Abstract: Human calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -, .alpha..sub.2 -, .beta.- and .gamma.-subunit encoding cDNAs, and related compositions and methods, are provided.

Abstract: Isolated DNA encoding each of human calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -, .alpha..sub.2 -, .beta.-and .gamma.-subunits, including subunits that arise as splice variants of primary transcripts, is provided. Cells and vectors containing the DNA and methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of human calcium channels are also provided.

Abstract: Isolated DNA encoding each of human calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -, .alpha..sub.2 -, .beta.- and .gamma.-subunits, including subunits that arise as splice variants of primary transcripts, is provided. Cells and vectors containing the DNA and methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of human calcium channels are also provided.

Abstract: Isolated DNA encoding each of human calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -, .alpha..sub.2 -, .beta.- and .gamma.-subunits, including subunits that arise as splice variants of primary transcripts, is provided. Cells and vectors containing the DNA and methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of human calcium channels are also provided.

Abstract: DNA encoding human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha and beta subunits, mammalian and amphibian cells containing said DNA, methods for producing alpha and beta subunits and recombinant (i.e., isolated or substantially pure) alpha subunits (specifically .alpha..sub.4 and .alpha..sub.7) and beta subunits (specifically .beta..sub.4) are provided. In addition, combinations of subunits (i.e., .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2, .alpha..sub.3, .alpha..sub.4, and/or .alpha..sub.7 subunits in combination with .beta..sub.4 subunits; or .beta..sub.2, .beta..sub.3 and/or .beta..sub.4 subunits in combination with .alpha..sub.4 and/or .beta..sub.7 subunits) are provided.

Abstract: DNA encoding human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor .alpha..sub.2 subunits, mammalian and amphibian cells containing said DNA, and methods for producing such subunits are provided. In addition, combinations of subunits (i.e., .alpha..sub.2, plus .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.3, .alpha..sub.4, and/or .alpha..sub.7 subunits in combination with .beta..sub.2, .beta..sub.3 and/or .beta..sub.4 subunits) are provided.

Abstract: Isolated DNA encoding each of human calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -, .alpha..sub.2 -, .beta.- and .gamma.-subunits, including subunits that arise as splice variants of primary transcripts, is provided. Cells and vectors containing the DNA and methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of human calcium channels are also provided.

Abstract: Two novel linear DNA plasmids are described. Also, novel fragments of the plasmids containing the autonomous replication sequence (ARS), and thus capable of self-maintenance as extra chromosomal elements are provided. These novel DNA sequences of the present invention are useful in a vector for self-maintenance in Pichia pastoris and are also useful as plasmid vectors which can be shuttled between yeast and bacteria.

Abstract: [DNAs] DNA molecules encoding mammalian calcium channel a.sub.1 and a.sub.2 subunits are provided. The [DNAs] DNA molecules are used to transform host cells which may also contain a reporter gene, the transcription of which is responsive to an ion or molecule capable of entering the cell through a calcium channel.

Abstract: Transcription based assays that identify extracellular signals that modulate the activity of cell surface proteins are provided. Extracellular signals are identified by measuring the amount of transcription of a reporter gene in a recombinant cell that expresses the cell surface protein and contains DNA encoding the reporter gene under the transcriptional control of a promoter that is regulated, directly or indirectly, by the cell surface protein. The assays, provide a means for identifying potential pharmaceutical compounds that can be used to treat disease by virtue of their agonistic or antagonistic effects on the cell surface protein. Recombinant cells that express cell surface receptors and that contain reporter gene constructs that include transcriptional regulatory elements that are responsive to the activity of the cell surface receptors are also provided.

Abstract: Human calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -, .alpha..sub.2 -, .beta.- and .gamma.-subunit encoding cDNAs, and related compositions and methods, are provided.

Abstract: Calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -subunit and .alpha..sub.2 -subunit-encoding cDNAs, and related compositions and methods, are provided.

Abstract: Recombinant cells are provided which are useful for assaying compounds for their agonist or antagonist activity with respect to ion channels and/or cell surface-localized receptors. In addition, assay methods employing the invention recombinant cells are provided.

Abstract: Calcium channel .gamma.-subunit-encoding cDNAs, and related compositions and methods, are provided.

Abstract: Human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits are described, as are methods for producing cells containing functional receptors employing such subunits. Also described are assay methods for determining the presence of functional HnAChRs in transfected cells, and for determining the agonist or antagonist activity of compounds with respect to such cells.

Abstract: Nucleic acid hybridizaiton probes are provided which have sequences complementary to sequences of segments in bovine male-specific DNA and are suitable for sexing bovine embryos at the time of embryo transfer with nearly 100% accuracy.

Abstract: Novel DNA constructs comprising regulatory regions plus the structural coding region for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are disclosed. The regulatory regions employed are responsive to methanol, non-catabolite repressing carbon sources and catabolite repressing carbon sources followed by carbon source starvation. The novel constructs are incorporated into a variety of linear and circular plasmids. Such plasmids are used to transform suitable hosts and ultimately used for the production and isolation of hepatitis B surface antigen in high yields.

Abstract: Process for transforming yeast strains of the genus Pichia is disclosed. Novel yeast strains of the genus Pichia which can be transformed with recombinant DNA material are also disclosed. In addition, a method for isolating functional genes and other functional DNA sequences from yeast strains of the genus Pichia is described.

Abstract: Novel DNA sequences which are responsive to the presence of methanol, catabolite non-repressing carbon sources and carbon source starvation are provided. In addition, novel constructs including these DNA sequences, as well as transformed organisms therewith are provided. Processes for producing the DNA sequences and constructs of the invention are detailed. The production of polypeptide product under the control of the regulatory regions of the invention is demonstrated.

Abstract: A method for isolating and cloning methanol inducible genes from Pichia is taught. The regulatory regions are useful for the methanol regulated expression of heterologous genes.