Abstract: The phosphorylated structural protein of molecular weight about 150 kd (pp 150) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is highly immunogenic and is reliably recognised by human antisera. This protein can, after assignment and sequencing of the gene, be prepared, in whole or in immunogenic sections, by gene manipulation. Proteins of this type are suitable as reagents, for example in an ELISA, and as constituents of vaccines.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for continuously treating a solubilized protein solution containing a protein unfolded to some degree, in a small volume continuous flow reactor, to obtain the protein in a conformation exhibiting the protein's characteristic biological activity by continuously diluting out the solubilizing agent, while continuously withdrawing the refolded protein. The continuous process may be carried out using deionized water as a diluent, rather than buffer solutions.

Abstract: A method for recovering a recombinant protein from a protein solution containing high molecular weight contaminating proteins by directly adding a flocculant to the solution in amounts sufficient to selectively precipitate the high molecular weight protein contaminants is disclosed.The high molecular weight precipitates are removed and the solution is further processed to remove low molecular weight contaminating proteins and other non-protein contaminants. The recombinant protein is subsequently recovered and further processed to produce a protein composition suitable for its intended use.

Abstract: A fused protein comprising a polypetide containing an antibody binding site of protein A and a polypeptide of lymphotoxin, and having biological activities of lymphotoxin and an ability to bind to an antibody is disclosed. Further, a process for the production of the fused protein, as well as a DNA coding for the fused protein, a plasmid containing the DNA, and E. coli transformed with the plasmid, necessary for the above-mentioned process, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses plant cells which contain modified 7S legume seed storage protein. Modification of 7S seed storage proteins which are expressible in plant cells and transformation of such genes into plant cells is also taught. Furthermore, methods and DNA molecules useful for producing plant cells containing modified 7S seed storage proteins are also disclosed. The invention is exemplified by insertion of an oligonucleotide encoding 15 amino acid residues, including 6 methionines, into a Phaseolus vulgaris phaseolin gene, thereby tripling its content of sulfur-containing amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to pneumococcal fimbrial protein A. In particular, the present invention relates to a DNA segment encoding a pneumococcal fimbrial protein A gene; polypeptides encoded by said DNA segment; recombinant DNA molecules containing the DNA segment; cells containing the recombinant DNA molecule; a method of producing a pneumococcal fimbrial protein A polypeptide; antibodies specific to pneumococcal fimbrial protein A; and a method of measuring the amount of pneumococcal fimbrial protein A in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a new polypeptide and a method for producing the same. The polypeptide has a molecular weight of approximately 30,000 daltons as a dimer and a monomer molecular weight of about 15,000 daltons, an isoelectric pH of about 4.47 and an activity of at least 21,000 units per milligram of protein in the monomer or dimer state. The preferred method comprises chromatographing a crude polypeptide-containing medium on a dextran derived chromatography column; precipitating the eluate in a water-ethanol solution; electrophoresing the precipitate in a polyacrylamide gel; and chromatographing the extract on a reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography column.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for the purification of the 69 kDa outer membrane protein of Bordetella B. pertussis and the protein purified therewith. A preferred embodiment comprises the purification of the 69 kDa protein from Bordetella B. pertussis strain Bp 353. The present process is advantageous in that it does not require or involve the use of biologics (such as monoclonal antibodies) and therefore simplifies the purification procedure and makes the resulting purified protein particularly advantageous for inclusion in acellular vaccines.

Abstract: A method of purifying PAI-1 from a biological fluid source, e.g. conditioned media of Hep G2 or HT 1080 cells, containing PAI-1 is disclosed, which comprises subjecting the biological fluid to a modified urokinase affinity absorbent, e.g. anhydrourokinase ligand bound to a CNBr-activated agarose gel or urokinase mutated at amino acid position 356 from Ser to Gly and bound to the gel, and then eluting PAI-1 from said affinity absorbent. A method of stabilizing and/or activating PAI-1 is also disclosed, which comprises complexing PAI-1 with vitronectin.

Abstract: Neurotransmission by excitatory amino acids (EAAs) such as glutamate is mediated via membrane-bound surface receptors. DNA coding for one family of these receptors, of the kainate binding type of EAA receptors, has now been isolated and the receptor protein characterized. Herein described are recombinant cell lines which produce the EAA receptor as a heterologous membrane-bound product. Also described are related aspects of the invention, which are of commerical significance. Included is use of the cell lines as a tool for discovery of compounds which modulate EAA receptor stimulation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a human macrophage inflammatory protein-3 (MIP-3) and a human macrophage inflammatory protein-4 (MIP-4) polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides. There is also provided a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques and for producing antibodies against such polypeptides. In the invention there is also provided antagonist/inhibitors against such polypeptides which inhibit the functioning of such polypeptides. Another aspect of the invention provides a combination of the polypeptides of the present invention and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier for providing a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptides for the treatment of various associated diseases.

Abstract: A process for the purification of proteins from solutions containing contaminants of similar net charge and molecular weight is provided, comprising contacting a solution containing the desired protein with an immobilized metal affinity chromatography resin in a buffer containing a low concentration of a weak ligand for the chelant of the resin. The adsorbed protein is then eluted using a buffer having a high concentration of the same weak ligand, e.g., Tris. Particularly preferred features employ agarose-iminodiacetic acid resins having copper cations and are especially useful in obtaining preparations of homogeneous, stable rsT4 proteins.

Abstract: A method for recovering hepatitis B surface antigen protein from transformed yeast cells including the steps of (i) obtaining an aqueous homogenate of the yeast cells; (ii) enriching the hepatitis B surface antigen protein in the homogenate with a protein-aggregating reagent to form a precipitate which contains hepatitis B surface antigen protein; (iii) dissolving the precipitate in a buffer to form a suspension; and (iv) post-homogenizing the suspension to obtain a 10% to 50% increase in yield of the hepatitis B surface antigen protein as calculated based on a yield achieved without performing the post-homogenizing step.

Abstract: This invention relates to polypeptides that are human somatomedin carrier protein subunits and to processes for producing them. The carrier protein subunits bind to human somatomedin-like polypeptides also known as insulin-like growth factors. The process involves preparation from a human serum fraction, Cohn IV-1, by a molecule of various chromatographic steps.This invention also relates to DNA molecules encoding human somatomedin carrier protein-like polypeptides, recombinant DNA molecules, hosts, processes for producing carrier protein-like polypeptides, human somatomedin carrier protein-like polypeptides produced using those molecules, hosts and processes. The invention relates to DNA molecules and their expression in appropriate hosts. The recombinant DNA molecules contain DNA molecules that code for polypeptides which have a biological activity of the human carrier protein or a human carrier protein subunit capable of binding somatomedins.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for continuously fractionating plant, animal or human proteins by selective precipitation of the proteins resulting from placing a solution of proteins in contact with a precipitating agent constituted by a fatty acid of 6 to 14 carbon atoms, such as caprylic acid, is characterized in that respective deliveries of fatty acid and of the protein solution are continuously placed in contact in a mixing chamber of small volume with respect to the deliveries, creating a strong stirring in this mixing chamber; the individual deliveries of fatty acid and of protein solution are adjusted to controlled pH and temperature so as to maintain their ratio equal to a predetermined value; the mixture is then allowed to evolve during a phase of maturation so as to form a suspension; this suspension is separated into a liquid part from which are extracted the proteins having remained soluble, and a solid part containing proteins of different nature; and the parameters intervening in the proce

Abstract: Two previously undescribed human cdc25 genes, designated cdc25 A and cdc25 B, which have been shown to have an endogenous tyrosine phosphatase activity that can be specifically activated by B-type cyclin, in the complete absence of cdc2.As a result of the work described herein, new approaches to regulating the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells and, particularly, to regulating the activity of tyrosine specific phosphatases which play a key role in the cell cycle are available. Applicant's invention relates to methods of regulating the cell cycle and, specifically, to regulating activation of cdc2-kinase, through alteration of the activity and/or levels of tyrosine phosphatases, particularly cdc25 phosphatase, and B-type cyclin or through alteration of the interaction of components of MPF, particularly the association of cdc25 with cyclin, cdc2 or the cdc2/cyclin B complex. The present invention also relates to agents or compositions useful in the method of regulating (inhibiting or enhancing) the cell cycle.