Merck + Co., Inc.

Mark W Riemen

Allen I Oliff

David C Heimbrook

Walfred S Saari

Ronald W Ellis

Paul M Keller

Robert S Lowe

Andrew J Davison

Steven M Stirdivant

Victor M Garsky

Psuedomonas exotoxin 40 is modified by deleting or substituting one or more cysteine residues. Such a modified protein may be incorporated into a fusion protein with TGF.alpha.. The resulting fusion protein exhibits altered biological activities from unmodified TGF.alpha.-PE.sub.40, including decreased cell killing activity and increase receptor-binding activity.

Modified pseudomonas exotoxin PE.sub.40

Pseudomonas exotoxin 40 is modified by deleting or substituting one or more cysteine residues. Such a modified protein, when hybridized to TGF.alpha., exhibits altered biological activities from unmodified TGF.alpha. PE.sub.40, including decreased cell killing activity and increased receptor-binding activity.

A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified by DNA sequence analysis. Antibodies directed against peptides imputed from the DNA sequence can react with the glycoprotein, which itself is reactive with neutralizing antibodies. The amino-terminal sequence of the purified glycoprotein is identical to a portion of the amino acid sequence imputed from the DNA sequence. This glycoprotein is useful for the preparation of a vaccine against VZV.

DNA encoding immunogenic gpIII glycoprotein of varicella-zoster virus

Small cell lung carcinoma cells (SCLC) contain gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) receptors. The response of the cells to GRP is rapid growth. We have found a group of heptapeptides that act as GRP antagonists by blocking the binding of GRP to its receptor thereby inhibiting the growth of cells that are sensitive to the growth promoting acitivity of GRP.

Gastrin releasing peptide antagonist

Small cell lung carcinoma cells (SCLC) contain gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) receptors. The response of the cells to GRP is rapid growth. We have found a group of peptide derivatives that act as GRP antagonists by blocking the binding of GRP to its receptor thereby inhibiting the growth of cells that are sensitive to the growth promoting activity of GRP.

Vaccine against varicella-zoster virus

Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells contain gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) receptors. The response of the cells to GRP is rapid growth. We have found a group of peptide derivatives that act as GRP antagonists by blocking the binding of GRP to its receptor thereby inhibiting the growth of cells that are sensitive to the growth promoting activity of GRP.

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Doylestown, PA, United States of America

Mark W Riemen