Abstract: The present invention relates to potato virus NIa protease variants or fragments thereof, polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using the foregoing.

Abstract: A virally safe, thrombin-free factor-Xla concentrate or a coagulation factor concentrate which contains factor XIa as an active pharmaceutical ingredient and which is obtained by fractionation of plasma or serum or by genetic engineering and is suitable for the treatment of coagulation disorders attributable to diminished and/or delayed thrombin formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of screening placental proteins responsible for pathophysiology of preeclampsia, and a marker for early diagnosis and prediction of preeclampsia. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of screening placental proteins responsible for pathophysiology of preeclampsia by 2D E-proteomics analysis, comprising: isolating placental proteins from a placental tissue; separating the isolated proteins two-dimensionally through 2D electrophoresis; and comparing and analyzing the separated proteins based on scanned gel images and differences in the images between normal placental proteins and preeclamptic placental proteins, wherein the comparison and analysis of the placental proteins based on the scanned gel images and differences in the images are accomplished by selecting proteins with differences of 140% or more between two placentas.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent for the treatment of the symptoms of addiction and the method for preparing the therapeutic agent is disclosed. The therapeutic agent is a stable pharmaceutical preparation containing, but not limited to, digestive/pancreatic enzymes. The therapeutic agent may be manufactured by a variety of encapsulation technologies. Delivery of the therapeutic agent may be made orally, through injection, by adherence of a medicated patch or other method. Further, a method of using of a biomarker, the presence of chymotrypsin in the gastrointestinal tract to determine the presence of symptoms of addiction, and the likelihood of relapsing into addiction is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one protease for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of ocular diseases related to neoangiogenesis selected from the group consisting of age related macular degeneration (AMD), choroidal neovascularisation, Hippel-Lindau Disease, iris neovascularisation, ischemic proliferative retinopathy, neovascularisation of the Cornea, and proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, wherein the at least one protease is selected from the group consisting of plant, non-mammalian animal and microbial proteases.

Abstract: The invention relates to the X-ray crystal structure of PfA-M1 aminopeptidase alone, and in complex with the phosphinate dipeptide analogue hPheP[CH2]Phe. More specifically the present invention provides the structure coordinates of PfA-M1 and PfA-M1 in complex with Co4. The invention also includes the use of the X-ray crystal structures as drug target models for anti-malarial drug design and a method for identifying or designing novel anti-malarial drugs, for example using high-throughput chemical screening and medicinal chemistry methods. The invention further provides anti-malarial drugs identified or designed according to the aforementioned method and their use for obstructing protein metabolism and synthesis in a parasite by blocking the entrance of Hb-derived peptides and/or blocking the exit of released amino acids at the active site of PfA-M1 protease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid detergent composition comprising a surfactant, a subtilisin and a protease stabilizer that is 3-chlorobenzoic acid, 4-chlorobenzoic acid, 3-chlorophenylacetic acid, 3,5-dichlorobenzoic acid, 3-(3-chlorophenyl)propionic acid or their corresponding salts. The composition can further comprise a another enzyme that is a lipase, an amylase, a cellulase or mixtures thereof. The stabilizer can be present at a concentration of 0.001 to 20% w/w. The concentration of the subtilisin can be at least 1.5 g/L.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of agents which are capable of the catabolism of components of cartilage extracellular matrix to promote cartilage regeneration within cartilage pathologies and to promote cartilage integration within focal defects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric derivatives of serine protease zymogen containing the activation peptide of factor X or a fragment thereof for improving the half-life of said derivatives. Preferably, said chimeric derivatives are protein C and factor X derivatives. The invention also relates to said derivatives for the prevention or treatment of blood coagulation disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having aspartic endopeptidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed are various forms of an active, isolated ?-secretase enzyme in purified and recombinant form. This enzyme is implicated in the production of amyloid plaque components which accumulate in the brains of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Recombinant cells that produce this enzyme either alone or in combination with some of its natural substrates (?-APPwt and ?-APPsw) are also disclosed, as are antibodies directed to such proteins. These compositions are useful for use in methods of selecting compounds that modulate ?-secretase. Inhibitors of ?-secretase are implicated as therapeutics in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens bacteria that hyperproduces amylase enzyme and protease enzyme. The strain is also suitable for producing lipase for the degradation of oleaginous materials such as fats, greases and cooking oils. The strain also has excellent fungicidal and/or fungistatic qualities. The strain of the present disclosure and the enzymes produced thereby have a number of applications, including agricultural uses, laundry and dish detergents, drain cleaners and spot removers, and among other things, baking applications.

Abstract: Organisms, compositions, and methods for at least partially reducing the formation of a biofilm and/or at least partially removing a biofilm are provided. The organisms, compositions, and methods may be used on biotic and abiotic surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides with a changed amino acid sequence on at least one amino acid position compared to the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1. The present invention further relates to the nucleotide sequences encoding the polypeptide, vectors, comprising the nucleotide sequences and host cells for expression of the polypeptide. The present invention further relates to the use of the polypeptides as a human, veterinary medical or diagnostic substance, in food, in cosmetics, as disinfectant or in the environmental field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel markers for diagnosing brain disease caused by brain injury and the use thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel diagnostic markers for brain disease caused by brain injury, which are identified by administering an MDMA drug, a diagnostic composition for brain disease caused by brain injury, a kit, a microarray, and a method for diagnosing brain disease caused by brain injury using the same, and relates to a method for screening a material for preventing or treating brain disease and a composition for preventing or treating brain disease caused by brain injury including the material. It was found that the expression amount of the marker genes of the present invention in tissues or cells of a patient with brain injury was over-expressed or under-expressed compared with that in normal tissues or cells.

Abstract: Use of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of USP13, USP26, USP38, USP42 or USP46 as a screening tool for an agent for treating cancer.

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 stability and/or improved wash performance in any detergent in comparison to their wild type parent enzymes. The enzymes are well-suited for use in any detergent and for some in especially liquid or solid shaped detergent compositions.

Abstract: The use of a collagenase containing formulation for degrading collagen within an occlusive atherosclerotic plaque in a chronic fibrotic occlusion, chronically occluded animal tube or cavity. A medical-related apparatus is provided comprising a medical-related device having provided thereto a therapeutic amount of a collagen degrading composition comprising a proteiolytic enzyme containing formulation A method is provided for treating chronically occluded animal tubes and cavities by administering a therapeutic effective amount of a proteolytic enzyme-containing formulation adjacent to an occluding atherosclerotic plaque, waiting for a pre-angioplasty waiting period, followed by crossing the plaque with an angioplasty guide wire.

Abstract: The present invention provides biologically active peptidomimetic macrocycles with improved properties, such as protease resistance, relative to their corresponding polypeptides. The invention additionally provides methods of preparing and using such macrocycles, for example in therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the isolation and purification of nucleic acids by elution of nucleic acids from nucleic acid-containing samples, and biological materials. The present invention further relates to a kit for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for producing and using protein/peptide fingerprints, allowing identification and investigation of disease-associated proteins/peptides that can be linked to specific drug targets, or to specific drug target combinations. The methods are particularly useful for studies relating to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), especially for the enzyme MMP12.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel enteropeptidase polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, nucleotide constructs, vectors, host cells comprising the polynucleotides, and methods for producing the polypeptides and polynucleotides. Such polypeptides are useful as protein engineering tool for enzymatic cleavage of fusion proteins. Also provided are kits comprising the polypeptides of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining if a subject having Type II diabetes has a kidney disorder by measuring the level of matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) in the urine of a subject having Type II diabetes and comparing this level to a reference sample or a sample from a healthy subject and determining if the subject has a kidney disorder base on the presence of increased levels of MMP-8 in the urine compared to the reference values or reference sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant blood coagulation factor IX (rFIX) mutants having factor VIII (FVIII) independent factor X (FX) activation potential. Five full length FIX proteins with combinations of mutations of amino acids important for functional activity of FIX and FIX wild type were cloned and expressed in HEK 293 cells. The proteins were tested by an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assay in FVIII-depleted plasma as well as in FVIII-inhibited patient plasma. In FVIII-depleted plasma functional activity of the FIX mutants was calculated as increased FVIII equivalent activity. The mutant proteins had increased FVIII equivalent activity. In FVIII-inhibited patient plasma the FEIBA equivalent activity was calculated for analysis of FVIII independent FX activation potential. The proteins had also increased FEIBA equivalent activity. Furthermore, the pre-activated FIX proteins had an increased activity in FIX-depleted plasma containing FVIII inhibitors.

Abstract: A Pseudomonas sp. strain TKU015 is deposited under DSMZ GmbH (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH) Number DSM 21747). The Pseudomonas sp. strain TKU015 can be used to produce chitinase, chitosanase and nattokinase. A method of producing chitinase, chitosanase and nattokinases can use the Pseudomonas sp. strain TKU015.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently producing an oligomer or a monomer by degrading a biodegradable resin using an enzyme, so that the oligomer or the monomer can be recovered. The present invention provides a method for producing an oligomer and/or a monomer by degrading a biodegradable resin in a degradation liquid containing a biodegradation enzyme, a buffer agent, an organic solvent, and water. In this method, the SP value of the organic solvent is less than 8.5 or more than 11.5, and the percentage content of the organic solvent (by volume) in the degradation liquid is higher than 1% and lower than 15%. In the method for producing an oligomer or a monomer, the degradation percentage of the biodegradable resin is low, and deposits of aggregates of the oligomer and/or the monomer are few, so that the recovery percentage is high.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel JP170 like subtilases from wild-type bacteria, hybrids thereof and to methods of construction and production of these proteases. Further, the present invention relates to use of the claimed subtilases in detergents, such as a laundry or an automatic dishwashing detergent.

Abstract: A drug product comprising a combination of highly purified collagenase I and collagenase II from Colostridium histolyticum is disclosed. The drug product includes collagenase I and collagenase II in a ratio of about 1 to 1, with a purity of greater than at least 95%. The invention further disclosed improved fermentation and purification processes for preparing the said drug product.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and kits for isolating nucleic acids from an organism. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve contacting a plurality of lytic enzymes to an organism, thereby lysing a cell wall of the organism to release the nucleic acid, and introducing at least one agent to separate the nucleic acid from the lysed cells, thereby isolating the nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising a non-cytotoxic protease and a EGF mutein ligand. The EGF mutein provides improved EGF receptor activation for the claimed fusion proteins. Also provided is the use of said polypeptides as therapeutics for suppressing mucus hypersecretion, inflammation, endocrine neoplasia and/or neuroendocrine disorders, neuroendocrine tumours, for suppressing cancers such as colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to radiolabelled MMP selective compounds, a processes for the preparation thereof, and uses thereof. The derivatives of the invention have formula (I) wherein Y represents O, CH2, (CH2)2, S, NH, or C(?O)NH; X represents 1-5 substituents, wherein said substituents can be the same or different and wherein at least one of said substituents comprises a radioisotope suitable for PET and/or SPECT and/or a ?-emitter; Z is S; Q is chosen from the group consisting of 3-pyridyl and carboxyl; and R is chosen from the group consisting of C(?O)—NH—OH, (II), (IV). The MMP selective compounds of the invention are selective for MMPs and can be used for the identification and treatment of unstable atherosclerotic plaques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition of at least one protease and a mode of application for treating patients suffering from pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis. The composition of enzymes comprises at least one protease which has a pH optimum below 5.0 and wherein said protease is further active in the presence of pepsin. In a preferred embodiment, said protease is of microbial origin.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to the extraction of nucleic acid from solid materials. Provided are useful compositions, methods and kits for obtaining nucleic acids from a solid biological sample or an adhesive material having a biological material adherent or embedded within the adhesive substrate. The extracted nucleic acid can be used in downstream applications such as genotyping, detection, quantification, and identification of the source of the biological material.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of quantitating nucleic acids from problematic samples, such as aged samples, formalin fixed samples, paraffin embedded samples, samples with aneuploid cells, and cells with fragmented nucleic acids. Methods include techniques to efficiently solublize the nucleic acids under non-denaturing conditions from preserved clinical samples without resort to organic extractions, to normalize cell counts regardless of aneuploidy, to access the fragmentation state of the nucleic acids, and to provide standard curves for degraded nucleic acid samples.

Abstract: Factor IX variants are described with an increase in the number of glycosylation sites. The Factor IX variants have an increased half life and/or recovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing recombinant stem bromelain. Total RNA is isolated from pineapple plant (11) and used for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to generate multiple copies of stem bromelain gene (12). The gene is then cloned into a cloning vector (13), then transformed to a competent cell to produce an entry clone (14). After identifying and selecting the positively transformed entry clone (15), the stem bromelain gene is sub-cloned into a destination vector (16) and transformed into host cells to produce recombinant cells (17). After identifying and selecting the positively transformed recombinant cells (18), the recombinant cells are induced to express recombinant stem bromelain (19). Subsequently, the recombinant cells are harvested and the recombinant stem bromelain purified (20). The recombinant stem bromelain produced is in an active form and demonstrates activity similar to native stem bromelain.

Abstract: A recombinant microorganism having improved productivity for a protein or a polypeptide, and a method for producing a protein or a polypeptide using the recombinant microorganism, are provided. A recombinant microorganism obtained by transfecting a gene for encoding a desired protein or polypeptide into a microorganism strain which is obtained by genetically constructing to overexpress secY gene of Bacillus subtilis or a gene corresponding to the secY gene, and deleting or inactivating one or more genes selected from sporulation-associated genes and genes corresponding to the sporulation-associated genes from the genome.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, methods and compositions for treating lipid disorders comprising administering a polypeptide that inhibits PCSK9. A novel method for identifying polypeptides that interact with PCSK9 is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of detecting a malignancy or a pre-malignant lesion in breast or other tissue, or a pathologic condition, by detecting the presence of single-chain or two-chain forms of matriptase in the tissue. The invention is further directed to a method of treating malignancies, which have the phenotype of matriptase production by administering a tumor formation inhibiting effective amount of concentrate of Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBIC), or other matriptase inhibitor. The invention also is directed to nucleic acids encoding a matriptase protein or fragments thereof, and their use for structure elucidation and modeling to identify other inhibitors of matriptase, as well as to methods of identifying matriptase modulating agents, including activators and inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying Clostridium histolyticum collagenase type I and type II proteins from a complex mixture by subsequently performing a precipitation with ammonium sulfate, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, and anion chromatography. Conditions are provided which lead to a stabilized, partially purified preparation even after the precipitation step. The method of the invention leads to a quick and efficient removal of other proteolytic activities. The preparations according to the invention provide exceptionally pure and intact collagenase type I and type II proteins which are enzymatically active. The invention also provides blends of the two isolated proteins. The invention further provides the use of the purified collagenase proteins or blends thereof for treating a tissue sample in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel JP170 like subtilases from wild-type bacteria, hybrids thereof and to methods of construction and production of these proteases. Further, the present invention relates to use of the claimed subtilases in detergents, such as a laundry or an automatic dishwashing detergent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based peptide chip prepared by forming a monolayer of AuNPs onto a self-assembled monolayer constructed on a solid support, and then immobilizing a peptide on the AuNPs. The AuNPs can effectively amplify the mass signal of the peptide, thus making it possible to measure the mass change of the peptide in a simple and accurate manner. Also, when secondary ion mass spectrometric analysis (spectrum or imaging) is performed on the AuNP-based peptide chip, the activities of enzymes and related inhibitors can be effectively quantified. The disclosed invention enables various enzyme activities to be analyzed rapidly and accurately, and thus can provide an important method for disease diagnosis and new drug development through the elucidation of signaling and interaction mechanisms.

Abstract: Neutralizing PCSK9 variants that interact with low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) are described. Methods and compositions for treating disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a neutralizing PCSK9 variant are described.

Abstract: There is provided a method for specifically determining a glycated ?-chain N-terminal of glycated hemoglobin using enzymes without a separation operation, and a determination reagent kit therefor. A protease that cleaves a glycated amino acid and/or a glycated peptide from a glycated ?-chain N-terminal without substantially cleaving a glycated amino acid or a glycated peptide from a glycated ?-chain N-terminal of glycated hemoglobin or a fragment thereof is screened. The method of specifically determining a glycated ?-chain N-terminal of glycated hemoglobin and the determination reagent kit are provided by using the protease obtained by the screening method. According to the present invention, a glycated ?-chain N-terminal of glycated hemoglobin can specifically be determined without a separation operation.

Abstract: A purified recombinant batroxobin with high specific activity, which has the following properties: (a) the batroxobin has a molecular weight of 29-32 kDa; (b) at least 90% of the batroxobin have 6 pairs of disulfide bonds which correctly match at Cys7-Cys139, Cys26-Cys42, Cys74-Cys230, Cys118-Cys184, Cys150-Cys163 and Cysl174-Cys199; (c) positions 146 and 225 in SEQ ID NO:1 are modified as N-glycosylation; and (d) the specific activity of the batroxobin is equal to or greater than 1500 KU/mg protein.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is the use of a preparation containing a phytepsin, more specifically a cyprosin, containing the heterodimer, its N-terminal pro-peptide, the mature N-terminal peptide, and mature C-terminal peptide, as well as other precursor species, processing products, and aggregate species, either isolated or in any combinations of the former, native, extracted and partially purified from flowers of Cynara cardunculus, or recombinant, extracted from the supernatant from a culture of Saccharomyces cereviseae genetically modified for the heterologous production of cyprosin, for therapeutic applications more precisely for its use as an antitumor agent.

Abstract: A method for isolating nucleic acids is provided. The method includes providing a biological sample containing at least one nucleic acid, and mixing the biological sample with an isolating agent under a suitable condition to isolate the nucleic acids from the biological sample in single step, wherein the isolating agent contains 1-40 wt % of PEG and/or more than 30 wt % of low molecular weight alcohol, a salt, and a detergent. Isolated nucleic acids are bound to a solid support by changes in the solubility of nucleic acids. Additionally, the present invention further provides an isolating agent and kit for isolating nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel subtilase variants exhibiting alterations relative to the parent subtilase in one or more properties including: Wash performance, thermal stability, storage stability or catalytic activity. The variants of the invention are suitable for use in e.g. cleaning or detergent compositions, such as laundry detergent compositions and dish wash compositions, including automatic dish wash compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lysis buffer mixture that is stable in storage for isolating nucleic acids from biological, preferably diagnostic samples. The mixture is preferably associated with an extraction control. The aim of the invention is to provide an improved nucleic acid extraction system, which is cost-effective, stable and easy to use, thus fulfilling the requirements of a modern nucleic acid extraction system and containing, among other things, extraction controls. The invention relates to a lysis buffer mixture for isolating nucleic acids, said mixture containing non chaotropic salts, a special selection of detergents, a defined quantity of at least one nucleic acid as an extraction control, optionally lytic enzymes, optionally carrier nucleic acids and optionally other additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of determining melanoma status in a subject. The invention also relates to kits for determining melanoma status in a subject. The invention further relates to methods of identifying biomarkers and correlating biomarker expression to melanoma status or stage in a subject.