Abstract: DNA molecules encoding mutant forms of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are disclosed, The mutant forms of BMP can be produced bacterially and refolded to produce biologically active homodimers or heterodimers of BMP. A method of making such mutant BMPs is also disclosed.

Abstract: Homogeneous K-FGF and a process for its production are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for use in treating soft tissue injuries and musculo-skeletal disorders in mammals and methods of treatment. The purification of the bacterially produced K-FGF comprises reduction of a salt solution containing K-FGF to effect the precipitation of the product.

Abstract: A reagent complex is disclosed containing (1) a probe polynucleotide having a target binding region complementary to a target nucleotide sequence and (2) a signal strand polynucleotide bound by base pairing to a portion of the target binding region. The signal strand is displaced from the reagent complex by the target nucleotide sequence and separated from intact reagent complexes. A digestable ribonucleotide segment of the displaced signal strand, such as a 3' , terminal segment, is digested to ribonucleotide phosphates, which are phosphorylated to ATP. The ribonucleotide phosphates or ATP are detected.

Abstract: RNA such as messenger RNA is digested to nucleotide phosphates including AMP or ADP. The ATP or a byproduct of the phosphorylation, e.g., pyruvate, is detected. Exemplary enzymes used (with appropriate co-reactants and co-factors) are: (1) polynucleotide phosphorylase, pyruvate kinase and luciferase, or (2) phosphodiesterase (or RNase), myokinase, pyruvate kinase and luciferase. The phosphorylation to ATP (e.g., with pyruvate kinase) is preferably coupled with the previous (reversible) enzymatic step.