Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel phosphonium borate compounds represented by the Formula: (R1)(R2)(R3)PH.BAr4, wherein R1, R2, R3 and Ar4 are as defined herein, and compositions including such phosphonium borate compounds in combination with a transition metal, transition metal salt, transition metal oxide or transition metal complex for use in carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, carbon-nitrogen bond forming reactions and carbon-oxygen bond forming reactions.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a phosphine derivative from a phosphine oxide derivative, which comprises the following steps: (I) mixing a phosphine oxide derivative represented by formula (1) with a chlorinating agent in a polar organic solvent to cause the reaction between these components; and (II-1) adding a salt of a metal having an ionization tendency equal to or lower than that of aluminum to the reaction mixture and carrying out the reductive reaction in the presence of aluminum or (II-2) subjecting the reaction mixture to electrolytic reduction, thereby producing a phosphine derivative represented by formula (2). ArnR3-nP?O (1) ArnR3-nP (2) In formulae (1) and (2), Ar represents an aryl group such as a phenyl group, a phenyl group having a substituent, a heteroaromatic ring group, and a heteroaromatic ring group having a substituent; R represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having a substituent; and n represents an integer of 0 to 3.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine can be produced by cultivating a fungus capable of producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, such as Trichoderma hamatum AB 10282 strain (FERM BP-10623) or Trichoderma harzianum AB10283 strain (FERM BP-10624), in a culture medium supplemented with a carbon source other than chitin and chitin oligosaccharide and a nitrogen source to produce and accumulate N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the culture medium and then collecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from the culture medium.

Abstract: A plant with modified flower morphology is produced by suppressing a function of a transcription factor involved in determining the polarity of plants. More particularly, a plant with modified flower morphology is produced by the steps of obtaining a transformed cell by introducing a chimeric DNA in which a DNA encoding a transcription factor involved in determining the polarity and a functional peptide converting a transcription factor into a transcription repressor are fused; and regenerating a transformed plant from the transformed cell.

Abstract: A silane containing a bulky hydrocarbon group or groups R therein and having the formula (III) R3?(x+y)(R1)x(R2)ySi(OR3) can be produced by reacting a silane of the formula (I) (R1)x(R2)ySiCl3?(x+y)(OR3) with a Grignard reagent of the formula (II) RMgX Further, a tri-organo-chlorosilane of the formula (XIIa) (R1)(R2)(R3)SiCl can be produced by reacting a tri-organo-silane of the formula (XIa) (R1)(R2)(R3)SiZ1 with hydrochloric acid. Furthermore, a tri-organo-monoalkoxysilane of the formula (XXIII) R3?(x+y)(R1)x(R2)ySi(OR3) can be produced when a silane of the formula (XXI) (R1)x(R2)ySiCl4?(x+y) is reacted with a Grignard reagent of the formula (XXII) RMgX with addition of and reaction with an alcohol or an epoxy compound during the reaction.

Abstract: In Suzuki Cross-Couplings, a palladium-containing perovskite-type composite oxide represented by the following general formula (1) is used as a catalyst for synthesis reaction: Ln2MyCu1-x-yPdxO4±???(1) wherein Ln represents elements composed of at least one essential element selected from La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd and at least one optional element selected from Y, Ce, Yb, Ca, Sr, and Ba; M represents at least one element selected from Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Al; x, indicating an atomic proportion, is 0.001?x?0.4; y, indicating an atomic proportion, is 0?y?0.5; and ? indicates an oxygen excess amount or an oxygen deficiency amount.

Abstract: A vaccine composition for prophylaxis and/or therapy of Alzheimer's disease, which comprises a fusion protein prepared by inserting a single or tandemly repeated multiple copies of amyloid ? antigenic peptide having 5 to 15 continuous amino acid residues derived from the N-terminus of amyloid ? peptide into a wild type seed storage protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, carbon-nitrogen bond forming reactions and/or carbon-oxygen bond forming reactions using phosphonium borate compounds represented by the Formula: (R1)(R2)(R3)PH.BAr4, wherein R1, R2, R3, and Ar4 are as defined herein in combination with a transition metal, transition metal salt, transition metal oxide or transition metal complex.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, carbon-nitrogen bond forming reactions and/or carbon-oxygen bond forming reactions using phosphonium borate compounds represented by the Formula: (R1)(R2)(R3)PH.BAr4, wherein R1, R2, R3, and Ar4 are as defined herein in combination with a transition metal, transition metal salt, transition metal oxide or transition metal complex.

Abstract: A silane containing a bulky hydrocarbon group or groups R therein and having the formula (III) R3?(x+y)(R1)x(R2)ySi(OR3) can be produced by reacting a silane of the formula (I) (R1)x(R2)ySiCl3?(x+y)(OR3) with a Grignard reagent of the formula (II) RMgX Further, a tri-organo-chlorosilane of the formula (XIIa) (R1)(R2)(R3)SiCl can be produced by reacting a tri-organo-silane of the formula (XIa) (R1)(R2)(R3)SiZ1 with hydrochloric acid. Furthermore, a tri-organo-monoalkoxysilane of the formula (XXIII) R3?(x+y)(R1)x(R2)ySi(OR3) can be produced when a silane of the formula (XXI) (R1)x(R2)ySiCl4?(x+y) is reacted with a Grignard reagent of the formula (XXII) RMgX with addition of and reaction with an alcohol or an epoxy compound during the reaction.

Abstract: N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine can be produced by cultivating a fungus capable of producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, such as Trichoderma hamatum AB10282 strain (FERM BP-10623) or Trichoderma harzianum AB10283 strain (FERM BP-10624), in a culture medium supplemented with a carbon source other than chitin and chitin oligosaccharide and a nitrogen source to produce and accumulate N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the culture medium and then collecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from the culture medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel phosphonium borate compounds represented by the Formula: (R1)(R2)(R3)PH.BAr4, wherein R1, R2, R3 and Ar4 are as defined herein, and compositions including such phosphonium borate compounds in combination with a transition metal, transition metal salt, transition metal oxide or transition metal complex for use in carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, carbon-nitrogen bond forming reactions and carbon-oxygen bond forming reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a phosphine derivative from a phosphine oxide derivative, which comprises the following steps: (I) mixing a phosphine oxide derivative represented by formula (1) with a chlorinating agent in a polar organic solvent to cause the reaction between these components; and (II-1) adding a salt of a metal having an ionization tendency equal to or lower than that of aluminum to the reaction mixture and carrying out the reductive reaction in the presence of aluminum or (II-2) subjecting the reaction mixture to electrolytic reduction, thereby producing a phosphine derivative represented by formula (2). ArnR3-nP?O (1) ArnR3-nP (2) In formulae (1) and (2), Ar represents an aryl group such as a phenyl group, a phenyl group having a substituent, a heteroaromatic ring group, and a heteroaromatic ring group having a substituent; R represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having a substituent; and n represents an integer of 0 to 3.

Abstract: N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine can be produced by cultivating a fungus capable of producing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, such as Trichoderma hamatum AB 10282 strain (FERM BP-10623) or Trichoderma harzianum AB10283 strain (FERM BP-10624), in a culture medium supplemented with a carbon source other than chitin and chitin oligosaccharide and a nitrogen source to produce and accumulate N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the culture medium and then collecting N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from the culture medium.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to fonts a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: A DNA encoding a phosphinothricin acetyltransferase protein obtained from Streptomyces sp. AB3534 strain is described which imparts a resistance to herbicides, particularly the herbicide phosphinothricin (PPT). Plants having a herbicide resistance are constructed by transforming a plant cell with DNA encoding the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase protein and then regenerating the transformed plant cell into a plant. A recombinant protein having the herbicide-resistant activity is also described.