Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic-acid-transfecting composition which exhibits low cytotoxicity, which facilitates an effective nucleic acid transfection into a cell, and which improves expression of the nucleic acid in the cell. The composition for transfecting a nucleic acid into a cell, contains a di(C12-16 alkyl)dimethylammonium halide and a phospholipid.

Abstract: A pantethine phosphate ester represented by the following formula (1) or formula (2) exhibits superior tyrosinase inhibitory effect and melanin production inhibitory effect.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a salt thereof: wherein R1 represents a glycosyl group, a phosphate group, or a cyclic phosphate group bound to R2; R2 represents —CH2OH, —CHO, —CH2NH2, —CH2-amino acid residue, or —CH2—OPO2H; and R3 represents hydrogen atom, or —PO3H2, and a composition for cosmetics, medicaments, foodstuffs, and/or feeds containing the aforementioned compound or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic-acid-transfecting composition which exhibits low cytotoxicity, which facilitates an effective nucleic acid transfection into a cell, and which improves expression of the nucleic acid in the cell. The composition for transfecting a nucleic acid into a cell, contains a di(C12-16 alkyl)dimethylammonium halide and a phospholipid.

Abstract: A method for preparing a prostaglandin derivative represented by the following general formula (I): (wherein Ph represents phenyl group, R1 represents a C1-7 alkyl group, a C1-7 alkenyl group, phenyl group, or benzyl group), which comprises the successive steps (1) to (8) described in the specification, or any one step or two or more successive steps selected from the group consisting of the steps (1) to (8). A method for efficiently, inexpensively and safely preparing prostaglandin derivatives, of which typical example is latanoprost, is provided.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following general formula (I): [wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group, R2 represents a hydroxyalkyl group, or a triarylmethyloxyalkyl group, or R1 and R2 combine together to represent —C(R3)(R4)— (R3 and R4 represent hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or hydroxyl group, or R3 and R4 may combine together to represent oxo group), or —C(R5)(R6)—O—C(R7)(R8)— (R5 to R8 represent hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or hydroxyl group, or R5 and R6 may combine together to represent oxo group, and R7 and R8 may combine together to represent oxo group); Ar1 to Ar4 independently represent an aryl group (the aryl group may have 1 to 5 of the same or different substituents), *1 to *4 indicate asymmetric carbons, and configurations are cis between *1 and *2, cis between *3 and *4, and trans between *2 and *3]. An optically active phosphine ligand which can be easily synthesized and gives a transition metal complex showing superior asymmetric catalyst activity is provided.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a salt thereof: wherein R1 represents a glycosyl group; R2 represents —CH2OH, —CHO, —CH2NH2, —CH2-amino acid residue, or —CH2—OPO2H; and R3 represents hydrogen atom, or —PO3H2, and methods of its use in cosmetics, medicaments, foodstuffs, and/or feeds.

Abstract: A shuttle vector is constructed by preparing a DNA region replicable in bacteria belonging to the genus Rhodococcus from a Rhodococcus-derived plasmid having the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 73 and a plasmid or its DNA fragment having the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 74, and a DNA region replicable in E. coli from an E. coli-derived plasmid or its DNA fragment. An aminoketone asymmetric reductase gene is inserted into the shuttle vector, transformants containing the vector are created, and the aminoketone asymmetric reductase and optically active aminoalcohols are produced.

Abstract: An efficient method for producing an optically active ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid represented by the following general formula (I) [A represents a residue of a 5- or 6-membered cyclic compound, * indicates a carbon atom in the S- or R-configuration, X represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms], which comprises the step of treating a corresponding ester compound (not optically pure) with cell bodies or a culture, or a processed product or an extract thereof of a microorganism of the genus Leifsonia, genus Cylindrocarpon, genus Verticillium, or the like.

Abstract: A shuttle vector is constructed by preparing a DNA region replicable in bacteria belonging to the genus Rhodococcus from a Rhodococcus-derived plasmid having the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 73 and a plasmid or its DNA fragment having the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 74, and a DNA region replicable in E. coli from an E. coli-derived plasmid or its DNA fragment. An aminoketone asymmetric reductase gene is inserted into the shuttle vector, transformants containing the vector are created, and the aminoketone asymmetric reductase and optically active aminoalcohols are produced.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following general formula (I): [wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group, R2 represents a hydroxyalkyl group, or a triarylmethyloxyalkyl group, or R1 and R2 combine together to represent —C(R3)(R4)— (R3 and R4 represent hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or hydroxyl group, or R3 and R4 may combine together to represent oxo group), or —C(R5)(R6)—O—C(R7)(R8)— (R5 to R8 represent hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or hydroxyl group, or R5 and R6 may combine together to represent oxo group, and R7 and R8 may combine together to represent oxo group); Ar1 to Ar4 independently represent an aryl group (the aryl group may have 1 to 5 of the same or different substituents), *1 to *4 indicate asymmetric carbons, and configurations are cis between *1 and *2, cis between *3 and *4, and trans between *2 and *3]. An optically active phosphine ligand which can be easily synthesized and gives a transition metal complex showing superior asymmetric catalyst activity is provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing a prostaglandin derivative represented by the following general formula (I): (wherein Ph represents phenyl group, R1 represents a C1-7 alkyl group, a C1-7 alkenyl group, phenyl group, or benzyl group), which comprises the successive steps (1) to (8) described in the specification, or any one step or two or more successive steps selected from the group consisting of the steps (1) to (8). A method for efficiently, inexpensively and safely preparing prostaglandin derivatives, of which typical example is latanoprost, is provided.

Abstract: A protein, which is an aminoketone asymmetric reductase, having an effect of producing d-pseudoephedrine by acting on 1-2-methylaminopropiophenone, and having the following physiochemical properties: substrate: 1-2-methylaminopropiophenone optimum pH: pH 8.1 optimum temperature: 55° C. coenzyme: NADP molecular weight: about 28500 Da homotetramer and a nucleic acid coding the protein.

Abstract: A composition containing calcium pantothenate and at least one kind of vitamin as a mixture of solid state, wherein the calcium pantothenate is crystalline calcium pantothenate obtainable by a method comprising the following steps: (1) the step of mixing crystalline calcium pantothenate and amorphous calcium pantothenate to prepare a homogenous mixture; (2) the step of allowing the homogenous mixture obtained in the aforementioned step (1) to absorb moisture to prepare crystalline calcium pantothenate; and (3) the step of repeating the aforementioned steps (1) and (2) by using the crystalline calcium pantothenate obtained in the aforementioned step (2), and having a ratio (I16.0/I5.1) of the diffraction intensity I16.0 at an diffraction angle (2 ?) of 16° relative to the diffraction intensity I5.1 at an diffraction angle (2 ?) of 5.1° of 1 or more in a powder X-ray diffraction pattern.

Abstract: A process for producing an optical active &bgr;-amino alcohol, the method comprising the step of allowing at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms belonging to the genus Morganella and others, to act on an enantiomeric mixture of an &agr;-aminoketone or a salt thereof having the general formula (I): to produce an optical active &bgr;-amino alcohol with the desired optical activity having the general formula (II) described below in a high yield as well as in a highly selective manner:

Abstract: Novel proteins which belong to the papain family and are cysteine proteinase enzymes (the cysteine proteinase enzymes are expected to be involved in the turnover of intracellular proteins, antigen presentation, prohormone activation, bone remodeling, etc. and to play important roles in a variety of pathological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, pulmonary emphysema, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative disease, and cancer invasion and metastasis), together with genes encoding the proteins and antibodies against the proteins, can be conveniently used in elucidating the function of a cysteine proteinase involved in various diseases and disorders, especially cancers, thereby not only disclosing critical mechanism leading to such diseases and disorders but also researching and developing therapy and therapeutic drugs thereagainst.

Abstract: A novel enzyme which is useful in the optical resolution of D,L-pantolactone via D-selective asymmetric hydrolysis and a gene encoding the the same are provided. The invention discloses the gene coding for a natural D-pantolactone hydrolase (for example, one originating in Fusarium oxysporum) or proteins having an activity substantially equivalent thereto; host cells transformed with DNA containing a nucleotide sequence coding for said protein, processes for producing said protein via using said host cells and uses of said proteins and host cells.

Abstract: A method for preparing nondeliquescent crystalline calcium pantothenate which comprises the steps of: (1) stirring a supersaturated aqueous solution containing calcium pantothenate in a ratio of 60% (W/W) or more, for example, by using a grinder mill, to obtain a crystal suspension; and (2) drying the suspension. A nondeliquescent crystalline calcium pantothenate which is substantially free from an organic solvent can be efficiently prepared.

Abstract: A novel enzyme which is useful in the optical resolution of D,L-pantolactone via D-selective asymmetric hydrolysis and a gene encoding the the same are provided. The invention discloses the gene coding for a natural D-pantolactone hydrolase (for example, one originating in Fusarium oxysporum) or proteins having an activity substantially equivalent thereto; host cells transformed with DNA containing a nucleotide sequence coding for said protein, processes for producing said protein via using said host cells and uses of said proteins and host cells.