Abstract: A method for producing mevinolin by a microorganism in a fermentation process having a seed culture stage and a main fermentation stage, including a) cultivating a microorganism biomass in the seed culture stage to produce an inoculum; b) transferring the inoculum into a fermentation medium in the main fermentation stage; and, c) maintaining steady stage conditions in the main fermentation stage, thereby producing a fermentation broth containing mevinolin. Preferably, the steady state conditions are maintained in the main fermentation stage by one or more of feeding of organic carbon sources; controlling glucose and/or total reducing sugar content; feeding of organic nitrogen sources; controlling pH; controlling foam level; controlling the mass of the fermentation broth by withdrawals and feedings; and, controlling the dissolved oxygen level.

Abstract: A nystatin-resistant mutant microorganism belonging to Aspegillus genus is provided for preparing triol heptanoic acid, a precursor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor. A mutant Aspergillus terreus CLS247-13, KCTC 0673 BP is prepared by treating Aspergillus terreus CLS216-7, KCTC 0359 BP with ultraviolet ray or chemical mutagens. The mutant provides high productivity (at least 11.5 g/L, 95/6% of the total product) of triol heptanoic acid, while reducing (less than 0.53 g/L, 4.4% of total product) productivity of triol heptanoic acid analogues. Since the nystatin-resistant mutant strain CLS347-13 has a capability of producing triol heptanioc acid with a high yield in a short period of culture time compared with known triol heptanoic acid producing strains, it can be widely used in industrial applications.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a polypeptide of interest by (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent Aspergillus cell, wherein (i) the mutant comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a modification of at least one of the genes responsible for the biosynthesis or secretion of at least one toxin, and (ii) the mutant produces less of the toxin than the parent Aspergillus cell when cultured under the same conditions; and (b) isolating the polypeptide from the culture medium. Also, mutants of Aspergillus cells are provided, as well as methods for obtaining the mutant cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to newly identified auxotrophs, polynucleotides, polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides, as well as the production and isolation of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. More particularly, the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention have been putatively identified as being very important to the growth and/or reproduction of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Abstract: The invention has for object the new recombinant prolyl-dipeptidyl-peptidase enzyme (DPP IV) from Aspergillus oryzae comprising the amino-acid sequence from amino acid 1 to amino acid 755 of SEQ ID NO:2 or functional derivatives thereof, and providing a high level of hydrolyzing specificity towards proteins and peptides starting with X-Pro- thus liberating dipeptides of X-Pro type, wherein X is any amino acid. The invention also provides a DNA molecule encoding the enzyme according to the invention, cells expressing the enzyme according to the invention by recombinant technology, an Aspergillus naturally providing a prolyl-dipeptidyl-peptidase activity which has integrated multiple copies of the Aspergillus native promoter which naturally directs the expression of the gene encoding the prolyl-dipeptidyl-peptidase activity, Aspergillus naturally providing a prolyl-dipeptidyl-peptidase activity which is manipulated genetically so that the dppIV gene is inactivated.

Abstract: The present invention is a microorganism which is Aspergillus candidus RF-5762 (FERM BP-5882), wherein said microorganism is capable of producing a compound of the following formula (I): wherein R1 is hydrogen or hydroxy and R2 is hydroxy or methoxy.

Abstract: Xanthene compounds represented by the formula: wherein R1 is a carboxyl group which may be esterified or amidated; R2 is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a hydrocarbon group which may be substituted; R3 and R4 are the same or different and are a hydroxyl group which may be substituted; R5 and R6 are a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; R7 is a hydrogen atom, a nitro group, a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group which may be substituted, a heterocyclic group which may be substituted, or an acyl group which may be substituted; n is an integer of 0 to 2; and Y is an oxygen atom or two hydrogen atoms; and when n is 0, R2 may be a group represented by the formula: wherein the symbols have the same meanings as defined above, or a salt thereof inhibit a binding of B7-1 to CD28, prevent the B7-1-dependent activation of T cells and inhibit IL-2 production from T cells, thus being used as an immunomodulator such as a graft rejection inhibitor or a pharmaceutical composition for thera

Abstract: A method for producing lovastatin by a microorganism in a fermentation process having a seed culture stage and a main fermentation stage, including a) cultivating a microorganism biomass in the seed culture stage to produce an inoculum; b) transferring the inoculum into a fermentation medium in the main fermentation stage; and, c) maintaining steady stage conditions in the main fermentation stage, thereby producing a fermentation broth containing lovastatin. Preferably, the steady state conditions are maintained in the main fermentation stage by one or more of feeding of organic carbon sources; controlling glucose and/or total reducing sugar content; feeding of organic and/or inorganic nitrogen sources; controlling pH; controlling foam level; controlling the mass of the fermentation broth by withdrawals and feedings; and, controlling the dissolved oxygen level.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide having &agr;-galactosidase activity and characterized as having a pH optimum in the range of 5.0-7.0, and a temperature optimum within the range of 50-70° C. The &agr;-galactosidase is derived from Aspergillus niger.