Abstract: The present invention relates to the elimination of mannosylphosphorylation on the glycans of glycoproteins in the yeast genus Pichia. The elimination of mannosylphosphorylated glycoproteins results from the disruption of the PNO1 gene and the newly isolated P. pastoris MNN4B gene. The present invention further relates to methods for producing modified glycan structures in host cells that are free of glycan mannosylphosphorylation.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides and polynucleotides involved in amino acid biosynthesis in Methylophilus methylotrophus and methods of producing amino acids in microorganisms having enhanced or attenuated expression of these polypeptides and/or polynucleotides.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutants and alleles of the coryneform bacterium mqo gene which encodes malate quinone oxidoreductases which contain any amino acid apart from L-serine at position 111, or a comparable position, in the amino acid sequence, and to processes for fermentatively preparing amino acids, preferably L-lysine, L-tryptophan and L-proline, using bacteria which comprise these alleles.

Abstract: The present invention intends to find out a gene participating in addition of mannose phosphate to a sugar chain of a glycoprotein originating in a yeast belonging to the genus Pichia and provide a means of controlling the same. The present invention also intends to provide a process for producing a protein with reduction of an acidic sugar chain by using the thus controlled yeast strain belonging to the genus Pichia. Namely, the present invention includes a protein participating in the addition of mannose phosphate to a sugar chain of a glycoprotein; a gene encoding this protein; a mutant of this gene; a vector carrying the mutant gene; a yeast strain belonging to the genus Pichia having been transformed by this vector; a process for producing a protein with reduction of an acidic sugar chain by using the transformed yeast strain; and a glycoprotein thus produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel elongase gene with the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 or its homologs, derivatives or analogs, to a gene construct comprising this gene or its homologs, derivatives and analogs, and to its use. The invention also relates to vectors or organisms comprising an elongase gene with the sequence SEQ ID No: 1 or its homologs, derivatives or analogs. Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and to a process for introducing DNA into organisms which produce large amounts of oils and, in particular, oils with a high content of unsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, the invention relates to an oil and/or a fatty acid preparation with a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids with at least two double bonds and/or a triacyiglycerol preparation with a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids with at least two double bonds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants which are enzymatically inactive but have coenzyme-binding properties. Further, the present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding these oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants, expression vectors containing such DNA sequences and the use of these oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: We disclose a PS4 variant polypeptide derivable from a parent polypeptide, the parent polypeptide having non-maltogenic exoamylase activity, which PS4 variant polypeptide comprises one or more of the following substitutions: G69P, A141P, G223A, A268P, G313P, S399P and G400P, with reference to the position numbering of a Pseudomonas saccharophilia exoamylase sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 1. Such PS4 variant polypeptides may be used as exo-amylases, particularly as non-maltogenic exoamylases. Combinations of such PS4 variant polypeptides together with Novamyl are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods comprising NAD(P)H oxidases, particularly bacterial oxidases, nucleic acids, recombinant plasmid vectors and recombinant proteins therein encoded, and host cells comprising the oxidases and nucleic acids. The present invention also comprises an isolated bacterial oxidase that oxidizes both NADH and NADPH. Methods for producing the enzymes and enzymatic reactions comprising use of NAD(P)H oxidases and products of such reactions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Post-translational O-sulfonation of a serine or threonine residue of proteins is detected, optionally comparatively, wherein the detected O-sulfonation is detected under a first physiological condition, and is compared with a control O-sulfonation detected under a second physiological condition, and a difference between the detected and control O-sulfonations indicates a difference between the first and second physiological conditions. Predetermined changes in physiological conditions are used to infer specific changes in O-sulfonation. Proteins are modified by introducing a predetermined change in O-sulfonation at a serine or threonine residue of the protein, and optionally, detecting a resultant change in O-sulfonation. These methods include introducing or increasing O-sulfonation, eliminating or reducing O-sulfonation; and derivatizing or substituting O-sulfonation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a modified tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) catalytic domain, that unlike the native TACE catalytic domain, is stable at high protein concentrations. The present invention further discloses methods for generating crystals of the modified TACE protein in protein-ligand complexes with a number of inhibitors. In addition, the present invention discloses methods of using the proteins, crystals and/or three-dimensional structures obtained to identify compounds that can modulate the enzymatic activity of TACE.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes and proteins, and methods of their use. In particular, the invention describes genes and proteins that exhibit both long-chain acyltransferase and acetyltransferase activity. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the transferase, as well as mutants and variant forms, some of which possess altered characteristics relative to the wild-type transferase. The present invention also relates to methods of using diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes and proteins, including in their expression in transgenic organisms and in the production of acetyl-glycerides in plant oils, and in particular seed oils.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a novel dehydrogenase having a property which is different from that of known dehydrogenases. The present invention provides a dehydrogenase having the following physicochemical properties: (1) effect: to produce N-alkyl-L-alanine from pyruvic acid and alkylamine or dialkylamine using NADPH and/or NADH as coenzyme; (2) substrate specificity: to show activity to alkylamine or dialkylamine but not to ammonium; (3) optimal pH when using phenylpyruvic acid and methylamine as substrates is around 10; and (4) when treated at 30 ° C. for 30 minutes, the enzyme is stable at around pH 5 to 10.5.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a polypeptide which can be used to produce a saccharide having a structure of cyclo{?6)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?3)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?6)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?3)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?}, a DNA encoding the polypeptide, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A DNA fragment encoding a ? subunit is obtained by inverse PCR using primers designed based on the nucleotide sequence of a N-terminal signal sequence region of a GDH ? subunit derived from Burkholderia cepacia KS1 strain.

Abstract: Reagents which regulate human PLC delta-1 activity and reagents which bind to human PLC delta-1 gene products can be used, inter alia, to treat COPD, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and cancer, and a variety of conditions in which signal transduction is impaired.