Abstract: Multiple epitope fusion proteins and immunoassays using the same are disclosed. The multiple epitope fusion proteins are encompassed by the general structural formula (A)x?(B)y?C2 which represents a linear amino acid sequence, wherein B is an amino acid sequence of an epitope or cluster of epitopes and each B contains at least five and not more than 1,000 amino acids, y is an integer of 2 or more, A and C are each independently an amino acid sequence of an epitope or cluster of epitopes not adjacent to B in nature and x and z are each independently an integer of 0 or more wherein at least one of x and z is 1 or more.

Abstract: A new receptor for fibroblast growth factor has been cloned and expressed. The recombinant receptor is useful for inhibiting FGF activity, and for screening compounds for binding activity similar to that of FGF. A soluble, truncated recombinant receptor is also prepared, and is capable of binding FGF.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for efficient production of human insulin-like growth factor. Synthetic IGF I and IGF II genes are joined to leader and processing signals which provide for expression and secretion of the gene product in yeast. Enhanced yields of the product may then be recovered from the nutrient medium. Yeast strains S. cerevisiae AB103 (pYIGF-I-10/1) and AB103 (pYIGF-II-10/1) were deposited at the American Type Culture Collection on Apr. 23, 1983 and granted Accession Nos. 20673 and 20674, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthesis of HBSAg in yeast. Yeast expression vectors comprising a yeast promoter, ADH1, have been constructed. The region of the HBV genome coding for the S-protein, excluding a possible 163 amino acid presequence, has been transferred to the yeast expression vector. Using the described yeast vector, the successful synthesis of HBSAg by yeast has been achieved. The product is antigenic (reactive with anti-HBSAg), and a substantial portion is found associated with particles identical in electron microscopic appearance to those found in the serum of HBV-infected patients and in Alexander cells but having a smaller particle size diameter. The HBSAg synthesized by yeast has identical sedimentation behavior to purified, naturally occurring HBSAg particles purified from Alexander cells as measured by sucrose gradient sedimentation.

Abstract: Multiple epitope fusion proteins and immunoassays using the same are disclosed. The multiple epitope fusion proteins are encompassed by the general structural formula (A)x-(B)y-Cz which represents a linear amino acid sequence, wherein B is an amino acid sequence of an epitope or cluster of epitopes and each B contains at least five and not more than 1,000 amino acids, y is an integer of 2 or more, A and C are each independently an amino acid sequence of an epitope or cluster of epitopes not adjacent to B in nature and x and z are each independently an integer of 0 or more wherein at least one of x and z is 1 or more.

Abstract: Human hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been identified as the aetiological agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH). HCV viruses display considerable genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Thus, there is considerable need in the art for more sensitive reagents that facilitate the detection of HCV variants. The genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) consists of seven functional regions: the core, E1, E2/NS1, NS2, NS3, NS4, and NS5 regions. An attempt was made to improve the sensitivity of anti-HCV assays by developing multiple copy epitope fusion antigens (MEFAs) which incorporate the major immunodominant epitopes from the functional regions of the HCV genome. These MEFAs are encompassed by the following generic structural formula: (A)x—(B)y—(C)z. This formula represents a linear amino acid sequence comprising multiple copies of one HCV epitope (A) linked to multiple copies of another HCV epitope (B) which in turn is linked to multiple copies of yet another HCV epitope (C).

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthesis of HBsAg in yeast. Yeast expression vectors comprising a yeast promoter, ADH1, have been constructed. The region of the HBV genome coding for the S-protein, excluding a possible 163 amino acid presequence, has been transferred to the yeast expression vector. Using the described yeast vector, the successful synthesis of HBsAg by yeast has been achieved. The product is antigenic (reactive with anti-HBsAg), and a substantial portion is found associated with particles identical in electron microscopic appearance to those found in the serum of HBV-infected patients and in Alexander cells but having a smaller particle size diameter. The HBSAg synthesized by yeast has identical sedimentation behavior to purified, naturally-occurring HBsAq particles purified from Alexander cells as measured by sucrose gradient sedimentation.

Abstract: Human hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been identified as the aetiological agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH). HCV viruses display considerable genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Thus, there is considerable need in the art for more sensitive reagents that facilitate the detection of HCV variants. The genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) consists of seven functional regions: the core, E1, E2/NS1, NS2, NS3, NS4, and NS5 regions. An attempt was made to improve the sensitivity of anti-HCV assays by developing multiple copy epitope fusion antigens (MEFAs) which incorporate the major immunodominant epitopes from the functional regions of the HCV genome. These MEFAs are encompassed by the following generic structural formula: (A)x—(B)y—(C)z. This formula represents a linear amino acid sequence comprising multiple copies of one HCV epitope (A) linked to multiple copies of another HCV epitope (B) which in turn is linked to multiple copies of yet another HCV epitope (C).

Abstract: A new receptor for fibroblast growth factor has been cloned and expressed. The recombinant receptor is useful for inhibiting FGF activity, and for screening compounds for binding activity similar to that of FGF. A soluble, truncated recombinant receptor is also prepared, and is capable of binding FGF.

Abstract: Novel immunogenic compositions are provided involving viral particles composed at least in part of hybrid proteins of at least a portion of a particle forming protein and one or more polypeptides having at least one epitope of interest. Nucleic acid sequences are employed coding for the hybrid protein which are introduced into a host cell for expression, either by themselves or in combination with other DNA sequences coding for particle forming proteins. Expression of the DNA sequences results in formation of particles which may be isolated and used as immunogens for production of antibodies for diagnostics purposes, passive immunization, vaccination, or other uses.Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, 2150-2-3 (pDC103), was deposited on Sep. 7, 1984, at the ATCC and given ATCC Accession No. 20726. Also, Saccharomyces cerevisiae PO17 (pCl/l-MCS29) was deposited at the ATCC on Sep. 5, 1985, and given ATCC Accession No. 20770.

Abstract: Novel immunogenic compositions are provided involving viral particles composed at least in part of hybrid proteins of at least a portion of a particle forming protein and one or more polypeptides having at least one epitope of interest. Nucleic acid sequences are employed coding for the hybrid protein which are introduced into a host cell for expression, either by themselves or in combination with other DNA sequences coding for particle forming proteins. Expression of the DNA sequences results in formation of particles which may be isolated and used as immunogens for production of antibodies for diagnostics purposes, passive immunization, vaccination, or other uses.Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, 2150-2-3 (pDC103), was deposited on Sep. 7, 1984, at the ATCC and given ATCC Accession No. 20726. Also, Saccharomyces cerevisiae PO17 (pC1/1-MCS29) was deposited at the ATCC on Sep. 5, 1985, and given ATCC Accession No. 20770.

Abstract: The glycoprotein B ("gB") and analogs thereof are provided by recombinant DNA technology. Oligonucleotide sequences are provided coding the glycoprotein, its precursor and fragments thereof. Methods and compositions are disclosed for the production of the glycoprotein and analogous proteins as well as oligonucleotide sequences, which may be used for probes or other applications, and particularly may be used for vaccines.

Abstract: Vaccines and therapeutic compositions and methods for their production and use against Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) are provided employing recombinant HSV glycoproteins B and D. The following E. coli HB101 strains were deposited at the A.T.C.C., where the plasmid indicates the plasmid employed to transform the strain; pHS203; pHS112; pHS114; pHS127A and pHS206 were deposited on Apr. 4, 1984, and assigned Accession Nos. 39649-39653, respectively; pYHS109 and pYHS118 were deposited on Jul. 11, 1984, and given Accession Nos. 39762 and 39763, respectively.

Abstract: Vaccines and therapeutic compositions and methods for their production and use against Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) are provided employing recombinant HSV glycoproteins B and D.The following E. coli HB101 strains were deposited at the A.T.C.C., where the plasmid indicates the plasmid employed to transform the strain; pHS203; pHS112; pHS114; pHS127A and pHS206 were deposited on Apr. 4, 1984, and assigned Accession Nos. 39649-39653, respectively; pYHS109 and pYHS118 were deposited on Jul. 11, 1984, and given Accession Nos. 39762 and 39763, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating the root system of seedlings, young plants, and plants at whatever stage of development. Examples of the plants to be treated includes forestry species, horticultural species, floricultural species, and other important agricultural crops. Such treatment enhances plant resistance to pests and survival in adverse environmental conditions. The results include significant overall improvements in growth and yield of said forestry, horticultural, and other crops.

Abstract: The glycoprotein B ("gB") and analogs thereof are provided by recombinant DNA technology. Oligonucleotide sequences are provided coding the glycoprotein, its precursor and fragments thereof. Methods and compositions are disclosed for the production of the glycoprotein and analogous proteins as well as oligonucleotide sequences, which may be used for probes or other applications, and particularly may be used for vaccines.

Abstract: Vaccines against Herpes Simplex virus containing recombinant polypeptides which are cross-reactive with glycoprotein D of the virus, methods for their production using recombinant DNA techniques in yeast, and methods for the use of the vaccine are provided. E. coli strains HB101 containing plasmids pYHS 109 and pYHS118 were deposited at the American Type Culture Collection on Jul. 11, 1984, and granted accession nos. 39762 and 39763, respectively.

Abstract: The glycoprotein B ("gB") and functional fragments thereof are provided by recombinant DNA technology. Oligonucleotide sequences are provided coding the glycoprotein, its precursor and fragments thereof. Methods and compositions are disclosed for the production of the glycoprotein and functional fragments thereof as well as oligonucleotide sequences, which may be used for probes or other applications, and particularly may be used for vaccines. The following E. coli HB101 strains were deposited at the A.T.C.C. on April 4, 1984, where the plasmid indicates the plasmid employed to transform the strain; pHS112; pHS114 (gB1 mammalian); pHS127A (gB1 yeast); pHS203; and pHS206 (gB2), and assigned Accession Nos. 39649-39653, respectively, where the nature of the plasmid is indicated in parentheses and the number refers back to the number employed in the Experimental section.

Abstract: A new receptor for fibroblast growth factor has been cloned and expressed. The recombinant receptor is useful for inhibiting FGF activity, and for screening compounds for binding activity similar to that of FGF. A soluble, truncated recombinant receptor is also prepared, and is capable of binding FGF.

Abstract: Vaccines and therapeutic compositions and methods for their production and use against Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) are provided employing recombinant HSV glycoproteins B and D.The following E. coli HB 101 strains were deposited at the A.T.C.C., where the plasmid indicates the plasmid employed to transform the strain; pH203; pHS112; pHS114; pHS127A and pHS206 were deposited on Apr. 4, 1984, and assigned Accession Nos. 39649-39653, respectively; pYHS109 and pYHS118 were deposited on Jul. 11, 1984, and given Accession Nos. 39762 and 39763, respectively.