Abstract: A mutant prenyl diphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing prenyl diphosphates, shorter than those synthesized by the original enzyme, by modifying the amino acid sequence in and upstream of the aspartic acid-rich domain DDXX(XX)D (X denotes any amino acid, and XX in the parentheses may not be present) present in region II of the prenyl diphosphate synthase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel product and method for isolating ectoparasite saliva proteins, and a novel product and method for detecting and/or treating allergic dermatitis in an animal. The present invention includes a saliva protein collection apparatus capable of collecting ectoparasite saliva proteins substantially free of contaminating material. The present invention also relates to ectoparasite saliva proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, and antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins and to use such proteins to identify animals susceptible to or having allergic dermatitis. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins and their use to treat animals susceptible to or having allergic dermatitis.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding a glycosyltransferase enzyme of Amycolatopsis orientalis. Also provided are vectors carrying genes that encode the enzyme, transformed heterologous host cells for expressing the enzyme, and methods for producing glycopeptide compounds using the cloned genes that encode the enzyme.

Abstract: Thaumatins, protein sweeteners, are obtained through the expression of artificial, synthetic and substantially optimized genes, preferably in filamentous fungi such as Penicillium roquefortii, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus niger var. awamori. Preparing substantially optimized artificial genes allows for high protein expression, making the process useful for industrial production of this valuable sweetener. Thaumatins may be obtained extracellularly and intracellularly. Intracellular production provides thaumatin-containing fungi that can be used per se in animal feed without prior separation of the fungal mycelium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing D-pantoic acid or D-pantothenic acid utilizing the capability of the microorganism to synthesize D-pantoic acid or D-pantothenic acid. According to this process, (a) D-pantoic acid is biosynthesized from various carbon sources such as glucose to accumulate it in the culture medium, or (b) .beta.-alanine is contacted with the microorganism by, for example, adding .beta.-alanine to the culture medium, to cause condensation of the biosynthesized D-pantoic acid with .beta.-alanine to accumulate D-pantothenic acid in the medium.

Abstract: This invention concerns novel receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase polypeptides. Specifically, this invention concerns the novel receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase .lambda. which is related to the homotypically adhering receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases .kappa. and .mu.. The invention further relates to analogs of these polypeptides in other mammals, functional derivatives thereof, antibodies which are capable of specifically binding to these polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides, vectors containing and capable of expressing such nucleic acid and recombinant host cells transformed with such nucleic acid. Methods for the recombinant production of these receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase polypeptides and assays for identifying agonists and antagonists of these polypeptides are also within the scope of the invention.

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: The present invention provides a polynucleotide which identifies and encodes a novel human mRNA editing enzyme (REE). The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding REE. The invention also provides for the use of substantially purified REE and its agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors in the commercial production of recombinant proteins and in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of REE. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to REE in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of diseases associated with the expression of REE. The invention also describes diagnostic assays which utilize diagnostic compositions comprising the polynucleotide, fragments or the complement thereof, which hybridize with the genomic sequence or the transcript of polynucleotides encoding REE or anti-REE antibodies which specifically bind to REE.

Abstract: Novel protein tyrosine phosphatases in which the invariant aspartate residue is replaced with an alanine residue and which bind to a tyrosine phosphorylated substrate and are catalytically attenuated are described. Also described are methods of identifying tyrosine phosphorylated proteins which complex with the described protein tyrosine phosphatases.

Abstract: As means for giving cold-stability to plants, a novel polypeptide having cold-stable pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase activity, a cloned DNA encoding the same, and a recombinant vector containing the DNA are disclosed. The polypeptide according to the present invention has cold-stable pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase activity, which has an amino acid sequence that is the same as the amino acid sequence of 1/6 region of the entire region from the C-terminal of the following polypeptide (1) or (2), except that at least one amino acid residues of said 1/6 region are substituted with other amino acid residues:(1) a pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase having an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NOS. 1-10 in Sequence Listing; and(2) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence which has a homology of not less than 50% with the amino acid sequence mentioned in (1), said polypeptide having cold-stable pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase activity.

Abstract: The adhB gene encoding Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus 39E secondary-alcohol dehydrogenase (2.degree. Adh) was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The 1056 bp gene encodes a homotetrameric recombinant enzyme consisting of 37.7 kDa subunits. The purified recombinant enzyme is optimally active above 90.degree. C. with a half-life of approximately 1.7 h at 90.degree. C. An NADP(H)-dependent enzyme, the recombinant 2.degree. Adh has 1400-fold greater catalytic efficiency in propan-2-ol versus ethanol oxidation. The enzyme was inactivated by chemical modification using dithionitrobenzoate (DTNB) and diethylpyrocarbonate, indicating that Cys and His residues are involved in catalysis. Zinc was the only metal enhancing 2.degree. Adh reactivation after DTNB modification, implicating the involvement of a strongly bound zinc in catalysis. Arrhenius plots for the oxidation of propan-2-ol by the native and recombinant 2.degree. Adhs were linear from 25.degree. C. to 90.degree. C.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a target protein for the activated Rho protein. The present invention is a protein having activated Rho protein binding activity and protein kinase activity or derivatives thereof. The molecular weight of the protein derived from bovine is about 164 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The protein kinase activity of this protein is enhanced when it binds to the activated Rho protein.

Abstract: A nucleotide sequence which encodes a protein which is substantially similar to eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF-2) associated glycoprotein (p67) and also has methionine amino peptidase activity. The encoded protein may facilitate protein synthesis by protecting eIF-2 from phosphorylation and prepare the protein for critical cellular role by removing N-terminal methionine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for modifying the chain length and double bond positional specificities of a soluble plant fatty acid desaturase. More specifically, the method involves modifying amino acid contact residues in the substrate binding channel of the soluble fatty acid desaturase which contact the fatty acid. Specifically disclosed is the modification of an acyl-ACP desaturase. Amino acid contact residues which lie within the substrate binding channel are identified, and subsequently replaced with different residues to effect the modification of activity.

Abstract: A nucleotide sequence which encodes a protein which is substantially similar to eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF-2) associated glycoprotein (p67) and also has methionine amino peptidase activity. The encoded protein may facilitate protein synthesis by protecting eIF-2 from phosphorylation and prepare the protein for critical cellular role by removing N-terminal methionine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding a rhamnogalacturonase which comprises(a) the DNA sequence of nucleotides 64-1587 of SEQ ID NO:1;(b) a DNA sequence which hybridizes to the same probe as nucleotides 64-1587 of SEQ ID NO:1 under conditions of presoaking in 5.times.SSC and prehybridizing for 1 hour at -40.degree. C. in a solution of 5.times.SSC, 5.times.Denhardt's solution, 50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.8, and 50 mg of denatured sonicated calf thymus DNA, followed by hybridization in the same solution supplemented with 50 .mu.Ci 32-P-dCTP labelled probe for 18 h at -40.degree. C., followed by washing three times in 2.times.SSC, 0.2% SDS at 40.degree. C. for 30 minutes; or(c) a DNA sequence encoding an amino acid sequence having amino acids 20-527 of the sequence of SEQ ID NO;2.

Abstract: A fungal protein disulfide isomerase obtainable from fungal species belonging to Aspergillus, especially A. oryzae, or A. niger, is disclosed. Furthermore sequences for recombinant production of the protein disulfide isomerase are disclosed.

Abstract: D1 protease has been isolated from the alga (Scenedesmjus obliquus), wheat, and Synechocystis PCC 6803 and the genes encoding these enzymes have been cloned and sequenced. Native or recombinantly produced enzyme has been used to develop assays to detect herbicidal compositions capable of inhibiting the D1 protease enzyme.

Abstract: The invention provides a human S-adenosyl-L-methionine methyltransferase (SAM-MT) and polynucleotides which identify and encode SAM-MT. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of SAM-MT.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel recombinant substrates for aggrecanase. In one embodiment, this substrate comprises the signal sequence of CD5, the FLAG-epitope for M1 monoclonal antibody detection, the interglobular domain of human aggrecan, the hinge region of human IgG1, the CH2 region of human IgG1 and the CH3 region of human IgG1. DNA sequences encoding the recombinant substrate are also provided, as are vectors and host cells containing said DNA. Various methods are provided for: monitoring aggrecanase activity, detecting new enzymatic cleavage sites, purifying aggrecanase chromatographically, and cloning the aggrecanase cDNA, screening for aggrecanase inhibitors; and for monitoring the onset or progression of osteoarthritis. A diagnostic aid containing the recombinant substrate is also provided.