Abstract: An enzyme solution obtained by cultivating Bacillus subtilis M2-4 strain highly heat-resistant peptidase activity such that the residual activity thereof after 1-hr heat treatment at 60 to 65° C. at pH 7 is substantially 100%. An enzyme preparation can be obtained by separating the enzyme protein from the enzyme solution. Using such enzyme solution or enzyme preparation as an active component, a proteolytic enzyme preparation can be prepared. The enzyme solution, the enzyme preparation and the proteolytic enzyme preparation have both high heat-resistance and great potency of hydrolyzing proteins into low molecules.

Abstract: An alkaline protease having the following properties; a gene encoding the same; a microorganism producing the same; and washing compositions containing the same; (i) acting over a broad pH value range of 4 to 13 and achieving, at pH 6 to 12, 80% or more the activity at the optimum pH value; (ii) when treated at 40° C. for 30 minutes, being stable over a pH value range of 6 to 11; (iii) having an isoelectric point of about 8.9 to 9.1; and (iv) having casein digesting activity that is not inhibited by oleic acid. The alkaline protease of the present invention is highly stable to various surface active agents and fatty acids, and exhibits high stability to oxidizing agents, and is therefore useful as an enzyme to be used in detergents for automatic dishwashers and laundry detergents, both containing bleaching components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel cysteine proteases in Gram-positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nuclei acid and amino acid sequences for the Bacillus subtilis cysteine proteases CP1, CP2 and CP3. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding CP1, CP2 or CP3. The present invention also provides host cells further comprising nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides a cleaning composition comprising a cysteine protease of the present invention.

Abstract: A Bacillus natto culture is treated with chitosan, and then filtered, concentrated, and dried. According to this method, a Bacillus natto culture extract containing nattokinase and 1 &mgr;g or less of vitamin K2/g dry weight is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a subtilase variant for removal of egg stains from laundry or from hard surfaces, where the subtilase variant comprises at least one additional amino acid residue in the active site loop (b) region from position 95 to 103 (BASBPN numbering). These subtilase variants are useful exhibiting excellent or improved wash performance on egg stains when used in e.g. cleaning or detergent compositions, including automatic dishwash compositions. The present invention also relates to novel subtilase variants, to isolated DNA sequences encoding the variants, expression vectors, host cells, and methods for producing and using the variants of the invention. Further, the present invention relates to cleaning and detergent compositions comprising the variants of the invention.

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: 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. Protease variants are provided that contain substitutions of the amino acids at one or more residue positions so that the substitution alters the charge at that position to make the charge more negative or less positive compared to a precursor protease and thus the protease variant is more effective in a low detergent concentration system than a precursor protease.

Abstract: Enzymes produced by mutating the genes for a number of subtilisin proteases and expressing the mutated genes in suitable hosts are presented. The enzymes exhibit improved wash performance in comparison to their wild type parent enzymes. The enzymes are well-suited for use in detergent compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel serine proteases in Gram-positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for the Bacillus subtilis serine proteases SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 and SP5. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 and SP5. The present invention also provides host cells further comprising nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides a cleaning composition comprising a serine protease of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide-polymer conjugates having added and/or removed one or more attachment groups for coupling polymeric molecules on the surface of the polypeptide structure, a method for preparing polypeptide-polymer conjugates of the invention, the use of said conjugates for reducing the immunogenicity and allergenicity and compositions comprising said conjugate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising a protease variant.

Abstract: A protease subtilase enzyme, characterized by an insertion in at least one active site loop. The enzymes exhibit improved wash performance in a detergent in comparison to its parent enzyme if it is a subtilase variant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subtilisin 309 variants having a modified amino acid sequence of wild-type subtilisin 309 amino acid sequence, the wild-type amino acid sequence comprising a first loop region, a second loop region, a third loop region, a fourth loop region, a fifth loop region and a sixth loop region; wherein the modified amino acid sequence comprises different amino acids than that occurring in wild-type subtilisin 309 (i.e., substitution) at specifically identified positions in one or more of the loop regions whereby the subtilisin 309 variant has decreased adsorption to, and increased hydrolysis of, an insoluble substrate as compared to the wild-type subtilisin 309. The present invention also relates to DNA sequence encoding such subtilisin 309 variants. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising such subtilisin 309 variants for cleaning a variety of surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel improved protein mutant which produces low allergenic response in humans compared to the parent of that mutant. Specifically, the present invention comprises neutralizing or reducing the ability of T-cells to recognize epitopes and thus prevent sensitization of an individual to the protein.

Abstract: Novel carbonyl hydrolase variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human carbonyl hydrolases are disclosed. The variant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase. Such variant carbonyl hydrolases have properties which are different from those of the precursor hydrolase, such as altered proteolytic activity, altered stability, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of subtilisin-like proteases having decreased immunogenicity relative to their corresponding wild-type proteases. The present invention further relates to such variants additionally having one or more amino acid substitutions in one or more epitope regions or additionally having one or more stabilizing substitutions. 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 variants of subtilisin-like 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 substitution of one or more epitope regions. The invention further relates to mutant genes encoding such variants and cleaning and personal care compositions comprising such variants.

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: The subject invention pertains to new thermostable enzymes and the use of these enzymes both in proteolysis as well as protein and polypeptide synthesis. The subject invention further concerns polynucleotide sequences which encode the enzymes of the subject invention.

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 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 disclosure relates to subtilisin protease conjugate comprising a protease moiety and one or more addition moieties. Each addition moiety is covalently attached to a clip site protection position of the protease moiety, wherein the clip site protection positions are selected from 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 84, 85, 88, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 170, 186, 191, 192, 193, 194, 196, 259, 260, 261, 262, and 274 corresponding to subtilisin BPN′. 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: 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: 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: Novel carbonyl hydrolase variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human carbonyl hydrolases are disclosed. The variant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase. Such variant carbonyl hydrolases have properties which are different from those of the precursor hydrolase, such as altered proteolytic activity, altered stability, etc.

Abstract: Novel calcium free subtilisin mutants are taught, in particular subtilisins which have been mutated to eliminate amino acids 75-83 and part or all of amino acids 1-22 (the N-terminal region) and which retain enzymatic activity and stability. Recombinant methods for producing the same and recombinant DNA encoding for such subtilisin mutants are also provided.

Abstract: Novel calcium free subtilisin mutants are taught, in particular subtilisins which have been mutated to eliminate amino acids 75-83 and which retain enzymatic activity and stability. Recombinant methods for producing same and recombinant DNA encoding for such subtilisin mutants are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of metalloproteases in gram positive microorganisms and provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for a metalloprotease. Host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding the metalloprotease wherein the mutation or deletion results in inactivation of the proteolytic activity of the metalloprotease are also part of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides genes encoding variants of metallo-endopeptidases that have been engineered to be resistant to prolonged boiling while having maintained their enzymatic performance at much lower temperatures. In addition, thermal stability of the metallo-endopeptidases is highly dependent on calcium at concentrations in the mM range. The invention further provides active metallo-endopeptidases variants whose stability depending on calcium concentration can be changed so as to provide metallo-endopeptidases that are calcium dependent or independent. The invention also provides genes that encode boiling-resistant metallo-endopetidases whose stability depending on calcium concentration can be changed. The invention also provides vectors and cells comprising these genes and proteases produced through these genes, vectors and/or cells.

Abstract: A mutated subtilisin-type protease that bears at least one mutation in its amino-acid sequence that causes the positive charge to be reduced or the negative charge to be increased in the substrate binding region of the molecule is used in cosmetic products. Such proteases show a surprisingly low skin and mucous membrane irritating potential.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutations of the subtilisin gene, some of which result in changes in the chemical characteristics of subtilisin enzyme. Mutations are created at specific nucleic acids of the subtilisin gene and, in various specific embodiments, the mutant enzymes possess altered chemical properties including, but not limited to, increased stability to oxidation, augmented proteolytic activity, and improved washability. The present invention also relates, but is not limited to, the amino acid and DNA sequences for two proteases derived from Bacillus lentus variants, subtilisin 147 and subtilisin 309, as well as mutations of these genes and the corresponding mutant enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Ras suppressors, in particular the Ras suppressor SUR-8. The present invention provides isolated nucleotide sequence encoding SUR-8, isolated SUR-8 peptides, antibodies that specifically bind SUR-8, methods for the detection of SUR-8, methods for producing SUR-8 transgenic animals, non-human animals expressing SUR-8, and methods for screening compounds for the ability to alter SUR-8 associated signal transduction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel strain of alkalothermophilic Bacillus sp. isolated from a hot spring at Vajeshwari, District Thane, The State of Maharashtra, India and deposited at American Type Culture Centre (ATCC), bearing accession No. PTA 972, said strain of Bacillus sp. having the following characteristics (i) aerobic, (ii) gram positive, (iii) motile, (iv) spore forming, (v) capable of growing in a alkaline medium at pH 8-10, and (vi) exhibiting negative reaction towards production of indole, hydrogen, sulfide, ammonia and urease and positive reaction for hydrolysis of starch, production of catalase, hydrolysis of casein and reduction of nitrate.

Abstract: Protease conjugates such as subtilisin conjugates are provided comprising a protease moiety and one or more addition moieties wherein the protease moiety has a modified amino acid sequence of a parent amino acid sequence. The parent amino acid sequence comprises a first epitope region, a second epitope region and a third epitope region, and the modified amino acid sequence comprises a substitution by a substituting amino acid at one or more positions in one or more of the epitope regions. When a substitution occurs in the first epitope region, the substitution occurs at one or more positions corresponding to positions 70-84 of subtilisin BPN′. When a substitution occurs in the second epitope region, the substitution occurs at one or more positions corresponding to positions 103-126 of subtilisin BPN′. When a substitution occurs in the third epitope region, the substitution occurs at one or more positions corresponding to positions 217-252 of subtilisin BPN′.

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: The present invention relates to Subtilisin DY variants having a modified amino acid sequence of wild-type Subtilisin DY amino acid sequence, the wild-type amino acid sequence comprising a first loop region, a second loop region, a third loop region, a fourth loop region, a fifth loop region and a sixth loop region; wherein the modified amino acid sequence comprises different amino acids than that occurring in wild-type Subtilisin DY (i.e., substitution) at specifically identified positions in one or more of the loop regions whereby the Subtilisin DY variant has decreased adsorption to, and increased hydrolysis of, an insoluble substrate as compared to the wild-type Subtilisin DY. The present invention also relates to DNA sequences encoding such Subtilisin DY variants. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising such Subtilisin DY variants for cleaning a variety of surfaces.

Abstract: Novel carbonyl hydrolase mutants derived from the amino acid sequence of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human carbonyl hydrolases and DNA sequences encoding the same. The mutant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to encode the substitution, insertion or deletion of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase. Such mutants have one or more properties which are different than the same property of the precursor hydrolase.

Abstract: Bacillus sp. NTAP-1 having been deposited under accession number FERM BP-6926; and a collagen-decomposing enzyme produced by bacterium. The above enzyme (1) has a capability of hydrolyzing, at the highest efficiency, collagen and gelatin from among casein, gelatin, albumin and collagen; (2) shows the optimum pH of 3.5 to 4.5; (3) shows the optimum temperature of 65 to 70° C.; (4) after heating at 60° C. at pH 6.0 for 4 hours, sustains an activity amounting to 60% or more of the level before the heat treatment; (5) remains stable at pH 3 to 6; and a molecular weight of approximately 46,000 when measured by SDS-PAGE.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides with reduced immune response including reduced allergenicity having one or more amino acid residues being substituted with other amino acid residues and/or having coupled one or more polymeric molecules in the vicinity of the polypeptides metal binding site, a method for preparing modified polypeptides of the invention, the use of the polypeptide for reducing the immunogenicity and allergenicity and compositions comprising the polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subtilisin Carlsberg variants having a modified amino acid sequence of wild-type subtilisin Carlsberg amino acid sequence, the wild-type amino acid sequence comprising a first loop region, a second loop region, a third loop region, a fourth loop region, a fifth loop region and a sixth loop region; wherein the modified amino acid sequence comprises different amino acids than that occurring in wild-type subtilisin Carlsberg (i.e., substitution) at specifically identified positions in one or more of the loop regions whereby the subtilisin Carlsberg variant has decreased adsorption to, and increased hydrolysis of, an insoluble substrate as compared to the wild-type subtilisin Carlsberg. The present invention also relates to the genes encoding such subtilisin Carlsberg variants. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising such subtilisin Carlsberg variants for cleaning a variety of surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel strain of alkalothermophilic Bacillus sp. isolated from a hot spring at Vajeshwari, District Thane, The State of Maharashtra, India and deposited at American Type Culture Centre (ATCC), bearing accession No. PTA 972, said strain of Bacillus sp. having the following characteristics (i) aerobic, (ii) gram positive, (iii) motile, (iv) spore forming, (v) capable of growing in a alkaline medium at pH 8-10, and (vi) exhibiting negative reaction towards production of indole, hydrogen, sulfide, ammonia and urease and positive reaction for hydrolysis of starch, production of catalase, hydrolysis of casein and reduction of nitrate.

Abstract: Detergent formulations are prepared by directly agglomerating a fermentation broth extract, containing a detergent-type enzyme and a nonionic detergent-type surfactant, with a suitable detergent base mixture, without need for prior isolation of the enzyme.

Abstract: A method for treating various diseases and conditions that are dependent on activated &agr;2 macroglobulin in the blood and extravascular tissue is disclosed. The method comprises orally administering a therapeutically effective amount of protease to a mammal to increase the amount of activated &agr;2 macroglobulin, which in turn enhances the clearance of TNF-&agr;, leptin, and &bgr;-amyloid while enhancing delivery of TGF-&bgr;. The protease may be any pharmaceutically acceptable protease, and preferably is of microbial and/or plant origin, given singly or in combination with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, bioflavonoids, proanthocyanidins, herbs, herbal extracts, plant and animal concentrates, and non-prescription analgesics. The microbial protease is preferably administered in a total daily dosage of at least 100,000 HUT (or equivalent biological activity). The plant protease component is preferably administered in a total daily dosage of at least 50,000 PU (or equivalent biological activity).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing novel improved protein mutant which produce low allergenic response in humans compared to the parent of that mutant. Specifically, the present invention comprises neutralizing or reducing the allergenicity of a protein by introducing therein as replacement or modification of an epitope on such protein a sequence from human subtilisin.

Abstract: Mutant Bacillus lentus DSM 5483 proteases are derived by the replacement of at least one amino acid residue of the mature form of the B. lentus DSM 5483 alkaline protease. The mutant proteases are expressed by genes which are mutated by site-specific mutagenesis. The amino acid sites selected for replacement are identified by means of a computer based method which compares the three dimensional structure of the wild-type protease and a reference protease.

Abstract: The invention relates to detergents characterized in that they contain &agr;-amylase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and protease from Bacillus lentus, optionally modified by genetic engineering, in addition to our usual ingredients compatible with said enzymes.

Abstract: This invention provides modified enzymes comprising one or more amino acid residues replaced by cysteine residues, where the cysteine residues are modified by replacing the thiol hydrogen in the cysteine residues with a substituent group providing a thiol side chain comprising a multiply charged moiety. The enzymes show improved interaction and/or specificity and/or activity with charged substrates.

Abstract: An alkaline protease having the following properties; a gene encoding the same; a microorganism producing the same; and washing compositions containing the same; (i) acting over a broad pH value range of 4 to 13 and achieving, at pH 6 to 12, 80% or more the activity at the optimum pH value; (ii) when treated at 40° C. for 30 minutes, being stable over a pH value range of 6 to 11; (iii) having an isoelectric point of about 8.9 to 9.1; and (iv) having casein digesting activity that is not inhibited by oleic acid. The alkaline protease of the present invention is highly stable to various surface active agents and fatty acids, and exhibits high stability to oxidizing agents, and is therefore useful as an enzyme to be used in detergents for automatic dishwashers and laundry detergents, both containing bleaching components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising a protease variant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase of increased product specificity.

Abstract: The invention provides mutant forms of pore-forming toxins. These mutant toxins may be used in vaccines for the prevention of bacterial infection. Additionally, dominant negative mutants may be administered as therapeutics for the treatment of bacterial infection.