Abstract: A human lipid-associated plasma protein has been produced in vivo in larvae of the Sphingid insect tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. The gene for the protein was introduced by recombinant Baculovirus into the body cavity of the larvae, which is a semi-permissive host for the virus. After the larvae had grown further, the hemolymph of the larvae was recovered. The yield of protein produced was much better than could be achieved for the same gene expressed in insect cell culture and a much higher percentage of the protein produced in vivo was associated in lipid particles as compared to the cell culture system. The desired biological activity of the lipid-associated protein was achieved by the in vivo produced protein but not by the protein produced by insect cells in culture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of the NsiI restriction-modification system from Neisseria sicca, utilizing a two step protocol. Initial protection of E. coli host with methylase expressed on a plasmid was required to stabilize a compatible plasmid carrying the endonuclease gene on a single DNA fragment. A chromosomal map was generated localizing the genes for NsiI methylase and endonuclease. An E. coli strain was constructed which produced high levels of NsiI endonuclease.

Abstract: A rapid method for transfection of a cell under physiological conditions suitable to the survival and growth of the cell is disclosed. According to the method, a stable nucleoprotein complex is provided. The nucleoprotein complex comprises a single-stranded DNA sequence in stable combination with RecA protein molecules. Cells to be transformed are cultured in a physiologically suitable medium to which the nucleoprotein complex has been added. As the cells grow and undergo mitosis, the nucleoprotein complex is taken up within some of the cells and becomes integrated into the genome. The method accomplishes transfection without resort to infectious vectors or permeabilization or other manipulation of the cell membrane. According to another object of the invention, a diagnostics method is provided. A directly detectable reporter label or an indirectly detectable ligand is bound to the nucleoprotein complex to provide a DNA probe which then is taken up into the cell and integrates into the cell's genome.

Abstract: A novel transcriptional regulatory element which is capable of directing expression of a gene specifically in cells of the endothelial lineage. The transcriptional regulatory element may be used to target expression of a gene in cells of the endothelial lineage.

Abstract: A first polynucleotide molecule coding for a transactivator fusion protein comprising the tet repressor and a protein capable of activating transcription in eucaryotes. A second polynucleotide molecule coding for a protein, wherein said polynucleotide is operably linked to a minimal promoter operably linked to at least one tet operator sequence is also disclosed. A method to regulate the expression of a protein coded for by a polynucleotide, by cultivating the eucaryotic cell of the invention in a medium comprising tetracycline or a tetracycline analogue is also disclosed. Kits containing the polynucleotide molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: Genes are disclosed which are capable of directing the synthesis in a selected host microorganism of two thaumatin I analogues both of which have the amino acid sequence of natural thaumatin I including an aspartate amino acid residue in the 113th position from the amino terminal end of the polypeptide and one of which additionally has a lysine amino acid residue substituted for asparagine in the 46th position from the amino terminal end.

Abstract: Substantially pure mammalian basic fibroblast growth factors are produced. The amino acid residue sequences of bovine and human bFGF are disclosed as well as a DNA chain encoding the polypeptide of the bovine species. By appropriately inserting a synthesized DNA chain into a cloning vector and using the cloning vector to transform cells, synthetic bovin bFGF can be obtained from transformed cell lines, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic.

Abstract: A virus having the identifying characteristics of ATCC VR2396 is disclosed. This virus has the trait of enhanced polyhedra production stability and resists forming a few polyhedra mutant virus. A method of protecting crops from insects comprising applying an insecticidally effective amount of virus having the identifying characteristics of ATCC VR2396 is also disclosed.

Abstract: Proteins, and corresponding DNA and RNA sequences, useful for the regulation of expression of .kappa.B-containing genes are disclosed. These proteins are useful to either stimulate or inhibit the expression of .kappa.B-containing genes. Proteins stimulating the expression of .kappa.B-containing genes have an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of from position 1 to position 374 of p100 [SEQ ID NO: 2]. Proteins having an inhibitory effect on the expression of .kappa.B-containing genes have sequences either at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of from position 407 to the carboxyl end of p100 [SEQ ID NO: 2] or having an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to the amino sequence of either from position 1 to 100 sor from position 101 to position 374 of p100 [SEQ ID NO: 2].

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the culture of higher eukaryotic cells which are dependent for survival on an exogenous factor. The method involves co-culturing the factor-dependent cells with an immortalized eukaryotic cell that has been engineered to secrete the requisite factor.Also disclosed is a cell line of non-stromal cell origin which secretes interleukin-7.

Abstract: An improved method for the simultaneous sequence-specific identification of mRNAs in a mRNA population allows the visualization of nearly every mRNA expressed by a tissue as a distinct band on a gel whose intensity corresponds roughly to the concentration of the mRNA. In general, the method comprises the formation of cDNA using anchor primers to fix a 3'-endpoint, producing cloned inserts from the cDNA in a vector containing a bacteriophage-specific promoter for subsequent RNA synthesis, generating linearized fragments of the cloned inserts, preparing cRNA, transcribing cDNA from the cRNA using a set of primers, and performing PCR using a 3'-primer whose sequence is derived from the vector and a set of 5'-primers that is derived from the primers used for transcription of cDNA from cRNA. The method can identify changes in expression of mRNA associated with the administration of drugs or with physiological or pathological conditions.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel microbe and gene encoding a novel toxin protein with activity against insect pests of the order Coleoptera. Pests in the order Coleoptera do heavy damage to crops, e.g., corn. The novel Bacillus thuringiensis microbe of the invention is referred to as B.t. PS50C. The spores or crystals of this microbe, or mutants thereof, are useful to control coleopteran pests in various environments. The novel gene of the invention can be used to transform various hosts wherein the novel toxic protein can be expressed.

Abstract: One or more amino acid residues within the reactive site region of protease nexin-I are altered in order to create analogs or variants of protease nexin-I. These analogs have substantially different protease specificities as well as different effects on regulating the activity of proteolytic enzymes which enzymes have substantial effects on a number of different physiological functions. Formulations containing the protease nexin-I variants and methods for administering these formulations to obtain desirable therapeutic results are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining collagen degradation in vivo, comprising quantitating the concentration of a peptide in a body fluid, the peptide being a C-terminal type II collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link or a type III collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link. The method includes immunometric assays, fluorometric assays, and electrochemical titrations for quantitation. The structures of specific peptides having cross-links and kits for quantitating these peptides in a body fluid are described.

Abstract: What is described is a modified recombinant virus for expressing a gene product in a host. The modified recombinant virus has host range genes deleted therefrom so that the virus has restricted replication in the host. The modified recombinant virus also contains DNA which codes for and expresses the gene product in the host even with restricted replication of the virus in the host. The modified recombinant virus is used in a method for expressing a gene product in a host or in a cell cultured in vitro, and in a vaccine for inducing an immunological response in a host inoculated with the vaccine. What is also described is a selection system for the cloning and expression of open reading frames in poxviruses, particularly vaccinia virus. The selection system is based on a conditional lethal mutant (host range) of poxviruses.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules coding for pectin lyase (PL) expression systems and derivatives thereof, such as the structural genes of PLA, PLB, PLC, PLD, PLE and PLF, and corresponding regulatory sequences, e.g. promoter, signal and terminator sequences, and hybrid vectors comprising corresponding DNAs, including hybrid vectors with DNA coding for homologous or heterologous polypeptides, hosts, especially filamentous fungi, e.g. Aspergillus hosts, transformed by said vectors, methods for the preparation of said recombinant DNA molecules and said hosts and the use of the recombinant DNA molecules for the preparation of new expression systems. A further objective is the preparation of polypeptides by means of said DNAs and said hosts.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the control and regulation of estrogen biosynthesis. Estrogen biosynthesis is catalyzed by a microsomal enzyme, aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom; the product of the CYP19 gene). Tissue-specific expression of P450arom is determined by the use of tissue-specific promoters which give rise to P450arom transcripts with unique 5' noncoding sequences. Two unique 5'-untranslated exons of the CYP19 gene, I.3 and I.4., which are present in adipose tissue and adipose stromal cells (ASC) in culture have been identified. I.3-specific sequence is expressed in adipose tissue as well as in ACS maintained under all culture conditions, I.4-specific sequence is apparently present only in breast adipose tissue, and ACS stimulated with gluocorticoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the identification of therapeutic agents for the treatment of osteoporosis and serum lipid lowering agents. The invention relates to isolating cloning, and using nucleic acids from the promoter regions of transforming growth factor .beta. genes comprising novel regulatory elements designated "raloxifene responsive elements". The invention also encompasses eukaryotic cells containing such raloxifene responsive elements operably linked to reporter genes such that the raloxifene responsive elements modulate the transcription of the reporter genes. The invention provides methods for identifying anti-osteoporosis agents that induce transcription of genes operably linked to such raloxifene responsive elements without inducing deleterious or undesirable side effects associated with current anti-osteoporosis therapy regimens.

Abstract: Immortalized human bronchial epithelial and human mesothelial cell lines have been obtained. Various uses of these cell lines have been described.

Abstract: A promoter/enhancer for a bovine MHC class I gene is incorporated in recombinant nucleotide sequences and vectors. In one form, the promoter/enhancer may be linked to a foreign gene for permitting expression of the foreign gene in a wide range of mammalian host cells.