Abstract: The invention is directed to antimicrobial peptides related to naturally-occurring protegrin peptides, and methods of using the peptides in a variety of contexts, including the treatment or prevention of infections.

Abstract: A color-plus-clear coating system is disclosed. A pigmented or colored basecoat is first applied to a substrate followed by the application of a transparent topcoat to the basecoat. The transparent topcoat composition is a crosslinkable composition comprising (1) a material containing a plurality of carbamate and/or urea functional groups and (2) an aminoplast crosslinking agent. The topcoat composition provides a composite coating with improved acid etch resistance, making the composite coating particularly useful as an automotive topcoat.

Abstract: The invention provides a human ATP synthase subunit homolog (ASYNT) and polynucleotides which identify and encode ASYNT. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of ASYNT.

Abstract: The invention provides three human vesicle trafficking proteins (VTP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode VTP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for preventing and treating disorders associated with expression of VTP.

Abstract: The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) NS3 protein contains amino acid motifs of a serine proteinase, a nucleotide triphosphatase (NTPase), and an RNA helicase. A carboxy fragment of the HCV NS3 protein was purified and possessed RNA helicase activity. Detections from the amino terminus resulted in the protein becoming soluble. Deletions from the carboxy terminus do not result in a loss of helicase activity until at least 50 amino acids are deleted. The helicase activity requires ATP and divalent cations such as Mg.sup.2+ and Mn.sup.2+. The helicase activity was blocked by monoclonal antibody specific to the HCV NS3 protein.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of pigments comprising a colored composition incorporated in a polycondensation resin, wherein the reactants for the formation of the polycondensation resin and the colored composition are introduced continuously into an extruder, preferably at a temperature of between 100.degree. C. and 280.degree. C., the mixture is caused to travel forward in the extruder, at the end of reaction the mixture is withdrawn continuously from the extruder, and is deposited continuously onto a conveyor belt, broken up into thermoset flakes, and cooled, the conveyor belt having means for cooling and means for detaching the flakes from the belt. The process is particularly suitable for the preparation of fluorescence pigments. Also disclosed are compositions comprising diketo-pyrrolo-pyrrole colorants and certain polyester or polyamide resins as well as a process for the preparation of the compositions.

Abstract: Recombinant S. aureofaciens cells are provided. These cells comprise:(a) at least one CTC 11 gene; and (b) optionally(i) a CTC 09 gene;(ii) a CTC 03 gene; or(iii)a combination thereof;wherein:the CTC 11 gene is chromosomal, extra-chromosomal, or chromosomal and extra-chromosomal;the CTC 09 gene, CTC 03 gene, or a combination thereof is chromosomal, extra-chromosomal, or a combination thereof;expression of the CTC 11 gene is enhanced over that of a wild-type S. aureofaciens cell; andoptionally, the CTC 09 gene, the CTC 03 gene, or both of the CTC 09 gene and the CTC 03 gene are inactivated.The present invention also contemplates vector pLP21329 and vectors for allelic replacement in a S. aureofaciens host cell. The vectors comprise:(a) a functional E.

Abstract: The method and compositions of this invention provide an effective and reliable substitute for the currently employed ICA assay for diabetes. By providing a method for detecting autoantibodies to GAD.sub.65, IA-2 and a previously unidentified antigen termed IA-2.beta. herein, the method provides a chemical assay which has improved reliability. In addition, these antigens may be employed in therapeutic regimens aimed at achieving amelioration of the clinical condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides the cloning and expression of purified and isolated DNA molecules, obtainable from fungi, which encode enzymes having arabinan-degrading activity. The present invention also provides DNA constructs containing these DNA molecules and methods for their enhanced expression in selected microbial host cells. The present invention further provides methods for the use of the thus-produced arabinan-degrading enzymes.

Abstract: A method of preparing a bioactive polypeptide in a stable, inactivated form, the method comprising the step of treating the polypeptide with ozonated water in order to oxidize and/or stabilize the cysteine residues, and in turn, prevent the formation of disulfide bridges necessary for bioactivity. The method can involve the use of ozonated water to both oxidize the disulfide bridges in a bioactive polypeptide, and to then stabilize the resultant cysteine residues. Optionally, and preferably, the method can involve the use of ozonated water to stabilize the cysteine residues, and thereby prevent the formation of disulfide bridges, in a polypeptide produced by recombinant means in a manner that allows the polypeptide to be recovered with the disulfide bridges unformed.

Abstract: A corrosion preventive material contains zinc and is applied to the surface of a metal product for preventing corrosion of the product. The material consists essentially of a base material of synthetic resin and 65% or more zinc powder by weight dispersed in the base material, the zinc powder containing 25% or more zinc powder by weight having a grain diameter of or above 150 .mu.m. Alternatively, the corrosion preventive material consists essentially of a base material of synthetic resin and 45% or more zinc powder by weight dispersed in the base material, the zinc powder containing 90% or more zinc powder by weight having a grain diameter of or above 150 .mu.m.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a novel catalytic subunit of a lipid kinase designated p110.delta.. Polynucleotides encoding p110.delta. and recombinant p110.delta. polypeptides are provided along with antibodies to p110.delta., assays for identifying inhibitors of p110.delta., and the like.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for endopeptidase production and for enhanced efficiencies of processing heterologous precursor polypeptides to mature polypeptides, including proteins requiring gamma-carboxylation for biological activity. These compositions and methods utilize recombinant PACE, a mammalian endopeptidase that is specific for dibasic amino acid sites.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions relating to the attachment of water soluble polymers to proteins. Provided are novel methods for N-terminally modifying proteins or analogs thereof, and resultant compositions, including novel chemically modified G-CSF compositions and related methods of preparation. Also provided is chemically modified consensus interferon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter (NAPTR) and polynucleotides which identify and encode NAPTR. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding NAPTR and a method for producing NAPTR. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically for NAPTR. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding NAPTR for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of NAPTR. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding NAPTR. The invention also provides a method for treating disorders associated with decreased phosphate levels by administering NAPTR and a method for treating disorders associated with increased phosphate levels by administering antagonists to NAPTR.

Abstract: The present invention provides for systems and methods that utilize automated and integratable workstations for identifying chemicals having useful activity. The present invention is also directed to chemical entities and information (e.g., chemical or biological activities of chemicals) generated or discovered by operation of workstations of the present invention. The present invention includes automated workstations that are programmably controlled to minimize processing times at each workstation and that can be integrated to minimize the processing time of the liquid samples from the start to finish of the process.

Abstract: We have cloned and sequenced the cDNA encoding the 61 kD active fragment of a unique porcine chondrocyte nucleotide pyrophosphohydrolase (NTPPHase) from a porcine chondrocyte library. Degenerate oligonucleotides, corresponding to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of this peptide were hybridized to porcine chondrocyte cDNA and used to amplify DNA encoding the N-terminal sequence of 61 kD with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were then used as probes to clone the entire open reading-frame for the 61 kD fragment from a porcine chondrocyte cDNA library. The length of the cloned cDNA was 2509 bp. Translation of the open-reading-frame predicts the 61 kD fragment to be a 459 amino acid protein. BLAST and FASTA analysis confirmed that this amino acid sequence was unique and did not possess high homology to any known proteins in the non-redundant protein data base.

Abstract: A transgenic plant cell is provided containing a DNA molecule encoding an enzyme selected from the group consisting of fructosyltransferase, glucosyltransferase B, mutants of glucosyltransferase B, glucosyltransferase C, glucosyltransferase D, mutants of glucosyltransferase D and functional fragments of each enzyme. A transgenic plant regenerated from the plant cell is also provided. A method of improving the ensilability and the nutritional value of plants is also provided comprising introducing into the cells of the plant an expression cassette comprising the above DNA molecule operably linked to a promoter functional in the cells of the plant to yield transformed plant cells, and regenerating a transformed plant from the transformed cells. The transformed plants also provide improved digestibility in ruminants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester synthase gene coding for a polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or a sequence where in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, one or more amino acids are deleted, replaced or added, the polypeptide bringing about polyester synthase activity; a gene expression cassette comprising the polyester synthase gene and either of open reading frames located upstream and downstream of the gene; a recombinant vector comprising the gene expression cassette; a transformant transformed with the recombinant vector; and a process for producing polyester by culturing the transformant in a medium and recovering polyester from the resulting culture.

Abstract: Manufacture of a metal rotor for a trimmer capacitor using cold forging or casting conventionally requires a metal mold to be exclusively used for the metal rotor, which incurs costs associated with the fabrication and maintenance of the mold. According to the invention, however, a metal rotor can be obtained by etching instead of cold forging or casting. Specifically, a metal plate is provided which has a principal surface with a predetermined degree of smoothness for a surface of a rotor electrode. The metal plate is selectively etched using resists, to form a step portion, a driver groove and a circumferential surface for the rotor electrode, which are the components of the metal rotor.