Abstract: A chimeric transmembrane protein which promotes viral entry into cells comprises: (i) an extracellular domain capable of binding a virus; and (ii) an intracellular internalisation signal.

Abstract: Use of a compound of formula (I): wherein each R, which are the same or different, is H or C1–C6 alkyl, and X completes a ring which is a substituted triazine having one of the following formulae (II) to (IV): wherein R? is H or C1–C6 alkyl; or an enol tautomer of a compound of formula (I) in which any of the groups R or R? is hydrogen; in the manufacture of a medicament for use as a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor. Formula (I) embraces 2-methylfervenulone, which can be produced by fermentation of a novel microbial strain. Fermentation of the said strain also produces novel precursors to 2-methylfervenulone having utility as prodrugs.

Abstract: Flavivirus, rhabdovirus and paramyxovirus infections may be treated by administering an inhibitor of the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase such as 6-fluoro-2-(2?-fluoro-1,1?-biphenyl-4-yl)-3-methyl-4-quinolinearcarboxylic acid sodium salt (Brequinar). A synergistic effect can be obtained if an interferon such as interferon ?2, interferon ?8 or interferon ?, or an inhibitor of a second enzyme selected from inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, guanosine monophosphate synthetase, cytidine triphosphate synthetase and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, is also administered.

Abstract: A chimeric transmembrane protein which promotes viral entry into cells comprises: (i) an extracellular domain capable of binding a virus; and (ii) an intracellular internalisation signal.

Abstract: A nucleic acid construct is provided. The nucleic acid construct includes an expression cassette including: a first polynucleotide region including a 5′ NCR sequence of an RNA virus and at least an N-terminal portion of a core sequence of the RNA virus; a second polynucleotide region including a 3′ UTR sequence of the RNA virus and at least a C-terminal portion of a polymerase sequence of the virus; and a third polynucleotide region encoding a reporter molecule, the third polynucleotide region being flanked by the first and the second polynucleotide regions; and a promoter sequence being operatively linked to the expression cassette in a manner so as to enable a transcription of a minus strand RNA molecule from the expression cassette.

Abstract: Use of a compound of formula (I), wherein each R, which are the same or different, is H or C1-C6 alkyl, and X completes a ring which is a substituted triazine having one of the following formulae (II) to (IV), wherein R′ is H or C1-C6 alkyl; or an enol tautomer of a compound of formula (I) in which any of the groups R or R′ is hydrogen; in the manufacture of a medicament for use as a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor. Formula (I) embraces 2-methylfervenulone, which can be produced by fermentation of a novel microbial strain. Fermentation of the said strain also produces novel precursors to 2-methylfervenulone having utility as prodrugs.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid is disclosed, including a promoter sequence being transcriptionally functional in a T-lymphocyte undergoing activation and transcriptionally less functional in the T-lymphocyte prior to the activation.

Abstract: Proteins such as human &bgr;-interferon or human erythropoietin are prepared by culturing mammalian cells which harbour a nucleic acid sequence comprising: (i) a coding sequence which encodes the desired protein and which is operably linked to a promoter capable of directing expression of the coding sequence in a mammalian cell in the presence of a heavy metal ion; and (ii) a first selectable marker sequence comprises a metallothionein gene and which is operably linked to a promoter capable of directing expression of the metallothionein gene in a mammalian cell in the presence of a heavy metal ion; and optionally (iii) a second selectable marker sequence which comprises a neo gene and which is operably linked to a promoter capable of directing expression of the neo gene in a mammalian cell.

Abstract: DENI-S275/90 (ECACC V92042111) is a new strain of Dengue virus serotype 1. The complete cDNA sequence of this virus has been cloned and protein-coding fragments thereof have been used in the construction of expression plasmids. DEN1-S275/90 in inactivated form, DEN1-S275/90 polypeptides or fusion proteins thereof can be incorporated into vaccines for immunisation against DEN1-S275/90 and other DEN1 viruses. The invention further provides diagnostic reagents e.g. labelled antibodies to DEN1-S275/90 proteins, and kits to detect DEN1 virus.