Abstract: The present invention relates to retinol dehydratase, the enzyme which synthesizes the retro-retinoid anhydroretinol in the Spodoptera frugiperda insect cell line Sf-21, as well as the DNA molecule encoding that enzyme. The DNA molecule can be incorporated in a DNA expression system and a host for recombinant production of anhydroretinol dehydratase. The isolated retinol dehydratase protein or polypeptide of the present invention can be combined with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or used alone for administration to mammals, particularly humans, for preventing cell growth and/or uncontrolled cell growth in cells which are growth dependent on retinol and/or 14 hydroxy-4, 14-retro-retinol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a purified retinoid compound characterized by a molecular mass of about 320 daltons and an atomic composition of C.sub.20 H.sub.32 O.sub.3. The present invention also provides a purified retinoid compound having the following structure: ##STR1## wherein the configuration of C7, C9, and C11 double bond independently is Z or E and the absolute configuration at C13 and C14 is independently R or S; wherein R1 is hydroxyl, alkyl, alkyl halide, alcohol, ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, acyl halide, amide, nitrile, or amine; wherein R2 and R3 are independently hydroxyl, halide, alkoxy, ester, alkyl, alcohol, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, nitrile, amine, azide, alkyl halide, acid halide, acid azide, or amide; or wherein R2 and R3, or R1 and R2 are replaced by a 13,14-oxirane or a 14,15-oxirane group, respectively.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of inhibiting the growth of cells, of treating a subject having a disease characterized by an uncontrolled growth of cells and of blocking an immune response as well as related inflammatory responses in a subject which comprises administering a compound having the structure: ##STR1##

Abstract: The present invention provides a purified retinoid compound characterized by a molecular mass of about 320 daltons and an atomic composition of C.sub.20 H.sub.32 O.sub.3. The present invention also provides a purified retinoid compound having the structure: ##STR1## wherein the configuration of the C7, C9, and C11 double bond independently is Z or E and the absolute configuration at C13 and C14 is independently R or S; wherein R1 is alkyl, alkyl halide, alcohol, ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, acyl halide, amide, nitrile, or amine; R2 and R3 are independently hydroxyl, halide, alkoxy, ester, alkyl, alcohol, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, nitrile, amine, azide, alkyl halide, acid halide, acid azide, or amide; or wherein R2 and R3, or R1 and R2 are replaced by a 13,14-oxirane or a 14,15-oxirane group, respectively.

Abstract: This invention provides a homogeneous retro-retinoid compound, a method of enhancing the growth of a cell in a vitamin A reduced environment, a method for enhancing transcription of a gene regulated by retinoid in a cell, and a method for enhancing an immune response in a subject, wherein the compound has the structure: ##STR1##

Abstract: This invention provides methods of inhibiting the growth of cells, of treating a subject having a disease characterized by an uncontrolled growth of cells and of blocking an immune response as well as related inflammatory responses in a subject which comprises administering a compound having the structure: ##STR1##

Abstract: This invention provides a purified retro-retinoid compound characterized by a molecular mass of about 302 daltons. Also provided by this invention is a method of enhancing the growth of a cell in a vitamin A reduced environment which comprises contacting the cell with an effective growth enhancing amount of a compound having a structure: ##STR1## wherein the configuration of the C6, C8, C10 and C12 double bond independently is Z or E and the absolute configuration at C-14 is independently R or S; wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl, alkyl halide, alcohol, ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, acid halide, amide, nitrile, or amine; and wherein R.sub.2 is hydroxyl, halide, alkoxy, ester, alkyl, alcohol, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, nitrile, amine, azide, alkyl halide, acid halide, acid azide, or amide; or wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are replaced by a 14, 15-oxirane group; and wherein the retro structure is alpha or gamma.

Abstract: This invention provides a purified retro-retinoid compound characterized by a molecular mass of about 302 daltons. Also provided by this invention is a method of enhancing the growth of a cell in a vitamin A reduced environment which comprises contacting the cell with an effective growth enhancing amount of a compound having a structure: ##STR1## wherein the configuration of the C6, C8, C10 and C12 double bond independently is Z or E and the absolute configuration at C-14 is independently R or S; wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl, alkyl halide, alcohol, ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, acid halide, amide, nitrile, or amine; and wherein R.sub.2 is hydroxyl, halide, alkoxy, ester, alkyl, alcohol, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, nitrile, amine, azide, alkyl halide, acid halide, acid azide, or amide; or wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are replaced by a 14, 15-oxirane group; and wherein the retro structure is alpha or gamma.

Abstract: A method of growing cells, particularly cells transformed by Epstein Barr Virus, in agarose is disclosed. At least one of the agarose layers has human fibroblast cells suspended therein and another layer has irradiated fibroblasts and the particular growing cells suspended therein.

Abstract: Production of anti-H-Y hybridoma cell lines, and the use of the antibodies to determine the presence of H-Y antigen to indicate the sex of the proband inclusive of fetus, newborn and adult humans.