Abstract: A protein designated "Lg-Flo1" can be produced recombinantly and confers brewer's yeast-type flocculating property, for example, when Lg-FLO1 DNA is expressed in non-flocculent yeast strain. Conversely, a flocculent yeast strain can be rendered non-flocculent by eliminating or disrupting the ability of the strain to express Lg-Flo1.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for easy and large-scale production of tubers from plants belonging to the genus Solanum, wherein the improvement resides in that tubers are formed with high efficiency by exposing stolons and shoots, elongated in a liquid phase under a carbon dioxide-applied condition during light periods in a shoot propagation step, to a gaseous phase in a subsequent tuber formation step, and that tubers are formed in a large number not only in a boundary medium surface area but also in a gaseous phase area distant from the medium surface by culturing the stolons and shoots during the tuber formation step in a culture jar with aeration of the gaseous phase. By employing such culture steps and conditions, tuber forming efficiency and quality of the produced tubers are improved.

Abstract: An reproducible transformation system of a yeast of Candida utilis, a process for expressing a heterologous gene in the transformation system, a vector which can be used in the transformation system and the expression method, and a novel DNA group are disclosed. In particular, the process for expressing a heterologous gene in Candida utilis comprises transforming Candida utilis with a vector comprising a drug-resistance marker, a sequence homologous to the chromosomal DNA of the Candida utilis yeast, and the heterologous gene, culturing the transformant, and isolating the expression product of the heterologous gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sphingoglycolipid represented by the following formula (I) which is effective at a small dose and has an anti-tumor activity and an immunostimulating effect with few side-effects: ##STR1## wherein X denotes an integer from 10 to 24, Y denotes an integer from 9 to 13,R.sub.1 represents a hexosyl, pentosyl, deoxyhexosyl, aminohexosyl, N-acetylaminohexosyl or a halide thereof or a sialic acid,R.sub.2 represents H or a group OR.sub.2 ', wherein R.sub.2 ' represents H or a galactosyl or glucosyl group,R.sub.3 represents H or a group OR.sub.3 ', wherein R.sub.3 ' represents H or a galactosyl or glucosyl group,R.sub.4 represents a galactosyl group or H,R.sub.5 represents a methyl or isopropyl group,R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 respectively represents H or form a double bond between the two carbon atoms to which R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are attached,except for the case where R.sub.1 represents .alpha.-galactosyl and R.sub.4 represents H.

Abstract: An amino acid sequence that can specifically introduce a mucin type sugar chain into a protein or peptide chain and a technique of introducing a mucin type sugar chain into protein or peptide by utilizing such a sequence are disclosed. GalNAc moiety of UDP-GalNAc (where UDP represents uridine 5'-diphosphate and GalNAc represents N-acetylgalactosamine) is introduced into the amino acid X(O) in the presence of UDP-GalNAc: polypeptide .alpha.1, O-GalNAc transferase (O-GalNAc T):X(-1)-X(0)-X(1)-X(2)-X(3) (I)where X(-1) and X(2) represent independently any amino acid, X(O) represents T or S and X(1) and X(3) represent independently any amino acid except that at least one of X(1) and X(3) represents P.

Abstract: Disclosed are the following DNA strands relating to the synthesis of keto group-containing xanthophylls such as astaxanthin and the like, and the techniques relating to the production of xanthophylls by genetic engineering:A DNA strand having a nucleotide sequence which encodes a polypeptide having an enzyme activity for converting a methylene group at the 4-position of .beta.-ionone ring into a keto group.A DNA strand having a nucleotide sequence which encodes a polypeptide having an enzyme activity for converting a methylene group at the 4-position of a 3-hydroxy-.beta.-ionone ring into a keto group.A DNA strand having a nucleotide sequence which encodes a polypeptide having an enzyme activity for adding a hydroxyl group to the 3-carbon of a 4-keto-.beta.-ionone ring.It is possible to produce a variety of xanthophylls such as canthaxanthin, astaxanthin and the like by introducing the DNA strands into an appropriate microorganism such as Escherichia coli and the like.

Abstract: Human hepatoma-derived cell line FLC-4 (deposited with the National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology, the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology under Accession Number FERM BP-5165), as well as a method for large-scale production of albumin by culturing the cell line with a radial-flow type bioreactor are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a plastic container coated with carbon film, which comprises: an external electrode having a hollow space approximately similar to an external shape of the container which is accommodated in the hollow space; an insulating member for insulating the external electrode, a mouth of the container abutting against the insulating member when the container is accommodated in the hollow space of the external electrode; an internal electrode inserted through the mouth of the container into the container accommodated in the hollow space of the external electrode, the internal electrode being earthed; discharging means communicated with the hollow space of the external electrode to discharge air in the hollow space; feeding means for feeding raw gas into the container accommodated in the hollow space of the external electrode; and a high frequency electric source connected to the external electrode.

Abstract: Polypeptides, polynucleotides, fragments thereof, and monoclonal antibodies thereto are provided for antigen-specific and antigen-non-specific glycosylation inhibiting factor and a method for recombinant production of biologically active polypeptides from a structural gene encoding the polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sphingoglycolipid represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.5 represent H or a specific monosaccharide; R.sub.3 and R.sub.6 represent H or OH, respectively;R.sub.4 represents H, OH or a specific monosaccharide;X denotes an integer from 19 to 23;R.sub.7 represents any one of the following groups (a)-(g):(a) --(CH.sub.2).sub.11 --CH.sub.3,(b) --(CH.sub.2).sub.12 --CH.sub.3,(c) --(CH.sub.2).sub.13 --CH.sub.3,(d) --(CH.sub.2).sub.9 --CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2,(e) --(CH.sub.2).sub.10 --CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2,(f) --(CH.sub.2).sub.11 --CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2,(g) --(CH.sub.2).sub.11 --CH(CH.sub.3)--C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition (a marrow cell proliferation accelerator, a radioprotective agent, a therapeutic agent for thrombocytopenia) comprising a compound represented by the following formula (A), and to a therapeutic or prophylactic method (a method for accelerating marrow cell proliferation, a method for protecting human against radiation damage, a method for the treatment of thrombocytopenia) characterized in that an effective amount of a compound represented by the following formula (A) is administered to human: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.2 represents ##STR2## 26) or --(CH.sub.2).sub.7 CH=CH(CH.sub.2).sub.7 CH.sub.3, and R.sub.1, is one of the substituents defined by the following (a) to (d):(a) --CH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.y CH.sub.3,(b) --CH(OH)(CH.sub.2).sub.y (CH.sub.3).sub.2, and(c) --CH(OH)(CH.sub.2).sub.y CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, and(d) --CH=CH(CH.sub.2).sub.y CH.sub.3(wherein Y is an integer of 5-17).

Abstract: A bag accommodated in an outer box of a bag-in-box is made of film-like material to be collapsible to push out the contents such as beverage syrups and liquid foods and comprises a bag body and a mouthpiece provided on the bag body for passing the contents therethrough. The bag body is made of polyester resin at a thickness of 20-150 .mu.m.

Abstract: This invention disclosed herein provides an alcohol acetyl transferase ("AATase"), an AATase encoding gene and a yeast having an improved ester producing ability due to transformation with the AATase encoding gene, This invention also provides a process for producing an alcoholic beverage having an enriched ester flavor using the transformed yeast.

Abstract: The container according to the invention is composed of a saturated polyester resin composition comprising a saturated polyester ?A! in an amount of 50 to 95 parts by weight, a metallic salt of an ethylene/unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer ?B! in an amount of 0.5 to 20 parts by weight, a modified ethylene/.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber ?C! in an amount of 0.5 to 30 parts by weight, a benzotriazole type weathering stabilizer ?D! in an amount of 0.01 to 2.0 parts by weight and a hindered amine type weathering stabilizer ?E! in an amount of 0 to 2.0 parts by weight, and if necessary, a carbodiimide compound ?F! in an amount of 0.01 to 5.0 parts by weight, the amounts of said components ?D!, ?E! and ?F! being each based on 100 parts by weight of the total amounts of the components ?A!, ?B! and ?C!. The container of the invention is excellent in not only low-temperature impact strength but also rigidity, weld strength, weathering resistance and fade resistance.

Abstract: A process for producing a glass melt by heating stock for glass comprising as the main ingredients oxides from which oxide glasses are to be formed into a melt, characterized in that said ingredients are formed into a homogeneous melt in the presence of a halide of a cation selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and ammonium whereby the melting takes place at a lower temperature than that required with no addition of the specific halide.

Abstract: A flow passage closing mechanism of a beverage pouring apparatus for supplying the beverage to a dispenser by pushing the beverage in the keg due to the pressure of gas introduced therein. The mechanism includes a first connecting portion to be connected to the key, a descending tube connected to the first connecting portion, a floating ball movably inserted into the descending tube, a valve seat formed at a lower end portion of the descending tube, a separating mechanism for lifting the floating ball form the valve seat, and a second connecting portion to be connected to the dispenser. When beverage in the keg is used up, the flow passage closing mechanism closes the flow passage of the beverage pouring apparatus by pushing the floating ball to the valve seat. The flowing path is reopened by the separating mechanism.

Abstract: This invention disclosed herein provides an alcohol acetyl transferase ("AATase"), an AATase encoding gene and a yeast having an improved ester producing ability due to transformation with the AATase encoding gene. This invention also provides a process for producing an alcoholic beverage having an enriched ester flavor using the transformed yeast.

Abstract: This invention disclosed herein provides an alcohol acetyl transferase ("AATase"), an AATase encoding gene and a yeast having an improved ester producing ability due to transformation with the AATase encoding gene. This invention also provides a process for producing an alcoholic beverage having an enriched ester flavor using the transformed yeast.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are dietary lipid digestion-absorption inhibitory agents and ingesta, comprising as an active ingredient a mixture of chitosan and ascorbic acid or a salt thereof. Also disclosed is a therapeutic method for obesity, which comprises administering an effective amount of a mixture of chitosan and ascorbic acid or salt thereof to a person who requires treatment for obesity.

Abstract: Glass colored in yellow, having transmission in the visible light range of the spectrum, which is produced by blending or adding an iodine compound to a matrix of glass having transmission in the visible light range of the spectrum or to the raw materials thereof. The glass has a yellow color of high excitation purity, is stable in color, and has good spectral properties.