Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identification of anti-fungal agents and their mode of actions. In particular, it relates to cell wall disturbing anti-fungal agents and to an assay to identify them. More particularly, it relates to a screening method for the identification of an anti-fungal compound, which method comprises (i) contacting a potential anti-fungal compound with a polypeptide which is involved in cell wall synthesis; and then (ii) identifying the effect which the potential anti-fungal compound has on the activity of the polypeptide, whereby reduced polypeptide activity is indicative for anti-fungal activity of the potential anti-fungal compound. It also relates to an overexpressing host cell and to a kit for performing the assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a polypeptide comprising using a signal peptide, to nucleic acid constructs comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding the signal peptide and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide which is foreign to the first nucleotide sequence. Furthermore, it also relates to expression vectors and host cells comprising the nuclei acid construct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant vacuole targeting sequence X1X2X3PX4 wherein X1 is a hydrophobic amino acid, X2 is a basic amino acid, X3 is a hydrophobic amino acid, P is proline; and X4 is a hydrophilic amino acid, such as the sequences IRLPS, IKLPS, LRLPS and LKLPS. The vacuole targeting sequence may be present in a chimeric protein linked to an amino acid sequence of a heterologous protein to facilitate vacuole vacuole targeting of the expressed chimeric protein in a plant cell. The invention is applicable to production of expressed, chimeric proteins in monocots and dicots, and in particular monocots such as cereals and sugarcane.

Abstract: This invention provides a modified vaccinia topoisomerase enzyme containing an affinity tag which is capable of facilitating purification of protein-DNA complexes away from unbound DNA. This invention further provides a modified sequence specific topoisomerase enzyme. This invention provides a method of ligating duplex DNAs, a method of molecular cloning of DNA, a method of synthesizing polynucleotides, and a method of gene targeting. Lastly, this invention provides a recombinant DNA molecule composed of segments of DNA which have been joined ex vivo by the use of a sequence specific topoisomerase and which has the capacity to transform a suitable host cell comprising a DNA sequence encoding polypeptide activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are a gene coding for L-arabinose isomerase derived from Thermotoga neapolitana 5068, a thermostable arabinose isomerase expressed from the gene, a recombinant expression vector containing the gene, a microorganism transformed with the expression vector, a process for preparing thermostable arabinose isomerase from the transformant ,and a process for preparing D-tagatose employing the arabinose isomerase. Since the recombinant arabinose isomerase is highly thermostable and can produce tagatose with high yield at high temperature, it can be efficiently applied in pharmaceutical and food industries.

Abstract: In the rare sugar strategy of Izumoring (FIG. 1), it is intended to establish a reaction system of producing rare sugars of many types by acquiring an isomerase which acts on various rare aldoses and, therefore, is most efficient in producing various rare ketoses. A DNA encoding the following protein (a) or (b). The above-mentioned DNA which is L-rhamnose isomerase derived from Pseudomonas stutzerii. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2. A process for producing a recombinant protein characterized by culturing a host cell containing an expression system that can express the above-mentioned protein in a medium and collecting a recombinant protein having an L-rhamnose isomerase activity from the thus obtained culture. A method of applying FIG.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits useful for molecular cloning of, for example, blunt-ended DNA molecules using DNA topoisomerase. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise combining into a mixture a first polynucleotide, wherein said first polynucleotide comprises an origin of replication, a selectable marker, two topoisomerase recognition sequences, and two nicking agent recognition sequences, wherein each of said two topoisomerase recognition sequences is within 0-50 nucleotides of at least one of the nicking agent recognition sequences and wherein each of said two nicking agent recognition sequences is nicked, with a sequence-specific topoisomerase and a second polynucleotide, wherein said second polynucleotide comprises a 5? hydroxyl on each end of the polynucleotide; and transforming the mixture into a host organism, thereby cloning the second polynucleotide.

Abstract: The invention discloses the cloning, expression and uses of a chimeric fusion protein with superior chaperone and folding activities compared to the wild type chaperones. This invention relates to a chimeric fusion protein encoded by a recombinant DNA molecule comprising nucleotide sequences coding for a polypeptide binding segment of a non-human chaperone protein and nucleotide sequences coding for an FK506 binding protein (FKBP) or an FK506-binding-protein-like domain (FKBP-like domain).

Abstract: Alanine 2,3-aminomutase sequences are disclosed, as are cells having alanine 2,3-aminomutase activity and methods of selecting for such cells. Methods for producing beta-alanine, pantothenate, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, as well as other organic compounds, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tester protein for identifying and/or monitoring protease activity in a cellular assay suitable for high throughput screenings by growth selection, wherein the tester polypeptide is a non-regulatory protein carrying a protease cleavage sequence. Upon co-expression of the protease recognizing said cleavage sequence the tester protein is inactivated, which influences the growth and/or survival of the host cells under the chosen conditions. However, in the presence of protease inhibitor the growth phenotype is reversed. The system can be used to identify proteases, protease inhibitors, and protease cleavage sites.

Abstract: Isolated HSD3B1 nucleic acid molecules that include a nucleotide sequence variant and nucleotides flanking the sequence variant are described, as are HSD3B1 allozymes. Methods for determining whether a subject contains an HSD3B1 sequence variant also are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for identification of carriers of Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA) in equine species. In particular, this invention identifies a single nucleotide polymorphorism (SNP) in cyclophlin B that can be used to identify carriers of HERDA and individuals affected by HERDA.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide the sequence of a thermotolerant L-rhamnose isomerase gene. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A DNA comprising the base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2. A protein originating in Bacillus pallidus strain 14a (FERM AP-20172) and having an L-rhamnose isomerase activity. A protein having an L-rhamnose isomerase activity which is specified as having the following characteristics: optimum temperature and working temperature: showing the maximum enzymatic activity at 80° C. (the optimum temperature) and working temperature ranging from 30 to 80° C.; heat stability: concerning the effect of temperature on the enzymatic activity, being stable at up to 50° C. in the case of heating for 1 hour; and catalyzing the isomerization from D-psicose to D-allose.

Abstract: There are provided nucleic acids, including isolated DNA molecules, which encode glutamate 2,3-aminomutase enzymes, polypeptides produced from such nucleic acids and methods of making the nucleic acids and polypeptides. There are further provided methods of producing ?-glutamate from glutamate using glutamate 2,3-aminomutase.

Abstract: Purified ?-amino acids are of considerable interest in the preparation of pharmacologically active compounds and industrial precursors. Although enantiomerically pure ?-amino acids can be produced by standard chemical synthesis, this traditional approach is time consuming, requires expensive starting materials, and results in a racemic mixture which must be purified further. However, DNA molecules encoding lysine 2,3-aminomutase can be used to prepare ?-amino acids by methods that avoid the pitfalls of chemical synthesis. The present invention provides a method of producing enantiomerically pure ?-amino acids from ?-amino acids comprising catalyzing the conversion of an ?-amino acid to a corresponding ?-amino acid by utilizing a lysine 2,3-aminomutase as the catalyst.

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: Disclosed are a novel hydantoin racemase and a process for producing an optically active N-carbamylamino acid or an optically active amino acid using the hydantoin racemase. A novel hydantoin racemase isolated and purified from Bacillus sp. Strain KNK519HR; a gene encoding the hydantoin racemase; a recombinant plasmid having the gene introduced therein; a transformant having the hydantoin racemase gene introduced therein; and a process for producing an optically active N-carbamylamino acid or an optically active amino acid characterized in that a 5-substituted hydantoin compound is treated in the presence of hydantoinase and N-carbamylamino acid amidohydrolase as well as the hydantoin racemase.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated MP nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel MP proteins from Corynebacterium glutamicum are described. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing MP nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. The invention still further provides isolated MP proteins, mutated MP proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and methods for the improvement of production of a desired compound from C. glutamicum based on genetic engineering of MP genes in this organism.

Abstract: A fusion protein composition of an antibody Fc region which is useful as a medicament in which effector function is improved is desired. The present invention provides a fusion protein composition comprising a fusion protein molecule of an antibody Fc region having complex type N-glycoside-linked sugar chains in the Fc region, wherein the complex type N-glycoside-linked sugar chains have a structure in which fucose is not bound to N-acetylglucosamine in the reducing end in the sugar chains; a transformant producing the fusion protein composition; a process for producing the fusion protein composition; and a medicament comprising the fusion protein composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of combating leishmaniases. Said invention results from the isolation, from wild isolates of Leishmania major, of a protein-coding gene known as LmPDI which has two regions that are identical to the sequence (Cys-Gly-His-Cys) of the potential active site of the protein disulphide isomerase (PDI). The LmPDI protein is predominantly expressed in the most virulent isolates of the parasite. Said protein forms a novel therapeutic target for developing anti-leishmaniasis medicaments and a novel element that can be used in the composition of immunogenic, and possibly vaccinating, preparations which are intended to protect a human or animal host against Leishmania.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improving expression and/or secretion of protein or polypeptide of interest in a host cell are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a bacterial secretion signal peptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in vector constructs or expression systems for transformation and expression of a protein or polypeptide of interest in a host cell. The compositions of the invention are useful for increasing accumulation of properly processed proteins in the periplasmic space of a host cell, or for increasing secretion of properly processed proteins from the host cell. In particular, isolated secretion signal peptide-encoding nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the nucleic acid molecules are encompassed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a novel purified mouse C5-epimerase, fragments thereof, nucleic acids encoding the same and the recombinant production thereof. The invention is also directed to fragments of such epimerase, especially N-terminal fragments that are useful in fusion protein constructs to enhance the activity of recombinantly-produced heterologous epimerase enzymes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for in vivo incorporation of unnatural amino acids. Also provided are compositions including proteins with unnatural amino acids.

Abstract: This invention provides identification and characterization of racemases and epimerases and definition of protein signatures of those racemases and epimerases. This invention also provides identification of nucleic acid molecules encoding a peptide consisting of a motif characteristic of the protein signatures, and to the peptides consisting of these motifs. Antibodies specific for the peptides and to immune complexes of these antibodies with the peptides are also provided. Further, the invention relates to methods and kits for detecting racemases and epimerases using the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, as well as the peptides consisting of the motifs and antibodies to these peptides.

Abstract: This invention provides fusion polypeptides that include a glycosyltransferase catalytic domain and a catalytic domain from an accessory enzyme that is involved in making a substrate for a glycosyltransferase reaction. Nucleic acids that encode the fusion polypeptides are also provided, as are host cells for expressing the fusion polypeptides of the invention.

Abstract: Alanine 2,3-aminomutase sequences are disclosed, as are cells having alanine 2,3-aminomutase activity and methods of selecting for such cells. Methods for producing beta-alanine, pantothenate, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, as well as other organic compounds, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermophilic arabinose isomerase and a method of manufacturing tagatose using the same, and more precisely, a gene encoding arabinose isomerase originating from the thermophile Geobacillus stearothermophilus DSM22, a recombinant expression vector containing the gene, a method of preparing a food grade thermophilic arabinose isomerase from the recombinant GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) strain transformed with the said expression vector, and a method of preparing tagatose from galactose using the said enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated polypeptides having ?-H-?-amino acid amide racemase activity and nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention also relates to vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acids according to the invention. The invention also relates to methods of producing and using the polypeptides according to the invention. The invention also relates to a method for isolating polypeptides having ?-H-?-amino acid amide racemase activity, for isolating nucleic acids encoding the same and for isolating microorganisms comprising polypeptides having ?-H-?-amino acid amide racemase activity. The invention also relates to new microorganisms comprising polypeptides having ?-H-?-amino acid amide racemase activity.

Abstract: Purified ?-amino acids are of considerable interest in the preparation of pharmacologically active compounds. Although enantiomerically pure ?-amino acids, such as L-?-lysine, can be produced by standard chemical synthesis, this traditional approach is time consuming, requires expensive starting materials, and results in a racemic mixture which must be purified further. However, DNA molecules encoding lysine 2,3-aminomutase can be used to prepare L-?-lysine by methods that avoid the pitfalls of chemical synthesis. In particular, L-?-lysine can be synthesized by cultures of host cells that express recombinant lysine 2,3-aminomutase. Alternatively, such recombinant host cells can provide a source for isolating quantities of lysine 2,3-aminomutase, which in turn, can be used to produce L-?-lysine in vitro.

Abstract: A purine-derived substance is produced by culturing a Bacillus bacterium which has an ability to produce a purine-derived substance and has enhanced activity of an enzyme of the oxidative pentosephosphate pathway. The purine-derived substance is produced in the medium or the bacterial cells, and can be collected from the medium or the bacterial cells.

Abstract: Alanine 2,3-aminomutase sequences are disclosed, as are cells having alanine 2,3-aminomutase activity and methods of selecting for such cells. Methods for producing beta-alanine, pantothenate, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, as well as other organic compounds, are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for phenylalanine aminomutase enzyme and methods for purifying this enzyme are provided. Methods for altering biosynthesis of compounds in plant cell cultures are also provided. In particular, methods for altering production of taxanes and taxane-related compounds are provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel enzymes that convert sucrose to isomaltulose. More particularly, the present invention discloses novel sucrose isomerases, polynucleotides encoding these sucrose isomerases, methods for isolating such polynucleotides and nucleic acid constructs that express these polynucleotides. Also disclosed are cells, including transformed bacterial or plant cells, and differentiated plants comprising cells, which contain these sucrose isomerase-encoding polynucleotides, as well as extracts thereof. Methods of producing isomaltulose are also disclosed which use the polypeptides, polynucleotides, cells, cell extracts and plants of the invention.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for practical enzymatic conversion of GDP-mannose to GDP-fucose. These methods are useful for efficient synthesis of reactants used in the synthesis of fucosylated oligosaccharides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having low-substrate-specific amino acid racemase activity; DNA encoding the protein; a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA; a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA; a process for producing the protein by using the transformant; and a process for producing a racemic amino acid which comprises allowing a culture of the transformant or a treated matter thereof as an enzyme source and an amino acid to be present in an aqueous medium to racemize the amino acid in the aqueous medium, and recovering the racemic amino acid from the aqueous medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns lactic acid bacteria overproducing exopolysaccharides following mutation in the gene coding for ?-phosphoglucomutase. Said mutants are useful, in particular for preparing fermented products or for producing exopolysaccharides.

Abstract: Protein disulfide isomerase is a major component of Conus venom ducts. The invention relates to a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) from Conus snails, a nucleic acid sequence encoding the Conus protein disulfide isomerase, and to methods for folding disulfide-rich peptides using a protein disulfide isomerase. Oxidative folding of conotoxin precursors, catalyzed by a PDI, was more efficient and decreased the number and concentration of transiently accumulated folding species. The PDI-assisted oxidative folding of conotoxins was also influenced by the propeptide relative to the mature peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the in vitro enzymatic synthesis of deoxyribonucleosides and enzymes suitable for this method.

Abstract: The invention relates to sucrose isomerases, to DNA sequences that code for sucrose isomerases, and to novel processes for the production of non-cariogenic sugars.

Abstract: In the rare sugar strategy of Izumoring (FIG. 1), it is intended to establish a reaction system of producing rare sugars of many types by acquiring an isomerase which acts on various rare aldoses and, therefore, is most efficient in producing various rare ketoses. A DNA encoding the following protein (a) or (b). The above-mentioned DNA which is L-rhamnose isomerase derived from Pseudomonas stutzerii. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2. A process for producing a recombinant protein characterized by culturing a host cell containing an expression system that can express the above-mentioned protein in a medium and collecting a recombinant protein having an L-rhamnose isomerase activity from the thus obtained culture. A method of applying FIG.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene for an enzyme involving in the synthesis of GDP-L-fucose. Particularly, the present invention relates to a GDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-mannose-3, 5-epimerase-4-reductase gene derived from Arabidopsis thaliana, and a process for producing GDP-L-fucose using the gene. An enzyme encoded by the gene is (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; or (b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 by deletion, substitution, addition or insertion of one or several amino acid residues, and having GDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-mannose-3, 5-epimerase-4-reductase activity. The present invention enables efficient mass production of GDP-L-fucose which is essential in performing addition of fucose, which has a very important function in sugar chains.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated polynucleotides encoding a novel xylose isomerases capable of catalyzing the conversion of glucose to fructose and nucleic acids encoding for such isomerase. The present invention also provides a method of producing the xylose isomerase enzymes employing DNA encoding for the enzymes, plasmids containing the DNA, and bacteria into which the plasmids have been inserted and which produce the enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides and polynucleotides involved in C1 assimilation in Methylophilus methylotrophus and methods of producing amino acids in microorganisms having enhanced or attenuated expression of these polypeptides and/or polynucleotides.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerases, a tryptophan biosynthetic enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene comprising the nucleic acid fragment, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions related to the use of enzymes of the allene oxide synthase family for reducing myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury associated with myocardial infarction, thrombolysis, angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery. The methods of the invention comprise administration of allene oxide synthases, which are capable of eliminating lipid hydroperoxides, as a potent cardioprotective agent. The invention is based on the discovery that administration of allene oxide synthase following severe global ischemia stimulates cardiac recovery.

Abstract: Novel polymorphisms of prokaryotic topoisomerase type II Gyr A, Gyr B and parC gene loci are provided. These polymorphisms differentiate very closely related organisms and provide a means to identify pathogenicity and drug resistance. For example, drug resistance such as resistance to methicillin, a drug which is not metabolically tied to topoisomerase function, may be determined by polymorphisms in the Gyrase A locus. Identification of such drug resistance by such unrelated loci is indicative of heretofore unrecognized [sub]species of Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: A WW domain crystal structure of Pin1 is provided. In addition, methods of using the crystal structure and atomic coordinates for the development of WW domain binding agents is also provided. Also provided are computer programs on computer readable medium for use in developing WW domain binding agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for directing the evolution of microorganisms comprising the use of mutator genes and growth under conditions of selective pressure. The method discloses mutator genes which can be used in the methods of the present invention and provides ATCC deposits which exemplify the evolved microorganisms produced by the methods.

Abstract: A novel class of NIMA interacting proteins (PIN), exemplified by Pin1, is provided. Pin1 induces a G2 arrest and delays NIMA-induced mitosis when overexpressed, and triggers mitotic arrest and DNA fragmentation when depleted. Methods of identifying other Pin proteins and Pin-interacting proteins and identifying compositions which affect Pin activity or expression are also provided.