Abstract: New sub-monomer synthetic methods for the preparation of peptide nucleic acid oligomeric structures are disclosed that provide for the synthesis of both predefined sequence peptide nucleic acid oligomers as well as random sequence peptide nucleic acid oligomers. Further these methods also provide for the incorporation of peptide nucleic acid units or strings of such units with amino acids or strings of amino acids in chimeric peptide nucleic acid-amino acid compounds. Further disclosed are method of making random libraries of peptide nucleic acids using the fully preformed monomers.

Abstract: Isolated DNAs (e.g., cDNAs or genomic fragments) encoding TGF-.beta. type I receptors, or soluble, ligand-binding fragments thereof; vectors or cells which contain such DNAs; and substantially pure polypeptides encoded by such DNAs, whether produced by expression of the isolated DNAs, by isolation from natural sources, or by chemical synthesis.

Abstract: A novel class of compounds, known as peptide nucleic acids, bind complementary ssDNA and RNA strands more strongly than a corresponding DNA. The peptide nucleic acids generally comprise ligands such as naturally occurring DNA bases attached to a peptide backbone through a suitable linker.

Abstract: A novel method of screening for novel secreted mammalian proteins is described in which mammalian secretory leader sequences are detected using the yeast invertase gene as a reporter system.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotide sequences encoding human plasma platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase. Also provided are materials and methods for the recombinant production of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase products which are expected to be useful in regulating pathological inflammatory events.

Abstract: Glioma-derived growth factor is purified from the culture media used to maintain mammalian glioma cells. The protein stimulates mitogenesis of mammalian vascular endothelial cells and is useful for the promotion of vascular development and repair. This unique growth factor is also useful in the promotion of tissue repair.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode for part or all of glial growth factor molecules, as well as recombinant vectors and transfected cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a viral infection in an animal. The method comprises administering to said animal leukoregulin alone or in combination with an anti-viral chemotherapeutic agent. Herpes virus and herpes simplex virus infections are tested. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition suitable for use in such a method.

Abstract: DNA encoding the prepro inhibin .alpha. and .beta. chains has been isolated. This DNA is ligated into expression vectors and used to transform host cells for the preparation of inhibin or activin. Also provided are prohormone domains and other inhibin .alpha. or .beta. chain derivatives having therapeutic or diagnostic interest. The compositions provided herein are useful in the manipulation of fertility in animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA fragment containing a gene encoding acylamino acid racemase. The acylamino acid racemase can be produced industrially at high efficiency using the DNA fragment.

Abstract: Applicants describe methods for purifying human ApoE or analog thereof from recombinant bacterial cells with minimal protein aggregation and degradation during the purification process. The invention involves the addition of neutralized fatty acids to the medium during cell disruption and the use of a non-ionic detergent during the purification process. Additionally applicants describe a method for increasing the production of ApoE or analog thereof in a bacterial host by adding to the culture medium neutralized fatty acids, fatty acid precursors, triglycerides, triglyceride precursors or acetate. Pharmaceutical and diagnostic uses of the ApoE analog are described.

Abstract: A truncation of the human LDL receptor gene has been created which can be expressed in a heterologous host to produce a soluble fragment to the receptor protein. The gene can be expressed in insect cells in culture to produce a protein fragment which is not only water soluble but which also retains affinity for binding to LDL. The truncation is a truncation of the carboxyl terminus of the native LDL receptor gene which results in a 354 amino acid protein fragment designated LDL-R.sup.354.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a genomic DNA of human PACAP38; (2) a DNA containing a DNA segment coding for human PACAP38; (3) a DNA of human PACAP 38 promotor; (4) a transformant carrying a vector which contains a DNA of (3) or further contains a DNA coding for a protein downstream from the promotor; and (5) a method for preparing a protein comprising cultivating the transformant described in the above (4), accumulating the protein in a culture product, and collecting the resulting protein such as mature PACAP 38. The DNA gives human PACAP 38 effectively and makes it possible to screen the chemical substance necessary for production of PACAP and is applied to experimental animals to understand their brain functions, which serves to elucidate human brain functions. Human PACAP38 can also be utilized as therapeutic agents about growth and maintenance of human brain nerves.

Abstract: By the combined use of an agent which selectively dissolves tumor cells and which contains a protein fraction which has oxygen-liberating action and which is derived from the photosynthetic system of plants, together with a further agent which inhibits the proteases of the cancer cells and which has been obtained by means of extraction of embryonic tissue or maternal uterus tissue from placentals, it is possible to selectively dissolve the tumor by means of this agent without damaging the healthy organism. When used on its own, the abovementioned plant-derived agent shows an activity in the treatment of inflammatory processes and is also suitable for the aftertreatment of scars, keloids and damage caused by ionizing rays.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the human D4 dopamine receptor. The nucleotide sequence of the gene corresponding to this receptor and alleleic variants thereof are provided by the invention. The invention particularly provides recombinant eukaryotic expression constructs capable of expressing the human D4 dopamine receptor at useful levels in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells. The invention provides cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells which synthesize such useful amounts of human D4 dopamine receptor protein, and methods for characterizing novel psychotropic compounds using such cultures.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polypeptide which is obtained by means of genetic recombination DNA techniques and has thrombin binding ability, anticoagulant activity and thrombolytic activity. The polypeptide of the present invention can be produced in a large quantity and efficiently by means of genetic recombination techniques. Since the polypeptide of the present invention exhibits anticoagulant activity and thrombolytic activity without generating side effects such as bleeding tendency, it can be applied effectively to the prevention and treatment of hypercoagulability-related diseases.

Abstract: Provided is a chimeric HV1/HV3 hirudin analog useful as an anti-coagulant, exhibiting higher anti-thrombin activity and less tendency to cause bleeding than hirudin HV1. Also provided are a method of producing hirudins and hirudin analogs, as well as other proteins, employing secretion vectors, and transformed microorganisms such as E. coli. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising various hirudins or the chimeric HV1/HV3 hirudin analog of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also disclosed.

Abstract: Expression vector adapted for expression of cloned genes in an animal cell comprising a steroid responsive promoter, the promoter consisting essentially of a plurality of glucocorticoid response elements (GREs), a TATA box, and an initiator element containing a transcriptional initiator site located from 20 to 50 bases from the TATA box, the promoter lacking upstream elements which bind nuclear factor I, and the vector further comprising a restriction endonuclease site downstream from the promoter for insertion of DNA to be expressed from the promoter, wherein the DNA is expressed from the vector in an animal cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric neurotrophic factors which comprise at least a portion of a naturally occurring cellular factor and a portion of at least one other molecule such that the resulting chimeric molecule has neurotrophic activity. It is based, in part, on the discovery that chimeric molecules comprising portions of both NGF and BDNF are likely to possess neurotrotrophic activity, and in some cases exhibit a spectrum of activity larger than that of either parent molecule. It is further based on the discovery that chimeric molecules comprising neurotrophic factor sequences as well as additional peptide sequences may retain neurotrophic activity, and in some cases may exhibit a more potent activity than the parent factor. The chimeric neurotrophic factor molecules of the invention provide a number of advantages relative to naturally occurring neurotrophic factors.

Abstract: elk ligand (elk-L) polypeptides as well as DNA sequences, vectors and transformed host cells useful in providing elk-L polypeptides. The elk-L polypeptide binds to a cell surface receptor that is a member of the tyrosine kinase receptor family.