Abstract: A method for producing pure, active, mature recombinant Nerve Growth Factor-beta is disclosed, as is the protein so produced.

Abstract: A method to obtain selected individual peptides or families thereof which have a target property and optionally to determine the amino acid sequence of a selected peptide or peptides to permit synthesis in practical quantities is disclosed. In general outline, the method of the invention comprises synthesizing a mixture of randomly or deliberately generated peptides using standard synthesis techniques, but adjusting the individual concentrations of the components of a mixture of sequentially added amino acids according to the coupling constants for each amino acid/amino acid coupling. The subgroup of peptides having the target property can then be selected, and either each peptide isolated and sequenced, or analysis performed on the mixture to permit its composition to be reproduced. Also included in the invention is an efficient method to determine the relevant coupling constants.

Abstract: More effectively controlled expression of DNA sequences in coding desired heterologous proteins is achieved in differentiated eucaryotic cells by methods of this invention. Disclosed herein are control modules derived from selectively expressed genes of eucaryotic cells, such as, for example, insulin and chymotrypsin genes. These control elements contain cis-acting sequences which are responsive to indigenous trans-acting substances in the differentiated cell, which substances control the expression of the gene. Such cis-acting elements occur within the promoter region of such selectively expressed genes, and also in the five prime flanking region of the coding sequence in a position upstream of the promoter. These upstream enhancer sequences may be located using the methods disclosed herein, and ligated into differentiative expression modules for production of desired heterologous proteins.

Abstract: A method to obtain selected individual peptides or families thereof which have a target property and optionally to determine the amino acid sequence of a selected peptide or peptides to permit synthesis in practical quantities is disclosed. In general outline, the method of the invention comprises synthesizing a mixture of randomly or deliberately generated peptides using standard synthesis techniques, but adjusting the individual concentrations of the components of a mixture of sequentially added amino acids according to the coupling constants for each amino acid/amino acid coupling. The subgroup of peptides having the target property can then be selected, and either each peptide isolated and sequenced, or analysis performed on the mixture to permit its composition to be reproduced. Also included in the invention is an efficient method to determine the relevant coupling constants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an expression vector containing DNA which encodes recombinant full-length hepatitis B surface antigen protein wherein said vector is free of DNA encoding hepatitis B core antigen protein in a microorganism.

Abstract: A method to obtain selected individual peptides or families thereof which have a target property and optionally to determine the amino acid sequence of a selected peptide or peptides to permit synthesis in practical quantities is disclosed. In general outline, the method of the invention comprises synthesizing a mixture of randomly or deliberately generated peptides using standard synthesis techniques, but adjusting the individual concentrations of the components of a mixture of sequentially added amino acids according to the coupling constants for each amino acid/amino acid coupling. The subgroup of peptides having the target property can then be selected, and either each peptide isolated and sequenced, or analysis performed on the mixture to permit its composition to be reproduced. Also included in the invention is an efficient method to determine the relevant coupling constants.

Abstract: A method to obtain selected individual peptides or families thereof which have a target property and optionally to determine the amino acid sequence of a selected peptide or peptides to permit synthesis in practical quantities is disclosed. In general outline, the method of the invention comprises synthesizing a mixture of randomly or deliberately generated peptides using standard synthesis techniques, but adjusting the individual concentrations of the components of a mixture of sequentially added amino acids according to the coupling constants for each amino acid/amino acid coupling. The subgroup of peptides having the target property can then be selected, and either each peptide isolated and sequenced, or analysis performed on the mixture to permit its composition to be reproduced. Also included in the invention is an efficient method to determine the relevant coupling constants.

Abstract: A method to obtain selected individual peptides or families thereof which have a target property and optionally to determine the amino acid sequence of a selected peptide or peptides to permit synthesis in practical quantities is disclosed. In general outline, the method of the invention comprises synthesizing a mixture of randomly or deliberately generated peptides using standard synthesis techniques, but adjusting the individual concentrations of the components of a mixture of sequentially added amino acids according to the coupling constants for each amino acid/amino acid coupling. The subgroup of peptides having the target property can then be selected, and either each peptide isolated and sequenced, or analysis performed on the mixture to permit its composition to be reproduced. Also included in the invention is an efficient method to determine the relevant coupling constants.

Abstract: Recombinant full-length Hepatitis B surface antigen protein is disclosed. This protein is useful in vaccines for the prevention of Hepatitis B infection.

Abstract: A DNA expression vector is described which is derived from the highly efficient trp operon. The expression vector provides for the direct expression of an inserted gene or cDNA. Using the expression vector described herein, it is possible to obtain the protein coded by the gene or cDNA directly and not as a fusion protein. The expression vector comprises the promoter, operator and leader ribosomal binding site of the trp operon.

Abstract: A method to obtain selected individual peptides or families thereof which have a target property and optionally to determine the amino acid sequence of a selected peptide or peptides to permit synthesis in practical quantities is disclosed. In general outline, the method of the invention comprises synthesizing a mixture of randomly or deliberately generated peptides using standard synthesis techniques, but adjusting the individual concentrations of the components of a mixture of sequentially added amino acids according to the coupling constants for each amino acid/amino acid coupling. The subgroup of peptides having the target property can then be selected, and either each peptide isolated and sequenced, or analysis performed on the mixture to permit its composition to be reproduced. Also included in the invention is an efficient method to determine the relevant coupling constants.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a protein immunoreactive with antibodies raised against HBsAg, which protein has the formula: X-S-Y, S represents a peptide residue of the hepatitis B virus S-protein, Y is OH or NH.sub.2 and X is selected from the pre-S1/pre-S2 peptide residue, the pre S2 peptide residue and a fragment of the pre-S1/pre-S2 peptide residue containing at least a 9 amino acid portion of the C-terminal sequence of pre-S2.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a DNA transfer vector comprising two or more deoxynucleotide sequences coding for different antigenic materials linked together in phase with one another. The present invention further discloses the expression of said deoxynucleotide sequences either directly or as a fusion protein with the product of a procaryotic gene. The resulting expression product is then either a fusion protein comprising two or more antigenic materials or a fusion protein comprising a part of a procaryotic protein and two or more antigenic materials. These fusion products are capable of eliciting the formation of multivalent antibodies which are cross-reactive with any and all of the native antigenic material. A vaccine is also described utilizing these fusion products.

Abstract: A DNA expression vector which contains the trp promotor is described. The expression vector provides for the overproduction of .beta.-lactamase. Insertion of a gene or cDNA into the .beta.-lactamase gene of the expression vector results in the over-production of a fusion protein comprising a part of the .beta.-lactamase as the N-terminal end and the protein coded for by the inserted DNA as the C-terminal end. Using the expression vector described herein, it is possible to obtain large amounts of the fusion protein. A fusion protein containing the surface antigen of Hepatitis B virus and a vaccine containing this fusion protein are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon a general principle of providing specific oligonucleotide segments ("linkers", herein) to be attached in sequence to a cloned DNA coding segment. The linkers of the present invention confer desired functional properties on the expression of the protein coded by the coding sequence. Using linkers of the present invention, the desired protein may be expressed either as a fusion or non-fusion protein. A linker coding for an additional sequence of amino acids may be attached, the sequence being chosen to provide properties exploitable in a simplified purification process. A linker coding for an amino acid sequence of the extended specific cleavage site of a proteolytic enzyme is provided, as well as specific cleavage linkers for simpler specific cleavage sites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthesis of HBsAg in yeast. Yeast expression vectors comprising a yeast promoter, ADHl, 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: A recombinant procaryotic microorganism containing the gene coding for insulin.

Abstract: Microorganism having a gene derived from a higher organism is produced by isolating cells from a higher organism containing messenger RNA, extracting the messenger RNA, synthesizing a double stranded cDNA using the messenger RNA as a template, inserting the cDNA into a plasmid and transforming a microorganism with the resultant recombinant plasmid.

Abstract: A DNA having a base sequence coding for human proinsulin and a DNA having a base sequence coding for human pre-proinsulin have been cloned, and novel recombinant DNA transfer vectors containing said cloned DNAs have been constructed. Novel microorganisms transformed by said recombinant transfer vectors have been obtained. Certain of said transformed microorganisms have demonstrated capability to express the cloned DNA's, synthesizing a protein comprising human proinsulin and a protein-comprising human pre-proinsulin.