Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds and probes which have a common chemical structure necessary to obtain potent inhibitory activity against KLK4 and/or may be used for the detection of KLK4 peptides and their activity. It further relates to the use of these compounds and methods for inhibiting and/or detecting KLK4 activity in vitro and in vivo by making use of said probes or inhibitors. The compounds of the invention differ from prior art compounds at least in the presence of phenyl guanidine (instead of e.g. benzyl guanidine) and/or the presence of a heteroatom in the tail group, their combined presence unexpectedly leading to potent and selective KLK4 inhibitory activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds and probes which have a common chemical structure necessary to obtain potent inhibitory activity against KLK4 and/or may be used for the detection of KLK4 peptides and their activity. It further relates to the use of these compounds and methods for inhibiting and/or detecting KLK4 activity in vitro and in vivo by making use of said probes or inhibitors. The compounds of the invention differ from prior art compounds at least in the presence of phenyl guanidine (instead of e.g. benzyl guanidine) and/or the presence of a heteroatom in the tail group, their combined presence unexpectedly leading to potent and selective KLK4 inhibitory activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to selective trypsine-like serine protease activity-based probes, in particular urokinase plasminogen activator-activity based probes, the use thereof and methods for detecting selective urokinase activity by making use of said probes.

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: 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: A method for selecting amino acid residues is disclosed which upon replacement will give rise to an enzyme with an altered substrate specificity. New mutant glucose isomerases with an altered substrate specificity are provided according to this method. These altered properties are useful in starch degradation and in other sugar conversion reactions.