Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “human &Dgr;5-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, human &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr;-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n−3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 4 (i.e., “&Dgr;4-desaturase”). In particular, &Dgr;4-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of adrenic acid to &ohgr;6-docosapentaenoic acid and in the conversion of &ohgr;3-docosapentaenoic acid to docosahexaenoic acid. The polyunsaturated fatty acids produced by use of the enzyme may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of several genes involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated acids (i.e., “elongases”) and to uses thereof. At least two of these genes are also involved in the elongation of monounsaturated fatty acids. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of AA to adrenic acid (ADA), or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to &ohgr;3-docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), EPA, adrenic acid, &ohgr;6-docosapentaenoic acid or &ohgr;3-docosapentaenoic acid which may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: It has been discovered that certain phosphoinositides demonstrate antibacterial activity. Particularly, these phosphoinositides have been discovered to prevent the adhesion of H. influenzae onto the nasopharyngeal cells of mammals, and, in particular, humans. Phosphoinositides useful with the present invention have the following formula: wherein R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids having a carbon chain length of C6 to C20 and R1 and R2 can be the same or different; and R3 to R7 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or a phosphate moiety with at least two of R3 to R7 being a phosphate moiety; and hydrates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “human &Dgr;5-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, human &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr;-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “human &Dgr;5-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, human &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr;-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid, linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid, or of alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding desaturases, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid and for producing a desaturated fatty acid by expressing increased levels of a desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (i.e., “elongase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA) which may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: It has been discovered that certain phosphoinositides demonstrate antibacterial activity. Particularly, these phosphoinositides have been discovered to prevent the adhesion of H. influenzae onto the nasopharyngeal cells of mammals, and, in particular, humans.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to &bgr;-casein expressing constructs which have significant stability when introduced into host cells. These constructs, for purposes of the present invention, have been designated as pRAB-84-69 and pRSB-14. Each construct comprises an isolated DNA sequence comprising i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein, wherein said nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a promoter, ii) a nucleotide sequence encoding a first subunit of a kinase, iii) a nucleotide sequence encoding a second subunit of a kinase, iv) a nucleotide encoding a peptidase and v) a nucleotide sequence encoding a bacterial resistance marker. These constructs, once introduced into a host cell, may be used in the production of, for example, recombinant human beta-casein.

Abstract: It has been discovered that certain phosphoinositides demonstrate antibacterial activity. Particularly, these phosphoinositides have been discovered to prevent the adhesion of H. influenzae onto the nasopharyngeal cells of mammals, and, in particular, humans. Phosphoinositides useful with the present invention have the following formula: wherein R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids having a carbon chain length of C6 to C20 and R1 and R2 can be the same or different; and R3 to R7 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or a phosphate moiety with at least two of R3 to R7 being a phosphate moiety; and hydrates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rice flour extract (RFE) which can be used in the prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial infections, particularly bacterial infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae and to a method of preparing and using such an antibacterial rice flour extract. The anti-Haemophilus influenzae rice flour extract of the present invention can be prepared from commercial food grade rice flours or non-commercial food grade rice flours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid, linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid, or of alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding desaturases, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid and for producing a desaturated fatty acid by expressing increased levels of a desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids in plants, plant parts and plant cells, such as leaves, roots, fruits and seeds. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding fatty acid desaturases, including .DELTA.5-desaturases, .DELTA.6-desaturases and .DELTA.12-desaturases, are used to generate transgenic plants, plant parts and cells which contain and express one or more transgenes encoding one or more desaturases. Expression of the desaturases with different substrate specificities in the plant system permit the large scale production of poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, .alpha.-linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid and the like for modification of the fatty acid profile of plants, plant parts and tissues. Manipulation of the fatty acid profiles allows for the production of commercial quantities of novel plant oils and products.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods of processing and producing recombinant proteins in vivo, for example, recombinant phosphorylated beta-casein. The subject invention also relates to the proteins produced by these methods as well as to uses of these proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fatty acid .DELTA.5-desaturase able to catalyze the conversion of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid to arachidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding a .DELTA.5-desaturase, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a .DELTA.5-desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a .DELTA.5-desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid at the .DELTA.5 position and for producing arachidonic acid by expressing increased levels of a .DELTA.5 desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a .DELTA.5-desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a .DELTA.5-desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid, linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid, or of alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding desaturases, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid and for producing a desaturated fatty acid by expressing increased levels of a desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasmid containing a promoter sequence, a nucleotide sequence encoding an exogenous protein, and a nucleotide sequence encoding an enzyme capable of modifying the exogenous protein. In a specific embodiment of the invention the encoded exogenous protein is human .beta.-casein and the encoded enzyme is a human kinase capable of phosphorylating recombinant .beta.-casein in a bacterial system. Phosphorylated recombinant human .beta.-casein synthesized using the plasmid of the invention is shown to have the same bioactivity as native human .beta.-casein.

Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic non-human mammals characterized in that the genome of said mammals contain at least one heterologous gene encoding for the production of heterologous catalytic entity selected from the group consisting of enzymes and antibodies, and wherein said catalytic entity produces a second heterologous product in the milk of said mammal. Especially useful in the practice of the invention are human glycosyltransferases and transgenic sheep, goats and cows. The heterologous product includes oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. Specifically exemplified, is the production of 2'-fucosyl-lactose in the milk of transgenic mice which contain and express a transgene encoding .alpha.-1,2-fucosyltransferase operatively linked to a mammary gland specific promoter.

Abstract: The invention relates to humanized milk. The milk is produced by a non-human transgenic mammal wherein the genome of said transgenic non-human mammal contains at least one heterologous gene encoding for a human catalytic entity and wherein the catalytic entity produces oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates that are present in the milk of said transgenic non-human mammal. An especially useful catalytic entity is human glycosyltransferases which produce oligosaccharides and glyconjugates. Specifically exemplified, is the production of 2'-fucosyl-lactose in the milk of transgenic mice which contain and express a transgene encoding .alpha.-1,2-fucosyltransferase operatively linked to a mammary gland specific promoter. A method of obtaining humanized milk is disclosed.