Molmed Spa

Eniricerche S.p.a.

Sclavo Spa

Pharmacia Italia S.p.a.

Salvatore Toma

Francesca Salvatori

Stefania Massa

Marina Radrizzani

Guido Grandi

Rino Rappuoli

Antonella Isacchi

Francesca De Ferra

Roberto Gianna

Antonio Mele

Paola Pedroni

Barbara Riboli

Jens Berthelsen

Marina Del Bue

Susanna Campagnoli

Beatrice Arico

Immaculada Margarit Y Ros

Claudia Benati

Simona La Seta Catamancio

Roberto Sciarretta Birolo

Cecilia Sendresen

A polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a thymidine kinase wherein at least one of the nucleotides corresponding to the splice donor site nucleotides is replaced by another nucleotide and wherein the nucleotides of the splice acceptor sites are not altered.

Thymidine kinase

The present invention provides a human polypeptide homolog of human tankyrase protein (THP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode THP. In addition, the invention provides expression vectors, host cells and methods for its production. The invention also provides methods for the identification of THP agonists/antagonists, useful for the treatment of human diseases, such as human cancer and age related diseases.

Tankyrase homolog protein (THP), nucleic acids, and methods related to the same

The cloning and sequencing of the gene which codes for a new pilinic subunit of Bordetella pertussis are described. The aminoacid sequence of the mature subunit, deduced from its necleotide sequence, is similar but not identical to that of the known pilins 2, 3 and 6. Polypeptides having the aminoacid sequence of the mature pilinic subunit or of regions thereof are particularly useful for the development of synthetic acellular vaccines against pertussis.

Cloning and sequencing of the gene which codes for a new pilinic subunit

The mutants of neutral protease (NP) described can retain their enzymatic activities at temperatures at which wild-type neutral protease becomes inactive, the mutants being characterised in that the Gly 189 and/or Gly 147 residues of the aminoacid sequence of NP are replaced by different residues selected from the natural aminoacids. Mutagenised genes of neutral protease which code for the mutants, recombinant plasmids containing the genes, and strains of Bacillus transformed by the plasmids are also described. The mutants of neutral protease having the characteristics described above are particularly useful in the food sector.

Thermostable mutants of neutral protease and means for their preparation

A description is given of a cloning vector useful for the expression and secretion of heterologous proteins in Bacillus subtilis, molecules of recombinant DNA formed by the said cloning vector, expediently cut at a restriction site located within the neutral protease gene, and by the sequence of heterologous DNA which codes for the protein of interest, Bacillus subtilis cells transformed with the said molecules and capable of expressing the sequence of heterologous DNA and of producing and secreting the protein coded by the said sequence of heterologous DNA in high yields. The proteins obtained in this manner are useful in the fields of pharmaceuticals and foods, or as compounds for the production of substances which are normally obtained by chemical synthesis.

Cloning vector, molecules of recombinant DNA, bacillus subtilis strains

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Milan, Italy

Salvatore Toma