Abstract: Provided are: a polymeric IgA-type recombinant antibody; a medicine containing this polymeric IgA-type recombinant antibody as an active ingredient; a method for producing this polymeric IgA type antibody, the method including the step of coexpressing an IgA-type antibody heavy-chain protein, an antibody light-chain protein, an antibody J-chain protein, and a secretory component protein within a single cell; and a method for improving the antigen-binding activity or neutralizing activity of this antibody, the method including the step of making an antibody into a polymeric IgA-type.

Abstract: It has been believed that promoting the assembly of polysomes composed of many ribosomes attached to mRNA is very effective for highly efficient protein synthesis. However, the mechanism for p180 protein's capability of promoting polysome formation has been yet to be elucidated. The inventors of the present application newly discovered SF3b4 protein as a protein that specifically interacts with the coiled-coil domain of p180 protein, a responsible region for its capability of promoting polysome formation, and which is capable of promoting mRNA localization to an endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The inventors also found that, in cells capable of highly expressing both p180 protein and a protein promoting mRNA localization to an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (e.g., SF3b4 protein), the mRNA localization to the endoplasmic reticulum can be significantly elevated so that the secretory capacity in cultured cells can be enhanced.

Abstract: Recombinant collagenases with a stable specific activity and enzyme agents for cell and tissue dissociation such a recombinant are provided. The recombinant collagenase is derived from Grimontia hollisae-derived collagenase is characterized by having, from the N terminus to the C terminus, a collagenase catalytic domain, a linker region sequence, and a prepeptidase C terminal domain, which Grimontia hollisae-derived recombinant collagenase does not comprise at least the prepeptidase C terminal domain. The obtained recombinant collagenase has a high and stable specific activity.

Abstract: It has been believed that promoting the assembly of polysomes composed of many ribosomes attached to mRNA is very effective for highly efficient protein synthesis. However, the mechanism for p180 protein's capability of promoting polysome formation has been yet to be elucidated. The inventors of the present application newly discovered SF3b4 protein as a protein that specifically interacts with the coiled-coil domain of p180 protein, a responsible region for its capability of promoting polysome formation, and which is capable of promoting mRNA localization to an endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The inventors also found that, in cells capable of highly expressing both p180 protein and a protein promoting mRNA localization to an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (e.g., SF3b4 protein), the mRNA localization to the endoplasmic reticulum can be significantly elevated so that the secretory capacity in cultured cells can be enhanced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collagen powder and/or a collagen derivative powder, which are obtained by dispersing in a hydrophilic organic solvent a crude collagen precipitate which comprises 12 to 50% by mass of a collagen precipitate and/or a collagen derivative precipitate having an average particle size of 1 to 1,000 ?m, recovering solids and then drying the solids. By dispersing the crude collagen precipitate in the hydrophilic organic solvent, the resulting precipitates can be dehydrated, so that drying of the thus obtained solids can be done by air-drying. In addition, the resulting collagen powder and/or collagen derivative powder exhibit excellent solubility due to an increased specific surface area and also have excellent ease of handling with the average particle size being 8 to 1,000 ?m.

Abstract: Provided are methods of producing a novel collagen peptide composition, and a DPP-4 inhibitor and antihyperglycemics that comprise the above-mentioned collagen peptide composition. Ginger rhizome-derived enzymes are added to and break down a collagen and/or gelatin solution to generate peptide compositions comprising peptides represented by X-Hyp-Gly (wherein X represents an amino acid residue other than Gly, Hyp, and Pro). The thus obtained collagen peptide composition has a high DPP-4 inhibitory activity and an excellent antihyperglycemic effect.

Abstract: Provided is a unit which is capable of readily grinding and collecting a small amount of a sample which is difficult to be ground. The unit for grinding a sample comprises a club-shaped pestle and a mortar into which the pestle can be inserted, wherein the pestle comprises a roughened taper located at at least one end of its pestle body, wherein the mortar is a tube with an inverted frustoconical bottom, and the surface of the mortar where the taper of the pestle contacts the inverted frustoconical bottom when the pestle is inserted into the mortar is roughened, and wherein the angle of the taper with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the pestle is substantially equal to the angle of the inner wall of the inverted frustoconical bottom with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the mortar. The roughened taper and surface improve grinding efficiency.

Abstract: A DPP-4 inhibitor comprising a peptide represented by the formula (1): Xe-Pro/Ala/Hyp-Xa-Xb-Xc-Xd (SEQ ID NO: 16) (wherein Xe is an amino acid residue with an isoelectric point of 5.9 to 6.3; Pro/Ala/Hyp represents Pro, Ala, or Hyp; Xa is an amino acid residue other than Hyp, Pro, and Arg, or deletion; 5 Xb is Gly, Pro, or deletion; Xc is Pro, Ala, or deletion; and Xd is an amino acid residue or deletion) as an active component. The inhibitor can be expected to bring out an effect of lowering blood glucose levels by enhancing effects of incretins; and the inhibitor may be used as a therapeutic agent for diabetes and, in addition, can act on the immune system or the like to be thus used in 10 treatment for skin diseases or the like.

Abstract: Provided are methods of producing a novel collagen peptide composition, and a DPP-4 inhibitor and antihyperglycemics that comprise the above-mentioned collagen peptide composition. Ginger rhizome-derived enzymes are added to and break down a collagen and/or gelatin solution to generate peptide compositions comprising peptides represented by X-Hyp-Gly (wherein X represents an amino acid residue other than Gly, Hyp, and Pro). The thus obtained collagen peptide composition has a high DPP-4 inhibitory activity and an excellent antihyperglycemic effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collagen powder and/or a collagen derivative powder, which are obtained by dispersing in a hydrophilic organic solvent a crude collagen precipitate which comprises 12 to 50% by mass of a collagen precipitate and/or a collagen derivative precipitate having an average particle size of 1 to 1,000 ?m, recovering solids and then drying the solids. By dispersing the crude collagen precipitate in the hydrophilic organic solvent, the resulting precipitates can be dehydrated, so that drying of the thus obtained solids can be done by air-drying. In addition, the resulting collagen powder and/or collagen derivative powder exhibit excellent solubility due to an increased specific surface area and also have excellent ease of handling with the average particle size being 8 to 1,000 ?m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a peptide trimer in which three peptides of the same chain length having a repeating unit as a fundamental structure represented by the formula: -(-Gly-X-Y-)- wherein X and Y each represent any amino acid residue are tethered to one another such that they are shifted relative to one another in the backbone direction. The peptide trimer is capable of forming a polypeptide having a collagen-like triple helix structure. A method of producing the peptide trimer of the invention and a collagen-like molecular aggregate having a triple helix structure comprised of the peptide trimer unit of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a peptide trimer in which three peptides of the same chain length having a repeating unit as a fundamental structure represented by the formula: -(-Gly-X-Y-)- wherein X and Y each represent any amino acid residue are tethered to one another such that they are shifted relative to one another in the backbone direction. The peptide trimer is capable of forming a polypeptide having a collagen-like triple helix structure. A method of producing the peptide trimer of the invention and a collagen-like molecular aggregate having a triple helix structure comprised of the peptide trimer unit of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Collagen beads prepared by adding spherical droplets of an aqueous liquid of collagen to an aqueous solution of tannin. The collagen beads show a uniform grain size and have either a two-layered structure consisting of an aqueous liquid sustained inside a solidified outer surface or a completely solidified form.

Abstract: A method for removing antigenicity from peptide derived from a collagen-containing material or gelatin by hydrolyzing it with aid of an inorganic acid is disclosed. The method is carried out by passing the peptide through a mixture of a cation-exchange resin and an anion-exchange resin. The thus treated peptide may be further passed through a membrane for ultrafiltration to remove pyrogenous substances completely. The peptide obtained is useful as an additive, diluent or carrier for cosmetic articles or drugs.

Abstract: Peptide mixtures having relatively narrow average molecular weights and characteristic amino acid compositions and a process for preparing the same from a collagenous material or gelatin are disclosed. The peptide mixtures have unique properties and are useful as a water- or moisture-retaining agent for cosmetic articles or foods, a foaming agent for foods, a bitterness-blocking agent for medicines or a nutritional component for soft drinks.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aqueous dispersion of collagen fibers from various materials containing insoluble collagen and various products prepared from the dispersion are disclosed.

Abstract: Method of treating a wound or burn which comprises directly dressing its surface with non-woven fabric comprising staple fibers of spun, regenerated collagen substantially free of telopeptides is disclosed.