Abstract: Compounds are disclosed having the general formula R1—X—R2, wherein R1 and R2 are biologically active groups, at least one of which is polypeptidic. X is a non-peptidic polymeric group. R1 and R2 may be the same or different. Preferred R1 and R2 groups are interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, 30 kDa TNF inhibitor, interleukin-2 receptors and CR1 and muteins thereof. Also included are site selectively modified interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and 30 kDa TNF inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transformed yeast cell containing a first heterologous DNA sequence which codes for a mammalian G protean coupled receptor and a second heterologous DNA sequence which codes for a mammalian G protein ? subunit (mammalian G?). The first and second heterologous DNA sequences are capable of expression in the cell, but the cell is incapable of expressing an endogenous G protein ?-subunit (yeast G?). The cells are useful for screening compounds which affect the rate of dissociation of G? from G?? in a cell. Also disclosed is a novel DNA expression vector useful for making cells as described above. The vector contains a first segment comprising at least a fragment of the extreme amino-terminal coding sequence of a yeast G protein coupled receptor. A second segment is positioned downstream from the first segment (and in correct reading frame therewith), with the second segment comprising a DNA sequence encoding a heterologous G protein coupled receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides biological fertilizer compositions that comprise yeast cells and garbage. The yeast cells of the invention have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, overproduce growth factors, overproduce ATP, decompose undesirable chemicals, suppress growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or reduce undesirable odor. The biological fertilizer composition of the invention can replace mineral fertilizers in supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to crop plants. Methods of manufacturing biological fertilizer compositions, and methods of uses are also encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention provides biological fertilizer compositions that comprise yeast cells that have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, over produce growth factors, and over produce ATP. The biological fertilizer composition of the invention can replace mineral fertilizers in supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to crop plants. Methods of manufacturing the biological fertilizer compositions and methods of uses are also encompassed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for obtaining a C-polysaccharide cell wall antigen containing not more than about 10% protein from Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. The antigen thus obtained is conjugated to a spacer molecule, and the free end of the latter is then conjugated to a chromatographic affinity column. The column is then utilized to purify raw antibodies to S. pneumonia bacteria, thereby producing antigen-specific antibodies. A portion of such antibodies is conjugated to a labeling agent which displays a visible color change upon reaction of the antibodies with their antigenic binding partner and embedded in a first zone of an immunochromatographic assay device. Another portion of such antibodies is bound to the reaction zone of the device which has a view window.

Abstract: The present invention provides biological fertilizer compositions that comprise yeast cells and sludge. The yeast cells of the invention have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, overproduce growth factors, overproduce ATP, decompose undesirable chemicals, suppress growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or reduce undesirable odor. The biological fertilizer composition of the invention can replace mineral fertilizers in supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to crop plants. Methods of manufacturing biological fertilizer compositions, and methods of uses are also encompassed.

Abstract: A universal secretory signal originally derived from a piscine vitellogenin (Vtg) gene is inserted into various expression vectors for driving the secretion of the recombinant protein into the culture medium. This enhances the detection, quantification and downstream scaled-up purification of a recombinant protein of interest. The secretory signal system is very versatile, being conveniently and widely applicable to an array of heterologous host cells such as bacteria, yeast, insect, piscine, and mammalian cell lines (e.g., COS, CHO, NIH/3T3). The said secretory system is also applicable as a reporter vector for secretion of reporter proteins/enzymes, thus, enabling the detection of the reporter proteins (e.g., CAT, GFP) in the culture medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel multi-functional hematopoietic receptor agonist proteins, DNAs which encode the multi-functional hematopoietic receptor agonists proteins, methods of making the multi-functional hematopoietic receptor agonists proteins and methods of using the multi-functional hematopoietic receptor agonists proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel expression systems for producing desired polypeptides in certain strains of yeast. The present invention further provides methods for producing polypeptide products using such expression systems. The present invention also provides compositions relating to the same.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for efficient production of human insulin-like growth factor. Synthetic IGF I and IGF II genes are joined to leader and processing signals which provide for expression and secretion of the gene product in yeast. Enhanced yields of the product may then be recovered from the nutrient medium. Yeast strains S. cerevisiae AB103 (pYIGF-I-10/1) and AB103 (pYIGF-II-10/1) were deposited at the American Type Culture Collection on Apr. 23, 1983 and granted Accession Nos. 20673 and 20674, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides biological fertilizer compositions that comprise yeast cells and poultry manure. The yeast cells of the invention have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, overproduce growth factors, overproduce ATP, decompose undesirable chemicals, suppress growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or reduce undesirable odor. The biological fertilizer composition of the invention can replace mineral fertilizers in supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to crop plants. Methods of manufacturing biological fertilizer compositions, and methods of uses are also encompassed.

Abstract: A method for detecting protein-protein interactions is provided, in which two fusion proteins are prepared and allowed to interact with each other in yeast cells. The interaction between the two fusion proteins leads to protein trans-splicing, generating an active and detectable reporter.

Abstract: A method for selecting compounds capable of modulating protein-protein interactions is provided, in which two fusion proteins are prepared and allowed to interact with each other in the presence of test compounds. The interaction between the two fusion proteins leads to protein trans-splicing, producing an active reporter. Compounds that disrupt or enhance protein-protein interactions can be selected based on the presence or absence of the active reporter.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding avian beta-defensin is provided. Further provided are compositions comprising an avian beta-defensin, or portions thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and DNA molecules for the synthesis of heterologous proteins in the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans either intracellularly or with secretion out of the cells using a regulated xylanase promoter and for secreted protein synthesis, a signal sequence. Further described are kits containing host cells for recombinant protein production, a vector containing an XynA transcription regulatory sequence, and instructions for using the vector to transform the host cells.

Abstract: A chimeric G&agr; protein having yeast G&agr; (Gpa1p) amino acid sequences modified by a minimum of 3 amino acids positions within the C-terminal 10 amino acids by substitution by alternative amino acids, a transformed yeast cell comprising said chimeric G&agr; protein and a method of screening for a compound able to interact with a receptor comprising contacting a compound of interest with said yeast cell and observing the growth response of the cell or observing production of a reporter gene product.

Abstract: A subject of the invention is a modified yeast strain in which the acetyl-CoA pregnenolone acetyltransferase (APAT) activity is eliminated by altering the gene coding for this activity with resultant stabilization of 3&bgr;-hydroxysteroids.

Abstract: Hybrid nucleic acid sequences including at least the coding region of an unedited mitochondrial gene of superior plants and controlling the male fertility of plants containing said sequences, transgenic plants having such sequences and methods of production of transgenic male-sterile plants and method of restoring male-fertile plants. The nuclei of the transgenic plants contain a hybrid sequence capable of being expressed (transgene), comprising at least one coding region of an unedited mitochondrial gene of superior plants and a sequence capable of transferring the protein expressed by said coding region, to the mitochondrion, said hybrid sequence being capable of modifying the male fertility of plants having incorporated said transgene, while leaving the other phenotype characteristics of said plants unaltered.

Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences are provided for the diagnosis of the presence of retroviral infection in a human host associated with lymphadenopathy syndrome and/or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, for expression of polypeptides and use of the polypeptides to prepare antibodies, where both the polypeptides and antibodies may be employed as diagnostic reagents or in therapy, e.g., vaccines and passive immunization. The sequences provide detection of the viral infectious agents associated with the indicated syndromes and can be used for expression of antigenic polypeptides.

Abstract: A hybrid fusion protein comprising a first antigenic amino acid sequence fused to a second amino acid sequence substantially homologous to B2M or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides biological fertilizer compositions that comprise yeast cells and garbage. The yeast cells of the invention have an enhanced ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, decompose phosphorus minerals and compounds, decompose potassium minerals and compounds, decompose complex carbon compounds, overproduce growth factors, overproduce ATP, decompose undesirable chemicals, suppress growth of pathogenic microorganisms, or reduce undesirable odor. The biological fertilizer composition of the invention can replace mineral fertilizers in supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to crop plants. Methods of manufacturing biological fertilizer compositions, and methods of uses are also encompassed.

Abstract: The invention provides yeast cells which express adenosine receptors (e.g., A1 adenosine receptors or A2a adenosine receptors) functionally integrated into the pheromone response pathway of the yeast cells. The yeast cells of the invention display ligand-dependent responses and can be used in screening assays to identify modulators (e.g., agonists or antagonists) of adenosine receptors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining expression of a mixed hepatitis B surface antigen particle, e.g., a particle of mixed polypeptide composition, in yeast. Also disclosed is a method for obtaining multimeric structures presenting two or more polypeptides by expression in yeast as fusion proteins with the S antigen of HBsAg.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for identifying inhibitors of the interaction between phosphopeptide binding pairs, i.e., a protein domain having at least one phosphopeptide binding domain and the phosphorylated ligands that bind these domains. These inhibitors may be used for pharmaceutical compositions and in therapeutic treatments for diseases in which a phosphopeptide domain binding is implicated.

Abstract: Recombinant yeast expression vectors with the features indicated in the patent claims are described. These recombinant yeast expression vectors can be used for the preparation of HBeAg in yeast host organisms. Appropriate expression systems, transformed host organisms, diagnostic aids and medicinal agents are additionally described.

Abstract: Two Hepatitis C Virus envelope proteins (E1 and E2) are expressed without sialylation. Recombinant expression of these proteins in lower eukaryotes, or in mammalian cells in which terminal glycosylation is blocked, results in recombinant proteins which are more similar to native HCV glycoproteins. When isolated by GNA lectin affinity, the E1 and E2 proteins aggregate into virus-like particles.

Abstract: Peripheral blood leucocytes incubated with a semi-synthetic phage antibody library and fluorochrome-labeled CD3 and CD20 antibodies were used to isolate human single chain Fv antibodies specific for subsets of blood leucocytes by flow cytometry. Isolated phage antibodies showed exclusive binding to the subpopulation used for selection or displayed additional binding to a restricted population of other cells in the mixture. At least two phage antibodies appeared to display hithereto unknown staining patterns of B lineage cells. This approach provides a subtractive procedure to rapidly obtain human antibodies against known and novel surface antigens in their native configuration, expressed on phenotypically defined subpopulations of cells. Importantly, this approach does not depend on immunization procedures or the necessity to repeatedly construct phage antibody libraries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic leader peptide sequences for secreting polypeptides in yeast.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for making desired polypeptides in yeast. The desired products are expressed as leader bound polypeptides connected by means of a monobasic processing site. The desired polypeptide is cleaved from the leader either in vivo or in vitro by enzymatic cleavage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for culturing microorganisms having a methanol metabolic pathway in which an expression unit is introduced that comprises a target gene linked downstream from a promoter that can be induced by methanol; wherein, during the culturing period, and including the period during which methanol is continuously or periodically added, the rate of addition is adjusted to a rate equal to or less than the maximum methanol consumption rate of said microorganisms.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for detecting complex protein interactions and protein functional relationships, and reagents for carrying out those methods.

Abstract: Isolated DNA sequences encoding a novel hybrid protein are provided which comprise a portion of the CS protein of P. falciparum and the surface antigen of Hepatitis B virus. Vectors and host cells containing the isolated DNA sequences are also disclosed.

Abstract: A yeast &agr;-factor expression system is provided comprised of a truncated leader sequence, containing the &agr;-factor signal peptide and one glycosylation site, linked by a processing site to a non-yeast protein-encoding sequence.