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5155027 Method of producing secreted receptor analogs and biologically active peptide dimers
NEW PATENTS This section contains abstracts and, where appropriate, illustrations of recently issued United States patents and published patent application filedfrom over 30 countries under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This information was obtained from recent additions to the PATSEARCH* online database in accordance with interest profiles developed by the Editors. Further information about online patent searchingcan be obtained from Research on Demand, Inc., 2421 Fourth Street, Ste. C., Berkeley, CA 94710, U.S.A. [Tel. 510-841 1145; Fax 510-841 6311].
Mutation/Genetic Engineering Techniques
What is described is a selection system for the cloning and expi'ession of open reading frames in poxviruses, particularly vaccinia virus. The selection system is based on a conditional lethal mutant (host range) of poxviruses. A deletion/recombinant mutant of the vaccinia virus was generated which is capable of plaquing on primary chick embryo fibroblasts and two monkey cell lines (BSC-40 or VERO) but is defective in replication in the human cell line MRC-5. Insertion of the host range gene into the deletion/recombinant restores the ability for growth on MCR-5 cells. A series of plasmids were constructed which allow for the rapid single-step cloning and expression of any open reading frame when recombined with the deletion/recombinant and scored for growth on MCR-5 cells.
5155018 PROCESS AND KIT FOR ISOLATING AND PURIFYING RNA FROM BIOLOGICAL SOURCES David Gillespie, Kevin K Cuddy assigned to Hahnemann University A process is provided for isolating and purifying biologically active RNA from a biological sources containing RNA, DNA and other cellular materials. The process involves contacting the RNA-containing source with particles comprising siliceous material, such as finely-divided glass, in the presence of a binding solution comprising concentrated, acidified chaotropic salt. Under these conditions, RNA, but not DNA, binds selectively to the siliceous material, and can be separated easily from the other components of the sample. Preferably, the selective binding process is applied to biological cells containing RNA of interest. Intact cells are disrupted by exposing them to a lysing solution comprising, as its main component, concentrated, acidified chaotropic salt. The RNA is then isolated and purified from the lysate using the selective binding process of the invention. The process of the invention may be conveniently provided as a kit, which may include the siliceous material, reagents and instructions for use of the kit to isolate and purify biologically active RNA from biological sources.
5155027 METHOD OF PRODUCING SECRETED RECEPTOR ANALOGS AND BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE PEPTIDE DIMERS Andrzej Sledziewski, Lillian A Bell, Wayne R Kindsvogel assigned to ZymoGenetics Inc Methods for producing secreted receptor analogs and biologically active peptide dimers are disclosed. The methods for producing secreted receptor analogs and biologically active peptide dimers utilize a DNA sequence encoding a receptor analog or a peptide requiring dimerization for biological activity joined to a dimerizing protein. The receptor analog includes a ligand-binding domain. Polypeptides comprising essentially the extracellular domain of a human PDGF receptor fused to dimerizing proteins, the portion being capable of binding human PDGF or an isoform thereof, are also disclosed. The polypeptides may be used within methods for determining the presence of and for purifying human PDGF or isoforms thereof.
5155020 RECOMBINANT POXVIRUS HOST RANGE SELECTION SYSTEM Enzo Paoletti assigned to Health Research Inc 131
Mutation/Genetic Engineering Techniques
What is described is a selection system for the cloning and expi'ession of open reading frames in poxviruses, particularly vaccinia virus. The selection system is based on a conditional lethal mutant (host range) of poxviruses. A deletion/recombinant mutant of the vaccinia virus was generated which is capable of plaquing on primary chick embryo fibroblasts and two monkey cell lines (BSC-40 or VERO) but is defective in replication in the human cell line MRC-5. Insertion of the host range gene into the deletion/recombinant restores the ability for growth on MCR-5 cells. A series of plasmids were constructed which allow for the rapid single-step cloning and expression of any open reading frame when recombined with the deletion/recombinant and scored for growth on MCR-5 cells.
5155018 PROCESS AND KIT FOR ISOLATING AND PURIFYING RNA FROM BIOLOGICAL SOURCES David Gillespie, Kevin K Cuddy assigned to Hahnemann University A process is provided for isolating and purifying biologically active RNA from a biological sources containing RNA, DNA and other cellular materials. The process involves contacting the RNA-containing source with particles comprising siliceous material, such as finely-divided glass, in the presence of a binding solution comprising concentrated, acidified chaotropic salt. Under these conditions, RNA, but not DNA, binds selectively to the siliceous material, and can be separated easily from the other components of the sample. Preferably, the selective binding process is applied to biological cells containing RNA of interest. Intact cells are disrupted by exposing them to a lysing solution comprising, as its main component, concentrated, acidified chaotropic salt. The RNA is then isolated and purified from the lysate using the selective binding process of the invention. The process of the invention may be conveniently provided as a kit, which may include the siliceous material, reagents and instructions for use of the kit to isolate and purify biologically active RNA from biological sources.
5155027 METHOD OF PRODUCING SECRETED RECEPTOR ANALOGS AND BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE PEPTIDE DIMERS Andrzej Sledziewski, Lillian A Bell, Wayne R Kindsvogel assigned to ZymoGenetics Inc Methods for producing secreted receptor analogs and biologically active peptide dimers are disclosed. The methods for producing secreted receptor analogs and biologically active peptide dimers utilize a DNA sequence encoding a receptor analog or a peptide requiring dimerization for biological activity joined to a dimerizing protein. The receptor analog includes a ligand-binding domain. Polypeptides comprising essentially the extracellular domain of a human PDGF receptor fused to dimerizing proteins, the portion being capable of binding human PDGF or an isoform thereof, are also disclosed. The polypeptides may be used within methods for determining the presence of and for purifying human PDGF or isoforms thereof.
5155020 RECOMBINANT POXVIRUS HOST RANGE SELECTION SYSTEM Enzo Paoletti assigned to Health Research Inc 131