Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence in which at least one amino acid is deleted, substituted or added in an amino acid sequence of isopropylmalate isomerase derived from a microorganism belonging to coryneform bacteria, wherein a coryneform bacterium which produces the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as the sole isopropylmalate isomerase exhibits a partial leucine requirement in a minimal medium; a DNA encoding the polypeptide, a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA, a microorganism transformed with the recombinant DNA, and a process for producing an L-amino acid using the microorganism.

Abstract: In a method for producing an L-amino acid by culturing a microorganism having an ability to produce an L-amino acid in a medium to produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in the medium and collecting the L-amino acid from the medium, a Gram-negative bacterium having the Entner-Doudoroff pathway and modified so that 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase activity or 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase activity, or activities of the both are enhanced is used as the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of optically active hydroxymethyl-substituted phenylalanine, which includes reducing cyano-substituted benzylidene hydantoin (1) to give aminomethyl-substituted benzyl hydantoin (2) or a salt thereof, converting an amino group of the aminomethyl-substituted benzyl hydantoin (2) or a salt thereof to a hydroxyl group to give hydroxymethyl-substituted benzyl hydantoin (3), treating the hydroxymethyl-substituted benzyl hydantoin (3) with an enzyme to give D-hydroxymethyl-substituted phenylalanine (4a) or a salt thereof, or L-hydroxymethyl-substituted phenylalanine (4b) or a salt thereof. According to the present invention, a production method capable of conveniently producing optically active hydroxymethyl-substituted phenylalanine on an industrial scale can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an industrially advantageous method for producing an amino acid derivative. Provided is a method for producing an amino acid derivative including contacting a microorganism and/or an enzyme with a hydroxyimino acid represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted predetermined hydrocarbon group; R2 represents a C1 to C3 alkyl group or a hydrogen atom; and n is 0 or 1, to produce an amino acid derivative represented by the following general formula (III): wherein R1 and n have the same meanings as those of R1 and n in the general formula (I), wherein the microorganism and/or the enzyme is capable of catalyzing the reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to host cells that produce compounds that are characterized as benzylisoquinolines, as well as select precursors and intermediates thereof. The host cells comprise one, two or more heterologous coding sequences wherein each of the heterologous coding sequences encodes an enzyme involved in the metabolic pathway of a benzylisoquinoline, or its precursors or intermediates from a starting compound. The invention also relates to methods of producing the benzylisoquinoline, as well as select precursors and intermediates thereof by culturing the host cells under culture conditions that promote expression of the enzymes that produce the benzylisoquinoline or precursors or intermediates thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing an L-amino acid, such as L-phenylalanine and L-threonine, is provided using an Escherichia bacterium, wherein the L-amino acid productivity of said bacterium is enhanced by enhancing the activity of the protein encoded by the yedA gene. A further method is provided for producing a lower alkyl ester of ?-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine by producing L-phenylalanine by cultivating an Escherichia coli bacterium in a medium, wherein said bacterium has the ability to produce L-phenylalanine, and synthesizing the lower alkyl ester of ?-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine from aspartic acid, or a derivative thereof, and the produced L-phenylalanine.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutants and alleles of the gnd gene from coryneform bacteria coding for 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases which contain at position 329 or a comparable position of the amino acid sequence any amino acid other than L-valine, and to processes for the production of amino acids, preferably L-lysine and L-tryptophan, by fermentation using bacteria that contain these alleles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly a bacterium belonging to genus Escherichia or Pantoea, which has been modified to attenuate expression of the yafA gene.

Abstract: An enteric bacterial strain was engineered to over-produce L-tyrosine using a one-step method. The pheA-tyrA chromosomal region of the bacterial genome was replaced with an engineered chromosomal segment, resulting in inactivation of the pheA coding region and strong expression of the tyrA coding region, resulting in high levels of L-tyrosine production.

Abstract: Tyrosine production in a tyrosine over-producing enteric bacterial strain was enhanced by expression of a tyrosine insensitive prephenate dehydrogenase. The prephenate dehydrogenase expressed was the cyclohexadienyl dehydrogenase encoded by the Zymomonas mobilis tyrc gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing optically active amino acids from 5-substituted hydantoin by isolating a hydantoinase gene and an N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase gene involved in an ability to convert 5-substituted hydantoin or N-carbamylamino acid into optically active amino acids from a microorganism of the genus Microbacterium having the above ability and by improving gene amplification and transcriptional and translational activities thereby preparing a recombinant wherein the amount of the desired enzymes produced is increased. The hydantoinase gene is, for example, a DNA encoding for a protein having a hydantoinase activity, which has the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 in the Sequence. The N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase gene is, for example, a DNA encoding for a protein having an N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase activity, which has the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 in the Sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutants and alleles of the gnd gene from coryneform bacteria coding for 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases which contain at position 329 or a comparable position of the amino acid sequence any amino acid other than L-valine, and to processes for the production of amino acids, preferably L-lysine and L-tryptophan, by fermentation using bacteria that contain these alleles.

Abstract: A target substance is produced by culturing a bacterium which has the ability to produce the target substance in a medium to cause accumulation of said target substance in the medium and collecting the target substance from the medium, wherein the bacterium is modified so that a system for uptake of a byproduct of the target substance or a substrate for a biosynthesis system of the target substance into the bacterial cell.

Abstract: According to the process for producing amino acid or salt thereof in the present invention, in the adsorption step, an amino acid-containing aqueous solution is fed into a pressure tight column so that a free amino acid is adsorbed on a carbonate-type anion exchange resin packed in the pressure tight column. Subsequently, in the elution step, eluent liquid containing a hydrogen carbonate ion and/or a carbonate ion is injected into the pressure tight column in a pressurized state to elute the amino acid adsorbed on the anion exchange resin and simultaneously to regenarate the anion exchange resin into the carbonate-type. In the case of purifying an acidic amino acid, an aqueous ammonium carbonate solution is employed as the eluent liquid. In the case of purifying a neutral amino acid, an aqueous carbonic acid solution, an aqueous hydrogen carbonate solution, an aqueous ammonium hydrogen carbonate solution or an aqueous ammonium carbonate solution is employed as the eluent liquid.

Abstract: Genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), tyrosine ammonia lyase (TAL) and phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) have been introduced into a host organism for the production of Para-hydroxycinnamic acid (PHCA). The introduction of these genes results in the redirection of carbon flow in the host, optimizing the flow of carbon from glucose to PHCA. The intermediates, tyrosine and cinnamic acid are also produced.

Abstract: An L-amino acid-producing strain of Escherichia coli is bred by modifying an Escherichia coli K12 strain or a derivative thereof so as to become resistant to L-valine and have an ability to produce one or more L-amino acids selected from the group consisting of L-tryptophan, L-phenylalanine, L-lysine, L-tyrosine, L-glutamic acid, L-histidine, L-cysteine, and L-proline.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there are provided methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids, said method comprising combining an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an anmionium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity which stereoselectively hydrolyzes the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acid, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conferring tolerance to an amino acid analog of tryptophan to a plant and/or altering the tryptophan content of a plant by introducing and expressing an isolated DNA segment encoding an anthranilate synthase in the cells of the plant. Transgenic plants transformed with an isolated DNA segment encoding an anthranilate synthase, as well as seeds and progeny derived from these plants, are also provided. The present invention also provides a cDNA sequence of an alpha and a beta subunit of a maize anthranilate synthase.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant D-aminoacylases and use thereof. The mutant D-aminoacylases are hard to be inhibited by the substrate and, comprise the amino acid sequences of the D-aminoacylase derived from Alcaligenes denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans MI-4 strain, wherein amino acid residues at specific sites have been modified. The mutants of the present invention have high reaction specificity as well as resistance to inhibition by the substrate. The present invention enables high-yield production of D-amino acids using higher concentrations of N-acyl-DL-amino acid as the substrate. The mutants of the present invention are useful in producing D-tryptophan in particular.

Abstract: A method for producing an L-amino acid, such as L-phenylalanine or L-threonine, is provided using a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia, wherein the L-amino acid productivity of said bacterium is enhanced by enhancing an activity of the protein encoded by the yedA gene.

Abstract: A novel tyrosyl diester antibiotic is obtained from fermentation of a recombinant strain of Streptomyces lividans designated Stretomyces lividans WD 15684 (ATCC-202143). The new antibiotic, designated tyrissamycin, exhibits antibacterial activity, particularly against gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: Genetic elements comprising expression vectors and a gene coding for phosphoenol pyruvate synthase is utilized to enhance diversion of carbon resources into the common aromatic pathway and pathways branching therefrom. The overexpression of phosphoenol pyruvate synthase increases DAHP production to near theoretical yields.

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: Amino acids such as threonine, homoserine, isoleucine, lysine, valine and tryptophan are produced using a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia which has been constructed from a sucrose non-assimilative strain belonging to the genus Escherichia and which harbors sucrose non-PTS or PTS genes and has an ability to produce the amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide sequences from Coryneform bacteria which code for the PtsI protein and a process for the fermentative preparation of amino acids using bacteria in which the ptsI gene is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processes of racemization and deprotection of special N-protected amino acids in the acylase/racemase system for the total conversion of special N-protected racemic amino acids into optically pure amino acids.

Abstract: A process for preparation of a compound with enhanced optical purity is disclosed wherein a mixture of the enantiomers of a chiral amine is brought into contact with an enzyme having peptide deformylase activity with a bivalent metal ion as a cofactor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for preparation of an optically active 7-substituted 3-(2-aminopropyl)indole compound and an intermediate therefor. In the above preparation process, 7-substituted indole is reacted with L- or DL-serine in the presence of a tryptophan-synthesizing enzyme originating in microorganisms to form corresponding 7-substituted L-tryptophan, and it is subjected, if necessary, to reduction, protection, exchange and elimination.

Abstract: Genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), tyrosine ammonia lyase (TAL) and phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) have been introduced into a host organism for the production of Para-hydroxycinnamic acid (PHCA). The introduction of these genes results in the redirection of carbon flow in the host, optimizing the flow of carbon from glucose to PHCA. The intermediates, tyrosine and cinnamic acid are also produced.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing a target substance by utilizing a microorganism comprising culturing the microorganism in a medium, allowing the target substance to accumulate, and collecting the target substance from the medium. Also the microorganism used in the present invention is a mutant strain whereby maltose assimilation is controlled by the interaction between IIAGlc protein of glucose PTS and MalK.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing optically active amino acids from 5-substituted hydantoin by isolating a hydantoinase gene and an N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase gene involved in an ability to convert 5-substituted hydantoin or N-carbamylamino acid into optically active amino acids from a microorganism of the genus Microbacterium having the above ability and by improving gene amplification and transcriptional and translational activities thereby preparing a recombinant wherein the amount of the desired enzymes produced is increased. The hydantoinase gene is, for example, a DNA encoding for a protein having a hydantoinase activity, which has the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 in the Sequence. The N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase gene is, for example, a DNA encoding for a protein having an N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase activity, which has the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 in the Sequence.

Abstract: An L-threonine-producing Escherichia coli strain and a method for producing the same are provided. The Escherchia coli strain contains chromosomal DNA with inactivated metJ gene. Therefore, expression repression of threonine biosynthesis genes by a metJ gene product is prevented, thereby producing a high concentration of threonine. Further, a high concentration of L-threonine can be produced in high yield using the method.

Abstract: A bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia having an ability to produce an L-amino acid is cultured in a medium containing fructose as a main carbon source, preferably a medium containing a carbon source composed of 30 weight % or more of fructose and 70 weight % or less of glucose, to produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in the medium, and the L-amino acid is collected from the medium.

Abstract: In a method for producing an L-amino acid by culturing a microorganism having an ability to produce an L-amino acid in a medium to produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in the medium and collecting the L-amino acid from the medium, a Gram-negative bacterium having the Entner-Doudoroff pathway and modified so that 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase activity or 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase activity, or activities of the both are enhanced is used as the microorganism.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a compound with enhanced optical purity wherein a mixture of the enantiomers of a chiral compound of formula 1 wherein: R1 represents an alkyl or an aryl group R2 represents H, an alkyl or an aryl group Y represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, (CH2)nCOOH, (CH2)n—COOR, (CH2)n—CONRR?, CH2OH, or C?N wherein R and R? independently represent H, an alkyl or aryl group, and n represents 0 or 1, is brought into contact with an enzyme having peptide deformylase activity with a bivalent metal ion as a cofactor wherein the metal is chosen from the groups 5–11 of the periodic system, or for the preparation of a formylated compound with enhanced optical purity from a mixture of the enantiomers of the corresponding not formulated chiral compound in the presence of a formylation agent. Preferably the peptide deformylase is chosen from the class EC 3.5.2.27 or EC 3.5.1.31, and contains the sequences of (I) HEXXH, (ii) EGCLS and (iii) GXGXAAXQ.

Abstract: This invention describes methods for enhancing carbon flow into a pathway of a host cell to enhance the biosynthetic production of compounds therefrom, the host cells being selected based on being phenotypically Pts?/glucose+. Such host cells are capable of transporting glucose without consuming PEP, resulting in conservation of PEP which can be re-directed into the pathway in order to enhance the production of desired compounds along the pathway. Pts?/glucose+ mutants have been shown to be advantageous for the enhanced production of the aromatic amino acids.

Abstract: An amino acid such as threonine, homoserine, isoleucine, lysine, valine and tryptophan is produced using a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia which has been constructed from sucorse non-assimilative strain belonging to the genus Escherichia and which harbors sucrose non-PTS (phosphoenol pyruvate-dependent sucrose-6-phosphotransferase system) genes and has an ability to produce the amino acid.

Abstract: A novel rec-L-N-carbamoylase from Arthrobacter aurescens and its method of use for producing L-amino acids. The recombinantly produced L-carbamoylase is unexpectedly stable, so that an industrial method of producing L-amino acids can be established with it, in contrast to previously known L-carbamoylases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel D-aminoacylase, as well as method for producing a D-amino acid using the same. In order to achieve the above objective, the present inventors have succeeded in purifying heat-stable D-aminoacylase from microorganisms belonging to the genus Streptomyces by combining various purification methods. Furthermore, the present inventors found that the purified heat-stable D-aminoacylase is useful in industrial production of D-amino acids. By utilizing the heat-stable D-aminoacylase, it is possible to readily and efficiently produce the corresponding D-amino acids from N-acetyl-DL-amino acids (for example, N-acetyl-DL-methionine, N-acetyl-DL-valine, N-acetyl-DL-tryptophan, N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine, N-acetyl-DL-alanine, N-acetyl-DL-leucine, and so on).

Abstract: This invention provides a novel D-aminoacylase obtained by cloning a DNA encoding the novel D-aminoacylase from Methylobacterium mesophilicum MT 10894, etc. and which shows sufficiently high activity at an industrially useful substrate concentration to allow a D-amino acid to be efficiently produced from an N-acyl-DL-amino acid; a DNA encoding the D-aminoacylase; a process for producing a D-amino acid from the corresponding N-acylamino acid using a transformant containing the DNA.

Abstract: A method for producing an optically active amino acid, which comprises adding ammonia to an acrylic acid derivative by action of a plant enzyme and obtaining the corresponding optically active amino acid. The method for producing an L-amino acid, which comprises, in the presence of ammonia, allowing phenylalanine ammonia-lyase derived from a plant to act on an acrylic acid derivative, which may have an aromatic ring group that may have various substituents and comprise a hetero atom.

Abstract: A process for producing an L-amino acid, such as L-isoleucine, L-histidine, L-threonine and L-tryptophan, using bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia is provided which comprises cultivating the L-amino acid-producing bacterium in a culture medium and collecting the L-amino acid from the culture medium, wherein the culture medium contains a mixture of glucose and pentose sugars, such as arabinose and xylose.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleotide sequences coding for the accDA gene and to a process for the preparation of L-amino acids, especially L-lysine, by fermentation using corynebacteria in which the accDA gene is amplified.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant D-aminoacylases and use thereof. The mutant D-aminoacylases are hard to be inhibited by the substrate and, comprise the amino acid sequences of the D-aminoacylase derived from Alcaligenes denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans MI-4 strain, wherein amino acid residues at specific sites have been modified. The mutants of the present invention have high reaction specificity as well as resistance to inhibition by the substrate. The present invention enables high-yield production of D-amino acids using higher concentrations of N-acyl-DL-amino acid as the substrate. The mutants of the present invention are useful in producing D-tryptophan in particular.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of L -amino acids from their racemic N-acetyl-D,L derivatives by enzymatic resolution by means of isolated, recombinant enzymes A process for the preparation of proteinogenic or nonproteinogenic L-amino acids, in particular L-phosphinothricin, from their racemic N-acetyl-D,L derivatives comprises a) selectively deacetylating N-acetyl-L derivatives of the corresponding L-amino acids by an enzymatic resolution by means of isolated, recombinant enzymes, while N-acetyl-D derivatives of the corresponding D-amino acids are not deacetylated and (b) separating the deacetylated L-amino acids obtained preparatively from the nondeacetylated N-acetyl-D derivatives and/or the incompletely deacetylated N-acetyl-L derivatives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the microbial production of metabolic products, polynucleotides from coryne-form bacteria and use thereof. According to the invention, by means of said method and polynucleotides it is possible to influence the synthesis of ATP in a controlled manner and also to control the synthesis of metabolic products. The invention relates to genes from Corynebacterium glutamicum coding for cytochrome aa3 oxidase and the cytochrome bc1 complex. The monocistronic ctaD gene codes for a 65 kDa protein, the primary structure of which displays all the typical properties of the sub-unit I of cytochrome aa3 oxidase. The genes which code for the sub-unit III of the cytochrome aa3 (ctaE) and the three characteristic sub-units of the cytochrome bc1 complex (qcrABC) are arranged in a group with the sequence ctaE-qcrCAB.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processes of racemization and deprotection of special N-protected amino acids in the acylase/racemase system for the total conversion of special N-protected racemic amino acids into optically pure amino acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to coryneform bacteria which have, in addition to at least one copy, present at the natural site (locus), of an open reading frame (ORF), gene or allele which codes for the synthesis of a protein or an RNA, in each case a second, optionally third or fourth copy of this open reading frame (ORF), gene or allele at in each case a second, optionally third or fourth site in a form integrated into the chromosome and processes for the preparation of chemical compounds by fermentation of these bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel D-aminoacylase, as well as method for producing a D-amino acid using the same. In order to achieve the above objective , the present inventors have succeeded in purifying heat-stable D-aminoacylase from microorganisms belonging to the genus Streptomyces by combining various purification methods. Furthermore, the present inventors found that the purified heat-stable D-aminoacylase is useful in industrial production of D-amino acids. By utilizing the heat-stable D-aminoacylase, it is possible to readily and efficiently produce the corresponding D-amino acids from N-acetyl-DL-amino acids (for example, N-acetyl-DL-methionine, N-acetyl-DL-valine, N-acetyl-DL-tryptophan, N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine, N-acetyl-DL-alanine, N-acetyl-DL-leucine, and so on).

Abstract: The invention relates to the synthesis of aspartame involving enzymatic deformylation of an N-formyl-&agr;-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine compound by treatment with an enzyme having formylmethionyl peptide deformylase activity and having as a co-factor group 5 to 11 bivalent metal ions. The invention also relates to selective preparation and recovery of aspartame from a mixture of N-formyl-&agr;- and &bgr;-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine compounds by treatment with such enzyme. And finally, the invention relates to one-pot enzymatic synthesis of aspartame from N-formyl-L-aspartic acid and L- or D,L-phenylalanine methyl ester involving an enzymatic deformylation reaction simultaneously with an enzymatic coupling reaction, as well as to one-pot di- or oligopeptide synthesis by simultaneous enzymatic coupling and deformylation reactions in general.