Abstract: Novel constructs in plasmids are provided for evaluating the efficiency of expression and secretion of structural genes. The constructs provide for transcriptional and translational regulatory regions, a signal sequence and structural gene, which also may be readily excised and substituted, so as to allow for mixing and matching of regulatory regions, signal sequences and genes to evaluate regions for use in the expression of a desired peptide. Particularly, synthetic regions are provided which may be used with other synthetic regions or wild-type regions.Plasmids are provided for screening Bacillus genomic sequences for regulatory regions, particularly promoters employing a structural gene secreting an enzyme which can produce a product which allows for visual detection.

Abstract: Promoters capable of ensuring expression in yeast of genes coding for heterologous polypeptides are disclosed, which comprise a DNA fragment or mutants or sub-fragments thereof, said promoter comprising a definite nucleotide sequence commencing with an EcoRI site and terminated by another restriction site. Also disclosed are vector plasmids containing the promoters, transformed yeasts comprising these plasmids, and a process for preparing polypeptides and especially a 1,4-.beta.-N-acetylmuramidase.

Abstract: Mammalian Interleukin-7 proteins (IL-7s), DNAs and expression vectors encoding mammalian IL-7s, and processes for producing mammalian IL-7s as products of cell culture, including recombinant systems, are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a biphasic shuttle vector capable replication and expression of foreign genetic information in Escherichia coli and Agmenellum quadruplicatum comprising an E. coli replicon, an A. quadruplicatum replicon, at least two selectable markers and a promoter derived from A. quadruplicatum. The invention further provides an ectopic mutant of Agmenellum quadruplicatum PR-6 characterized by displaying less AquI interference with unmodified plasmids than the PR-6 strain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to genes, termed Rpt-1 (regulatory protein T lymphocyte-1), which are expressed at higher levels by resting CD4.sup.+ helper/inducer T cells relative to activated CD4.sup.+ cells. The invention also relates to the proteins encoded by such genes, termed rpt-1 proteins, which regulate gene expression directed by the promoter region of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2r) alpha chain gene or by the promoter region of the long terminal repeat of human lymphotropic retroviruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-I, and HTLV-II. In particular, rpt-1 proteins down-regulate gene expression controlled by the promoter of the IL-2r alpha chain gene or by the promoter of the long terminal repeat of HIV-1. The proteins and nucleic acids of the invention have value in diagnosis and therapy of immune disorders such as AIDS.

Abstract: A plasmid transformation system for Rhodococcus was developed using an Escherichia coli-Rhodococcus shuttle plasmid. Rhodococcus sp. H13-A contains three cryptic indigenous plasmids, designated pMVS100, pMVS200 and pMVS300, of 75, 19.5 and 13.4 kilobases (Kb), respectively. A 3.8 Kb restriction fragment of pMVS300 was cloned into pIJ30, a 6.3 Kb pBR322 derivative, containing the E. coli origin of replication (ori) and ampicillin resistance determinant (bla) as well as a Streptomyces gene for thiostrepton resistance, tsr. The resulting 10.1 Kb recombinant plasmid, designated pMVS301, was isolated from E. coli DH1 (pMVS301) and transformed into Rhodococcus sp. AS-50, a derivative of strain H13-A, by polyethylene glycol-assisted transformation of Rhodococcus protoplasts and selection for thiostrepton-resistant transformants. This strain was deposited with the ATCC on Feb. 1, 1988 and assigned ATCC 53719.The plasmid contains the Rhodococcus origin of replication.

Abstract: Recombinant diphtheria toxin A fragment muteins which are enzymatically inactive but immunologically crossreactive with diphtheria toxin are disclosed. Intermediates and methods for preparing such proteins using recombinant techniques are also described.

Abstract: A method of proliferating vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (i.e., VAM fungi) is disclosed which comprises inoculating VAM fungi in a soil medium containing a potato and a porous amphoteric ion exchanger, an accelerator and, optionally, in the presence of a VAM formation accelerator.An advantage gained by the use of VAM fungi in cultivation of plants can be found in the fact that smaller amounts of fertilizers need be used when combined with VAM fungi, as opposed to the use of fertilizers alone.

Abstract: Peptides which can be recognized by antibodies acting both against the "C" and "D" particles of the same poliovirus and against the VP-1 structural polypeptides of this capsid of the poliovirus. These peptides comprise the amino acid sequence: Asp Asn Pro Ala Ser Thr Thr Asn Lys Asp Lys Leu; and one or more additional amino acids in a specified sequence.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for producing tissue plasminogen activator. The process comprises cultivating Escherichia coli, yeast, or mammalian cells into which the vector having the gene for human tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been introduced by the recombinant DNA technology. In the cultivation or purification process, a specific antiplasmin agent, which is one of the protease inhibitors, is added to the medium and/or the buffer solutions used for purification, so as to prevent the conversion of single-chain form tPA into double-chain form tPA by a protease which is present in the medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in a method for producing interleukin-2 by cultivating a transformant of Escherichia coli capable of producing interleukin-2 into a medium, which comprises inoculating said Escherichia coli into the medium of pH from about 4.8 to 6.0 and growing it while maintaining this pH range.By the method of the present invention, the interleukin-2 productivity is considerably improved.

Abstract: A new restriction enzyme, Mfe I, has been discovered. Mfe I recognizes the sequence CAATTG and cuts at the recognition sequence C'AATTG and generates compatible cohesive ends with EcoRI cleaved fragments. Various utilities of the enzyme have been described.

Abstract: A method is described of obtaining cellulase deficient strains which have great ability to degrade lignin at the same time. The method comprises crossing a homokaryotic cellulase deficient mutant of a white-rot fungus having a full sexual cycle with a homokaryotic strain of the same fungus, this strain having great lignin degrading ability. Strains are subsequently selected that have great lignin degrading ability in combination with cellulase deficiency. A suitable white-rot fungis is Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The crossings are suitably performed for a plurality of generations. The strain of white-rot fungus obtained is used for delignifying lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: Disclosed are discreet functionally translocatable DNA segments, termined Sterol Regulatory Elements (SRE's), which are fused to heterologous structural genes to provided sterol regulatory capability to the thus formed hybrid gene. The hybrid genes respond to sterols by decreasing the production of messenger RNA. The SRE segments contain as their primary functional nucleotide sequence, a 16 bp sequence referred to as direct repeat 2, isolated from the 5' regions of the human LDL receptor gene. DNA segments which include this 16 nucleotide long sequence similarly confer sterol regulatory capability to previously known promoters such as the HSV TK promoter. Also disclosed are discreet sequences which confer positive transcription promotion to heterologous structural genes and promoters without conferring sterol responsivity. Methods are disclosed for employing these genetic control elements in a myriad of embodiments which provide for a fine-tune control of heterologous genes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis, GC 91, a sample of which has been deposited under the accession number NCTC 11821, or a derivative or mutant thereof having entomocidal activity against lepidopterous pests. The invention also relates to a process for producing a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis having improved entomocidal properties by combining into a single strain by plasmid transfer the different entomocidal properties of two respective starting strains. The new strains thus produced are useful in entomocidal compositions.

Abstract: A universal restriction endonuclease for cleaving a target DNA at a predetermined site. The universal restriction endonuclease utilizes a tailored oligodeoxynucleotide adapter in conjunction with a restriction enzyme which cuts DNA at a known distance from its recognition site. The oligodeoxynucleotide adapter mimics the relationship which exists in such enzymes between its recognition site and cut site.

Abstract: An isoenzyme from tomato, acid phosphatase-1 isoenzyme (Apase-1.sup.1), has ben purified to homogeneity and is subjected to amino acid sequencing and used to prepare anti-Apase-1 antibodies. The amino acid sequence permits design of probes to recover Apase-1.sup.1 -encoding cDNA; the antibodies are also useful for this purpose. The cDNA is useful to recover the genomic DNA encoding Apase-1.sup.1, which can then be used in walking or jumping techniques to recover the genomic DNA which confers nematode resistance, since this DNA resides immediately adjacent to the Apase-1.sup.1 gene on chromosome 6 of Lycopersicon esculentum.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding proteins processable by secretion leaders in recombinant hosts are described. The DNA sequences encode the NH.sub.2 -terminal region of proteins that are cleaved from a secretion leader and may be secreted through the cell membrane and, if present, cell wall in some cases. Proteins encoded by the DNA sequence have an NH.sub.2 -terminal amino acid sequence conforming to a consensus amino acid sequence that is processable by the particular secretion leader. DNA sequences encoding a consensus amino acid sequence processable by the diphterhia toxin secretion leader are disclosed. A novel Pseudomonas exotoxin and CSF-1 having NH.sub.2 -terminal sequences conforming to a consensus sequence are exemplified.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for stabilizing creatine kinase by disulphide modification, wherein creatine kinase is reacted in any desired sequence(a) with a molar excess of disulphide and/or thiosulphonate and(b) with a molar excess of water-soluble carbohydrate as carrier.

Abstract: An acyloxyacyl hydrolase from the human promyelocyte cell line HL-60 has been found to specifically hydrolyze fatty acids form their ester linkages to hydroxy groups of 3-hydroxyfatty acids, the latter being bound in turn to LPS glycosaminyl residues. The hydrolyzed fatty acids may include dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid and hexadecanoic acid. This enzyme showed a molecular weight between about 50,000 daltons and about 70,000 daltons.Altered bacterial LPS substantially without fatty acids bound in ester linkage to hydroxy groups of 3-hydroxyfatty acids covalently linked to a glucosaminyl moiety of LPS lipid A are produced. Since the structure of the lipid A moiety is highly conserved, acyloxyacyl hydrolase may act on LPS of many different pathogenic bacteria (for example Salmonella, Escherichia, Hemophilus, and Neisseria).