAV, is disclosed. LAV was originally isolated from a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A cloned LAV complementary DNA (cDNA) was used to screen a library of recombinant phages constructed from the genomic DNA of LAV-infected T lymphocytes. The nucleotide sequence of an insert obtained from the recombinant phage clone &lgr;J19 was ascertained through M13 shotgun cloning and the dideoxy chain termination sequencing method. The env coding region was identified and peptides obtained therefrom. These peptides correspond to amino acids 239-294, 273-317, 300-327, 334-381, 397-424, and 466-500 of the LAV env. These peptides provide suitable diagnostic reagents for the detection LAV-specific antibodies and for the generation of LAV-specific immunological reagents.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological method of producing geranylgeraniol.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of screening for a molecule that inhibits the expression or activity of a protein encoded by a target gene which affects the fitness of a cell. The methods are based on a co-culture assay, and entail culturing together two cell populations, each of which is a population of identical cells, of the same species that differs substantially only in the expression or activity of the gene to be targeted or its encoded protein and the presence or absence of a reporter gene. The screen can be applied to cultured cells, unicellular and multicellular organisms. Manipulating the expression or activity of the target gene sensitizes the host to a molecule which inhibits the target gene or its encoded protein such that the cell or organism comprising the manipulated target gene grows at a different rate from the cell or organism comprising the unmanipulated gene in response to exposure to the molecule.

Abstract: Host cells comprising recombinant vectors encoding the FK-520 polyketide synthase and FK-520 modification enzymes can be used to produce the FK-520 polyketide. Recombinant DNA constructs comprising one or more FK-520 polyketide synthase domains, modules, open reading frames, and variants thereof can be used to produce recombinant polyketide synthases and a variety of different polyketides with application as pharmaceutical and veterinary products.

Abstract: Genomic DNA and cDNA encoding &Dgr;9-desaturase from a microorganism belonging to the subgenus Mortierella of the genus Mortierella, an expression vector for expression thereof, and a transformant are disclosed. A method for producing &Dgr;9-desaturase by use of a gene encoding the enzyme is also disclosed. Introduction of the &Dgr;9-desaturase gene of the present invention into an unsaturated fatty acid producing cell can enhance conversion into palmitoleic acid or oleic acid, starting materials for unsaturated fatty acids, and can increase the production of unsaturated fatty acids. By combining a gene for cytochrome b5 or a gene for cytochrome b5 reductase, constituents of the microsomal electron transport system, with the &Dgr;9-desaturase of the present invention, more efficient production can be expected. &Dgr;9-desaturase can also be produced with high efficiency by a recombinant DNA technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 where in one or more amino acids are deleted, replaced or added, and the polypeptide having polyester synthase activity; a polyester synthase gene comprising DNA coding for the above polypeptide; a recombinant vector comprising the gene; and a transformant transformed with the recombinant vector is also provided.

Abstract: A thermostable phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase and a process for producing the enzyme are provided. A host cell is transformed with an expression vector containing DNA encoding a thermostable enzyme derived from hyper-thermophilic archaea such as Pyrococcus, the enzyme having phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity and an optimum temperature of 90° C. or higher, and the transformed host cell is cultured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for znssp6, a novel member of the galactosyltransferase family. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, are cell-cell interaction and glycoprotein synthesis modulating and may be used for delivery and therapeutics. The present invention also includes antibodies to the znssp6 polypeptides.

Abstract: Chimeric polypeptides having the immunogenicity of somatostatin include an amino acid sequence of somatostatin-14 and a protein carrier. The sequence of somatostatin-14 is joined to the 3′-end of the protein carrier by a spacer (Sp)n, wherein Sp consists of an alkaline amino acid and an amino acid that provides a rigid expended chain-like &bgr;-structure, and n designates the number of blocks in the spacer. In a preferred embodiment, n is from 1 to 8 and the protein-carrier is chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme process for the one-step conversion of cephalosporin C or a derivative thereof into 7-aminocephalosporanic acid or a corresponding derivative thereof. The one step conversion is effected using a cephalosphorin C amidohydrolase derived from Pseudomonas Vesicularis B965, or from any cephalosporin C amidolydrolase producing or potentially producing descendants thereof, or from expression of DNA derived from Pseudomonas Vesicularis B965 or any cephalosporin C amidohydrolase producing or potentially producing descendants thereof.

Abstract: A process for the production of the catalytic domain, without propeptide, of a matrix metalloproteinase is described which comprises culturing transformed host cells carrying a DNA sequence encoding the catalytic domain as well as a method for screening for inhibitors of a matrix metalloproteinase; a method for determining the 3-dimensional structure of the catalytic domain of a matrix metalloproteinase; and pharmaceutical compositions of human stromelysin catalytic domain protein which are useful in treating herniated vertebral discs, dermal ulcers, modifying scar tissue formation, and joint diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase of increased product specificity.

Abstract: Peptide derivatives which are antagonists of neurokinin A. The derivatives have a modified peptide bond having a reduced amide and a fluorinated alkyl attached to the nitrogen atom of the modified peptide bond. For example, Asp-Ser-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu&PSgr;[CH2N(CH2CF3)]Leu(NH2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to drug-ligand conjugates wherein the drug is linked to the ligand through a protein peptide linker and a connector, a process for the preparation of the conjugates, method of controlling the growth of undesirable cells, pharmaceutical compositions, and intermediates thereof.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed comprising (a) a metal chelate wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of europium, terbium, dysprosium, samarium osmium and ruthenium in at least a hexacoordinated state and (b) a compound having a double bond substituted with two aryl groups, an oxygen atom and an atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen wherein one of the aryl groups is electron donating with respect to the other. Such composition is preferably incorporated in a latex particulate material. Methods and kits are also disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. The methods and kits employ as one component a composition as described above.

Abstract: The present method provides for a method of conducting solid state NMR distance measurements between nuclei in compounds attached to a surface. In specific embodiments the measurements are made by rotational echo double resonance (REDOR). Other embodiments are directed to the use of the method wherein the distances measurements involve peptides.

Abstract: Conjugates of a cell targetting molecule and a mutant human carboxypeptidase A enzyme are provided. Suitable targetting molecules include antibodies, hormones, ligands, cytokines, antigens, oligonucleotides and peptidomimetics. Enzymes comprising a mutant human carboxypeptidase A enzyme are also provided.

Abstract: The title compounds can be prepared by reaction of a styrene derivative with ethylene in the presence of a nickel catalyst which carries a phosphorus-oxygen chelate ligand, at a temperature of 20° to 160° C. and an ethylene pressure of 1 to 200 bar. Styrene derivatives extended with ethylene, of the formula in which R19 denotes hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, vinyl or chlorine and R38 denotes C1-C4-alkyl, C2-C4-alkenyl, C2-C7-acyl, flourine, chlorine or bromine and m assumes values of 4-104, with the exception of compounds wherein R19 denotes hydrogen and R38 denotes i-butyl or benzoyl, and m assumes the value 4, are new.