Abstract: Nucleic acid catalysts, method of screening/selection for nucleic acid catalysts, synthesis of ribozyme libraries and discovery of gene sequences involved in a biological process are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleotide sequence encoding carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II of Plasmodium falciparum. Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II catalyses the first committed and rate-limiting step in the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway. P. falciparum relies exclusively on pyrimidine synthesis de novo because of its inability to salvage pyrimidines. Mature human red blood cells, however, have no recognized requirement for a pyrimidine nucleotide. Accordingly, this enzyme represents a prime chemotherapeutic locus. The present invention relates to the use of the sequence encoding carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II in the recombinant production of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II and to antisense molecules, ribozymes and other gene inactivation agents designed from this sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying and selecting compositions useful in differentially modulating the expression of two or more mammalian genes, particularly matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes such as those encoding interstitial collagenase (and other genes comprising an AP1-binding site) and stromelysin-3 (and other genes comprising a retinoic acid response element (RARE)). In addition, the invention relates to methods of treating a mammal (such as a human) suffering from or predisposed to a physical disorder, using pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compositions identified or selected by the above-described methods. The methods of the present invention are useful in treating a variety of physical disorders in mammals including cancers (particularly carcinomas), inflammatory disorders, fibrotic disorders, ocular disorders and osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the interplay between the level of DNA methyltransferase and demethylase activities, to the role of the interplay between these levels on the proliferative, differentiated, tumorigenic and homeostatic state of the cell, and to the DNA methyltransferase and demethylase as therapeutic targets. The invention further relates to a reduction of the level of DNA methylation through inhibitors and antagonist in order to inhibit the excessive activity or hypermethylation of DNA MeTase in cancer cells to induce the original cellular tumor suppressing program, to turn on alternative gene expression programs, to provide therapeutics directed at a nodal point of regulation of genetic information, and to modulate the general level of methylase and demethylase enzymatic activity of a cell to permit specific changes in the methylation pattern of a cell.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for improving the efficiency of feed utilization and/or for promoting the growth of animals in which an animal is fed a diet which comprises a composition comprising feed substance and a ready for use phospholipase additive. Preferably said composition also comprises at least one phospholipid. Said compositions are used to improve fat digestibility and to promote growth of the animal. The phospholipid is preferably lecithin and the preferred phospholipase is a mammalian phospholipase A2. In a preferred embodiment the phospholipase is produced using recombinant DNA technology to express the enzyme in a suitable host such as a microorganism or a transgenic plant.

Abstract: Novel synthetic transcriptional modulators having at least one selected ligand linked to at least one transcriptional modulating portion are described. The transcriptional modulators of the present invention can include a ligand linked to a chemical moiety. These transcriptional modulators can be used to selectively control gene expression and to identify components of the transcriptional machinery.

Abstract: A DNA containing a base sequence encoding an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6 in Sequence Listing, which optionally has partial replacement, deletion or addition, or a base sequence hybridizable therewith; a recombinant vector containing this gene; a transformant constructed by using this vector; a process for producing adseverin by using the above-mentioned gene; a recombinant adseverin protein obtained by this production process; an oligonucleotide hybridizable specifically with a base sequence encoding an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6; a method for regulating the formation of adseverin in an animal which comprises administering the above-mentioned oligonucleotide to the animal; and an antibody capable of recognizing adseverin protein.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of daxx. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding daxx. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of daxx expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of daxx are provided.

Abstract: A cloning and/or sequencing vector enables recombinant clones to be selected directly. The vector encodes a fusion protein which includes a protein poison.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to recombinant methods and materials for effecting the microbial production of useful polypeptides. More particularly, the invention relates to expression vector systems which utilize a translational repressor system, and transcriptional control proteins to provide a highly efficient, tightly regulated, staged inducible promoter system capable of expressing exogenous genes, including toxic genes, in E. coli.

Abstract: The present invention provides a superior method of diagnosing Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome in men comprising measuring levels of cytokines in semen or components or fractions of semen. The invention also provides a method of treating a condition associated with elevated levels of a cytokine, such as TNF-&agr;, in semen or a component or fraction thereof, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an ant-cytokine compound or composition, such as an anti-TNF-&agr; compound or composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA sequence which encodes a protein of interest which contains regions having a high content of codons which are poorly suited to yeasts, characterized in that a sufficient number of codons which are poorly suited to yeasts is replaced with corresponding codons which are well-suited to yeasts in the said regions having a high content of codons which are poorly suited to yeasts. The present invention relates, more specifically, to DNA sequences which originate from dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous plants, in particular plants of the graminae family which are selected, in particular, from among wheat, barley, oats, rice, maize, sorghum and cane sugar. The present invention also relates to transformed yeasts which contain a DNA sequence according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a polypeptide, comprising: (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent filamentous fungal cell under conditions conducive for the production of the polypeptide, wherein (i) the mutant cell comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a modification of at least one of the genes involved in the production of a trichothecene and (ii) the mutant produces less of the trichothecene than the parent filamentous fungal cell when cultured under the same conditions; and (b) isolating the polypeptide from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to mutants of filamentous fungal cells and methods for obtaining the mutant cells. The present invention also relates to isolated trichodiene synthases and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the trichodiene synthases.

Abstract: A method for in vitro mutagenesis and recombination of polynucleotide sequences based on polymerase-catalyzed extension of primer oligonucleotides is disclosed. The method involves priming template polynucleotide(s) with random-sequences or defined-sequence primers to generate a pool of short DNA fragments with a low level of point mutations. The DNA fragments are subjected to denaturization followed by annealing and further enzyme-catalyzed DNA polymerization. This procedure is repeated a sufficient number of times to produce full-length genes which comprise mutants of the original template polynucleotides. These genes can be further amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and cloned into a vector for expression of the encoded proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening for an inhibitor of cell death, comprising an assay comprising the steps of incubating a first protein comprising a caspase, a second protein comprising a polyglutamine stretch and a candidate inhibitor of cell death under conditions sufficient to permit the formation of a complex comprising the first protein and the second protein, and performing a detection step to detect the formation of a complex, wherein a reduction in the formation of a complex in comparison to that observed when the first and second proteins are incubated in the absence of the candidate inhibitor indicates that the candidate inhibitor is an inhibitor of cell death. A further aspect of the invention is a kit with which to perform this method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of vascular proliferative disease by administering in vivo a gene encoding p27.

Abstract: The subject invention lies in the field of microorganism mutation and selection of the mutants. In particular, the invention is directed at obtaining metabolic mutants in a simple, direct and specific manner. In a preferred embodiment it is also possible to obtain desired mutants not comprising recombinant DNA, thereby facilitating incorporation thereof in products for human consumption or application, due to shorter legislative procedures. The method according to the invention involves random mutation and specific selection of the desired metabolic mutant.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated promoter which induces transcription of a gene under conditions in which phosphate is limited to an organism. Vectors, host cells, and transgenic photosynthetic organisms incorporating this promoter are also provided.

Abstract: An improvement in adaptor-based sequence analysis is provided that addresses the problems created by self-ligation of target polynucleotides that have complementary ends. The improvement includes preparation of target polynucleotides with dephosphorylated 5′ strands and the use of adaptors having a 3′ blocking group. In a preferred embodiment, adaptors are ligated to target polynucleotides by a single strand, 3′ blocking groups are removed, the adjacent 5′ hydroxyl of the target polynucleotide is phosphorylated, and the ligation of the adaptor is completed by treatment with a ligase.

Abstract: On the basis of a first repertoire of genes coding for a population of one of two kinds of polypeptides capable of being optionally covalently combined, particularly variable regions of either the antibody light chain type or the antibody heavy chain type, and at least one gene coding for the other type of polypeptide, particularly a variable region of the other type, an antibody chain or preferably a second repertoire of genes coding for a population of said other type, the genes from the first repertoire are inserted into a first vector to form a population of vectors carrying the various genes of said first repertoire, and said gene of said other type or the genes from said second repertoire is/are inserted into a second vector. Both starting vectors have means enabling each to exchange one part by one or more irreversible recombinations to generate recombinant final vectors of which one contains a gene of one of said types and a gene of the other type.