Abstract: Targeting molecules for use in delivering imaging agents to epithelial tissue are disclosed. Upon delivery, the imaging agent(s) may remain within an epithelial cell or may undergo transepithelial transport via transcytosis. The targeting molecules may be used, for example, for diagnostic techniques. The targeting molecule is a polypeptide, which may be produced by recombinant methods, that forms a closed covalent loop, contains at least three peptide domains having .beta.-sheet character which are separated by domains lacking .beta.-sheet character, specifically binds to a basolateral factor attached to a basolateral domain of an epithelial surface causing uptake of a linked imaging agent into cells of the epithelial surface, and is not a full length dimeric Iga. Preferably, the polypeptide is a J chain polypeptide, or a J chain polypeptide linked to an immunoglobulin heavy chain without an immunoglobulin light chain.

Abstract: The immunoglobulins of the present invention are useful therapeutic immunoglobulins against mucosal pathogens such as S. mutans. The immunoglobulins contain a protection protein that protects the immunoglobulins in the mucosal environment.The invention also includes the greatly improved method of producing immunoglobulins in plants by producing the protection protein in the same cell as the other components of the immunoglobulins. The components of the immunoglobulin are assembled at a much improved efficiency. The method of the invention allows the assembly and high efficiency production of such complex molecules.The invention also contemplates the production of immunoglobulins containing protection proteins in a variety of cells, including plant cells, that can be selected for useful additional properties. The use of immunoglobulins containing protection proteins as therapeutic antibodies against mucosal and other pathogens is also contemplated.

Abstract: A method for the stepwise creation of phosphodiester bonds between desired nucleosides resulting in the synthesis of polynucleotides having a predetermined nucleotide sequence by preparing an initiation substrate containing a free and unmodified 3'-hydroxyl group; attaching a mononucleotide selected according to the order of the predetermined nucleotide sequence to the 3'-hydroxyl of the initiating substrate in a solution containing a catalytic amount of an enzyme capable of catalyzing the 5' to 3' phosphodiester linkage of the 5'-phosphate of the mononucleotide to the 3'-hydroxyl of the initiating substrate, wherein the mononucleotide contains a protected 3'-hydroxyl group, whereby the protected mononucleotide is covalently linked to the initiating substrate and further additions are hindered by the 3'-hydroxyl protecting group. Methods in which a mononucleotide immobilized on a solid support is added to a free polynucleotide chain are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of assembly of a polynucleotide on a solid-support by performing steps of annealing, ligation, and extension. The steps may be repeated in a cyclical manner to assemble immobilized double- or single-stranded polynucleotides with functional gene properties. The immobilized polynucleotides may be amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, and detected and quantitated by an exonuclease assay with a self-quenching, fluorescent probe. The polynucleotide may be cleaved from the solid-support by chemical or enzymatic cleavage.

Abstract: A method for the stepwise creation of phosphodiester bonds between desired nucleosides resulting in the synthesis of polynucleotides having a predetermined nucleotide sequence by preparing an initiation substrate containing a free and unmodified 3'-hydroxyl group; attaching a mononucleotide selected according to the order of the predetermined nucleotide sequence to the 3'-hydroxyl of the initiating substrate in a solution containing a catalytic amount of an enzyme capable of catalyzing the 5' to 3' phosphodiester linkage of the 5'-phosphate of the mononucleotide to the 3'-hydroxyl of the initiating substrate, wherein the mononucleotide contains a protected 3'-hydroxyl group, whereby the protected mononucleotide is covalently linked to the initiating substrate and further additions are hindered by the 3'-hydroxyl protecting group. Methods in which a mononucleotide immobilized on a solid support is added to a free polynucleotide chain are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the stepwise creation of phosphodiester bonds between desired nucleosides resulting in the synthesis of polynucleotides having a predetermined nucleotide sequence by preparing an initiation substrate containing a free and unmodified 3'-hydroxyl group; attaching a mononucleotide selected according to the order of the predetermined nucleotide sequence to the 3'-hydroxyl of the initiating substrate in a solution containing a catalytic amount of an enzyme capable of catalyzing the 5' to 3' phosphodiester linkage of the 5'-phosphate of the mononucleotide to the 3'-hydroxyl of the initiating substrate, wherein the mononucleotide contains a protected 3'-hydroxyl group, whereby the protected mononucleotide is covalently linked to the initiating substrate and further additions are hindered by the 3'-hydroxyl protecting group. Methods in which a mononucleotide immobilized on a solid support is added to a free polynucleotide chain are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the stepwise creation of phosphodiester bonds between desired nucleosides resulting in the synthesis of polynucleotides having a predetermined nucleotide sequence by preparing an initiation substrate containing a free and unmodified 3'-hydroxyl group; attaching a mononucleotide selected according to the order of the predetermined nucleotide sequence to the 3'-hydroxyl of the initiating substrate in a solution containing a catalytic amount of an enzyme capable of catalyzing the 5' to 3' phosphodiester linkage of the 5'-phosphate of the mononucleotide to the 3'-hydroxyl of the initiating substrate, wherein the mononucleotide contains a protected 3'-hydroxyl group, whereby the protected mononucleotide is covalently linked to the initiating substrate and further additions are hindered by the 3'-hydroxyl protecting group. Methods in which a mononucleotide immobilized on a solid support is added to a free polynucleotide chain are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a transgenic plant having somatic and germ cells containing at least two mammalian genes coding for polypeptides capable of autogenously associating with each other to form a biologically active multimer. In addition, the invention describes a method for producing a glycopolypeptide multimer by introducing first and second mammalian genes encoding the constituent parts of the multimer into first and second respective members of a plant species, generating a progeny from the first and second plant species members, and isolating the glycopolypeptide multimer from the progeny plant.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates glycopolypeptide multimers having a polypeptide that contain an immunoglobulin amino acid residue sequence and an oligosaccharide that comprises a core pentasaccharide and N-acetylglucosamine-containing outer branches, such that the multimer is free from sialic acid. The production of passive immunity in an animal by administering a sialic acid free glycopolypeptide multimer is also contemplated. In addition, the invention describes a method for producing a glycopolypeptide multimer by introducing first and second mammalian genes encoding the constituent parts of the multimer into first and second respective members of a plant species, generating a progeny from the first and second plant species members, and isolating the glycopolypeptide multimer from the progeny plant.