Abstract: A bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia, which is transformed by introducing, into its cells, a DNA coding for a dihydrodipicolinate synthase originating from a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia having mutation to desensitize feedback inhibition by L-lysine and a DNA coding for an aspartokinase III originating from a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia having mutation to desensitize feedback inhibition by L-lysine; preferably a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia in which a dihydrodipicolinate reductase gene and a diaminopimelate dehydrogenase gene originating from Brevibacterium lactofermentum (or a succinyldiaminopimelate transaminase gene and a succinyldiaminopimelate deacylase gene) are further enhanced, is cultivated in an appropriate medium, L-lysine is produced and accumulated in a culture thereof, and L-lysine is collected from the culture.

Abstract: Stable microbial enzyme with alcohol dehydrogenase activity having an activity maximum at ca. 50.degree. C., process for its isolation and its use for the enantioselective reduction/oxidation of organic keto compounds/hydroxy compounds wherein, depending on the type of the starting compounds R- or S-hydroxy compounds are obtained. In particular an alcohol dehydrogenase obtainable from Lactobacillus brevis has proven to be suitable.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions and methods for treating one or more of soy, pea or rape-seed, or other material derived from Fabales or Cruciferaceae, with an enzyme having rhamnogalacturonase activity, wherein the enzyme having rhamnogalacturonase activity cleaves a rhamnogalacturonan backbone to produce rhamnose as a non-reducing end (RGase II) or cleaves a rhamnogalaturonan backbone to produce galacturonic acid as a non-reducing end.

Abstract: The nucleic acid sequence encoding the gene for the DNA polymerase I enzyme of Treponema pallidum, the organism causing syphilis. Nucleic acid molecules useful as probes for detecting Treponema pallidum are described. Isolated, recombinant, and synthetic DNA polymerase I enzyme of Treponema pallidum, and the amino acid sequence of the enzyme, are also described. Antibodies to DNA polymerase I from Treponema pallidum are further provided. The nucleic acid molecules are useful in methods for the detection and diagnosis of Treponema pallidum infection in a sample or subject.

Abstract: Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II holoenzymes that contain RNA polymerase II and one or more regulatory SRB proteins are described. These holoenzymes will selectively initiate transcription in vitro when supplemented with general transcription factors such as TATA-binding protein (TBP) and factor a (TFIIE). The SRB proteins act positively and negatively to regulate transcription initiation, at least in part, via functional interactions with RNA polymerase II.

Abstract: A novel human serine protein kinase, human p21-protein activated serine kinase p65 protein, referred to as hPAK65, and methods for its preparation and use are provided. Nucleic acids encoding hPAK65 and methods for their use in preparing hPAK65 as well as in preparing and identifying hPAK65 analogs are provided. Methods provided for the use of hPAK65 protein and its protein fragments, such as those that retain at least one hPAK65 activity, that include screening libraries of agents for candidates that modulate hPAK65 activity. Methods are provided to identify agents that modulate the interaction of hPAK65 with rho-like p21 GTPases, particularly rac 1 and CDC42Hs binding to hPAK65 and subsequent activation of hPAK65 serine protein kinase activity, that modulate hPAK65 serine protein kinase activity, and that modulate hPAK65 effect on p21 protein GTPase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having laccase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing the polypeptides.

Abstract: Novel .alpha.-amylase enzymes are disclosed in which one or more disulfide bonds are introduced into the enzyme via addition or substitution of a residue with a cysteine. The disclosed .alpha.-amylase enzymes show altered or improved stability and/or activity profiles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dietary compositions for treating patients having phenylketonuria and methods for making the dietary compositions. The compositions comprise a natural protein modified to eliminate phenylalanine from the protein's amino acid sequence. These modified proteins are synthesized from genes modified to eliminate phenylalanine codons from the reading frame of the native genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying recombinant coagulation factor VIII by loading an aqueous solution containing factor VIII onto a hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) gel, wherein at least one surfactant is present in the aqueous solution and/or a buffer solution used to equilibrate the gel prior to loading the aqueous solution onto the gel. The presence of a surfactant when loading the solution containing factor VIII onto the HIC gel, makes it possible to efficiently separate the intact and active factor VIII molecules from molecules with structural deviations. With the present invention it is further possible to reduce the content of DNA and/or CHO cell contaminants considerably and increase the activity of the factor VIII product to a hitherto unknown extent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase. More specifically the invention relates to a method of modifying the substrate binding and/or product selectivity of a precursor CGTase enzyme, and CGTase variants derived from a precursor CGTase enzyme by substitution, insertion and/or deletion of one or more amino acid residue(s), which amino acid residue(s) holds a position close to the substrate. Moreover, the invention relates to DNA constructs encoding the CGTase variants, expression vectors, host cells and methods of producing the CGTase variants of the invention.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a pyruvate decarboxylase by isolation from a producer organism. The pyruvate decarboxylase is capable of forming (R)-(-)-phenylacetylcarbinole (I) in .gtoreq.95% enantiomer unit with a product ratio of (I) to 2-hydoxypropiophenone of .gtoreq.95%. In addition, the pyruvate decarboxylase has a specific activity with regard to phenylacetylcarbinole formation of >1U/mg. It is the aim of the invention to obtain a pyruvate decarboxylase with improved synthesis capacity concerning the formation of (R)-(-)-phenylacetylcarbinole. The process of the invention developed for this purpose is characterized in that use is made of a producing organism with a gene coding for pyruvate decarboxylase from Zymomonas mobilis, in the DNA sequence of which the tryptophane radical coding codon TGG is replaced at position 1174-1176 by a codon which codes for an amino acid radical with a reduced volume ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermostable DNA polymerases derived from the hyperthermophilic eubacteria, and Thermotoga neapolitana in particular. The present invention provides means for isolating and producing the enzymes from these thermostable DNA polymerases, which are useful in many recombinant DNA techniques, especially such techniques as thermal cycle sequencing and nucleic acid amplification.

Abstract: The invention provides phosphoribosyl transferase polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding phosphoribosyl transferase polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing phosphoribosyl transferase polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel protein tyrosine kinase (HPTYK) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HPTYK. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HPTYK and a method for producing HPTYK. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing HPTYK or antagonists to HPTYK, and for the use of these compositions in the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HPTYK. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HPTYK for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HPTYK. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, to hybridize to the genomic sequence or transcripts of polynucleotides encoding HPTYK or antibodies which specifically bind to HPTYK.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, acylglucosamine 2-epimerase as shown in FIG. 1 and derivatives thereof, DNA coding for said enzyme, a recombinant vector containing said enzyme, a transformant integrated thereinto said vector, a method for producing said enzyme and a method for producing N-acetylmannosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid using renin binding protein.

Abstract: A process for producing and purifying peptides and for producing peptide/protein antigens for antibody production is described. The process utilizes fusion proteins and specifically fusion proteins in which the fusion protein carrier segment includes an amino acid sequence at least about 65 amino acids long and in which the amino acid sequence does not contain negative or positive charged side chains of amino acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to acarviosyl transferase from actinomycetes, mainly from Actinoplanes sp. SE 50/110 and its mutants, to a process for isolating, purifying and characterizing the enzyme, to the isolation and characterization of the acbD gene encoding the acarviosyl transferase, to the expression of the acarviosyl transferase in a heterologous host organism, to the use of the acarviosyl transferase for converting acarbose minor constituents into acarbose or for preparing acarbose homologues, to the use of the acarviosyl transferase in acarbose purification, and also to the preparation of production mutants in which formation of minor constituents is reduced by means of inactivation of the acarviosyl transferase gene.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the rate of reaction of the desulfurization of fossil fuels is enhanced by the addition of a flavoprotein to the biocatalyst. The invention is drawn to a method for enhancing the rate of desulfurizing a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds, comprising the steps of:a) contacting the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst capable of cleaving carbon-sulfur bonds and a rate-enhancing amount of a flavoprotein, thereby forming a fossil fuel and aqueous phase mixture;b) maintaining the mixture of step (a) under conditions sufficient for cleavage of the carbon-sulfur bonds of the organic sulfur molecules by the biocatalyst, thereby resulting in a fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content; andc) separating the fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content from the resulting aqueous phase.

Abstract: Mammalian kringle 5 peptide fragments are disclosed for treating angiogenic diseases Methods and compositions for inhibiting angiogenic diseases are also disclosed.