Abstract: A method of harvesting mesenchymal stem cells from human amniotic fluid uses a two-stage culture protocol comprising culturing human amniocytes and then culturing mesenchymal stem cells. For culturing human amniocytes, primary amniocyte cultures are set up using routine or standard culture protocol in a cytogenetic laboratory. Non-adherent human amniotic fluids cells in the supernatant medium are collected. For culturing mesenchymal stem cells (“MSC”), the non-adherent cells are centrifuged and then plated with an alpha-modified Minimum Essential Medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum. Incubate with humidified CO2 for MSC growth. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (“RT-PCR”) and immunocytochemical analyses reveal that Oct-4 mRNA and OCT-4 protein expression is detectable in the cultured amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (“AFMSCs”). Under differentiation culture conditions, the AFMSCs can be induced to develop into multi-lineage cells, such as adipocytes, osteocytes, neuronal cells, etc.

Abstract: A diagnostic agent for colon cancer, which comprises a reagent for detecting a tannase high-producing bacterium or measuring an amount of tannase contained in an intracolonic microflora sample, and a test method for colon cancer, which comprises the step of detecting a tannase high-producing bacterium or measuring an amount of tannase contained in an intracolonic microflora sample.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel transcriptional activators and activation systems. The activators of the present invention comprise a DNA binding moiety linked to a short peptide of novel sequence. Preferably, the peptide is substantially hydrophobic. Preferred peptides include at least one aromatic amino acid. The present invention also provides improved transcriptional activation systems, useful for the identification and characterization of protein—protein interactions. The invention also describes the production and use of certain TBP mutants that enhance transcriptional activation by some activators.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein which is involved in midecamycin biosynthesis, wherein the protein contains an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 10, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 22 to 26, and 28 to 38 or a modified amino acid sequence of the amino acid sequence having one or more amino acid modifications without affecting activity of the protein.

Abstract: Polypeptides that contain from 2 to 12 zinc finger-nucleotide binding regions that bind to nucleotide sequences of the formula (ANN)2–12 are provided. Polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides and methods of regulating gene expression with such polypeptides and polynucleotides are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a DNA sequences for regulating transcription of a structural gene encoding a polypeptide in a eukaryotic host cell comprising (a) a first DNA sequence to which RNA polymerase binds which DNA sequence comprises a mRNA initiation site; and further (b) one or more DNA sequence(s) to which RNA polymerase binds with or without a mRNA initiation site. The invention also relates to a DNA construct and an expression vector and a host cell comprising the DNA sequence of the invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for identifying nucleotide fragments that contain an open reading frame are provided. Compositions comprise a nucleotide sequence that encodes, in each of the three possible reading frames, an ATG start codon and a histidine tag, and vectors comprising such a nucleotide sequence. The vectors may be provided with cloning sites for insertion of nucleotide sequences of interest 5? or 3? to the 3-frame His-tag DNA sequence. Vectors also are provided with cloning sites for inserting nucleotide sequences of interest 3? of the ATG start codon and 5? of the 3-frame His-tag DNA sequence.

Abstract: Novel polynucleotides isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus, as well as probes and primers, genetic constructs comprising the polynucleotides, biological materials, including plants, microorganisms and multicellular organisms incorporating the polynucleotides, polypeptides expressed by the polynucleotides, and methods for using the polynucleotides and polypeptides are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel bi-directional promoter. The present invention further provides methods of producing proteins of interest and methods of controlling gene expression using the bi-directional promoter. The present invention also provides methods of expressing one or more proteins of interest from a novel bi-directional promoter of the present invention. The present invention thus provides improved methods of regulating gene expression in plants or other organisms and expressing one or more proteins concurrently in a variety of cell types.

Abstract: The present invention relates to exogenous mutant HSF (mutHSF encoded by exogenous DNA) alters expression or synthesis of endogenous heat shock protein (hsp) genes in eukaryotic cells, tissues and organisms (e.g., mammalian, particularly human, cells, tissues and organisms). As described herein, mutHSF has been shown to regulate expression of endogenous hsp in cells and, as a result, to alter the response of the cells to stress. The mutHSF of the present invention is either positively-acting mutHSF or negatively-acting mutHSF.

Abstract: The present invention provides transcription factors associated with the hedgehog signaling pathway that are regulated by dephosphorylation by phosphatases. Hedgehog response elements (HRE) that interact with the dephosphorylated transcription factors are also provided as well as methods for identifying compounds that are phosphatase inhibitors. Methods of treating tumors in a subject by modulating the phosphorylation of the transcription factor are also included.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules comprising a regulatory element that activates gene expression in response to DNA damage operatively linked to a DNA sequence that encodes a light emitting reporter protein, recombinant vectors containing such DNA molecules and cells containing the DNA molecules or recombinant vectors. A method of detecting for the presence of an agent that causes or potentiates DNA damage is also disclosed which involves subjecting the above-described cells to a putative DNA damaging agent and monitoring the expression of the light emitting reporter protein from the cell.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided various methods for modulating the expression of an exogenous gene in an isolated cell and in a mammalian subject employing modified ecdysone receptors. Also provided are modified ecdysone receptors, as well as homomeric and heterodimeric receptors containing same, nucleic acids encoding invention modified ecdysone receptors, modified hormone response elements, gene transfer vectors, recombinant cells, and transgenic animals containing nucleic acids encoding invention modified ecdysone receptor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reporter molecules and tags that may be used to monitor a target substance in a biological system. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of an apo metal binding protein as a reporter molecule or tag. An apo metal binding protein may be bound to a protein or tissue or introduced into a cell. The invention also relates to methods of utilizing the apo metal binding protein for detecting a cell expressing a protein of interest, localizing a protein in a cell, and designing a therapeutic agent for treating a disease or infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for modulating expression of a genetic sequence by introducing, creating or deleting one or more pseudo-translation initiation sites in the nucleotide sequence of an mRNA, upstream of the authentic translation initiation site of an open reading frame. Expression of the genetic sequence can be further modulated by introducing, creating or removing Kozac or Kozac-like sequences proximal to the pseudo-translation initiation site(s). Moreover, expression can be manipulated by the introduction, creation or removal of a termination signal prior to the authentic translation initiation site or after this site but in a different reading frame relative to the reading frame determined by the authentic translation initiation site. Nucleic acid molecules useful for practicing the present methods are also provided. The present invention further provides a method for detecting a disease condition associated with a particular level of expression of a gene or other genetic sequence.

Abstract: Untranslated regions associated with the heat shock response can be used to obtain increased efficiency of translation of polypeptides that are not necessarily normally associated with the heat shock response. This allows the development of greatly improved expression systems. The invention is also useful, for example, in the treatment of a patient suffering from a deficiency in the expression of a polypeptide and in the provision of vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nuclease resistant nucleic acids in general and ribonuclease resistant RNAs in particular. Methods of making and using such nucleic acids are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of identifying inhibitors of the fusion of two types of cells, particularly when fusion is mediated by the interaction of a viral protein and such cellular proteins as CD4 and chemokine receptors, are disclosed. The methods are suitable for identifying substances that are useful for the treatment and prevention of viral diseases. Particularly preferred methods are useful for the identification of inhibitors of HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: A methodology that allows for highly efficient transfer and stable integration of DNA into both established eukaryotic cell lines and primary cells, including non-dividing cells such as human peripheral blood monocytes and macrophages, entails the use of a synthetic polypeptide comprised of a peptide domain which corresponds to a nuclear localization signal sequence and a DNA binding domain which is rich in basic amino acids, separated by a hinge region of neutral acid which prevents stearic interference between the two domains. A synthetic polypeptide that allows for highly efficient transfer of DNA into eukaryotic cells, including, for example, non-dividing cells such as human peripheral blood monocytes and macrophages.

Abstract: Disclosed are libraries of DNA sequences encoding zinc finger binding motifs for display on a particle, together with methods of designing zinc finger binding polypeptides for binding to a particular target sequence and, inter alia, use of designed zinc finger polypeptides for various in vitro or in vivo applications.