PATENT ABSTRACTS
248
4792520 METHODS AND KITS FOR IDENTIFYING MUTAGENIC AGENTS AND MOLECULAR MUTATIONS IN DNA IN MAMMALIAN CELLS
in situ by virtue of their binding one of the specific antisera which are coupled to a colordevelopment assay. Additionally, methods for identifying mutagens which produce mutations at the APRT locus, and which exert their effect by inducing DNA rearrangements, transpositions or excision are employed. The tester lines and reagents enable the exact nature of mutation that any mutagen produces in cells to be rapidly established. Further, portions of the nucleotide sequence of a mouse APRT DNA strand as well as its encoded amino acid sequence are disclosed.
Peter J Stambrook, Jay A Tischfield assigned to University of Cincinnati; Medical College of Georgia Research lnstitu
A new and improved cell assay has been developed for mutagens and potential carcinogens to precisely identify the predominant type of mutation(s) each such compound induces in the DNA of cells. The test utilizes, for example, a selectable genetic marker such as adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) which is now extensively characterized on the DNA, protein and cellular phenotype levels. Specific mutations such as transitions, transversions, point insertions or point deletions are engineered at specific known sites in a mouse APRT gene deduced from the determined gene sequence, such that the gene cannot be properly expressed. These mutant genes are then introduced into non-reverting APRT deficient mammalian cells. These hybrid constructs represent the basic test medium for detection of mutagenic activity. The tester cells are treated with mutagens known to preferentially induce specific DNA mutations in mammalian cells. Reversion within the appropriate tester cell culture detected by growth in selection medium or other detection systems, will confirm or refute the mode of action of these mutagens. As an additional approach for the identification of mutagens that produce frameshifts, the amino acid sequences of major frameshift peptides have been determined from the nucleotide sequence of the mouse APRT gene. These frameshift peptides are synthesized and individually used to elicit antisera. Mutant colonies, arising as a consequence of frameshifl mutation, are identified
4792523 3'EXPRESSION ENHANCING FRAGMENTS AND METHOD Hing C Wong, Shing Chang assigned to Cetus Corporation The invention concerns positive retroregulatory elements, which when ligated to selected DNA sequences coding for a gene product, enhance the expression of the gene product. Plasmids carrying the positive retroregulatory element ligated to selected DNA sequence and cells transformed by such plasmids are provided AND claimed. In addition, the invention relates to a method for enhancing expression of a gene product by ligating a positive retroregulatory element to a selected DNA sequence expressionable for a desired gene product.
4795562 MEMBRANE BATCHPROCESSING APPARATUS James W Walsh
249
PATENT ABSTRACTS A membrane batch-processor system and method for the fluid treatment of a plurality of specimen containing membranes, such as membranes having specimens of DNA, RNA, and protein molecules deposited thereon, includes a receptacle having an interior cavity and a pluglike closure slidably received in the cavity. A membrane stack is assembled from a plurality of membranes to be treated and flow definers interleaved between the membranes to defined a membrane stack of alternate flow definers and membranes. The flow definers are preferable fabricated from an open-weave fabric-like material to define multiple fluid pathways across the opposite surfaces of each membrane. Fluid distribution plenums are defined between to the receptacle and closure so that treatment fluid introduced into an entry plenum will flow through the multiple fluid pathways across the opposite surfaces of each membrane to expose each membrane to the treatment fluid and effect time and fluid efficient treatment of the membranes.
4795744 MODULATION OF AIDS VIRUSR E L A T E D E V E N T S BY D O U B L E STRANDED RNAS William A Carter assigned to HEM Research Inc The use of mismatched dsRNA, e.g. Ampligen for the manufacture of compositions for use in the selective activation of a latent natural defense system within human cells, both cells already infected with AIDS virus as well as cells at risk to infection. Specific treatments for various clinical phases of the biological continuous of AIDS virus-related events ranging from subtle, early immunological lesions to advanced disease are described. Prophylaxis or prevention of AIDS virus related events, such as by introduction of mismatched double-stranded RNA into various blood products or biological fluids to be used in man (e.g., blood transfusion) or around man (e.g., dialysis programs) are also described.
4795699 4795805 T7 D N A P O L Y M E R A S E Stanle Tabor, Charles Richardson assigned to President and Fellows of Harvard College
DERIVATIVE OF ADULT T CELL LEUKEMIA VIRUS ANTIGEN PEPTIDE
This invention relates to T7-type DNA polymerases and method for using them.
Seiga Itoh, Susum Sekine, Tadatsug Taniguchi, Mitsuaki Yoshida, Haruo Sugano, Sagamihara, Japan assigned to Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co Ltd; Juridical Foundation Japanese Foundation for Cancer Researc
4795706
Recombinant plasmids are constructed by inserting a DNA fragment coding for a fused protein of an adult T cell leukemia virus antigen peptide and an enzyme into a vector DNA. Microorganisms are transformed with the recombinant plasmid and thereafter cultured to express the fused protein. The fused protein is useful for the detection and diagnosis of adult T cell leukemia.
NOVEL EXPRESSION CONTROL SEQUENCES Hansen M Hsiung, Dennis P Smith assigned to Eli Lilly and Company The present invention comprises novel expression control sequences that promote transcription of DNA. The novel sequences have been positioned for expression of structural genes encoding bovine growth hormone derivatives on recombinant DNA expression vectors. The novel expression control sequences function in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms and can be constructed by either DNA synthesizing instruments or by conventional modified phosphotriester methodology.
4795855 TRANSFORMATION AND FOREIGN GENE EXPRESSION WITH WOODY SPECIES Joanne Fillatti, Luca Comai