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: A dry powder composition comprises nucleic acid constructs dispersed within with a hydrophilic excipient material, where the powder particles have an average size in the range from 0.5 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m. Nucleic acid constructs may comprise bare nucleic acid molecules, viral vectors, or vesicle structures. The hydrophilic excipient material will be selected to stabilize the nucleic acid molecules in the constructs, enhance dispersion of the nucleic acid in dry powder aerosols, and enhance wetting of the nucleic acid constructs as they are delivered to moist target locations within the body.

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: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of MEKK2. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding MEKK2. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of MEKK2 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of MEKK2 are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of skin disorders, and in particular proliferative and/or inflammatory skin disorders, and to genetic molecules useful for same. The present invention is particularly directed to genetic molecules capable of modulating growth factor interaction with its receptor on epidermal keratinocytes to inhibit, reduce or otherwise decrease stimulation of this layer of cells. The present invention contemplates, in a most preferred embodiment, a method for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of psoriasis.

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.

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

Abstract: A novel human signal-transduction kinase polypeptide is described which is expressed at a particularly high level in human leukocytes. A full length cDNA which encodes the novel stress-activated serine/threonine kinase polypeptide is disclosed as well as the interior structural region and the amino acid residue sequence of the native biological molecule. Methods are provided to identify compounds that modulate the biological activity of the human Ste20-like stress-activated serine/threonine signal transduction kinase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence, called “polyribozyme”, which has an endoribonuclease activity and is capable of inactivating the gene for the capsid protein of a virus, characterized in that it comprises: i) a sequence complementary to at least a part of the gene or its transcript or to its replication intermediates and, includes at distinct sites in this complementary sequence: ii) a plurality of ribozyme catalytic regions; iii) and, optionally, one or more sequences non-complementary to the transcript of the said gene, the said non-complementary sequence(s) being inserted between two consecutive bases of the complementary sequence.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of integrin &agr;4. Antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding integrin &agr;4 are preferred. Methods of using these compounds for modulating integrin &agr;4 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of integrin &agr;4 are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a novel CREBa polypeptide isoform, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptide, expression constructs comprising the polynucleotides, host cell transformed or transfected with the polynucleotides, methods for producing the polypeptide, and methods to identify inhibitors of binding between the CREBa and other polypeptides or polynucleotides.

Abstract: A C-terminal &agr;-amidating enzyme of Xenopus laevis and precursor thereof produced by a recombinant DNA technique; a DNA coding for the enzyme or precursor thereof; a plasmid containing the DNA; a host organism transformed with the plasmid; a process for production of the enzyme using the transformant; and a process for production of a C-terminal &agr;-amidated peptide using the enzyme.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a compound having the formula: as defined in the detailed description. The compound may be covalently linked to a delivery agent. The invention also includes a composition which comprises the compound in association with an acceptable carrier. The invention also includes a method of cleaving an RNA target sequence which comprises contacting a target sequence with the compound as described above. Further, a method of treating a disease in man or animals associated with a particular RNA which comprises administrating to the man or animal the compound. Further, the invention also includes a diagnostic reagent which comprises the compound.

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: A method for transfecting and separating cells is disclosed. The method comprises preparing magnetic particles coated with genetic material and a cell-specific ligand, and using the particles to transfect target cells. The target cells may then be separated from the non-target cells by using a magnetic field.