Abstract: This invention is related, in part, to sulfatase enzymes and methods of their use.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for manipulating the exchange of water and/or carbon dioxide (CO2) through plant stomata by controlling CO2 sensor genes. The invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing or optimizing biomass accumulation in a plant. The invention provides compositions and methods for for opening or closing a stomatal pore on a guard cell in the epidermis of a plant. The invention provides compositions and methods for increasing or decreasing oxygenation efficiency and/or carbon fixation in a guard cell in the epidermis of a plant by manipulating expression of a ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. The invention provides promoters for regulating expression of a nucleic acid in a plant guard cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of heat-stable carbonic anhydrase in CO2 extraction, e.g., from flue gas, natural gas or biogas. Furthermore, the invention relates to isolated polypeptides having carbonic anhydrase activity at elevated temperatures and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides.

Abstract: Using site-directed mutagenesis to mutate the Xanthomonas campestris pectate lyase gene, variants of Xanthomonas campestris pectate lyase with improved thermostability and/or enzymatic activity have been expressed in Escherichia coli, and then isolated and purified. The mutant Xanthomonas campestris pectate lyases are more effective than the wild-type enzyme, also expressed in E. coli, in removing pectic compounds from natural hemp fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel halohydrin dehalogenase polypeptides and the polynucleotides that encode them. These polypeptides are useful in the production of 4-substituted-3-butyric acid derivatives and vicinal cyano, hydroxyl substituted carboxylic acid esters. The invention also provides related vectors, host cells and methods.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for obtaining bioactive recombinant protein from inclusion bodies without unfolding it completely into random coil structure. The process comprises solubilization of inclusion body protein using urea and propanol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enzyme cleavage of polysaccharides comprising a first sequence [?4)-?-D-GlcpA-(1?4)-?-L-Rhap3 sulphate-(1?]n and a second sequence [?4)-?-L-IdopA-(1?4)-?-L-Rhap3 sulphate-(1?]m, the first and second sequences respectively comprising two monosaccharide units connected by an osidic bond, wherein said method is such that: said polysaccharide sequences are provided; a microorganism capable of producing an enzyme substance of the lyase class is provided; and said enzyme substance is brought into contact with said polysaccharide sequences in such a way as to bring about cleavage of the osidic bond according to a ?-elimination reaction. The invention is characterised in that a microorganism belonging to the bacteria of the Ochrobactrum genus is chosen for producing said enzyme substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transformed cell which is transformed by at least one gene of enzymes participating in biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin and a process for the production of a biopterin compound using the same. In accordance with the present invention, the biopterin compound can be produced in large quantities in an industrial advantageous manner from less expensive materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for preparing 4-substituted 3-hydroxybutyric acid derivatives by halohydrin dehalogenase-catalyzed conversion of 4-halo-3-hydroxybutyric acid derivatives. The present invention further provides methods and compositions for preparing 4-halo-3-hydroxybutyric acid derivatives by ketoreductase-catalyzed conversion of 4-halo-3-ketobutyric acid derivatives The present invention also provides methods and compositions for preparing vicinal cyano, hydroxyl substituted carboxylic acid esters.

Abstract: The present invention comprises crystalline polyketide synthases, isolated non-native polyketide synthases having the structural coordinates of said crystalline polyketide synthases, and nucleic acid encoding such non-native polyketide synthases. Also disclosed are methods of producing mutant polyketide synthases, and methods of altering the activity and/or substrate specificity of putative polyketide synthases.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a protein having an improved nitrile hydratase activity, whereby heat resistance has been improved when compared with a wild-type nitrile hydratase activity, wherein the amino acid sequence of a nitrile hydratase is modified; a gene DNA encoding the above protein; a recombinant vector having the above gene DNA; a transformant or transductant having the above recombinant vector; a nitrile hydratase collected from a culture of the above transformant or transductant, and a production method thereof; and a method for producing an amide compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of heat-stable carbonic anhydrase in CO2 extraction, e.g., from flue gas, natural gas or biogas. Furthermore, the invention relates to isolated polypeptides having carbonic anhydrase activity at elevated temperatures and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to mutants of chondroitinase ABCI. Such chondroitinase ABCI mutants exhibit altered chondroitin lyase activity or increased resistance to inactivation from stressors including exposure to UV light or heat. Methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for engineering proteins to optimize their performance under certain environmental conditions of interest. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for engineering enzymes to optimize their catalytic activity under particular environmental conditions. In some preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods for engineering enzymes to optimize their catalytic activity and/or stability under adverse environmental conditions. In some preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods for engineering enzymes to optimize their storage stability, particularly under adverse environmental conditions. In some preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods for altering the net surface charge and/or surface charge distribution of enzymes (e.g., metalloproteases) to obtain enzyme variants that demonstrate improved performance and/or stability in detergent formulations as compared to the starting or parent enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method capable of producing a natural or recombinant protein in high yield. The present invention relates to a method of producing a polypeptide, comprising culturing a cell which strongly expresses cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase and has a transferred DNA encoding a desired polypeptide and thereby allowing the cell to produce the polypeptide. Hamster cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase, a DNA encoding the same, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein a method and a kit for fractioning/isolating phosphoproteins. Calcium ions, barium ions, cobalt ions and molybdenum ions are bound specifically to phosphoproteins to form metal-phosphoprotein complexes. They can be easily precipitated with precipitants including sulfates, citrates, bicarbonates and carbonates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polypeptides that have enhanced alanine 2,3-aminomutase (AAM) activity and/or thermostability relative to the wild-type enzymes that have incidental AAM activity as a result of cross reactivity with alanine. In addition, the present invention is directed to a polynucleotides that encodes for the AAM polypeptides of the present invention, to nucleic acid sequences comprising the polynucleotides, to expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides operatively linked to a promoter, to host cells transformed to express the AAM polypeptides, and to a method for producing the AAM polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) variants produced by prokaryotes, wherein such prokaryotic PAL variant has a greater phenylalanine-converting activity and/or a reduced immunogenicity as compared to a wild-type PAL. The invention provides compositions of prokaryotic PAL and biologically active fragments, mutants, variants or analogs thereof, as well as methods for the production, purification, and use of such compositions for therapeutic purposes, including the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Novel enzymes and novel enzymatic pathways for the pyruvate-based synthesis of shikimate or at least one intermediate thereto or derivative thereof, nucleic acids encoding the enzymes, cells transformed therewith, and kits containing said enzymes, cells, or nucleic acid. A KDPGal aldolase is used to perform condensation of pyruvate with D-erythrose 4-phosphate to form 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP); a 3-dehydroquinate synthase is used to convert the DAHP to 3-dehydroquinate (DHQ); DHQ dehydratase can then convert DHQ to the key shikimate intermediate, 3-dehydroshikimate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to terpene synthases that are capable of synthesizing mono-, bi- and/or tri-cyclic sesquiterpenes having a C2-C7 or a C3-C7 bond, starting from an acyclic pyrophosphate terpene precursor, farnesyl- pyrophosphate. Accordingly, for the first time, sesquiterpene synthases catalyzing the cyclization to the santalene and bergamotene carbon skeleton are disclosed. The present invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding the sesquiterpene synthases and to methods for making terpenoids.

Abstract: A crystal comprising an isoform of an N-terminal truncation of GAD chosen from the group consisting of a monoclinic P2L space group with unit cell dimensions of a=84.05±2.3 ?, b=62.74±2.3 ?, c=101.35±2.3 ? and ?=106.69 (GAD65) or an orthorhombic C222L space group with unit cell dimensions of a=78.25±2.3 ?, b=99.05±2.3 ? and c=120.01±2.3 ? (GAD67).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to recombinant carbonic anhydrase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally-occurring wild type carbonic anhydrase and uses thereof for the sequestration of carbon dioxide as well as for the release of carbon dioxide from a composition comprising bicarbonate. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the recombinant carbonic anhydrase enzymes and host cells capable of expressing the recombinant carbonic anhydrase enzymes.

Abstract: Fatty acid 13-hydroperoxide lyase proteins which have been modified with respect to a previously described guava 13-hydroperoxide lyase and the nucleic acid sequences encoding these proteins. Also, recombinant nucleic acid molecules for expressing the modified 13-hydroperoxide lyases and methods of using such lyases in the field of organic synthesis.

Abstract: The compositions and methods disclosed herein provide novel DNA molecules that encode glyphosate resistant EPSPS proteins and plants containing these new proteins. The plants that express the new EPSPS proteins are themselves tolerant to the herbicidal effects of glyphosate.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant B. thetaiotaomicron HSGAG lyase polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides, recombinant expression vectors containing B. thetaiotaomicron HSGAG lyase nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Characterization, diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered halohydrin dehalogenase (HHDH) polypeptides having improved enzyme properties as compared to the wild-type HHDH enzyme HheC and other reference engineered HHDH polypeptides. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered HHDH enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered HHDH enzymes, and methods of using the engineered HHDH enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds including chiral epoxides and chiral alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel halohydrin dehalogenase polypeptides and the polynucleotides that encode them. These polypeptides are useful in the production of 4-substituted-3-butyric acid derivatives and vicinal cyano, hydroxyl substituted carboxylic acid esters. The invention also provides related vectors, host cells and methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase polypeptides and the polynucleotides that encode them. The invention also provides related host cells and methods.

Abstract: A novel biotechnological process for the preparation of nitriles, starting from amides, is described. Micro-organisms of the genus Amycolatopsis, Actinomadura or Rhodococcus are employed for this process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified ethylenediamine-N,N?-disuccinate:ethylenediamine lyase. The present invention also provides a protein that comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; or a protein that comprises an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 by deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acid residues, and has an ethylenediamine-N,N?-disuccinate:ethylenediamine lyase activity.

Abstract: A new strain Bacillus sp. P203 (Bacillus plakortiensis) is disclosed. Isolated mature functional polypeptide which is obtainable from the bacterium strain Bacillus sp. P203 deposited under accession number DSM 17419 are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing isopentenyl pyrophosphate are provided. A first method comprises introducing into a host microorganism a plurality of heterologous nucleic acid sequences, each coding for a different enzyme in the mevalonate pathway for producing isopentenyl pyrophosphate. A related method comprises introducing into a host microorganism an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway and at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence, each sequence coding for an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway necessary for converting the intermediate into isopentenyl pyrophosphate. The invention also provides nucleic acid sequences, enzymes, expression vectors, and transformed host cells for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to R-hydroxynitrile lyases with improved substrate acceptance, increased activity and increased selectivity, obtainable by introducing random mutations with the aid of random mutagenesis and/or saturation mutagenesis techniques, identifying by means of screening or selection and, where appropriate, subsequently combining advantageous mutations, and to the use thereof.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to mutants of chondroitinase ABCI. Such chondroitinase ABCI mutants exhibit altered chondroitin lyase activity or increased resistance to inactivation from stressors including exposure to UV light or heat. Methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.

Abstract: The present invention provides an industrially useful improved halohydrin epoxidase, a method for producing the same, and a method for producing an epihalohydrin or 4-halo-3-hydroxybutyronitrile using the same. The improved halohydrin epoxidase of the present invention consists of an amino acid sequence in which a specific amino acid substitution mutation is introduced into an amino acid sequence of a wild-type halohydrin epoxidase comprising predetermined amino acid sequences I and II.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein and nucleic acid mutants of chondroitinase ABCI. Such chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes exhibit altered chondroitin lyase activity or increased resistance to inactivation from stressors including UV light or heat. Methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes are also provided.

Abstract: Host cells comprising recombinant vectors encoding the FK-520 polyketide synthase and FK-520 modification enzymes can be used to produce the FK-520 polyketide. Recombinant DNA constructs comprising one or more FK-520 polyketide synthase domains, modules, open reading frames, and variants thereof can be used to produce recombinant polyketide synthases and a variety of different polyketides with application as pharmaceutical and veterinary products.

Abstract: The invention relates to haloalkane dehalogenases and to polynucleotides encoding the haloalkane dehalogenases. In addition methods of designing new dehalogenases and method of use thereof are also provided. The dehalogenases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The invention concerns a polypeptide which can be isolated from the Brassicaceae family and which has at least the activity of a hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL). The hydroxynitrile lyase of the invention is the first HNL from the Brassicaceae family. The plants (Arabidopsis) from which this enzyme or its gene is isolated is also described as non-cyanogenic. All HNL-containing plants described so far are cyanogenic plants and so it has until now been assumed that only cyanogenic plants contain hydroxynitrile lyases. Surprisingly, it transpires that a polypeptide (AtHNL) of the invention is (R)-selective. The amino acid sequence gives a theoretical molecular weight of 29.2 kDa for the AtHNL subunit. The calculated molecular mass of the protein of approximately 30 kDa can be confirmed by SDS gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a process for effectively removing impurities contained in an amide compound-containing solution by making an amide compound-containing solution, particularly an amide compound-containing solution produced by a hydration reaction of a nitrile compound by using a microorganism fungus body containing nitrile hydratase or a processed product of the microorganism fungus body, in contact with activated carbon under acidic conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting an epoxide to an alcohol. The process according to the invention is enzymatically catalyzed and highly enantioselective and regiospecific.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing 1,3-propanediol from a carbon-containing substance, said method comprising a step which consists in culturing a recombinant micro-organism not producing coenzyme B12 in the absence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors. The invention also concerns a nucleic acid coding for a glycerol dehydratase whereof the catalytic activity is independent of the presence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors and a nucleic acid coding for a 1,3-propanol dehydrogenase intervening in the synthesis of 1,3-propanediol. The invention further concerns recombinant vectors and host cells comprising said nucleic acids and the polypeptides coded by the latter.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant B. thetaiotaomicron GAG lyase polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides, recombinant expression vectors containing B. thetaiotaomicron GAG lyase nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Characterization, diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant B. thetaiotaomicron GAG lyase polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides, recombinant expression vectors containing B. thetaiotaomicron GAG lyase nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Characterization, diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to divinyl ether synthase genes, proteins, and methods of their use. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the synthase, as well as mutants and variant forms, some of which possess altered characteristics relative to the wild-type synthase. The present invention also relates to methods of using divinyl ether synthase genes and proteins, including in their expression in transgenic organisms and in the production of divinyl ether fatty acids, and to methods of suing divinyl ether fatty acids, including in the protection of plants from pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified ethylenediamine-N,N?-disuccinate:ethylenediamine lyase. The present invention also provides a protein that comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; or a protein that comprises an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 by deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acid residues, and has an ethylenediamine-N,N?-disuccinate:ethylenediamine lyase activity.

Abstract: A novel aldolase is described. 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-keto-pentanoic acid, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of 4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine, may be synthesized from acetaldehyde and ?-ketobutyric acid using a novel aldolase, which is derived from the genus Arthrobacter.

Abstract: A purified heparinase I, II and III free of lyase activity and each having a molecular weight of 42,800 84,100, 70,800, respectively, are produced by culturing Flavobacterium heparinum. The kinetic properties of the heparinases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability.

Abstract: A single, reproducible scheme to simultaneously purify all three of the heparin lyases from F. heparinum to apparent homogeneity is disclosed herein. The kinetic properties of the heparin lyases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability. Mono-clonal antibodies to the three heparinases are also described and are useful for detection, isolation and characterization of the heparinases.