Abstract: The bacterium producing thermostable .alpha.-amylases of this invention is an anaerobic bacterium belonging to Clostridium. The thermostable .alpha.-amylases of this invention is novel .alpha.-amylases which are excellent in thermostability and acid resistance and have a slight calcium requirement. Said .alpha.-amylases are obtained by culturing the aforesaid bacteria and collecting the .alpha.-amylases from the culture. When the aforesaid .alpha.-amylase is used, sugar production process can be greatly rationalized.

Abstract: Low molecular weight chymotrypsin analogs exhibiting the binding and catalytic groups of the real enzyme of the formula ##STR1## where D equals .alpha.-, .beta.- or .gamma.-cyclodextrin; P is X or (CH.sub.2).sub.n X, wherein n equals 0 to 2 and X equals S, NH, or 0; Q equals substituted phenyl with the carboxylate ion attached to the ortho position or equals (CH.sub.2).sub.n, wherein n equals 0 to 3; and R equals hydrogen --CH.sub.3 or --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.The enzyme models are useful as an analytical model mimicking the real enzyme, a stain remover, a laundry detergent additive, a food additive, and as a therapeutic agent for treating enzyme deficiencies.

Abstract: Cloning and expression vectors for hepatitis B HBxAg, cell cultures containing those vectors, and diagnostic systems and methods for assaying for the presence of HBxAg and anti-HBxAg in a body sample are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing L-arginine by transforming a host microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium or Brevibacterium with a recombinant DNA of a DNA fragment containing a gene involved in the biosynthesis of L-arginine and a vector DNA, culturing the transformant in a nutrient medium, accumulating L-arginine in the culture medium and recovering L-arginine therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel DNA compounds which encode human protein C activity. A variety of eukaryotic and prokaryotic recombinant DNA expression vectors have been constructed that comprise the novel protein C activity-encoding DNA and drive expression of protein C activity when transformed into an appropriate host cell. The novel expression vectors can be used to produce protein C derivatives, such as non-carboxylated, non-glycosylated, or non-hydroxylated protein C, and to produce protein C precursors, such as nascent or zymogen protein C, and to produce sub-fragments of protein C, such as active or inactive light and heavy chain. The recombinant-produced protein C activity is useful in the treatment and prevention of a variety of vascular disorders.

Abstract: A novel alteration of a viral DNA sequence, derived from a human adenovirus type 3 mutant (Ad3) designaed Ad3h15, provides a transcriptional control element which can be used to regulate expression of a selected gene in animal and human cells. The Ad3h15 control element blocks transcription of a controlled gene in the presence of the products of the Ad3 E1A gene, and amplifies transcription in the presence of type 5 (Ad5) adenovirus E1A gene products.

Abstract: Construction of a recombinant bacterial host which is substantially immune to a normally infectious viral agent is disclosed. In one embodiment a foreign recombinant reproducible gene segment is inserted into the bacterial cell. The gene segment is a partially defective variant of a gene segment from the infectious virus of interest. The viral gene segment, in its naturally occurring and fully operational form, normally codes for a non-repressor protein which participates in a multi-protein complex used in the development of the virus. However, the partially defective gene present in the bacterial cell codes for a defective protein that will bind to the remainder of the multi-protein complex with a greater affinity than the virus' fully operational protein. The "new" protein complex will therefore be inactive and will inhibit the ability of the foreign agent to use the multi-protein complex for its development.

Abstract: A method for constructing polyproteins which can perform multiple sequential activities. A DNA sequence is constructed using genetic engineering techniques to insert sequences encoding the desired proteins into a plasmid, in the correct order, following a single promoter element and before a single stop codon. The reading frames of the mRNA sequences are phased so that a polyprotein with the desired activities, in the required order, is produced.Modified polyproteins can be produced by inserting or substituting amino acids into the mRNA sequence to create spaces between the individual proteins, to increase the stability of the total polyprotein, to change the spatial orientation of the individual proteins relative to each other and their substrates, and to modify the activity of the individual proteins.

Abstract: A novel superoxide dismutase prepared from a superoxide dismutase-producing strain of the genus Nocardiopsis. The enzyme is a tetramer with a molecular weight of about 8.8.times.10.sup.4, composed of sub-units of about 2.2.times.10.sup.4. The superoxide dismutase contains 1.56 g-atoms of iron per mole but no copper or manganese. Potassium cyanide at a concentration of 1 mM does not inhibit activity, however exponential inactivation is caused by 5 mM hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A method is described that dedicates specialized ribosomes to the synthesis of desired proteins. DNA which encodes rRNA having a mutant anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence is used to transform a host cell in combination with DNA encoding messsenger RNA for the desired protein having a complementary mutant Shine-Dalgarno sequence. Since the mutant sequences are selected so as to be substantially unrecognized by either endogenous messenger RNA or ribosomes, respectively, the synthesis of protein proceeds in a dedicated system without interference from other host cell protein synthetic machinery.

Abstract: A cDNA having a base sequence for human skin fibroblast collagenase has been cloned and characterized and the amino acid sequence of the human skin fibroblast protein has been determined.

Abstract: High yields of active Factor IX are produced by culturing a CHO cell line transfected with chromosomally-integrated Factor IX cDNA in medium to which vitamin K is added.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of optically pure D- or L-lactic acid by fermentation of an aqueous nutrient medium, which contains nitrogen, vitamins, aminoacids, sugars and trace elements, by means of a microorganism, at pH 4-6, wherein the nutrient medium contains brewers' yeast as the source of nitrogen, vitamins, aminoacids and trace elements.

Abstract: A vector including a DNA sequence encoding a secretory signal sequence substantially identical to the secretory signal encoding sequence of the Bacillus licheniformis .alpha.-amylase gene; upstream from the signal-encoding sequence, a promoter sequence and a ribosome binding site sequence, transcription of the signal-encoding sequence being under the control of the promoter sequence; and downstream from the signal-encoding sequence, a site for the insertion into the vector of a heterologous DNA sequence, in reading frame with the signal-encoding sequence.

Abstract: Biologically active PDGF analogs expressed in yeast are disclosed. The analogs are produced by yeast strains transformed with an extrachromosomal element composed of a strong transcriptional promoter directing the expression of a gene which encodes a protein having substantially the same biological activity as PDGF. Suitable genes include the v-sis gene or a derivative of the v-sis gene of simian sarcoma virus or portions thereof, or the human cDNA gene for PDGF or portions thereof. A secretory signal sequence may be provided upstream of the gene, enabling secretion of the gene product from the yeast host cell. Mitogenic activity is one of the biological activities possessed by these PDGF analogs, making them useful in promoting the growth of mammalian cells.

Abstract: Enhanced resistance to glyphosate, an inhibitor of the aromatic amino acid biosynthesis pathway, is imparted to a glyphosate sensitive host. A mutated aroA gene is employed which expresses 5-enolpyruvyl-3- phosphoshikimate synthase (EC: 2.5.1.19) (ES-3-P synthase). Methods are provided for obtaining the aroA mutation which provides the enzyme resistant to inhibition by glyphosate, means for introducing the structural gene into a sensitive host, as well as providing a method of producing the enzyme.The E. coli strain C600(pPMG1) has been deposited at the A.T.C.C. on Dec. 14, 1982 and given A.T.C.C. Accession No. 39256.

Abstract: Cloned mouse hybridoma cell lines have been established which continuously produce antibodies that differentiate between the M and N forms of human glycophorin A. These antibodies have potential application as human blood group reagents, as markers for terminally differentiated erythroid cells and as immunofluorescent labels of somatically variant human erythrocytes.

Abstract: A trace element mixture suitable for use in a protein-free tissue culture medium, which comprises water-soluble compounds selected from acids, bases, and salts containing copper, iron, zinc, manganese, silicon, molybdenum, vanadium, nickel, tin, aluminum, silver, barium, bromine, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, fluorine, germanium, iodine, rubidium, zirconium, or selenium, the compounds being devoid of any additional metals other than those present as positive ions selected from groups IA and IIA of the periodic table of elements, wherein the compounds produce a solution containing specified minimum concentrations of the listed elements when dissolved in an amount of water sufficient to produce a concentration for one of the elements equal to the corresponding minimum concentration of the one element while maintaining each remaining element at a concentration equal to or greater than the minimum concentration for the remaining element is disclosed along with cell culture media containing these trace elements and m

Abstract: Disclosed are vaccine compositions for use in developing protective immunity against infection by Plasmodium parasites. Soluble proteinaceous immunogens are isolated from the fluid culture medium of in vitro propagated plasmodial species parasites (e.g., P.falciparum) in mammalian erythrocyte culture supernatant or from washes, including hypotonic washes, of cultured erythrocytes parasitized by plasmodium. Immunogens so obtained have molecular weights in the range from about 35,000 daltons to about 85,000 daltons. Two principal immunogens of the invention have molecular weights of about 42,000 and 54,000 daltons, respectively. The water soluble immunogens are administered in a suitable carrier such as isotonic salt solution and in combination with a suitable adjuvant such as saponin or, preferably, aluminum hydroxide.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microbially pure culture of Brevibacterium acetylicum AT-6-7, ATCC 39311 or a mutant thereof which has nucleoside phosphorylase activity.