Abstract: The present invention relates to a detergent composition, detergent additive as well as a method of oxidizing a substrate which comprises contacting the substrate with a composition which includes an enzyme selected from the group consisting of laccase, catechl oxidase, monophenol monooxygenase, and bilirubin oxidase and an enhancing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Aspergillus porphobilinogen synthases and isolated nucleic acid fragments comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding the porphobilinogen synthases as well as nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and recombinant host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences. The invention also relates to methods of producing the porphobilinogen synthases.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining limited specific hydrolysis of proteins using a Glu/Asp specific protease to produce peptides with C-terminal Glu or Asp. The protease is obtained from Bacillus licheniformis, has a mass of about 23,600, is inhibited by diisopropyl fluoride but not by phenylmethane sulfonylfluoride, and has a pH of maximal activity between 6.5 and 10.0. The proteins are treated with the protease at neutral pH and the reaction terminated by raising the temperature above 70.degree. C. or lowering the pH below 5.0 to obtain the hydrolysate. The process may include a second protease which is specific for Arg/Lys, and produces peptides with C-terminal Arg or Lys.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid constructs containing a sequence encoding a Myceliophthora laccase, and the laccase proteins encoded thereby.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of oxidizing a substrate in the presence of a laccase or a laccase related enzyme and an enhancing agent. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of bleaching of dye in solutions, to a method of inhibiting the transfer of a textile dye from a dyed fabric to another fabric when said fabrics are washed together in a wash liquor, to a method of bleaching of lignin-containing material, in particular bleaching of pulp for paper production, to a method of treatment of waste water from pulp manufacturing, and to a method of enzymatic polymerization and/or modification of lignin or lignin containing material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified bacterial donor cell useful in conjugation, the cell containing i) a plasmid comprising a DNA construct encoding the polypeptide of interest, and at least one cis-acting DNA sequence required for the transfer of said plasmid by conjugation in the presence of a trans-acting mobilizing element, and ii) at least one DNA sequence encoding said trans-acting mobilizing element, wherein the donor cell has a reduced capacity, relative to a parent cell, of producing a bactericidal agent which kills or prevents growth in a population of recipient cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated and purified cellulose- or hemicellulose-degrading enzymes, comprising a catalytically active domain, a carbohydrate binding domain and a linking B region which operably links the catalytically active domain and the carbohydrate binding domain, wherein the carbohydrate binding domain has the following core sequence: ##STR1## wherein the enzyme is endogenous to a strain of a fungus other than Trichoderma or Phanerochaete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid constructs containing a sequence encoding a Scytalidium laccase, and the laccase proteins encoded thereby.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proteases obtained from a strain of Bacillus sp. AC13, and having (a) an apparent molecular weight of approximately 30 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE; (b) an isoelectric point of approximately 9.3 as determined by isoelectric focusing on LKB Ampholine PAG plates; (c) a pH optimum above 10 determined at 25.degree. C. with casein as substrate; (d) a temperature optimum in the range of 45.degree.-55.degree. C. determined at pH 9.5 with casein as substrate; and (e) immunochemical properties identical or partially identical to those of a protease derived from Bacillus sp. AC13, NCIMB No. 40482.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel N-substituted azaheterocyclic carboxylic acids and esters thereof in which a substituted alkyl chain forms part of the N-substituent or salts therefor, to methods for their preparation, to compositions containing them, and to their use for the clinical treatment of painful, hyperalgesic and/or inflammatory conditions in which C-fibers play a pathophysiological role by eliciting neurogenic pain or inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid automated device for identifying biologically active substances by their effect on living cells which includes a flow chamber defined by a bottom wall with a plane optical surface through which the content of the chamber can be monitored and a ring shaped wall having an edge adjacent the plane optical surface leaving a gap between the edge and optical surface wherein the width of the gap allows liquid but not matrix to pass. The flow chamber also including an inlet through which fluids can be transported into the chamber and a device to control the distance between the edge and the optical surface wherein the matrix is momentarily allowed to pass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel N-substituted azaheterocyclic carboxylic acids and esters thereof in which a substituted alkyl chain forms part of the N-substituent or salts thereof, to methods for their preparation, to compositions containing them, and to their use for the clinical treatment of painful, hyperalgesic and/or inflammatory conditions in which C-fibers play a pathophysiological role by eliciting neurogenic pain or inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of preparing a spread and the use of an enzyme in the production of a spread. The process of preparing a spread includes the following steps: a) the aqueous phase, which includes protein, is treated with an enzyme capable of enhancing the viscosity of the aqueous phase, b) the pH-value is adjusted to 4.8 to 6.0, c) the aqueous phase or emulsion is heated to between 60.degree. C. and 100.degree. C. for a period of time, d) the aqueous phase or the emulsion is tempered to a temperature between 30.degree. C. and 50.degree. C., e) the tempered aqueous phase is mixed with the fat phase and tempered to between 30.degree. C. and 50.degree. C. until an emulsion is formed, f) the emulsion is crystallized to form a spread. The steps in the process may be performed in the sequence steps a), b), c), d) e), f) or a), b), d), e), c), d), f).

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved cellulase treatment of cellulosic fabrics to improve fabric quality with respect to handle and appearance without loss of fabric wettability. Cellulosic fabrics are subjected to two treatments with cellulase. The resulting fabric has a soft and smooth feel and reduced pilling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene encoding an ascomycete or deuteromycete carboxypeptidase Y gene, and host cells modified so as to produce reduced amounts of carboxypeptidase.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for controlled activation and degradation of FVII during purification whereby a solution of Factor VII is subjected to a number of chromatographic purification steps wherein Zn.sup.++ is present in at least one of the purification steps.The present invention also describes a method for controlled activation and degradation of FVII wherein a solution of FVII is applied to a number of anion exchange and immunoaffinity columns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutically active indole compounds, a method of preparing the same and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds. The novel compounds are useful in treating diseases in the central nervous system related to the metabotropic glutamate receptor system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene encoding an ascomycete or deuteromycete carboxypeptidase Y gene, and host cells modified so as to produce reduced amounts of carboxypeptidase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel N-substituted azaheterocyclic carboxylic acids and esters thereof in which a substituted alkyl chain forms part of the N-substituent or salts thereof, to methods for their preparation, to compositions containing them, and to their use for the clinical treatment of painful, hyperalgesic and/or inflammatory conditions in which C-fibers play a pathophysiological role by eliciting neurogenic pain or inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutically active azacyclic compounds, a method of preparing the same and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds. The novel compounds are useful as stimulants of the cognitive function of the forebrain and hippocampus of mammals and especially in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, severe painful conditions and glaucoma.