Abstract: Disclosed are a novel therapeutic agent and a novel prophylactic agent for atherosclerosis, a blood cholesterol level-lowering agent, and a functional food or a food for specified health uses effective for the inhibition and/or prevention of aging of blood vessels or inflammation in blood vessels. Specifically disclosed are an inhibitor of the progression of atherosclerosis, a prophylactic agent for atherosclerosis, a blood cholesterol level-lowering agent, and a functional food and a food for specified health uses both effective for the inhibition and/or prevention of aging of blood vessels or inflammation in blood vessels, each of which comprises, as an active ingredient, a hydrolysis product of a collagen comprising at least one collagen tripeptide Gly-X-Y [wherein Gly-X-Y represents an amino acid sequence; and X and Y independently represent an amino acid residue other than Gly].

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel therapeutic agent and a novel prophylactic agent for atherosclerosis, a blood cholesterol level-lowering agent, and a functional food or a food for specified health uses effective for the inhibition and/or prevention of aging of blood vessels or inflammation in blood vessels. Specifically disclosed are an inhibitor of the progression of atherosclerosis, a prophylactic agent for atherosclerosis, a blood cholesterol level-lowering agent, and a functional food and a food for specified health uses both effective for the inhibition and/or prevention of aging of blood vessels or inflammation in blood vessels, each of which comprises, as an active ingredient, a hydrolysis product of a collagen comprising at least one collagen tripeptide Gly-X-Y [wherein Gly-X-Y represents an amino acid sequence; and X and Y independently represent an amino acid residue other than Gly].

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protease having a molecular weight of 21,000±1,000 (by SDS-PAGE) and a specific protease activity capable of cutting at the Gly-Phe site of a peptide or protein comprising the amino acid sequence Pro-Gln-Gly-Phe-Gln-Gly-Pro or Pro-Ala-Gly-Phe-Ala-Gly-Pro or cutting at the Ser-Leu site of a peptide or protein comprising the amino acid sequence Gln-Thr-Gln-Ser-Leu-Val-Thr-Pro. The invention further provides DNA encoding this protease, as well as vectors containing this DNA, and a method for producing this protease by transforming a cell with this DNA.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing gelatin with reduced endotoxin content. The method comprises processing a starting material gelatin-containing solution containing gelatin and an endotoxin with an ultrafiltration film having a molecular weight cut-off falling within a range of from 20,000 to 300,000 and having a molecular weight cut-off capable of passing at least a portion of the gelatin contained in the starting material gelatin-containing solution to obtain a permeate that is a gelatin-containing solution with a reduced endotoxin content. A gelatin having an average molecular weight falling within a range of 1,000 to 300,000 and an endotoxin content of less than 1 EU/mL per 1.0 percent of protein.

Abstract: A protease having the following characteristics: (i) a molecular weight of 21,000±1,000 (by SDS-PAGE) and (ii) specific protease activity cutting the Gly-Phe site of a peptide or protein comprising amino acid sequence (1) below, cutting the Gly-Phe site of a peptide or protein comprising amino acid sequence (2) below, or cutting the Ser-Leu site of a peptide or protein comprising amino acid sequence (3) below: Pro-Gln-Gly-Phe-Gln-Gly-Pro (1) (SEQ ID NO: 4) Pro-Ala-Gly-Phe-Ala-Gly-Pro (2) (SEQ ID NO: 5) Gln-Thr-Gln-Ser-Leu-Val-Thr-Pro. (3) (SEQ ID NO: 6) DNA encoding this protease, including vectors containing this DNA, and a method for producing this protease by transforming a cell with this DNA.

Abstract: A protease having the following characteristics: (i) a molecular weight of 21,000±1,000 (by SDS-PAGE) and (ii) specific protease activity cutting the Gly-Phe site of a peptide or protein comprising amino acid sequence (1) below, cutting the Gly-Phe site of a peptide or protein comprising amino acid sequence (2) below, or cutting the Ser-Leu site of a peptide or protein comprising amino acid sequence (3) below: (1) (SEQ ID NO:4) Pro-Gln-Gly-Phe-Gln-Gly-Pro (2) (SEQ ID NO:5) Pro-Ala-Gly-Phe-Ala-Gly-Pro (3) (SEQ ID NO:6) Gln-Thr-Gln-Ser-Leu-Val-Thr-Pro. DNA encoding this protease, including vectors containing this DNA, and a method for producing this protease by transforming a cell with this DNA.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing gelatin with reduced endotoxin content. The method comprises processing a starting material gelatin-containing solution containing gelatin and an endotoxin with an ultrafiltration film having a molecular weight cut-off falling within a range of from 20,000 to 300,000 and having a molecular weight cut-off capable of passing at least a portion of the gelatin contained in the starting material gelatin-containing solution to obtain a permeate that is a gelatin-containing solution with a reduced endotoxin content. A gelatin having an average molecular weight falling within a range of 1,000 to 300,000 and an endotoxin content of less than 1 EU/mL per 1.0 percent of protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protease, DNA encoding this protease, a recombinant vector comprising this DNA, and a method for manufacturing the protease using the transformant.