Abstract: Brevibacillus choshinensis is characterized in that its extracellular proteolytic activity is extremely low and its protein secretion productivity is excellent, but it is desired that not only the extracellular proteolytic activity of the strain is further reduced but also the intracellular proteolytic activity thereof is further reduced. When Brevibacillus choshinensis is used as a host for the production of protein pharmaceuticals and the like, it is also desired that it does not form spores and is readily sterilized. The above problems have been solved by inactivating the sporulation-associated gene thereof and by cloning and inactivating the extracellular and intracellular protease genes thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a plasmid shuttle vector characterized by being replicable in both of bacteria of the genus Brevibacillus and Escherichia coli, and by comprising a promoter capable of functioning in bacteria of the genus Brevibacillus and a DNA sequence(s) capable of functioning as a selective marker(s) for Escherichia coli and bacteria of the genus Brevibacillus, and a method of transforming bacteria of the genus Brevibacillus using the said plasmid shuttle vector. The plasmid shuttle vector enables the efficient transformation of bacteria of the genus Brevibacillus.

Abstract: Compound JK represented by the general formula (1): wherein R is H or —CH3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Compound JK has an excellent antimicrobial activity even against resistant strains including MRSA and is useful as an anti-microbial agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for activating protein wherein protein produced in a biologically inactive form (non-natural-form protein) is converted into a biologically active protein (natural-form protein) by bringing it into contact with cultured cells of an organism, and according to the present invention, the non-natural-form protein can be converted efficiently into the natural-form protein having activity, so the yield of the natural-form protein can be further raised by subjecting, e.g., culture of transformant to the activation treatment.

Abstract: Compound 0406 having a chemical structural formula represented by the chemical formula (1) below and having an excellent immuno suppressive activity, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 is --COCH.sub.2 COOH or H; R.sub.2 is --CO(CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3 or --CO(CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.sub.3 or H.

Abstract: Compound 0406 having a chemical structural formula represented by the chemical formula (1) below and having an excellent immuno suppressive activity, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 is --COCH.sub.2 COOH or H; R.sub.2 is --CO(CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3 or --CO(CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.sub.3 or H.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compound 0624 having excellent antitumor activity and antimicrobial activity, which is represented by the general formula (1), and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. ##STR1## (wherein R represents H or COCH.sub.3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compound 0406TP-1 represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Ac represents an acetyl group and Me represents a methyl group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having excellent antitumor activity and immunosuppressive activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compound 0089-D having excellent antitumor activity and antimicrobial activity, represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing iturin A, in which cells of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens are incubated and iturin A is collected from the culture. It also relates to an antifungal agent for profound mycosis, containing iturin A as the active ingredient. Heretofore, there have been known few medicines effective against profound mycosis, but iturin A may be an effective antifungal agent for profound mycosis.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing iturin A, in which cells of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens are incubated and iturin A is collected from the culture. It also relates to an antifungal agent for profound mycosis, containing iturin A as the active ingredient. Heretofore, there have been known few medicines effective against profound mycosis, but iturin A may be an effective antifungal agent for profound mycosis.

Abstract: Bacillus brevis strains which produce a large amount of protein but no protease out of the cells are disclosed. These strains are highly useful as hosts in genetic engineering.

Abstract: A natural polymer material PF-102 and salts thereof are widely available as a convenient flocculant for fine suspended matters. PF-102 can be produced by, for example, an imperfect fungus Paecilomyces I-1 (FERM BP-1180).