Abstract: A recombinant DNA capable of being replicated in a bacterium of the genus Pseudomonas is disclosed. The DNA contains a wide host range plasmid vector having a gene that codes for lipase. A process for producing lipase by transforming a host bacterium with the recombinant DNA is also described.

Abstract: A glyceride produce free from triglycerides and containing mostly monoglycerides is made by mixing glycerol and fatty acids with a lipase which is isolated from Penicillium cyclopium ATCC 34613.

Abstract: A process for producing a transglutaminase which comprises (1) culturing a microorganism having the identifying characteristics of a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Streptomyces sp. No. 83, deposited as FERM BP-3505, Streptomyces lavendulae No. 466, deposited as FERM BP-3506, and mutants thereof, wherein the microorganism is capable of producing a transglutaminase, wherein the transglutaminase is an enzyme which catalyzes an acyl transfer reaction of a .gamma.-carboxyamide group of a glutamine residue in a peptide or protein chain in the presence or absence of Ca.sup.++ and wherein the transglutaminase has an isoelectric point of 10 or 6.8, respectively, and is inhibited by Pb ions, and (2) recovering the transglutaminase from the culture obtained is disclosed.

Abstract: A mannose isomerase having excellent properties for industrial use, such as high thermal stability and resistance to high substrate concentrations, can be produced by culturing a strain of Pseudomonas (sp. AM-9582), and extracting it from the cells of AM-9582. Mannose can be effectively produced from fructose of high concentrations using the enzyme.

Abstract: A process for modifying fats and oils which comprises applying partial glyceride lipase to fats and oils containing partial glycerides and fatty acids to synthesize triglycerides from the partial glycerides by esterification.The lipase is preferably an immobilized lipase and this process is preferably carried out under a water concentration of 1500 ppm or less.By using partial glyceride lipase according to the present invention, there can be obtained modified fats and oils having a low content of diglycerides without changing triglyceride composition.

Abstract: A transglutaminase catalyzing an acyl transfer reaction of a .gamma.-carboxyamide group of a glutamine residue in a peptide or protein chain in the absence of Ca.sup.2+.

Abstract: A mannose isomerase having excellent properties for industrial use, such as high thermal stability and resistance to high substrate concentrations, can be produced by culturing a strain of Pseudomonas (sp. AM-9582), and extracting it from the cells of AM-9582. Mannose can be effectively produced from fructose of high concentrations using the enzyme.

Abstract: A glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) isozyme assay, which comprises selectively inhibiting s-GOT in a sample such as serum or plasma by proteinase K, optionally an excess amount of proteinase K by a protease inhibitor and then determining m-GOT remaining intact, is described.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA replicable and expressible in Escherichia coli is disclosed which encodes glucose dehydrogenase originating from Bacillus megaterium. A DNA sequence encoding the glucose dehydrogenase is incorporated into an E. coli vector and then used to transform an E. coli host. Also disclosed are transformants and recombinant DNA incorporating thermostable glucose dehydrogenase, wherein at least one amino acid in glucose dehydrogenase at positions 96, 252, and 253 is replaced by a thermostability-conferring amino acid.

Abstract: Lipase isolated from Penicillium characterized by the following properties:(1) Efficiently hydrolyzes triglycerides of fatty acids having 4-18 carbon atoms;(2) Hydrolysis of such triglycerides with such lipase produces at least 5 moles of glycerol per 100 moles of fatty acid;(3) Optimal pH range for said hydrolysis 5-7;(4) Stable in the pH range of 4.5-6;(5) Optimal temperature range for activity 35.degree.-40.degree. C.;(6) thermal stability up to about 35.degree. C.;(7) Activated by surface-active agents, but not substantially inhibited by such surface-active agents in concentration up to 5%;(8) Molecular weight about 1000,000 to 120,000;(9) Isoelectric point about pH 3.84.

Abstract: A bilirubin oxidase derivative resulting from chemical modification of a water-soluble polymeric substance. The chemically modified bilirubin oxidase is useful as a drug for treating jaundice.

Abstract: A novel .alpha.-1,6-glucosidase having the following properties:(1) Action: The enzyme acts on an .alpha.-1,6-glucoside bond to produce linear amylose;(2) Substrate specificity: The enzyme has the following relative activity to polysaccharides:______________________________________ Polysaccharide Relative activity (%) ______________________________________ Pullulan 100 Maize soluble amylopectin 13.5 Soluble starch 6.7 Oyster glycogen 1.7 Hare glycogen 2.6 Maize amylopectin 3.8 Potato amylopectin 4.0 ______________________________________(3) Km value and Vmax to pullulan: the enzyme has Km value of 0.14 mg/ml and Vmax of 70.0 .mu.mol/min/mg protein;(4) Optimum pH: 5.0 to 5.5;(5) pH stability: The enzyme is stable in the pH range of 4.5 to 6.5 for 30 minutes at 40.degree. C. and in the pH range of 5.0 to 6.0 for 30 minutes at 50.degree. C.;(6) Optimum temperature: Approximately 55.degree. C.;(7) Thermal stability: Treatment at pH 4.

Abstract: An enzymatic method for measurement of cholesterol comprises incubating:(a) a test sample;(b) a cholesterol dehydrogenase;(c) an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of nicotinamide - adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide - adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP); and(d) a surfactantand measuring the resulting detectable oxidized and reduced products kinetically.A composition for the kinetic measurement of cholesterol comprises:(a) a cholesterol dehydrogenase;(b) an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of nicotinamide - adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide - adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP); and(c) a surfactant.

Abstract: Method of treating a tumor in a mammal comprises administering to said mammal an effective anti-tumor amount of proteases originating from microorganisms.Method of treating a tumor in a mammal comprises administering to said mammal an effective anti-tumor amount of a protease originating from a microorganism which protease is chemically modified by one of the following procedures:(a) coupling with a saccharide,(b) introduction of a hydrophobic polymeric group,(c) alteration of electric charge of the protein surface,(d) conjugation with a low molecular weight anti-tumor agent of molecular weight less than 2,000,(e) formation of dimer or oligomer by cross-linking of protease molecules,(f) conjugation with a synthetic polycation,(g) conjugation with a synthetic polyanion, and(h) combination of the above-mentioned procedures.

Abstract: A novel enzyme of bilirubin oxidase and a conventional enzyme of laccase are found to oxidize bilirubin to biliverdin without formation of hydrogen peroxide, thereby permitting the content of conjugated bilirubin in biological fluid to be quantitatively determined by reacting therewith the bilirubin oxidase of a microorganism of genus Myrothecium origin, and also permitting the content of total bilirubin in biological fluid to be quantitatively determined by reacting therewith such a bilirubin oxidase or laccase in the presence of a specific additive compound.

Abstract: A triterpenyl ester of organic acid other than triterpenyl esters of ferulic acid and of monobasic and dibasic saturated fatty acids. A process for producing a triterpenyl ester of organic acid other than esters of ferulic acid and of monobasic and dibasic saturated fatty acids, which comprises the reaction of a triterpenyl alcohol with an acid halide of the corresponding organic acid. A pharmaceutical composition for treatment of hyperlipidemia comprising a pharmaceutical carrier and an effective amount of a triterpenyl ester of organic acid other than triterpenyl esters of dibasic saturated fatty acids. A pharmaceutical composition for treating hyperlipidemia which comprises a pharmaceutical carrier and an effective amount of cyclobranol as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A process for accelerating an antigen-antibody reaction by adding accelerator(s) such as dextran or alkylene glycol(s) and/or a polyalkylene glycol(s) to the reaction liquor of the antigen-antibody reaction.

Abstract: A method for determination of glycerol by using a reagent system comprising glycerol dehydrogenase and a pyridine nucleotide coenzyme, characterized in that an enzyme selected from the group consisting of triokinase and dihydroxyacetone kinase is incorporated into the reagent system to eliminate the formed dihydroxyacetone or D-glyceraldehyde in the assay system.

Abstract: A process for producing dihydroxyacetone kinase comprises the cultivation of the DHAK-producing strains of genus Schizosaccharomyces, and the purification of dihydroxyacetone kinase from the culture.

Abstract: This invention provides a peptide represented by the formulaR--Tyr(SO.sub.3 H)--Met--Gly--Trp--Met--Asp--W--NH.sub.2wherein R is HOOC--A--CO--Asp-- (wherein A is lower alkylene), pGlu--Asp--, HOOC--A--CO-- (wherein A is lower alkylene) or ##STR1## and W is Phe or N.sup..alpha. -lower alkyl-Phe, or a salt thereof, process for preparing the peptide and psychodepressant composition containing the peptide.The peptides of the invention are useful as psychodepressant drug, and especially effective for curing schizophrenia.