Abstract: A catalytically active peptide comprising an imidazole function in position i flanked by at least one functional group to be amidated in position i+3+4k, where k is an integer equal to or higher than ?1 or in position i?4?4n, wherein n is an integer equal to or higher than 0, characterized in that it also comprises at least one activating group in position i+4+4n or i?3?4n, respectively, wherein n is as above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of conjugated linoleic acid and a process for the production of triglycerides with an increased content of conjugated linoleic acid. Moreover, the invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence; a nucleic acid construct, a vector and transgenic organisms comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence or one nucleic acid construct which encodes a polypeptide with conjugated linoleic isomerase activity. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a microorganism of the genus Bifidobacterium as a probiotic.

Abstract: Variants of the ? subunit of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), nucleic acids encoding such variants, and methods for their use are provided. The AMPK variants include splice variants that have an additional exon in the AMPK mRNA, and thus have an additional 15 amino acid residues in the encoded polypeptide. The AMPK variants can, for example, have at least 75% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, and can contain an amino acid sequence having at least 75% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: An organic nitrogen-containing composition comprising fermentation mother liquor obtained by culturing a microorganism having L-glutamic acid-producing ability in a liquid medium of which pH is adjusted to a condition under which L-glutamic acid is allowed to be precipitated, to allow L-glutamic acid to be produced and accumulated with precipitation of L-glutamic acid accompanied, and then separating L-glutamic acid from the medium.

Abstract: A method for the production of aryl-carotenoids is provided through bioconversion of cyclic carotenoids having at least one ?-ionone ring. Expression of a heterologous gene encoding a carotene desaturase (crtU) enzyme in a host cell that produces a suitable cyclic carotenoid substrate effect the production of aryl carotenoids.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated 27875, 22025, 27420, 16319, 55092 and 10218 nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing 27875, 22025, 27420, 16319, 55092 and 10218 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a 27875, 22025, 27420, 16319, 55092 and 10218 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated 27875, 22025, 27420, 17906, 16319, 55092 or 10218 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-27875, 22025, 27420, 17906, 16319, 55092 or 10218 antibodies. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Modified water-soluble glucose dehydrogenase having pyrrolo-quinoline quinone as a coenzyme are provided wherein at least one amino acid residue is replaced by another amino acid residue in a specific region. Modified water-soluble PQQGDHs of the present invention have improved thermal stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods that utilize compositions containing colostrinin, an constituent peptide thereof, an active analog thereof, and combinations thereof, as an oxidative stress regulator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to subtilisin protease conjugate comprising a protease moiety and one or more addition moieties. Each addition moiety is covalently attached to an epitope protection position of the protease moiety. The protease conjugates have decreased immunogenicity relative to a parent protease. The present disclosure further relates to cleaning and personal care compositions comprising the protease conjugates.

Abstract: The present invention provided a novel human goose-type lysozyme (LYG2) and the polynucleotide encoding the LYG2. The invention also provided the corresponding expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists and antagonists. The invention also provided the method for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the diseases relative to LYG2 expression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel protein variants that exhibit reduced allergenicity when compared to the parental proteins. Also included are DNA molecules that encode the novel variants, host cells comprising the DNA and methods of making proteins less allergenic.

Abstract: Novel protease variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human proteases are disclosed. The variant proteases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant protease to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor protease. Such variant proteases have properties which are different from those of the precursor protease, such as altered wash performance. The substituted amino acid residue correspond to positions 62, 212, 230, 232, 252 and 257 of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin.

Abstract: A method of producing hexose oxidase by recombinant DNA technology, recombinant hexose oxidase and the use of such enzyme, in particular in the manufacturing of food products such as doughs and dairy products, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, dental care products and in the manufacturing of lactones. Suitable sources of DNA coding for the enzyme are marine algal species including Chondrus crispus, Iridophycus flaccidum and Euthora cristata. In useful embodiments, the recombinant hexose oxidase is produced by Pichia pastoris, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or E. coli.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes produced by mutating the genes for a number of subtilases and expressing the mutated genes in suitable hosts are presented. The enzymes exhibit improved wash performance in any detergent in comparison to their wild type parent enzymes.

Abstract: A one-pot glycosylation reaction is disclosed in which a mannosyl (Man) group is enzymatically transferred to an acceptor molecule. The starting glycoside is a mannosyl 1-phosphate that is enzymatically converted to its GDP derivative via UTP and a pyrophorylase. The formed GDP derivative is used in the enzyme-catalyzed glycosyl transfer. That enzyme-catalyzed glycosyl transfer to an acceptor releases GDP that is enzymatically converted to GTP for further conversion of mannosyl 1-phosphate into its GDP derivative. Also disclosed are a recombinant ?1,2-mannosyltransferase that is enzymatically active, is dispersible in an aqueous reaction medium, and free of the transmembrane portion of the native enzyme, as well as DNA encoding that transferase, an expression vector containing exogenous DNA that encodes that enzyme and E. coli cells containing that vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing the productivity of a microorganism by improving the assimilation of carbon dioxide. Specifically, the invention provides a polypeptide having phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity which does not require acetyl coenzyme A for activation and is desensitized to feedback inhibition by aspartic acid, and to genes coding for this polypeptide. A gene encoding a PEP carboxylase that is not regulated by acetyl-CoA or aspartic acid can improve carbon flow from the three carbon intermediate PEP to the four carbon intermediate OAA, contribute to compounds derived from OAA, and increase amino acid biosynthesis. The invention further provides recombinant DNA molecules containing these genes, bacteria transformed with these genes, and a method of producing amino acids using the transformed bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutations of a subtilisin gene which result in changes in the chemical characteristics of subtilisin enzymes. Mutations at specific nucleic acids of the subtilisin gene result in amino acid substitutions and consequently, altered enzyme function. Some of these mutant enzymes exhibit physical properties advantageous to industrial applications, particularly in the detergent industry, providing subtilisin which is more stable to oxidation, possesses greater protease activity, and exhibits improved washability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of serine proteases having decreased immunogenicity relative to their corresponding wild-type proteases. More particularly, the present invention relates to variants having a modified amino acid sequence of a wild-type amino acid sequence, wherein the modified amino acid sequence comprises a deletion and, optionally, a substitution of one or more specifically identified positions corresponding to subtilisin BPN?. The invention further relates to mutant genes encoding such variants and cleaning and personal care compositions comprising such variants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel metallo-proteases (MP) in Gram-positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for Bacillus MP. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding MP. The present invention also provides host cells further comprising nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides cleaning compositions comprising an MP of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions that can reduce the symptoms of autism in a human patient comprising administering a physiologically effective amount of one or both of a purified casomorphin inhibitor selected from the group consisting of a casomorphinase and a casomorphin ligand, and a physiologically effective amount of a purified gluteomorphin inhibitor selected from the group consisting of a gluteomorphinase and a gluteomorphin ligand, to a human patient in sufficient quantities to reduce the effects of the autism. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods further comprise a physiologically effective amount of an enkephalin inhibitor, preferably an enkephalinase, and a physiologically effective amount of an endorphin inhibitor, preferably an endorphinase.