Abstract: A new human gene designated as "CRIPTO" gene has been identified and cloned. CRIPTO gene products and derivatives thereof have been obtained and various utilities of the same have been described. Association of CRIPTO gene with cancers, such as colorectal cancer and breast carcinoma, has been indicated.

Abstract: This invention provides a purified polypeptide having growth factor activity and a defined amino acid sequence. The invention also provides a purified nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide. This invention further provides methods for producing the polypeptide as well as uses thereof. Finally, this invention provides methods for detecting the polypeptide.

Abstract: A gene expression system is used to produce heterologous biologically active proteins, in particular bioactive granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor ("GM-CSF"), secreted from a host selected from the Streptomyces genera. The gene expression system includes a regulatory nucleotide sequence linked to a second nucleotide sequence encoding the heterologous protein. The regulatory sequence, encodes a peptide which directs the secretion of the heterologous protein in bioactive form from a host selected from the Streptomyces genera. The regulatory sequence includes a signal sequence and a promoter sequence. The second nucleotide sequence, which encodes GM-CSF or a biologically active derivative of GM-CSF, may be either natural or synthetic. In particular, the invention relates to an expression system for secreting bioactive, non-glycosylated, oxidized, therapeutically useful GM-CSF from a host selected from the Streptomyces genera.

Abstract: A double-stranded cDNA molecule which includes DNA encoding human cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase has been created. The sequence of one strand of a double-stranded DNA molecule which encodes human cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase has been discovered. Such molecules may be introduced in procaryotic, e.g., bacterial, or eucaryotic, e.g., yeast or mammalian, cells and the resulting cells cultured or grown under suitable conditions so as to produce human cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase which may then be recovered.

Abstract: A baculovirus expression system capable of producing foreign gene proteins at high levels. The system involves the production of a recombinant baculovirus containing a modified foreign gene between the polyhedrin gene promoter region and the transcription termination signal of the polyhedrin structural gene. The modified foreign gene comprises a putative ribosome binding site immediately upstream of the foreign gene coding sequence, i.e. without any intervening non-coding sequences. The putative ribosome binding site is preferably properly positioned without the intervening sequences by a crossover linker mutagenesis procedure before the modified foreign gene is introduced into the virus. The putative ribosome binding site preferably comprises at least the final four nucleotides of the sequences ACCTATAAAT immediately upstream of the translation inibiation codon (ATG) of the foreign gene.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules comprising DNA sequences derived from bacteriophage T4 that are useful in expressing desired polypeptides in unexpectedly high yields, hosts and expression systems comprising such recombinant DNA molecules and methods for expressing desired polypeptides in high yields by the utilization of such hosts and expression systems.

Abstract: A recombinant Marek's disease virus which comprises a Marek's disease virus genom and a DNA fragment incorporated therein, said DNA fragment being constructed by incorporating a promoter derived from an animal cell or an animal virus and a structural gene coding for an exogenous protein into a gene fragment derived from a Marek's disease virus, a process for preparing the same which comprises preparing a gene fragment wherein a structural gene coding for an exogenous gene is linked to the downstream of a promoter derived from an animal cell or an animal virus, incorporating said gene fragment into a BamHI - H fragment of a gene of a Marek's disease virus type I, and incorporating said fragment into a Marek's disease virus type I genome, and a multivalent live vaccine for birds comprising the same.

Abstract: This invention relates to specifically designing and genetically engineering recombinant baculovirus for producing, in a compatible insect system, a desired protein, virus, protein hybrid, or virus hybrid. In particular aspects, this invention relates to the use of different baculovirus promoters for the ultimate purpose of constructing a recombinant baculovirus designed for the investigator's specific need. For example, the recombinant baculovirus of this invention can be designed to produce a viral pesticide.This invention also describes the construction of a genetically engineered virus or virus hybrid (e.g. animal or human pathogen) which is not capable of replicating itself but is essentially identical to the authentic pathogen in terms of structure and antigenicity.

Abstract: An improved plasmid for the production of superoxide dismutase which upon introduction into a host containing the thermolabile repressor C.sub.I renders the host capable of effecting expression of a gene encoding superoxide dismutase. The plasmid which includes in 5' to 3' order the following: the promoter and operator P.sub.L O.sub.L from lambda bacteriophage; the N utilization site; a first restriction enzyme site permitting replacement of the ribosomal binding site which follows thereafter; a ribosomal binding site; an ATG initiation codon; a second restriction enzyme site; a gene encoding superoxide dismutase; an origin of replication and a gene associated with a selectable or identifiable phenotypic trait manifested when the plasmid is present in the host. The distance between the 3' end of P.sub.L O.sub.L and the 5' end of the N utilization site is less than about 80 base pairs.

Abstract: A DNA sequence, characterized by coding the main subunits of the ATP synthase from methanogenic bacteria.

Abstract: What is 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. A deletion/recombinant mutant of the vaccinia virus was generated which is capable of plaquing on primary chick embryo fibroblasts and two monkey cell lines (BSC-40 or VERO) but is defective in replication in the human cell line MRC-5. Insertion of the host range gene into the deletion/recombinant restores the ability for growth on MCR-5 cells. A series of plasmids were constructed which allow for the rapid single-step cloning and expression of any open reading frame when recombined with the deletion/recombinant and scored for growth on MCR-5 cells.

Abstract: This invention provides a purified polypeptide having growth factor activity and a defined amino acid sequence. The invention also provides a purified nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide. This invention further provides methods for producing the polypeptide as well as uses thereof. Finally, this invention provides methods for detecting the polypeptide.

Abstract: An improved vector upon introduction into a suitable host containing the thermolabile repressor C.sub.I renders the host capable of effecting expression of a desired gene. The vector is a double-stranded DNA molecule which includes in 5' to 3' order the following: the promoter and operator P.sub.L O.sub.L from lambda bacteriophage; the N utilization site; a first restriction enzyme site permitting replacement of the ribosomal binding site which follows thereafter; a ribosomal binding site for transcribing mRNA; and ATG initiation codon or DNA which is converted into an ATG initiation codon upon insertion of the desired gene into the vector; a second restriction enzyme site for inserting the gene in phase with the ATG codon; a T.sub.1 T.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of increasing production of proteins, e.g., human tPA, in mammalian cells which normally secrete immunoglobulins. Degradation of mRNA transcribed from recombinant DNA is decreased by decreasing the length of the untranslated region of the mRNA. The untranslated region of DNA encoding a protein of interest is altered to produce a shorter recombinant DNA having an untranslated region comprising a poly A addition signal (AATAAA) and less than about 300 nucleotide bases interposed between said poly A signal and the stop codon 3' of the coding region of the gene of interest. The mammalian cell line is transfected and cultured to produce greater amounts of the protein of interest than the same cell line transfected with the unaltered DNA.

Abstract: A baculovirus transfer vector incorporates a restriction site into which a foreign gene may be cloned a short distance downstream of the N-terminus of the polyhedrin gene body and the natural ATG translation start codon for the polyhedrin gene is not provided such that the N-terminal polyhedrin coding sequence prior to the restriction site is retained but not capable of being translated.

Abstract: An improved vector upon introduction into a suitable host containing the thermolabile repressor C.sub.I renders the host capable of effecting expression of a desired gene. The vector is a double-stranded DNA molecule which includes in 5' to 3' order the following: the promoter and operator P.sub.L O.sub.L from lambda bacteriophage; the N utilization site; a first restriction enzyme site permitting replacement of the ribosomal binding site which follows thereafter; a ribosomal bindig site; an ATG initiation codon or DNA which is converted into an ATG initiation codon upon insertion of the desired gene into the vector; a second restriction enzyme site for inserting the gene in phase with the ATG codon; a T.sub.1 T.sub.2 rRNA transcription termination sequence; an origin of replication; and a fragment designated CI.sup.434 on which is included the gene for the repressor protein and its associated promoter and operator.

Abstract: A polyhedrin gene of Spodoptera litura nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SlNPV C-411) has the following restriction enzyme cleavage map and about 3 kilobase pairs: ##STR1## At least a part of said polyhedrin gene can be substituted by a gene coding for a useful substance to construct a vector and a recombinant virus, and it is possible to produce a useful substance such as a peptide, protein or glycoprotein by culturing a cell infected with the recombinant virus.

Abstract: An improved plasmid for the production of superoxide dismutase which upon introduction into a host containing the thermolabile repressor C.sub.I renders the host capable of effecting expression of a gene encoding superoxide dismutase. The plasmid includes in 5' to 3' order the following: the promoter and operator P.sub.L O.sub.L from lambda bacteriophage; the N utilization site; a first restriction enzyme site permitting replacement of the ribosomal binding site which follows thereafter; a ribosomal binding site; an ATG initiation codon; a second restriction enzyme site; a gene encoding superoxide dismutase; an origin of replication and a gene associated with a selectable or identifiable phenotypic trait manifested when the plasmid is present in the host. The distance between the 3' end of P.sub.L O.sub.L and the 5' end of the N utilization site is less than about 80 base pairs.

Abstract: An efficient, versatile and simple expression system which confers cap-independent translation to prokaryotic RNAs in eukaryotic cells has been described. The utility of recombinant vaccinia virus for this purpose has been illustrated.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns three novel peptides which have the property of interfering with the biosynthesis of the enzyme trypsin in an insect gut. This property enables the use of these peptides to inhibit the formation of progeny in blood-ingesting insects, since trypsin is an essential enzyme for food digestion which provides the essential building blocks for egg development in such insects.