Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptides in bacteria with an alanine rather than a methionine at the N-terminus. The DNA sequence expressed has an alanine codon immediately following from one to about three contiguous methionine codons including a translation start signal and allows for the expression of polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of, for example, naturally occurring eucaryotic proteins such as various bovine and porcine somatotropin species.

Abstract: This invention relates to bovine placental lactogen, amino acid sequences thereof, DNA sequences coding therefor, its production by synthetic means and its use to produce a biological response in cattle.

Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptides in bacteria with an alanine rather than a methionine at the N-terminus. The DNA sequence expressed has an alanine codon immediately following from one to about three contiguous methionine codons including a translation start signal and allows for the expression of polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of, for example, naturally occurring eucaryotic proteins such as various bovine and porcine somatotropin species.

Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptides in bacteria with an alanine rather than a methionine at the N-terminus. The DNA sequence expressed has an alanine codon immediately following from one to about three contiguous methionine codons including a translation start signal and allows for the expression of polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of, for example, naturally occurring eucaryotic proteins such as various bovine and porcine somatotropin species.

Abstract: An assay for determining the presence in bovine genetic material of a genetic marker located on the bovine somatotropin gene indicative of an inheritable trait of increased milk production is provided. The marker is a polymorphism in the gene encoding somatotropin at amino acid position 126 which results in two forms of somatotropin existing in bovine. The assay comprises analyzing a bovine to determine its genotype with respect to the somatotropin gene. Bovine with the desired marker can be selected for inclusion in breeding programs or for milking. The desired marker indicative of superior milk production is dependent upon the breed of cattle. Holstein cattle that are homozygous for the leucine forms of somatotropin are desired. Jersey cattle that are homozygous for the valine form of somatotropin are desired. A kit for performing the assay is also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptides in bacteria with an alanine rather than a methionine at the N-terminus. The DNA sequence expressed has an alanine codon immediately following from at least one methionine codon, and allows for the expression of polypeptides having the amino acid sequence essentially the same as such naturally occurring eucaryotic protein as various bovine and porcine somatotropin species. In another important embodiment, the invention provides a class of compositions comprising certain valine-containing somatropin species which increase milk production in lactating mammals to a significantly greater extent than otherwise-identical leucine somatotropin species.

Abstract: Variant somatotropins are described in which the asparagine located in the 95-101 region are replaced by glutamine which somatotropins exhibits enhanced stability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at variant proteins and polypeptides having an enhanced affinity, i.e., greater binding strength, for immobilized-metal affinity resins and resides in engineering one or more specific metal-chelating amino acid sequences into a protein or polypeptide, the specific sequence depending on the metal-binding amino acids utilized and the secondary structure associated with the portion of the protein or polypeptide to include such sequence.

Abstract: Variant forms of mammalian somatotropins, particularly bovine and porcine somatotropin, in which the asparagine located between positions 95-101 has been replaced by glutamine exhibit enhanced stability at high pH and at elevated temperatures while retaining bioactivity equivalent to the corresponding unmutated somatotropins, and are useful in the treatment of animals to enhance growth and/or milk production.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA sequences encoding a human preproinsulin-like growth factor I protein and novel extension peptides. A novel preproinsulin-like growth factor I protein and novel extension peptides are also provided. The present invention further provides a human IGF-I gene which has been sequenced and which encodes at least two preproinsulin-like growth factor-I proteins. Various genes and DNA sequences useful in producing essentially pure mature IGF-I, preproinsulin-like growth factor I proteins and IGF-I gene related proteins are also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptides in bacteria with an alanine rather than a methionine at the N-terminus. The DNA sequence expressed has an alanine codon immediately following from at least one methionine codon, and allows for the expression of polypeptides having the amino acid sequence essentially the same as such naturally occurring eucaryotic protein as various bovine and porcine somatotropin species. In another important embodiment, the invention provides a class of compositions comprising certain valine-containing somatropin species which increase milk production in lactating mammals to a significantly greater extent than otherwise-identical leucine somatotropin species.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel peptides having utility for promotion of growth and/or lactation in animals, to processes and DNA useful in production of such peptides, and to methods utilizing such peptides to promote growth or lactation in animals. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to peptides having bovine IGF-II biological activity, to production of such peptides, and to their use in effecting proliferation of certain cells (e.g. mammary epithelial or muscle) or in enhancing lactation in cattle or other animals.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA sequences encoding a human preproinsulin-like growth factor I protein and novel extension peptides. A novel preproinsulin-like growth factor I protein and novel extension peptides are also provided. The present invention further provides a human IGF-I gene which has been sequenced and which encodes at least two preproinsulin-like growth factor-I proteins. Various genes and DNA sequences useful in producing essentially pure mature IGF-I, preproinsulin-like growth factor I proteins and IGF-I gene related proteins are also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptides in bacteria with an alanine rather than a methionine at the N-terminus. The DNA sequence expressed has an alanine codon immediately following from one to about three contiguous methionine codons including a translation start signal and allows for the expression of polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of, for example, naturally occurring eucaryotic proteins such as various bovine and porcine somatotropin species.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel peptides having utility for promotion of growth and/or lactation in animals, to processes and DNA useful in production of such peptides, and to methods utilizing such peptides to promote growth or lactation in animals. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to peptides having bovine IGF-II biological activity, to production of such peptides, and to their use in effecting proliferation of certain cells (e.g. mammary epithelial or muscle) or in enhancing lactation in cattle or other animals.