Abstract: Various genes of herpes virus of turkeys (HVT), Marek's disease virus (MDV) and infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) have been identified as non-essential regions (and candidates for insertion sites for foreign genes) and/or as antigen-encoding regions. The former include the HVT homologue of the HSV (herpes simplex virus) gC gene, the TE (thymidine kinase) region of MDV or ILTV, ORF3 of ILTV (as defined herein), the ribonucleotide reductase (large subunit) gene of ILTV, MDV or HVT and the ribonucleotide reductase (small subunit) gene of MDV. The antigen-encoding regions include the HVT homologues of the HSV gB, gC and gH genes, the ILTV homologue of HSV gB, ORF2 of ILTV, and the HVT homologue of the HSV-1 immediate early genes IE-175 and IE-68. Manipulation of these genes allows vaccines to be prepared comprising attenuated virus or virus carrying heterologous antigen-encoding sequences.

Abstract: The invention describes compositions and methods of use in which an infectious modified Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) virion comprising a coat protein (CP) or a movement protein (MP) gene is replaced with a nuclear inclusion protease (NIa) expression cassette for the expression of a heterologous peptide in a tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) host plant.

Abstract: This invention provides polypeptides having anti-angiogenic activity and nucleic acids that encode these polypeptides. The anti-angiogenic polypeptides include at least kringles 1-3 of plasminogen. The invention also provides methods of using the polypeptides and nucleic acids for inhibiting angiogenesis and other conditions characterized by undesirable endothelial cell proliferation.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, a method of detecting malnutrition in a mammal is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) measuring the activity in the mammal of one of more complexes selected from the group consisting of Complex I, Complex II, and Complex III; and (b) determining if the level of activity is below the level of activity of the complexes in a normal control sample. According to a second aspect of the invention, the use of Complex I is disclose for nutritional assessment of a mammal. According to a third aspect of the invention, the use of Complex II is disclosed for nutritional assessment of a mammal. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the use of Complex III is disclosed for nutritional assessment of a mammal.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydroxylated triple helical protein is disclosed, as well as a yeast host cell used in the method. The method comprises culturing a yeast host cell comprising: (1) a first DNA molecule comprising a DNA sequence encoding P4H&agr; subunit operably linked to a promoter functional in the yeast host cell, (2) a second DNA molecule comprising a DNA sequence encoding P4H&agr; subunit operably linked to a promoter functional in the yeast host cell, and (3) a third DNA molecule comprising a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide or peptide operably linked to a promoter functional in the yeast host cell, wherein the polypeptide or peptide is one which, when hydroxylated, forms the hydroxylated triple helical protein; and wherein during culturing, each of the first DNA molecule, the second DNA molecule and the third DNA molecule are replicated, stably retained and segregated.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of inducing donor-specific tolerance in a host. Tolerogenic treatments of the present invention may be administered to a host prior to transplantation of donor-derived materials. The tolerogenic treatment involves (1) administering an immunosuppressive agent to a host mammal in a non-myeloablative regimen sufficient to decrease, but not necessarily to eliminate, the host mammal's functional T lymphocyte population; (2) infusing donor antigens from a non-syngeneic donor into the host mammal; (3) eliminating those host T lymphocytes responding to the infused donor antigens using a non-myeloablative dose of lymphocytotoxic or tolerizing agent; and (4) administering donor hematopoietic cells to the host mammal. Donor lymphoid cells used for cell therapy of a host mammal can be depleted of host specific immunological reactivity by methods essentially similar to those use for tolerizing a host mammal prior to transplantation.

Abstract: A processs for altering the properties of a cell or cell membrane involves the contacting of the cell or cellular membrane with a lipid-modified protein under conditions wherein the lipid portions anchor themselves to the cellar membrane and position the protein portion of the molecule so that it imparts to the cell or cell membrane one or more new characteristics resulting from the introduction of the protein. Recombinant and cell-free methods for synthesis of the lipid-modified protein are taught as are kits for altering the properties of cell and/or cell membranes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filamentous fungi that comprise in their genomes at least two substantially homologous DNA domains which are suitable for integration of one or more copies of a recombinant DNA molecule and wherein at least two of these DNA domains comprise an integrated copy of a recombinant DNA molecule. The invention also relates to methods for preparing such filamentous fungi and for further multiplying the DNA domains with integrated recombinant DNA molecules through gene conversion or amplification.

Abstract: The invention provides host cells comprising a translation operator sequence (TOP) and packaging elements. Also provided are viral vectors comprising a TOP operably linked to a transgene. Also provided are methods of using these host cells and viral vectors to produce recombinant virions.

Abstract: A full-length transcript promoter from mirabilis mosaic caulimovirus (MMV) is identified and its DNA sequence given. The promoter functions as a strong and uniform promoter for chimeric genes inserted into plant cells. This strong promoter function is exhibited by histochemical assay in seeds and floral organs and by reproductive scores of transgenic plants including the promoter. The promoter preferably includes a 3′ untranslated region that may be from the MMV itself or from a heterologous source with respect to the promoter. The promoter is used in a chimeric gene and in methods for transforming plant cells to obtain transgenic plants, plant tissues, plant cells and seeds incorporating the MMV promoter. The MMV FLT promoter shows greater activity (14 to 24 fold) than the CaMV 35S promoter. A modified MMV FLt promoter with duplicated enhancer domains shows greater activity (3 fold) than with a single enhancer domain.

Abstract: Method for screening for a non-hormone agent potentially useful to treat a hormone disorder The method involves contacting a potential agent with a system containing a cellular component and a translation factor. The component and factor interact with one another in an intact normal cell in a manner responsive to the hormone to cause a modulation of translation in the cell. The method involves determining whether the agent causes a modulation of translation by the component and the factor analogous to that which occurs in intact cells in response to the hormone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for directing the self-assembly of a gene or gene assembly having three and preferably six or more fragments in a directionally and spatially ordered fashion to produce a gene, gene vector or large nucleic acid molecule. The method can be used to create libraries, such as combinatorial libraries. In another embodiment of the invention a vector is described for the incorporation and screeming of endogenous mouse promoter elements for the identification of cell-specific promoters.

Abstract: A vaccine for protecting birds against infection by avian pathogenic gram negative microbes is disclosed. The vaccine is a recombinant Salmonella strain expressing O-antigen of an avian pathogenic gram negative microbe such as an E. coli strain that is pathogenic in poultry. The recombinant Salmonella strain also does not express Salmonella O-antigen. Methods of using the vaccine to immunize birds are also disclosed.

Abstract: DNA constructs for truncated forms of cancer-specific or cancer associated antigens are included in plasmid or viral expression vectors. The rationale to use constructs for truncated and not for full-size molecules is to eliminate side effects (toxicity, signal transduction etc.) arising from expressed proteins and/or, in cases where such molecules are expressed on the membrane, secreted, or released in the extracellular environment, to prevent formation of antibodies against them. The extracellular portion of the human prostate specific membrane specific antigen (XC-PSMA) has been cloned. Patients were treated either by injection of DNA coding for XC-PSMA in a mammalian expression vector under the CMV promoter or/and by a replication-defective adenoviral vector (Ad5)hat contains an expression cassette for the XC-PSMA. In a third method dendritic cells are isolated from a patient and are treated by exposure to the plasmid or adenovirus used in the previous two treatments.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polypeptides which are associated with the transcription complex NF-AT, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, antibodies which are reactive with such polypeptides, polynucleotide hybridization probes and PCR amplification probes for detecting polynucleotides which encode such polypeptides, transgenes which encode such polypeptides, homologous targeting constructs that encode such polypeptides and/or homologously integrate in or near endogenous genes encoding such polypeptides, nonhuman transgenic animals which comprise functionally disrupted endogenous genes that normally encode such polypeptides, and transgenic nonhuman animals which comprise transgenes encoding such polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention defines a DNA: protein-binding assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind DNA test sequences. The assay is versatile in that any number of test sequences can be tested by placing the test sequence adjacent to a defined protein binding screening sequence. Binding of molecules to these test sequence changes the binding characteristics of the protein molecule to its cognate binding sequence. When such a molecule binds the test sequence the equilibrium of the DNA:protein complexes is disturbed, generating changes in the concentration of free DNA probe. Numerous exemplary target test sequences (SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:600) are set forth. The assay of the present invention is also useful to characterize the preferred binding sequences of any selected DNA-binding molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a newly identified human aminopeptidase. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the aminopeptidase. The invention further relates to methods using the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in aminopeptidase-related disorders. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to procedures for producing the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liposomal aerosol composition, comprising a pharmaceutical compound, a cationic lipid, a neutral co-lipid; and tryptone. Also provided is a nebulized cationic lipid: neutral co-lipid: DNA suspension useful for lipid-DNA transfections, wherein the cationic lipid is bis(guanidinium)-tren-cholesterol and the neutral co-lipid is dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE).

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, Bok (Bcl-2-related ovarian killer) are identified. Bok has conserved Bcl-2 homology domains 1, 2 and 3 and a C-terminal transmembrane region present in other Bcl-2 related proteins, but lacks the BH4 domain found only in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Over-expression of Bok induces apoptosis. Cell killing induced by Bok is suppressed by co-expression with selective anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Bok is highly expressed in the ovary, testis and uterus, particularly in granulosa cells, the cell type that undergoes apoptosis during follicle atresia. Identification of Bok as a new pro-apoptotic protein with wide tissue distribution and hetero-dimerization properties facilitates elucidation of apoptosis mechanisms in reproductive and other tissues, and provides a means for manipulating apoptosis.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a nucleotide sequence coding for an enzyme with eutypine reductase activity, capable of metabolizing the eutypine synthesized in plants by a fungus of the Eutypa lata or Libertella blepharis type. The overproduction of eutypine reductase by the plant hose of the fungus enables the consequences of the presence of this fungus in plants to be attenuated or even eradicated.