Abstract: A plant cell transformed with all or part of a Bacillus thuringiensis gene coding for either a 130 or 132 kDa protoxin against Lepidoptera, preferably with a part of the gene coding just for the respective 62 or 60 kDa trypsin-digestion product of the protoxin. A plant, regenerated from the transformed cell, is resistant to Lepidoptera.

Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringienses strains, LMG P-14025 and LMG P-14026, produce insecticidal components that are toxic to Coleoptera, more particularly toxic to Diabrotica spp. The strains themselves, their sporulated cultures, or their insecticidally effective components can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Coleoptera, more specifically Diabrotica species.

Abstract: A method for selecting amino acid residues is disclosed which upon replacement will give rise to an enzyme with an altered pH optimum. The method is specific for metalloenzymes which are inactivated at low pH due to the dissociation of the metal ions. The method is based on altering the pK.sub.a of the metal coordinating ligands or altering the K.sub.ass for the metal binding. New glucose isomerases with an altered pH optimum are provided according to this method. These altered properties enable starch degradation to be performed at lower pH values.

Abstract: New mutant glucose isomerases are provided exhibiting improved properties under application conditions. These glucose isomerases are obtained by expression of a gene encoding said enzyme, having an amino acid sequence which differs at least in one amino acid from the wildtype glucose isomerase. Preferred mutant enzymes are those derived from Actinoplanes missouriensis glucose isomerase.

Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringiensis strains, BTS02584B and BTS02584C, produce insecticidal components that are toxic to Coleoptera, more particularly toxic to Diabrotica spp. The strains themselves, their sporulated cultures, or their insecticidally effective components can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Coleoptera, more specifically Diabrotica species.

Abstract: Thermostable and acid stable .alpha.-amylases are provided as expression products of genetically engineered .alpha.-amylase genes isolated from microorganisms, preferably belonging to the class of Bacilli. Both chemical and enzymatic mutagenesis methods are e.g. the bisulphite method and enzymatic misincorporation on gapped heteroduplex DNA. The mutant .alpha.-amylases have superior properties, e.g. improved thermostability over a broad pH range, for industrial application in starch processing and textile desizing.

Abstract: A method for selecting amino acid residues is disclosed which upon replacement will give rise to an enzyme with an altered pH optimum. The method is specific for metalloenzymes which are inactivated at low pH due to the dissociation of the metal ions. The method is based on altering the pK.sub.a of the metal coordinating ligands or altering the K.sub.ass for the metal binding. New glucose isomerases with an altered pH optimum are provided according to this method. These altered properties enable starch degradation to be performed at lower pH values.

Abstract: Novel transformation vectors containing novel chimeric genes allow the introduction of exogenous DNA fragments coding for polypeptide toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis or having substantial sequence homology to a gene coding for a polypeptide toxin as described herein and expression of the chimeric gene in plant cells and their progeny after integration into the plant cell genome. Transformed plant cells and their progeny exhibit stably inherited polypeptide toxin expression useful for protecting said plant cells and their progeny against certain insect pests and in controlling said insect pests.

Abstract: New bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic, thermostable peptides which are isolated from hemolymph of immune honeybees and which are distinct from lysozymes, attacins, cecropins, diptericins and magainins. The peptides feature at least the 10 C-terminal amino acids of the following peptide:H.sub.2 N-Gly-Asn-Asn-Arg-Pro-X-Tyr-Ile-Pro-Gln-Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro-His-Pro-Arg-Z-OHin whichX is a valyl or isoleucyl residue andZ is a leucyl or isoleucyl residue.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for the production of a biologically active modified protein derived from a starting protein having essentially the same kind of biological activity with an attendant modulation effect on, particularly increase of, the stability as compared with that of the starting protein. The method comprises substituting an arginine residue for a lysine residue of the starting protein at a site that can sterically accommodate the substitution, without substantially altering the biological activity of the starting protein, said site being preferably of low solvent accessibility, at interfaces between domains or sub-units of the starting protein.

Abstract: Novel transformation vectors containing novel chimeric genes allow the introduction of exogenous DNA fragments coding for polypeptide toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis or having substantial sequence homology to a gene coding for a polypeptide toxin as described herein and expression of the chimeric gene in plant cells and their progeny after integration into the plant cell genome. Transformed plant cells and their progeny exhibit stably inherited polypeptide toxin expression useful for protecting said plant cells and their progeny against certain insect pests and in controlling said insect pests.

Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for the transfer and immobilization of proteins onto a free surface formed on a chemically inert support, preferably porous glass, from a medium likely to contain them which is brought into contact with this surface. The said surface is composed of a film of a vinylpyridine polymer in which the nitrogen atom of the pyridyl moiety is substituted by an alkyl group, in particular by a methyl group; the proteins and/or the nucleic acids are brought into contact with the said surface in solution in the presence of a detergent bearing a negative charge, in particular SDS. The invention also relates more particularly to the supports coated with the said films, in particular as a monomolecular layer.