Northwestern University

University of Chicago

Dade International Inc.

Priscilla Wilkins Stevens

Victor I Lyamichev

Lloyd M Smith

Jeff G Hall

Bruce P Neri

David M Kelso

Robert W Kwiatkowski, Jr

Fred J Stevens

Marianne Schiffer

Terukatsu Arima

John Todd

Rosemarie Raffen

Badr Saeed

Terence E Ryan

Robert E Byrne

Mark K Kieselburg

The present invention relates to systems, compositions, and methods for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences and variations in nucleic acid sequences. The present invention relates to methods for attaching nucleic acids to solid supports and modifying nucleic acids. For example, in some embodiments, the 5' nuclease activity of a cleavage agent is used to cleave a cleavage structure formed on the solid support, the occurrence of the cleavage event indicating the presence of specific nucleic acid sequences.

Solid-phase reactions

A method for recombinant antibody subunit dimerization including modifying at least one codon of a nucleic acid sequence to replace an amino acid occurring naturally in the antibody with a charged amino acid at a position in the interface segment of the light polypeptide variable region, the charged amino acid having a first polarity; and modifying at least one codon of the nucleic acid sequence to replace an amino acid occurring naturally in the antibody with a charged amino acid at a position in an interface segment of the heavy polypeptide variable region corresponding to a position in the light polypeptide variable region, the charged amino acid having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. Nucleic acid sequences which code for novel light chain proteins, the latter of which are used in conjunction with the inventive method, are also provided.

Method for altering antibody light chain interactions

A novel cDNA clone, 20E, has been isolated and characterized as encoding a previously unknown polypeptide antigen recognized by antibodies in the serum of certain patients with non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH). The nucleic acid sequence is not represented in the genome of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Neither is the nucleic acid sequence represented in the human genome. The data suggest that the RNA sequence corresponding to clone 20E is contained within the genome of an external infective agent other than HCV, and therefore may represent an additional etiologic agent or contributing factor to the development of NANBH in human patients. The 20E nucleic acid and corresponding polypeptide and respective variants thereof will be useful in a variety of procedures directed at prevention and diagnosis of NANBH.

DNA sequence and encoded polypeptide useful in the diagnosis of

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Evanston, IL, United States of America

Priscilla Wilkins Stevens