U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division |
U.S. Patent Classification System - Classification Definitions
as of June 30, 2000
Patents classified in a subclass may be accessed by either clicking on
the subclass number
preceding each subclass definition or on the
" " icon, below.
( please note that patents for some subclasses may not be available )
For classification search strategies, please refer to the
Classification Index
Explanation of Data web page.
(definitions have been obtained from the
Patents ASSIST CD-ROM which
is produced by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Electronic Products Branch)
Class 930
PEPTIDE OR PROTEIN SEQUENCE
Class Definition:
Class 930 consists of two wholly separable parts, cross
-reference art collections 10-320 and digests 500-822. This
class is intended to be used as a searching area for patents
which disclose an identifiable peptide or protein sequence
derived from at least four specified named amino acids. Rules
of placement into these areas vary, and although any search
in this class is optional, searching Class 930 is useful.
It should be noted that the patents in art collections 10-320
must contain an actual amino acid sequence. A patent
containing a reference, in name only, to a peptide or protein
compound with a known structure is not included. For example,
though the amino acid sequence of insulin is well-known,
unless a sequence of at least four amino acids from the
insulin structure is shown in the patent, it is not included
in these art collections.
The following steps pertain to placement and search.
(1) Compounds containing a modified or unusual amino acid
(art collections 20 -25) are placed in all appropriate art
collections.
(2) The sole presence of a nonpeptide or abnormal peptide
link in a linear peptide is not considered an indication of a
modified or unusual amino acid. (See art collection 30.)
(3) See only art collection 22 for halogen containing
compounds which are radioactive.
(4) The sulfur contained in the compounds of art collection
24 must be other than, or must be in addition to, that
naturally occurring in one or more of the natural amino
acids, cysteine, cystine, methionine.
(5) Art collection 30 does not include those peptides which
contain as the sole nonpeptide or abnormal peptide link, an
interchain disulfide bridge.
(6) Compounds included in art collections 200 (bacterial),
220 (parasitic), and 220-224 (viral0, are only those
homologous to the microorganism.
(7) Compounds containing a cys-cys disulfide bridge between
nonadjacent cysteine residues are placed in art collection
280 with the exception of those compounds such as atrial
natriuretic peptide, vasopressin, or others containing
disulfide bridges which are appropriate for art collection
40-170.
(8) Art collection 270 does not include peptides or proteins
which are cyclic solely due to intrachain disulfide bridges,
nor does it include peptides or proteins which are
appropriate for art collections 40-170.
(9) Art collection 320 is incomplete. It is intended as a
repository for compounds which have been specifically
modified to prevent enzymatic degradation, but which are not
more appropriately placed in any of the other nonmainline art
collections.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
(A) CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS
Cross-reference art collections 10-320 are intended to be
used as a searching area for those patents which disclose an
identifiable peptide or protein consisting of a sequence of
at least four amino acids covalently bound through at least
one normal peptide link.
Due to the nature of this class, it is important that it be
considered more as a term list than as a hierarchical
schedule. The classification rules of hierarchy do not apply
unless otherwise specified in the art collection definitions
or unless specified by one art collection being indented
under another, i.e., art collections 21-25 are indented under
20, art collections 141-145 are indented under 140.
Therefore, in this class, a peptide or protein compound is
placed in all art collections, regardless of order in the
schedule, where the concepts of the art collection definition
include the compound, unless otherwise specified.
(B) DIGESTS 500-822
Digests 500-822 are being established as U.S. classifications
and are equivalent to the European Patent Office's C07K 5/00
- C07K 5/12B; C07K 7/02 - C07K 7/10B; C07K 7/50 - C07K
9/00F4; C07K 13/00; and C07K 99/00B - C07K 99/84
classifications.
The European Patent Office (EPO) uses a classification system
which is based upon the International Patent Classification
(IPC) system. The EPO allows its examiners to add
"unofficial" or "alpha" classifications to the IPC in a
manner similar to our examiners adding "unofficial" or
"alpha" classifications to the U.S. Patent Classification
system. With the addition of the "unofficials", the IPC
becomes the European Patent Classification (EPC) system.
As U.S. (and other countries) patents are published, the EPO
examiners receive them for placement into their search files.
The EPO examiners do not depend upon the IPCs printed on the
issuing documents for placement; they reclassify each
document anew. As a result of trilateral agreements, the U.S.
regularly receives the new classification data from the EPO.
This classification data allows us the capability to
establish digests 500 - 822 as U. S. digests which are
equivalent to the EPO classifications recited in the first
paragraph and which contain the same U.S. patents which EPO
examiners placed into their files.
No definitions are associated with these digests. The full
extent of the types of documents intended to be classified in
a digest are the titles and any attached notes.
Digests 500-822 are the first areas in the U.S.
classification system which are resident in the Manual of
Classification and present a classification scheme wherein
all of the patents have been classified by another patent
office into search areas created other than by U.S.
personnel.
The creation of digests 500-822 and their incorporation in
the Manual of Classification is a trial program to determine
the effectiveness of additional data bases which contain U.S.
patents as search areas. In addition this will be the first
time that U.S. examiners will be able to search EPC
classifications. It is the intent of Documentation to set up
other areas of the EPC where it is believed that a search
area may be useful.
Digests 500-822 have been presented in a manner generally
consistent with the traditional presentation of search areas
in the U.S. Manual of Classification. In some instances areas
in the EPC have been omitted or arranged in a format to which
U.S. examiners are accustomed. In other instances the EPC
classification does not contain any U.S. patents. To complete
a search of a concept in the EPC it would be advisable to
search both the generic subclass and the more specific
indented subclass.
Patents can be added to these classifications in the
traditional manner, i.e., blue slips, miscellaneous transfer,
or 14B card. They can be deleted by the present method of
submitting a copy of the document along with a request to
classification.
At the end of each digest presented between parentheses is
the classification in the EPC which translates to the digest
provided for that EPC classification. To distinguish between
the IPC and EPC versions it is only necessary to note that
the IPC does not contain alpha designations. An example of
this difference is digest 610, which is denoted as
C07K-99/22. Since the latter is devoid of an alpha character
it is both an IPC and EPC classification, whereas C07K-99/22A
(digest 611) has an alpha designator and can only be found in
the EPC. The use of a slash in the EPC designation C07K-99/
is equivalent to the use of a color in the IPC C07K-99 for
this area
It is intended to maintain these digests in a form that
reflects the current status of the EPC. As patents are
classified into the EPC we will update the present digests to
reflect the addition of the newly added documents.
In digests 550-772 and 780-822, sequences modified by removal
or addition of amino acids, by substitution of amino acids by
others, or by a combination of these modifications, are
classified as the parent peptide when the combined number of
modifications totals less than 50% of the parent fragment.
Fragments of these peptides containing at least 5 amino
acids, modified or not as mentioned above, are classified as
the parent peptide. In digests 590, 630, and 680, the
brackets have been used to indicate the presence of a
specified amino acid.
A glossary has been developed for Class 930 (section D of the
main class definition). Terms in the GLOSSARY have been used
consistently throughout the class. The following terms are
applicable only to digests 500-822.
(1) LINEAR PEPTIDES (DIGESTS 790-822) may comprise rings
formed through a hydroxy or a mercapto group of a hydroxy or
a mercapto amino acid and the carboxyl group of another amino
acid, (e.g., peptide lactones, etc.) but do not comprise
rings which are formed only through peptide links.
(2) CYCLIC PEPTIDES (DIGESTS 532-549) are peptides comprising
at least one ring formed only through peptide links; the
cyclisation may occur only through normal or abnormal peptide
links, e.g., through the 4-amino group of
2,4-diamino-butanoic acid, etc. Cyclic compounds in which at
least one link in the ring is a nonpeptide link are
considered as linear peptides.
(C) AMINO ACID ABBREVIATIONS
For the purposes of all of Class 930, cross-reference art
collections 10-320 and digests 500-822, the following amino
acid abbreviations are applicable:
Abbreviations and Amino Acid Names
Ala = Alanine; Arg = Arginine; Asn = Asparagine; Asp =
Aspartic Acid (Aspartate); Asx = Aspartic Acid or Asparagine
Cys = Cysteine
Glu = Glutamic Acid (Glutamate); Gln = Glutamine; Gix =
Glutamine or Glutamic Acid; Gly = Glycine
His = Histidine
Ile = Isoleucine
Leu = Leucine; Lys = Lysine
Met = Methionine
Phe = Phenylalanine; Pro = Proline
Ser = Serine
Thr = Threonine; Trp = Tryptophan; Tyr = Tyrosine
Val = Valine.
GLOSSARY:
For the purposes of all of Class 930, cross-reference art
collections 10-320 and digests 500-822, the following terms
are appropriate as defined:
AMINO ACIDS
Compounds in which at least one amino group and at least one
carboxyl group are bound to the same carbon skeleton and the
nitrogen atom of the amino group may form part of a ring.
NORMAL PEPTIDE LINK
Exists between an alpha-amino group of an amino acid and the
carboxyl group - in position 1 - of another alpha amino
acid.
ABNORMAL PEPTIDE LINK
Exists between a nonalpha-amino group of an amino acid and
the carboxyl group - in position 1 - of an alpha-amino acid,
or between an alpha-amino group of one amino acid and the
carboxyl group - not in position 1 - of another amino acid.
PEPTIDES
Compounds containing a sequence of 4 to 100 amino acid units,
which are bound through at least one normal peptide link.
PROTEINS
Compounds containing an amino acid sequence of more than 100
amino acids, at least two of which are different, bound
mostly through normal peptide links.
SUBCLASSES
Subclass:
10
PEPTIDE OR PROTEIN SEQUENCE:
Cross-reference art collection for a peptide or protein
consisting of an identifiable sequence of at least four amino
acids covalently bound through at least one normal peptide
link into a backbone structure.
(1) Note. It should be noted that the patents included in
this and the indented art collections must contain an actual
amino acid sequence. A patent containing a reference, in name
only, to a peptide or protein compound with a known structure
is not included. For example, though the amino acid sequence
of insulin is well-known, unless a sequence of four or more
amino acids from the insulin structure are shown in the
patent, the patent is not included in these art collections.
(2) Note. Rules of placement in Cross-Reference Art
Collections 10-320: A compound is placed in ALL art
collections, regardless of hierarchy, where the definition
concepts include the compound in question, unless an art
collection note excludes a compound from one art collection
after it has been placed in another. Therefore, Class 930
provides a way of narrowing or fine-tuning computer searches
by the use of Boolean operators. As an example, art
collection 21 (D-amino acid) can be connected with art
collection 70 (corticotropin) by using "and" in order to get
a listing of patents which may include corticotropin
sequences containing D-amino acids. One may alternatively use
"not" and get a list of the patents with corticotropin
sequences containing no D-amino acids. As another example,
one may use "and" between art collection 22 (radioactive
atom) and art collection 60 (calcitonin) in order to get a
list of patents which may include radioactive calcitonin.
(3) Note. Patents are placed in this and the indented art
collections according to the amino acid sequence or sequences
disclosed in the patent. In many cases these sequences may
not be part of the claimed subject matter but are disclosed
in other parts of the patent.
(4) Note. In many of the indented art collections the
terminology "related peptides" is used. Such a peptide can be
one whose structure corresponds to at least half the amino
acid residues of the named peptide, or one which is the
product of side chain substitution, C or N terminal chain
extension and insertion, or a replacement reaction, or a
removal reaction. "Related peptides" also encompasses
functional analogues of the named compound. Such analogues
may also be placed in any of the other appropriate art
collections.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology,
subclasses 68.1-71.3 for methods of making a protein using
an enzyme or microorganism.
514, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclasses 2-21 for body treating compositions containing
peptides.
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclasses
300-427 for peptides and proteins and methods of making and
treating these peptides and proteins.
Subclass:
20
Containing modified or unusual amino-acid:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10 for
peptides or proteins containing one or more modified or
unusual amino acids.
(1) Note. The sole presence of a nonpeptide or abnormal
peptide link in a linear peptide is not considered an
indication of a modified or unusual amino acid.
(2) Note. Examples of amino acids included in this subclass
and the indented subclasses are as follows:
glycosylated amino acids; Pyroglutamic acid;
2-Aminoadipic acid; 3-Aminoadipic acid;
beta-Alanine; beta-Aminopropionic acid;
2-Aminobutyric acid; 4-Aminobutyric acid;
Piperidinic acid; 6-Aminocaproic acid;
2-Aminoheptanoic acid; 2-Aminoisobutyric acid;
3-Aminoisobutyric acid; 2-Aminopimelic acid;
2,4-Diaminobutyric acid; Desmosine;
2,2'-Diaminopimelic acid; 2,3-Diaminopropionic acid;
N-Ethylglycine; N-Ethylasparagine;
Hydroxylysine; allo-Hydroxylysine;
3-Hydroxyproline; 4-Hydroxyproline;
Isodesmosine; allo-Isoleucine;
N-Methylglycine; Sarcosine;
N-Methylisoleucine; N-Methylvaline;
Norvaline; Norleucine; Ornithine; Statine
halogenated amino acids; D-amino acids
amino acids with a sulfur moiety
(3) Note. Compounds which are provided for in art
collections 20+ are placed in all other appropriate art
collections also.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
30 for linear peptide or protein with a nonpeptide or
abnormal peptide link.
Subclass:
21
Containing D-amino acid:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 20 for
peptides or proteins containing one or more D-amino acids.
Subclass:
22
Containing radioactive atom:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 20
containing a peptide or protein with an attached radioactive
atom.
(1) Note. Radioactive halogen atoms, such as iodine, are
proper for this art collection and are not intended for
placement in art collection 23.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
23 for nonradioactive halogen attachments.
Subclass:
23
Containing halogen:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 20
containing a peptide or protein with an attached halogen.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
514, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclass 5 for a body treating composition with an iodine
containing peptide.
Subclass:
24
Containing sulfur:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 20
containing a peptide or protein containing a sulfur other
than a sulfur which is merely a part of one of the natural
amino acids, cysteine, cystine, or methionine.
Subclass:
25
Containing heavy metal or salt thereof:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 20
containing a peptide or protein containing a heavy metal or
salt thereof.
(1) Note. Heavy metal denotes any metal having a specific
gravity greater than 4.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
514, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclass 6 for a body treating composition with a heavy
metal containing peptide.
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 400
for metal containing proteins.
Subclass:
30
Linear peptide or protein containing a nonpeptide or abnormal
peptide link:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins which have a nonpeptide or
abnormal peptide link or bond joining two or more amino acid
residues and do not comprise rings which are formed through
peptide links.
(1) Note. Excluded from this art collection are compounds
with nonpeptide links due only to disulfide bridges joining
two or more sequences of amino-acid residues.
(2) Note. This art collection includes peptide chains
containing nonpeptide moieties in the chain and chains in
which the amino acid residues are joined by a peptide bond
formed by other than an alpha amino acid. Examples include a
compound like or gamma peptide bonding.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
260 for a compound with an interchain disulfide bridge.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 323
for peptides with at least one nonpeptide bond other than a
disulfide bond and subclass 332 for a peptide containing at
least one abnormal peptide link.
Subclass:
31
Retro-inverted:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 30
containing a peptide or protein which is retro-inverted.
(1) Note. Retro-inversion is a way of protecting peptide
substances against proteolysis. It entails retro-inverting
those peptide bonds most susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis
by inverting the direction of the peptide bonds. The
"retro-inverso peptides" are structural isomers of the
reference peptides and as such preserve their biological
activity while being more resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis.
Subclass:
40
Angiotensin; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to angiotensin and
variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Angiotensin is a pressor substance formed by the
action of renin on a plasma substrate, angiotensinogen.
(2) Note. Included in this art collection are Angiotensin I,
Angiotensin II, and Angiotensinogen (hypertensinogen, renin
substrate).
(3) Note. Synonyms. Hypertensin, Angiotonin, Ang I, and Ang
II.
(4) Note. Search digest 590 for patents related to
Angiotensin.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 316
for angiotensin and related peptides.
Subclass:
50
Atrial or brain natriuretic peptide; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to atrial or brain
natriuretic peptide and variations thereof, synthetic and
natural.
(1) Note. ANP is a potent natriuretic, diuretic, and
vasorelaxant polypeptide.
(2) Note. Synonyms. ANP, cardionatrin, atrial natriuretic
factor, ANF, atriopeptin, AP, atriopeptigen, auriculin,
cardiodilatin, alpha-ANP, atrial peptide, atrial
natriuretic/vasodilator polypeptide, ANVP, and BNP.
(3) Note. Related peptides include beta and gamma-ANP, ANP
receptor protein, and pre-pro ANP.
Subclass:
60
Calcitonin; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to calcitonin and
variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Physiological properties. Calcium regulation.
(2) Note. Synonyms. Thyrocalcitonin, TCA, TCT, Calcimar
(salmon), Calcitar(e) (porcine), Calsyn, Elcatonin, and
Ultimobranchial Body.
(3) Note. Sequence (human).
Cys-Gly-Asn-Leu-Ser-Thr-Cys-Met-Leu-Gly-Thr-Tyr-Thr-Gln-Asp-Phe-Asn-Lys-Phe-Hi
s-Thr-Phe-Pro-Gln-Thr-Ala-Ile-Gly-Val-Gly-Ala-Pro-.
(4) Note. Search this class, digests 660 and 670 for patents
related to calcitonin.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 307
for calcitonin and related peptides.
Subclass:
70
Corticotropin; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to corticotropins and
variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Corticotropin is a pituitary hormone which
stimulates release of adrenal cortical steroids and induces
growth of adrenal cortex.
(2) Note. Synonyms. Adrenocorticotrop(h)ic hormone, ACTH,
Adrenocorticotrop(h)in, Acethropan, Acortan, Acorto, Acthar,
Acton, Actonar, Adrenomone, Alfatrofin, Cibacthen,
Corstiline, Cortiphyson, Cortrophin, Isactid, Reacthin,
Solacthyl, and Inbex.
(3) Note. Search this class, digest 570 for patents related
to corticotropin (ACTH).
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 306
for corticotropin and related peptides.
Subclass:
80
Endorphin or enkephalin; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to endorphin and
enkephalin and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Endorphin and enkephalin are neuro-peptides which
have morphine-like activity.
(2) Note. This art collection includes alpha-, beta-, and
gamma-endorphins and met- and leu-enkephalin.
(3) Note. Synonyms. Endorphin: endogenous opiate, opiod
peptide, and LPH. Enkephalin: Morphine-like factor and
pituitary opiate peptide.
(4) Note. Search this class, digest 720 for patents related
to Beta-Endorphin and digest 740 for patents related to
Enkephalin.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 302
for endorphin and enkephalin and related peptides.
Subclass:
90
Erythropoietin; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to erythropoietin or
variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Erythropoietin is a circulating glycoprotein which
stimulates red blood cell formation in higher organisms.
(2) Note. Synonyms. EPO, ESF, erythropoiesis stimulating
factor, and Ep.
Subclass:
100
Factor VIII, AHF; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to the blood
coagulation Factor VIII, also called antihemophilic factor,
and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Physiological properties: Involved in the
formation of thromboplastin by the activation of factor X.
(2) Note. Synonyms: Anthihemophilic factor A,
Thromboplastinogen, AHF-A Factor VIII, Antihemophilic A
Factor, Factorate, Ristocetin cofactor, Blood platelet
aggregating factor, Ristocetin-von Willebrand factor,
Antihemophilic globulin, AHG, AHF, Hemofil, Humafac, Koate,
and Profilate.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 383
for factor VIII, AHF, and related peptides.
Subclass:
110
Gonadotropin; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to the gonadotropins
and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Gonadotropins stimulate the gonads to growth and
production of sex-specific hormones, i.e., estrogens and
gestagens in the female and androgens in the male.
(2) Note. Examples. Choriogonin, Bigonadil,
Choriogonadotropin, Chorulom, HCG, Follitropin,
Follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH, Lutropin, Luteinizing
hormone, LH, Human menopausal gonadotropin, HMG,
Urogonadotropin, Chorionic gonadotropin, pregnancy urine
extract, etc.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 398
for gonadotropins.
Subclass:
120
Growth hormone, growth factor other than T-Cell or B-Cell
growth factor, and growth hormone releasing factor; related
peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to growth hormone,
growth factor, or growth hormone-releasing factor and
variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Since urogastrone is thought to be identical to
epidermal growth factor, this art collection is appropriate
for urogastrone amino acid sequences.
(2) Note. Physiological properties: Growth hormone or
factor: promote growth of tissues. GH is also involved in
regulation of other phases of protein metabolism as well as
fat, carbohydrate, and mineral metabolism. GH-RF: helps
mediate the neuro-regulation of GH secretion.
(3) Note. Synonyms. Growth hormone: Somatotropin,
Adenohypophyseal growth hormone, GH, hypophyseal growth
hormone, anterior pituitary growth hormone, phyone, pituitary
growth hormone, somatotropic hormone, STH, Antuitrin-Growth,
Phyol, and Somacton. Growth hormone-releasing factor: GH-RF,
GH-RH, GRF, and growth hormone-releasing hormone.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 399
for growth factors.
Subclass:
130
Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH): related
peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to luteinizing
hormone-releasing hormone and variations thereof, synthetic
and natural.
(1) Note. LH-RH stimulates secretion of pituitary hormones
LH and FSH.
(2) Note. Synonyms: Luteinizing hormone-releasing factor,
LH-RF, LRF, LRH, Gonadorelin, Gonadotropin-releasing factor,
LH-RH/FSH-RH, Kryptocur, Relefact LH-RH, LH-RH,
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, LH-releasing factor,
Luteostimulin, Lulibering Gn-RH, Gonadoliberin, LH-FSH
releasing hormone, Nialutin, Hypothalamic releasing factor,
LHFSHRH, Kryptocin, and Lutamin.
(3) Note. Sequence: (human)
pyroGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly
(4) Note. Search this class, digest 690 for patents related
to LH-RH.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 313,
for LH-RH.
Subclass:
140
Lymphokine; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to lymphokines, and
variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Lymphokines are immune mediators produced by the
cells of the immune system.
(2) Note. Included in this and the indented art collections
are interferon, interleukin and macrophage factors
(monokines).
(3) Note. List of lymphokine-related terms: Lymphokines;
Monokines; Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF); Lymphotoxin
(LT); Leukocyte Migration Inhibitory Factor; (CIF);
Interferons (IF); Eosinophil Chemotactic Factor-Precursor
Substance (ECFp); Eosinophil Stimulation Promoter; Eosinophil
Chemotactic Factor; Monocyte Tissue Factor; Mitogenic Factor
(MF); Lymphocyte Activity-Factor (LAF); Colony Stimulating
Factor (CSF); Skin Reactive Factor (SRF); Macrophage
Cytoxicity Factor (MCF); Leukocyte Inhibiton Factor; Vascular
Permeability Factor (VPF); T-cell Growth Factor (TCGF);
B-cell Growth Factor (BCGF); Erythroid Burst Promoter;
Genetically Related Macrophage; Factor (GRF); Fibroblast
Activating Factor (FAF); Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF);
Macrophage Activating Factor (MAF); Chemotactic Factor for
macrophages (CFM); Transfer factor (TF); Interleukin.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclasses 85.1-85.7 for lymphokines which are body
treating compositions.
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 351
for lymphokines.
Subclass:
141
Interleukin:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 140
containing peptides or proteins related to interleukin and
variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Interleukin is an immune mediatior which is a
macrophage derived factor that promotes short term
proliferation of T-cells (IL-1) or a lymphocyte derived
factor that promotes long term proliferation of T-cells in
culture (IL-2).
(2) Note. Synonyms. IL-1: LAF or leukocyte activating
factor. IL-2: TCGF or T-cell growth factor.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclass 85.2 for a body treating composition of
interleukin.
Subclass:
142
Interferon:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 140
containing peptides or proteins related to interferon and
variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Interferon is a protein elaborated by infected
host cells that protects noninfected cells from viral
infection.
(2) Note. This art collection includes alpha-IFN
(leukocyte), beta-IFN (fibroblast), and gamma-IFN (immune).
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclasses 85.4-85.7 for a body treating composition of
interferon.
Subclass:
143
Lymphotoxin:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 140
containing peptides or proteins related to lymphotoxin (LT)
and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Lymphotoxin is a lymphokine that results in direct
cytolysis following its release from stimulated lymphocytes.
It can destroy nonleucocyte target cells.
Subclass:
144
Tumor necrosis factor:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 140
containing peptides or proteins related to tumor necrosis
factor (TNF) and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Tumor necrosis factor is a protein which is
capable of selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells.
Subclass:
145
Colony stimulating factor:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 140
containing peptides or proteins related to colony stimulating
factor (CSF) and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Colony stimulating factor is involved in the
modulation of the function of phagocytes and the regulation
of other tissue.
Subclass:
150
Oxytocin or vasopressin; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to oxytocin and
vasopressin and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Physiological properties: Oxytocin causes uterine
contractions and stimulates lactation. Vasopressin controls
water metabolism and contracts smooth muscle.
(2) Note. Synonyms.
Oxytocin: Di-sipidin; alpha-Hypophamine; Piton-S; Syntocin;
Syntocinon; Uteracon; Nobitocin S; Syntocinone;
Endopituitrina; Orasthin; Oxystin; Atonin 0;
(1-Hemicystine)-Oxytocin; Presoxin; Hyphotocin;
1,2-Dithia-5,8,11,14,17 - pentaazacycloelcosane; and 8-Leucyl
Vasotocin.
Vasopressin: Tonephin, beta-Hypophamine, ADH, Antidiuretic
hormone, Pitressin, Vasophysin, and Leiormone.
(3) Note. Sequence.
Oxytocin: Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly.
Vasopressin: Cys-Tyr-Phe-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Arg-Gly.
(4) Note. Search this class, digest 560 for patents related
to oxytocin or vasopressin.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 315
for oxytocin and vasopressin.
Subclass:
160
Somatostatin; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to somatostatin and
variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Physiological properties. Inhibits secretion of
pituitary growth hormone.
(2) Note. Synonyms. Growth hormone releasing-inhibiting
factor (GH-RIF) and Somatotropin release inhibiting hormone
(SRIF).
(3) Note. Sequence.
Ala-Gly-Cys-Lys-Asn-Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Cys.
(4) Note. Search this class, Digest 700 for patents related
to somatostatin.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 311
for somatostatin.
Subclass:
170
Vasoactive intestinal peptide; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to vasoactive
intestinal peptide and variations thereof, synthetic and
natural.
(1) Note. Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide is a neuroactive
gastrointestinal hormone that relaxes systemic and vascular
smooth muscle and stimulates the exocrine pancreas, the
secretion of insulin and of cyclic-AMP formation in the small
intestine.
(2) Note. Synonyms. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and
VIP.
Subclass:
180
Thymus-derived hormone or factor; related peptides:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins related to thymus derived
hormones or factors and variations thereof, synthetic and
natural.
(1) Note. Examples of thymus derived peptides include
thymopoietin (Thymin), thymosin, etc.
(2) Note. Search this class, digest 750 for patents related
to thymopoietin.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 301
for thymopoietin.
Subclass:
190
Antibiotic:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins which are either natural or
synthetic antibiotics.
Subclass:
200
Bacterial peptide or bacterial protein:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins homologous to the bacteria
and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. A homologous polypeptide is one found in or
produced by the wild type (nontransformed) host
microorganism.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
190.1 for a bacterial antigen-, epitope-, or other
immunospecific immunoeffector-containing body-treating
composition whose amino acid sequence is disclosed in whole
or in part.
435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology,
subclasses 252.1-253.5 for bacteria, per se.
Subclass:
210
Parasitic peptide or parasitic protein:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins which are homologous to the
parasite and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. See Note (1) under art collection 200 for the
definition of homologous.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclass 191.1 for a parasitic antigen-, epitope-, or other
immunospecific immunoeffecor-containing body-treating
composition whose amnio acid sequence is disclosed in whole
or in part.
Subclass:
220
Viral peptide or viral protein:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins homologous to the virus and
variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. See Note (1) under art collection 200 for the
definition of homologous.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclass 186.1 for a viral antigen-, epitope-, or other
immunospecific immunoeffector-containing body-treating
composition whose amino acid sequence is disclosed in whole
or in part.
435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology, subclass
235 for virus, per se.
Subclass:
221
Retrovirus related, or human immunodeficiency virus related,
or simian immunodeficiency virus related:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 220
containing peptides or proteins related to the retrovirus, or
the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or the simian
immunodificiency virus (SIV) and variations thereof,
synthetic and natural.
(1) Note. Included in this art collection are viral
sequences related to human T-cell leukemia virus, human
T-lymphotropic virus, HTLV, HTLV-I, HTLV-II, HTLV-III,
lymphadenopathy-associated virus, LAV, AIDS-related virus,
ARV, immune deficiency-associated virus, IDAV, STLV-I,
STLV-III, and viral sequences related to the disease states
of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS, adult T-cell
leukemia-lymphoma, ATLL, Kaposi's sarcoma, AIDS-related
complex, ARC, simian or mouse acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome, SAIDS, and MAIDS.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclass 187.1 and 188.1 for a retrovial (including
immunodeficiency viral) antigen-, epitope-, or other
immunospecific immunoeffector-containing body-treating
composition whose amino acid sequence is disclosed in whole
or in part.
Subclass:
222
Foot and mouth disease related:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 220
containing peptides or proteins related to the Foot and Mouth
Disease Virus which is a small animal virus of the
picornavirus family and peptide variations thereof, synthetic
and natural.
Subclass:
223
Hepatitis related:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 220
containing peptides or proteins related to the hepatitis
virus and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclass 189.1 for a hepatitis viral antigen-, epitope-, or
other immunospecific immunoeffector-containing body-treating
composition whose amino acid sequence is disclosed in whole
or in part.
Subclass:
224
Herpes related:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 220
containing peptides or proteins related to the herpes virus
and variations thereof, synthetic and natural.
Subclass:
230
Multicellular plant peptide or multicellular plant protein:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins derived from multicellular
green or nongreen plants and variations thereof, synthetic
and natural.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptide or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclasses
370-379 for plant proteins.
Subclass:
240
Enzyme or isoenzyme:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins which are enzymes or
isoenzymes.
(1) Note. Proenzymes or precursors of enzymes are
appropriate for this art collection.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclasses 94.1-94.67 for enzymes or coenzymes containing
body treating compositions.
435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology,
subclasses 183-234 for enzymes and compositions thereof.
Subclass:
250
Enzyme inhibitor:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins which are active as enzyme
inhibitors.
Subclass:
260
Containing Cys-Cys disulfide bridge between nonadjacent
cysteine residues:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins containing a cys-cys
disulfide bridge between nonadjacent cysteine residues such
as in the case of at least one intrachain disulfide bridge
(cyclic) or at least one interchain disulfide bridge.
(1) Note. This art collection contains only those compounds
containing a cys-cys disulfide bridge for which there are no
appropriate named compound art collections available (art
collections 40-170) such as those for ANP or vasopressin.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
514, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclasses 9-11 for cyclopeptides.
Subclass:
270
Cyclic peptide or cyclic protein:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins which contain at least one
ring formed through a peptide or nonpeptide bond.
(1) Note. In addition to the cyclic peptides containing at
least one ring formed only through peptide bonds, included in
this subclass are those cyclic compounds in which the peptide
bond may be other than that formed by the alpha amino
nitrogen, e.g., through the 4-amino group of 2,4 diamino
butanoic acid and the cyclic compounds in which one or more
links in the ring are nonpeptide bonds (heterodectic cyclic
peptides).
(2) Note. Excluded from this art collection are those
compounds which are cyclic because they contain intrachain
disulfide bridges and those compounds appropriate for art
collections 40-170.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
260 for compounds with intrachain cys-cys disulfide
bridges.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
514, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclasses 9-11 for cyclopeptides in body treating
compositions.
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclasses
317-321 for cyclic peptides.
Subclass:
280
Bound to a nonpeptide drug, nonpeptide label, nonpeptide
carrier, or nonpeptide resin:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing peptides or proteins which are bound to a
nonpeptide drug, nonpeptide label, nonpeptide carrier, or
nonpeptide resin.
(1) Note. Subject matter intended for this subclass includes
peptides coupled to luminol or a chromogenic indicator,
peptide coupled to a carrier to enhance antibody production,
peptide coupled to an acrylamide copolymer, peptide coupled
to an antibiotic, etc.
Subclass:
290
Polyamino acid or polypeptide with an uninterrupted series of
peptide repeating units:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing a peptide or protein which is a polymer of the
same amino acids or is composed of a series of peptide
repeating units.
(1) Note. A series of peptide repeating units is intended to
mean that an amino acid sequence of two or more amino acid
residues is sequentially repeated two or more times in the
peptide or protein in uninterrupted sucession.
Subclass:
300
Signal or leader sequence:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing a peptide sequence denoted as a signal or leader.
(1) Note. The terms signal or leader are usually associated
with the production of proteins by a recombinant
microorganism. The signal or leader sequence is an amino acid
chain at the N-terminal end of the protein which carries the
protein out of the microbial cell.
Subclass:
310
Linker sequence:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing a peptide sequence denoted as a linker sequence or
peptide segment.
(1) Note. Such linkers or segments are the connections for
fused polypeptides. The linker acts either as an enzyme
cleavage site or has physical and/or chemical characteristics
which can be used in isolation and/or purification of the
expressed protein.
Subclass:
320
Modification to prevent enzymatic degradation:
Subject matter under cross-reference art collection 10
containing a peptide or protein which has been modified to
prevent enzymatic degradation.
(1) Note. This art collection is not complete. Only patents
in which the modification is a central part of the patent
subject matter are placed here except for those directed to
retro-inversion.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
31 for retro-inverted peptides or proteins.
Information Products Division -- Contacts
Questions regarding this report should be directed to:
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Information Products Division
PK3- Suite 441
Washington, DC 20231
tel: (703) 306-2600
FAX: (703) 306-2737
email: oeip@uspto.gov
Last Modified: 6 October 2000