Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant Bacillus host cell containing a recombinant vector including a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase (HAS). The recombinant Bacillus host cell is utilized in a method for producing hyaluronic acid (HA).

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding hyaluronic acid synthase that are employed to construct recombinant cells useful in the production of hyaluronate synthase and hyaluronic acid (HA). In preferred aspects, chromosomal DNA encoding the HA synthase gene, hasA, was cloned from a Streptococcus pyogenes genomic library. These vectors were used to transform host cells such as E. coli and acapsular Streptococci to produce hyaluronic acid. Resultant transformants were screened to identify colonies which have incorporated HA synthase DNA in a form that is being actively transcribed into the corresponding HA synthase enzyme. These colonies were selected and employed in the production of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding hyaluronic acid synthase that are employed to construct recombinant cells useful in the production of hyaluronate synthase and hyaluronic acid (HA). In preferred aspects, chromosomal DNA encoding the HA synthase gene, hasA, was cloned from a Streptococcus pyogenes genomic library. These vectors were used to transform host cells such as E. coli and acapsular Streptococci to produce hyaluronic acid. Resultant transformants were screened to identify colonies which have incorporated HA synthase DNA in a form that is being actively transcribed into the corresponding HA synthase enzyme. These colonies were selected and employed in the production of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active Streptococcus equisimilis hyaluronate synthase (seHAS), and to the use of this nucleic acid segment in the preparation of recombinant cells which produce hyaluronate synthase and its hyaluronic acid product. Hyaluronate is also known as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan.

Abstract: A functionally active hyaluronan synthase having at least one modified amino acid residue therein as compared to a corresponding functionally active native hyaluronan synthase such that the functionally active hyaluronan synthase has an altered enzymatic activity as compared to the corresponding functionally active native hyaluronan synthase is disclosed. Methods of producing hyaluronic acid utilizing a recombinant host cell having an expression construct encoding the functionally active hyaluronan synthase with altered enzymatic activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding hyaluronic acid synthase that are employed to construct recombinant cells useful in the production of hyaluronate synthase and hyaluronic acid (HA). In preferred aspects, chromosomal DNA encoding the HA synthase gene, hasA, was cloned from a Streptococcus pyogenes genomic library. These vectors were used to transform host cells such as E. coli and acapsular Streptococci to produce hyaluronic acid. Resultant transformants were screened to identify colonies which have incorporated HA synthase DNA in a form that is being actively transcribed into the corresponding HA synthase enzyme. These colonies were selected and employed in the production of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding hyaluronic acid synthase that are employed to construct recombinant cells useful in the production of hyaluronate synthase and hyaluronic acid (HA). In preferred aspects, chromosomal DNA encoding the HA synthase gene, hasA, was cloned from a Streptococcus pyogenes genomic library. These vectors were used to transform host cells such as E. coli and acapsular Streptococci to produce hyaluronic acid. Resultant transformants were screened to identify colonies which have incorporated HA synthase DNA in a form that is being actively transcribed into the corresponding HA synthase enzyme. These colonies were selected and employed in the production of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Methods of using HARE protein or peptide fragments containing at least one of a HA-, a chondroitin- and a chondroitin sulfate-binding domain and monoclonal antibodies raised against HARE that block binding of at least one of HA, chondroitin and chondroitin sulfate thereto. Methods include targeting a compound to a cell expressing HARE or a cell that does not express a functionally active HARE, preventing interaction between a cell expressing HARE and a cell having at least one of a HA coat, a chondroitin coat and a chondroitin sulfate coat, and detecting at least one of HA, chondroitin and chondroitin sulfate in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant Bacillus host cell containing a recombinant vector including a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase (HAS). The recombinant Bacillus host cell is utilized in a method for producing hyaluronic acid (HA).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active Streptococcus equisimilis hyaluronate synthase (seHAS), and to the use of this nucleic acid segment in the preparation of recombinant cells which produce hyaluronate synthase and its hyaluronic acid product. Hyaluronate is also known as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active Streptococcus equisimilis hyaluronate synthase (seHAS), and to the use of this nucleic acid segment in the preparation of recombinant cells which produce hyaluronate synthase and its hyaluronic acid product. Hyaluronate is also known as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan.

Abstract: A purified nucleic acid segment encoding a functionally active HARE or an active peptide fragment thereof, and methods for producing functionally active HARE or an active peptide fragment thereof therefrom, wherein the functionally active HARE or an active peptide fragment thereof is able to specifically bind HA, chondroitin and chondroitin sulfate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active Streptococcus equisimilis hyaluronate synthase (seHAS), and to the use of this nucleic acid segment in the preparation of recombinant cells which produce hyaluronate synthase and its hyaluronic acid product. Hyaluronate is also known as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding hyaluronic acid synthase that are employed to construct recombinant cells useful in the production of hyaluronate synthase and hyaluronic acid (HA). In preferred aspects, chromosomal DNA encoding the HA synthase gene, hasA, was cloned from a Streptococcus pyogenes genomic library. These vectors were used to transform host cells such as E. coli and acapsular Streptococci to produce hyaluronic acid. Resultant transformants were screened to identify colonies which have incorporated HA synthase DNA in a form that is being actively transcribed into the corresponding HA synthase enzyme. These colonies were selected and employed in the production of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: A heat-labile, trypsin-sensitive protein of MW 10-50 kDa which is produced by microvessels from patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease or which is derived from mammalian vascular endothelial cells treated to inhibit protein kinase C. The protein is specifically toxic to neuronal cells and is called endothelial-derived toxic factor (EDTF). EDTF acts by inducing necrosis or apoptosis of neuronal cells. Hybridomas which secrete monoclonal antibodies have been raised against EDTF. The antibodies can be used in therapies or in diagnostic assays to detect the presence of EDTF in a body fluid. EDTF can be used in screening assays to identify compounds which inhibit synthesis or activity of EDTF.

Abstract: A heat-labile, trypsin-sensitive protein of MW 10-50 kDa which is produced by microvessels from patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease or which is derived from mammalian vascular endothelial cells treated to inhibit protein kinase C. The protein is specifically toxic to neuronal cells and is called endothelial-derived toxic factor (EDTF). EDTF acts by inducing necrosis or apoptosis of neuronal cells. Hybridomas which secrete monoclonal antibodies have been raised against EDTF. The antibodies can be used in therapies or in diagnostic assays to detect the presence of EDTF in a body fluid. EDTF can be used in screening assays to identify compounds which inhibit synthesis or activity of EDTF.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA segments encoding hyaluronic acid synthase which are employed to construct recombinant cells useful in the production of hyaluronate synthase or hyaluronic acid (HA). In preferred aspects, chromosomal DNA from Streptococcus equisimilis is partially digested with EcoRI and the resultant fragments are ligated to form recombinant vectors. These vectors are useful in the transformation of host cells such as E. coli or Streptococcal hosts. Resultant transformants are screened by novel screening assays to identify colonies which have incorporated HA synthase DNA in a form that is being actively transcribed into the corresponding HA synthase enzyme. These colonies may be selected and employed in the production of the enzyme itself or its product, HA.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## where p is a whole integer from 1 to 12, and where R.sub.1 is CH.sub.2 OH or CH.sub.2 SH or CHO, m is a whole integer from 1 to 3 and R.sub.2 is H or CH.sub.2 OH. When incorporated into acrylyl-type terpolymers, the above compounds become pendant vicinal dihydroxyalkyl substituents oxidizable by metaperiodate to a pendant aldehyde form. Molecules, including proteins, bearing at least one primary amino group are coupled to the pendant aldehyde groups through Schiff base linkages followed by alkali metal cyanoborohydride reduction of the Schiff base linkages to secondary amine linkages. The study of cell adhesion to and interactions with specific molecule-bearing synthetic cell culture surfaces as well as production of specific molecule-bearing chromatographic media and enzymic reactors are enhanced or made available through the use of the invention's vicinal dihydroxyalkyl bearing acrylyl-type terpolymers.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## where p is a whole integer from 1 to 12, and where R.sub.1 is CH.sub.2 OH or CH.sub.2 SH or CHO, m is a whole integer from 1 to 3, and R.sub.2 is H or CH.sub.2 OH. When incorporated into acrylyl-type terpolymers, the above compounds become pendant vicinal dihydroxyalkyl substituents oxidizable by metaperiodate to a pendant aldehyde form. Molecules, including proteins, bearing at least one primary amino group are coupled to the pendant aldehyde groups through Schiff base linkages followed by alkali metal cyanoborohydride reduction of the Schiff base linkages to secondary amine linkages. The study of cell adhesion to and interactions with specific molecule-bearing synthetic cell culture surfaces as well as production of specific molecule-bearing chromatographic media and enzymic reactors are enhanced or made available through the use of the invention's vicinal dihydroxyalkyl bearing acrylyl-type terpolymers.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA segments encoding hyaluronic acid synthase which are employed to construct recombinant cells useful in the production of hyaluronate synthase or hyaluronic acid (HA) the recombinant DNA segment identified in FIG. 5. In preferred aspects, chromosomal DNA from Streptococcus equisimilis is partially digested with EcoRI and the resultant fragments are ligated to form recombinant vectors. These vectors are useful in the transformation of host cells such as E. coli and or Streptococcal hosts. Resultant transformants are screened by the novel screening assays to identify colonies which have incorporated HA synthase DNA in a form that is being actively transcribed into the corresponding HA synthase enzyme. These colonies may be selected and employed in the production of the enzyme itself or its product, HA. The recombinant DNA segment identified in FIG. 5 is then inserted into a recombinant Streptococcal host for the production of hyaluronic acid (HA).