Abstract: An isolated gene coding for phenylalanine dehydrogenase of a microorganism belonging to a genus selected from the group consisting of the genera Bacillus and Sporosarcina origin; plasmids containing the gene; microorganism transformed with the plasmid, a process for the production of phenylalanine dehydrogenase using the microogranism; and a process for the production of L-phenylalanine using the enzyme.

Abstract: This invention encompasses an eukaryotic expression vector constructed from a prokaryotic plasmid by inserting into the prokaryotic plasmid a mediator sequence and a promoter/regulatory sequence with a restriction endonuclease site for inserting a gene to be expressed. The gene to be expressed is inserted into the restriction endonuclease site in the promoter/regulatory sequence and the resulting plasmid is in turn used to transform a eukaryotic cell. The gene is expressed with or without viral mediation.

Abstract: Human pancreatic elastase I can be obtained by genetic engineering.

Abstract: A luciferase gene isolated from Luciola cruciata (Japanese firefly) coding for an amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 4 and a novel recombinant DNA characterized by incorporating a gene coding for luciferase into a vector DNA are disclosed. There is also disclosed a method of producing luciferase which comprises culturing in a medium a microorganism containing a recombinant DNA having inserted a gene coding for luciferase in a vector DNA and belonging to the genus Escherichia capable of producing luciferase and collecting luciferase from the culture.

Abstract: Mammalian Interleukin-1 receptor proteins (IL-1Rs), DNAs and expression vectors encoding mammalian IL-1Rs, and processes for producing mammalian IL-1Rs as products of cell culture, including recombinant systems, are disclosed.

Abstract: DNA fragment capable of coding for an immunogenic peptide capable of inducing in vivo antibody reacting with anti-poliovirus. It possesses up to the order of 1.2 kilobase pairs and contains a nucleotide sequence coding for the poliovirus VP1 protein.

Abstract: Neutral protease genes from Vibrio proteolyticus or Bacillus can be cloned and expressed in gram-negative microorganisms, such as E. coli or Serratia. The functional neutral protease enzyme is expressed.

Abstract: A cDNA clone having a base sequence for human tissue factor inhibitor (TFI) has been developed and characterized and the amino acid sequence of the TFI has been determined.

Abstract: Purified hCG-hLH receptor, hCG-hLH receptor-hCG complex and combinations between their subunits as antigens, as well as antibodies thereto which are useful as a contraceptive vaccine.

Abstract: A method for producing factor VIII in recombinant mammalian host cells utilizing an expression vector containing a selectable marker DNA and an amplifiable marker DNA. The initial selection is based upon the selectable marker and subsequent amplification of factor VIII DNA and amplifiable marker DNA is conducted in cells not deficient in the amplifiable marker.

Abstract: Direct linkage of DNA encoding prokaryotic signals such as E. coli enterotoxin with DNA encoding mature eukaryotic proteins followed by transformation and culture of bacterial hosts characterized by a periplasmic space, yields substantial amounts of periplasmic mature protein.

Abstract: The present invention is the isolation and purification of a newly discovered gene of the AIDS virus, HTLV-III, which encodes a protein which is immunogenic and recognized by sera of some HTLV-III seropositive people. Furthermore, the gene is highly conserved among all known HTLV-III isolates and exhibits a polymorphism at the 3' end which distinguishes molecular clones of the HTLV-III cell line from viral genomes of related viruses (i.e., other HTLV-III isolates, LAV, ARV, etc.).

Abstract: The hepatitis B virus preS2 antigen gene linked in one contiguous reading frame to the hepatitis B virus surface antigen gene has been expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae utilizing an optimized plasmid construction. The expressed protein aggregates into a particulate form which displays the major antigenic sites encoded by both domains, thereby highlighting the utility of yeast as a host for the high level expression of the preS2 as well as the S domain. This protein is useful in in vitro diagnostic systems and as a vaccine for the treatment and prevention of hepatitis B virus-induced diseases and/or infections.

Abstract: A storage-stable, high potency allergenic extract is prepared by ultrafiltration, retaining fractions having molecular weights of from 1000 to 100,000, and drying the retained fraction to a moisture content of less than one weight percent. The extract can also be pretreated with amylase before ultrafiltration, treated with affinity chromatography before drying, and/or treated with gamma radiation after drying.

Abstract: A carbohydrate-free polypeptide coded for by a human DNA sequence of 309 nucleotides is immunologically reactive with monoclonal antibody against the human DF3 breast carcinoma-associated antigen. The nucleotide sequence is also useful as a probe to reveal restriction fragment length polymorphisms in human DNA.

Abstract: A novel plasmid pEAP2, which was constructed from Bacillus sp. 170 chromosomal DNA carrying the gene for extracellular production of penicillinase and a vector plasmid pMB9. A novel microorganism, Escherichia coli HB101(pEAP2) carrying the plasmid pEAP2 and being capable of extracellular production of penicillinase. The method for cultivation of the microorganism is characterized by culturing it in the medium containing NaCl (or KCl) for 16-48 hours. According to this invention, useful high-molecular substances can be produced in a high yield.

Abstract: DNA isolates coding for enkephalinase and methods of obtaining such DNA are provided, together with expression systems for recombinant production of enkephalinase for use in therapeutic or diagnostic compositions. Enkephalinase assays are facilitated by novel enkephalinase substrates.

Abstract: A process for converting AMP into ATP which comprises (a) using an enzyme which converts AMP into ADP and has been produced from microorganisms having an optimum growth temperature of 50.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. and an enzyme which converts ADP into ATP and has been produced from microorganisms having an optimum growth temperature of 50.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. is disclosed. In addition, there is disclosed a process for producing a physiologically active substance by a multienzyme process which comprises forming ATP from AMP by the step (a), (b) synthesizing a physiologically active substance with the resulting ATP, converting AMP resulting from the reaction in step (b) into ATP by the reaction in step (a), and repeatedly utilizing the converted ATP for synthesis of the physiologically active substance in step (b). By using the process it is possible to stably and efficiently carry out conversion of AMP into ATP over a long period of time.

Abstract: A method for producing site-specific recombination of DNA in eukaryotic cells at regions designated lox sites is disclosed.

Abstract: Muteins of biologically active proteins such as IFN-.beta. and IL-2 in which cysteine residues that are not essential to biological activity have been deleted or replaced with other amino acids to eliminate sites for intermolecular crosslinking or incorrect intramolecular disulfide bridge formation. These muteins are made via bacterial expression of mutant genes that encode the muteins that have been synthesized from the genes for the parent proteins by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis.