Abstract: The present invention provides a conditionally replicating viral vector, methods of making, modifying, propagating and selectively packaging, and using such a vector, isolated molecules of specified nucleotide and amino acid sequences relevant to such vectors, a pharmaceutical composition and a host cell comprising such a vector, the use of such a host cell to screen drugs. The methods include the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of viral infection, in particular HIV infection, and, thus, are also directed to viral vaccines and the treatment of cancer, in particular cancer of viral etiology. Other methods include the use of such conditionally replicating viral vectors in gene therapy and other applications.

Abstract: Nucleic acid catalysts, method of screening/selection for nucleic acid catalysts, synthesis of ribozyme libraries and discovery of gene sequences involved in a biological process are described.

Abstract: This invention dicloses compositions of matter that are oligonucleotide analogs containing one or more improvements, where the improvement consists of replacing one or more of the phosphodiester linking units (—O—PO2−—O—) by a dimethylene sulfide (—CH2—S—CH2—), sulfoxide (—CH2—SO—CH2—), or sulfone linking unit (—CH2—SO2—CH2—). This linkage is stable to degradation both by enzymes and by alkaline hydrolysis, contains no stereogenic atoms, and confers improved stability and the ability to fold into tertiary structure upon natural oligonucleotides and their analogs.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides are provided which are targeted to nucleic acids encoding human raf and capable of inhibiting raf expression. The oligonucleotides may have chemical modifications at one or more positions and may be chimeric oligonucleotides. Methods of inhibiting the expression of human raf using oligonucleotides of the invention are also provided. The present invention further comprises methods of inhibiting hyperproliferation of cells and methods of treating or preventing conditions, including hyperproliferative conditions, associated with raf expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditionally replicating viral vector, methods of making, modifying, propagating and selectively packaging, and using such a vector, isolated molecules of specified nucleotide and amino acid sequences relevant to such vectors, a pharmaceutical composition and a host cell comprising such a vector, the use of such a host cell to screen drugs. The methods include the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of viral infection, in particular HIV infection, and, thus, are also directed to vital vaccines and the treatment of cancer, in particular cancer of viral etiology. Other methods include the use of such conditionally replicating viral vectors in gene therapy and other applications.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides are provided which are targeted to nucleic acids encoding human raf and capable of inhibiting raf expression. Methods of inhibiting the expression of human raf using oligonucleotides of the invention are also provided. The present invention further comprises methods of preventing or inhibiting hyperproliferation of cells and methods of treating abnormal proliferative conditions which employ oligonucleotides of the invention.

Abstract: Cyanobacteria incorporating a gene from Bacillus sp. encoding for insecticidal proteins (endotoxins) is described. The endotoxins are particularly effective against Diptera (mosquito) larvae. Recombinant vectors for transforming DNA fragments of the endotoxin gene or genes into the Cyanobacterium are described. The Cyanobacteria are easily grown in ponds or the like where the mosquitos or other insects breed.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel human genes, for example a novel human gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the amino acid sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:1. The use of the genes makes it possible to detect the expression of the same in various tissues, analyze their structures and functions, and produce the human proteins encoded by the genes by the technology of genetic engineering. Through these, it becomes possible to analyze the corresponding expression products, elucidate the pathology of diseases associated with the genes, for example hereditary diseases and cancer, and diagnose and treat such diseases.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides and other macromolecules are provided that have increased nuclease resistance, substituent groups for increasing binding affinity to complementary strand, and sub-sequences of 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl nucleotides that activate RNase H enzyme. Such oligonucleotides and macromolecules are useful for diagnostics and other research purposes, for modulating protein in organisms, and for the diagnosis, detection and treatment of other conditions susceptible to antisense therapeutics.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta are provided.

Abstract: A kit for detecting a first substance in a sample including a stabilized 1,2-dioxetane bearing an enzyme-labile substituent, which is destabilized and caused to decompose by contacting the 1,2-dioxetane with an enzyme under conditions which cause the enzyme to cleave the enzyme-labile group from the dioxetane, thereby yielding a negatively charged oxygen anion bonded to the 1,2-dioxetane, which causes the 1,2-dioxetane to decompose without input from an external excitation energy source, the decomposition being accompanied by chemiluminescence; and a second component selected from the group consisting of a specific affinity substance (e.g., an antigen, an antibody or a nucleic acid probe) and an enzyme which destabilizes said 1,2-dioxetane.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha are provided.

Abstract: A first preferred peptide containing composition has therapeutically beneficial components, i.e., which heighten the phagocytic activity of neutrophils, consisting of molecules with a molecular weight of at least 8 kDa, and preferably at least 15 kDa. The beneficial components comprise peptides which will absorb light at an absorption band of &Dgr;&lgr;=200-235 nm, &lgr;max=205 nm, in the UV spectrum. The preparation is nontoxic and is formulated using casein, blood albumin, beef peptone, nucleic acid (RNA) and a base such as sodium hydroxide. The preparation stimulates phagocytic activity of neutrophils, if used at sufficient concentrations. A second preferred preparation is obtained using the same components of manufacture, but filtering or centrifuging the preparation to provide a composition containing components exclusively having a molecular weight of <8-15 kDa which inhibits phagocytic activity of neutrophils.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of Telomeric repeat binding factor 2. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding Telomeric repeat binding factor 2. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of Telomeric repeat binding factor 2 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of Telomeric repeat binding factor 2 are provided.

Abstract: E. coli strains derived form E. coli strain VNIIgenetika 472t23 and obtained by a process involving transduction by bacteriophage P1 which bears a transposon which inactivates threonine dehydrogenase activity and isolation of a transductant lacking threonine dehydrogenase activity are useful for producing L-threonine.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptide nucleic acids that inhibit telomerase activity in mammalian cells.

Abstract: The molecules and methods of the present invention provide a means for in vivo production of a trans-spliced molecule in a selected subset of cells. The pre-trans-splicing molecules of the invention are substrates for a trans-splicing reaction between the pre-trans-splicing molecules and a pre-mRNA which is uniquely expressed in the specific target cells. The in vivo trans-splicing reaction provides a novel mRNA which is functional as mRNA or encodes a protein to be expressed in the target cells. The expression product of the mRNA is a protein of therapeutic value to the cell or host organism a toxin which causes killing of the specific cells or a novel protein not normally present in such cells. The invention further provides PTMs that have been genetically engineered for the identification of exon/intron boundaries of pre-mRNA molecules using an exon tagging method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase (glucanase EII endohydrolase) enzyme, whose amino acid sequence has been modified in order to provide an enzyme whose three-dimensional structure confers improved thermostability and/or pH stability. Specific modifications are based upon a comparison between the three-dimensional structure (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase and that of (1→3)-&bgr;-glucanase. The (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase gene has been modified by site-directed mutagenesis, and modified enzymes have been expressed in E. coli. Modified sequences, DNA molecules encoding them, plasmids, expression vectors and transgenic plants are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes methods for predicting whether an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) will be efficacious for inhibiting expression of a gene. The invention also includes methods of making efficacious ASOs, comprising a 5′-TCCC-3′ motif or another chemical entity which is capable of Watson-Crick-type base-pairing with a 5′-GGGA-3′ motif in an RNA molecule such as a primary transcript or an mRNA. The invention further includes ASOs which are useful for inhibiting expression of one of tumor necrosis factor-a in a mammal. Methods of treating an animal comprising a disease or disorder which is characterized by the presence of an RNA molecule in a cell of the animal are also included.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of cytohesin-2. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding cytohesin-2. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of cytohesin-2 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of cytohesin-2 are provided.