Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chimeric fibroblast growth factors (FGF) wherein the alanine at amino acid 3 and serine 5 of native human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor are replaced with glutamic acid. The N-terminus sequence of the present chimeric FGFs identify homology with that of human acidic fibroblast growth factor. The mitogenic properties of the native human recombinant basic FGF are exhibited by the present chimeric FGFs, and they are efficiently expressed in E. coli at significantly greater yields that previously reported. Novel variants of this new glu.sup.3,5 basic fibroblast growth factor, such as those in which cysteine 78 and cysteine 96 are replaced, e.g., with serine or other amino acids, to produce stabilized versions of the glu.sup.3,5 basic FGF and eliminate disulfide scrambled forms, are also described.

Abstract: Methods suitable for the protection inhibtion and prevention of the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species are provided, wherein an effective amount of a protective agent(s) selected from the group of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and -beta, growth hormone, IL-1, and D-factor is administered. Treatment of tissues and organs to be transplanted is described. Perfusion solutions and the preparation of perfused, excised tissue are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a mutein of a fibroblast growth factor (FGF), the DNA having introduced therein at least one nucleotide sequence coding for a glycosylation site, (2) a DNA coding for the mutein of (1), (3) a vector containing the DNA of (2), (4) a transformant transformed with the vector of (3), and (5) a process for producing the mutein which comprises cultivating in a culture medium the transformant of a yeast or animal cell transformed with a vector of (3), and producing and accumulating the mutein of (1) in the culture medium, whereby the FGF mutein into which at least one glycosylation site has been introduced is improved in productivity, stability and activities, and advantageously used as medicine.

Abstract: DNA structure specific recognition protein of eukaryotic origin and DNA encoding such a factor, as well as probes specific for DNA structure specific recognition protein or DNA encoding it and methods of detecting DNA structure specific recognition protein in eukaryotic cells. In particular, a mammalian cellular factor that selectively recognizes and binds DNA damaged or modified by a drug (the anticancer drug, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) or cisplatin) has been identified.

Abstract: This invention relates to interleukin inhibitors (IL-1 INHs) that selectively inhibit interleukin 1 activity. The invention also relates to processes for purifying such IL-1 INHs from urine and for producing such IL-1 INHs by hosts transformed with recombinant DNA molecules comprising DNA sequences encoding the inhibitors, and to methods of treatment and compositions characterized by such IL-1 INHs. These methods and agents are useful in immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory applications and therapies.

Abstract: Peptides of formula I ##STR1## in which R is hydrogen or acetyl and X is an amino acid sequence of formula -Ser-Leu-Asp-Ser-Pro-Arg-Ser- (Ia) or of formula -Arg-Ile-Ile-Ala-Gln- (Ib), and salts of such compounds, can be used for the treatment of diseases involving bone degeneration.

Abstract: Described are new glycoprotein hormones capable of competing with natural hormones for the normal receptor binding sites but substantially incapable of effecting post receptor activities. The glycoprotein hormones of the present invention have had specific (rather than all) oligosaccharide chains removed so as to effectively diminish biologic activity while not significantly reducing plasma half-life, thus improving the molecules effectiveness as an antagonist compared with conventionally-produced molecules. The preferred glycoprotein hormones are ideally obtained by site-directed mutagenesis to selectively deglycosylate the protein. Also described are therapeutic treatments comprising the administration of the recombinant glycoprotein hormones of the present invention as hormone antagonists.

Abstract: Modified ciliary neurotrophic factors and methods for their production and therapeutic use. Also described is a method of screening for novel therapeutic proteins by determining altered electrophoretic binding properties.

Abstract: A method of altering the receptor binding properties and the stability of neurotrophic factors is set forth. Mutant neurotrophic factors having altered receptor binding specificities are described. Specific embodiments include neurotrophic factors that bind trk receptors but do not bind to the low affinity NGF receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to large latent complexes of TGF-.beta.2 and TGF-.beta.3, and methods for isolating these. The complex consists of a dimerized form of TGF-.beta.2 or TGF-.beta.3, the appropriate latency associated peptide, and the latent TGF-.beta.1 binding protein, referred to as LTBP. Also described is a protein which binds to all of TGF-.beta.1, TGF-.beta.2 and TGF-.beta.3, but is immunologically distinct from LTBP, referred to as LTBP-2.

Abstract: An epitheliocyte growth accelerator containing a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as the active ingredient. In the present invention, the HGF maybe derived from human tissues, animal tissues, or blood components, or it may be produced genetic engineering. In this regard, the host cell to be used in the genetic engineering may be selected from among Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, yeasts, filamentous fungi, plant cells and animal cells. The epitheliocyte growth accelerator of the present invention specifically accelerates growth of normal epitheliocytes, and improves cell motility.The epitheliocyte growth accelerate of the present invention does not have fibroblast growing activity or canceration accelerating activity.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant native and mutein forms of human reproductive hormones with characteristic glycosylation patterns which are influential in the metabolic activity of the protein. The invention also provides recombinant mutant forms of the human alpha subunit common to FSH, LH, CG, and TSH, to obtain hormones which also have unique glycosylation patterns. Also provided are recombinant materials to produce these subunits separately or together to obtain complete heterodimeric hormones of regulated glycosylation pattern and activity. Modified forms of LH and FSH beta subunits which enhance the rate of dimerization and secretion of the dimers or individual chains are also disclosed.

Abstract: High molecular weight forms of therapeutic proteins are disclosed which are single-polypeptide-chain proteins that contain the same or similar therapeutic activity as the therapeutic protein. In particular, high molecular weight forms of the human bFGF angiogenic factor are disclosed which are single-polypeptide-chain proteins having at least one active site possessing an activity selected from the group consisting of mitogenic activity, chemotactic activity, angiogenic activity, neurotrophic activity, the ability to stimulate protease synthesis and combinations thereof. The high molecular weight angiogenic factors exhibit substantial homology to and are immunologically equivalent to the native high molecular weight forms isolatable from human hepatoma cells. The high molecular weight angiogenic factors are produced by DNA translation initiating at non-ATG codons and incorporate additional polypeptide sequences N-terminal to the human bFGF factor.

Abstract: Proteins which specifically inhibit coagulation Factor Xa. The inhibitors, which do not inhibit Factor VIIa, kallikrein, trypsin, chymotrypsin, thrombin, urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator, plasmin, elastase, Factor XIa or S. aureus V8 protease, are polypeptides of 60 amino acid residues. The inhibitors may be purified from Ornithodoros moubata extract, synthesized, or produced using a recombinant DNA yeast expression system.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a DNA containing a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (2) a precursor protein of PACAP38; (3) a transformant containing a DNA having a DNA segment coding for PACAP38; (4) a method for preparing mature PACAP38 comprising cultivating the transformant described in the above (3), producing and accumulating a protein in a culture, and collecting the resulting protein; and (5) a method for preparing the above polypeptide comprising condensing a partial amino acid or a peptide which can constitute the mature PACAP38, with a residual portion, and removing a protective group if a product has the protective group. The DNA is applied to experimental animals to understand their brain functions, which serves to elucidate human brain functions. PACAP38 provides information about growth and maintenance of rat and human brain nerves, and can also be utilized as therapeutic agents for various neuropathy.

Abstract: A growth factor protein similar in structure and function to hepatocyte growth factor has been discovered along with the DNA and cDNA coding for this in both the mouse and human. The DNA includes 18 exons and is homologous to DNA at the D3F15S2 locus on human chromosome 3; a region predicted to code for one or more tumor suppressor genes.

Abstract: Thrombocytopenia is treated by administering a subject suffering from thrombocytopenia a composition containing human B cell differentiation activity in combination with IL-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chimeric fibroblast growth factors (FGF) wherein the alanine at amino acid 3 and serine 5 of native human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor are replaced with glutamic acid. The N-terminus sequence of the present chimeric FGFs identify homology with that of human acidic fibroblast growth factor. The mitogenic properties of the native human recombinant basic FGF are exhibited by the present chimeric FGFs, and they are efficiently expressed in E. coli at significantly greater yields that previously reported. Novel variants of this new glu.sup.3,5 basic fibroblast growth factor, such as those in which cysteine 78 and cysteine 96 are replaced, e.g., with serine or other amino acids, to produce stabilized versions of the glu.sup.3,5 basic FGF and eliminate disulfide scrambled forms, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of large quantities of a novel chimeric TGF-.beta., termed TGF-.beta.1/.beta.2, by eucaryotic host cells transfected with recombinant DNA vectors containing the TGF-.beta.1/.beta.2 precursor coding sequence controlled by expression regulatory elements. Simian TGF-.beta.1 cDNA (Sharples et al., 1987, DNA 6:239-244) was modified so that the nucleotides encoding amino acid residue numbers 9-13, 17, 19, 25 and 26 of the mature TGF-.beta.1 sequence were hanged to the nucleotides encoding the corresponding amino acids of the mature TGF-.beta.2 structure. Simian codon usage was maintained. The chimeric TGF-.beta.1/.beta.2 of the invention induces effects on the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells equivalent to those induced by TGF-.beta.1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chimeric fibroblast growth factors (FGF) wherein the alanine at amino acid 3 and serine 5 of native human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor are replaced with glutamic acid. The N-terminus sequence of the present chimeric FGFs identify homology with that of human acidic fibroblast growth factor. The mitogenic properties of the native human recombinant basic FGF are exhibited by the present chimeric FGFs, and they are efficiently expressed in E. coli at significantly greater yields that previously reported. Novel variants of this new glu.sup.3,5 basic fibroblast growth factor, such as those in which cysteine 78 and cysteine 96 are replaced, e.g., with serine or other amino acids, to produce stabilized versions of the glu.sup.3,5 basic FGF and eliminate disulfide scrambled forms, are also described.