Abstract: There is disclosed a hyperthermostable protease gene originating in Pyrococcus furiosus, in particular, a hyperthermostable protease gene encoding the amino acid sequence represented by the SEQ ID NO 1 in the Sequence Listing or a part thereof which retains the activity of the hyperthermostable protease. There is also disclosed a process for producing the protease by culturing a transformant transformed with a plasmid into which the above gene has been inserted.

Abstract: A method for producing monosialoganglioside GM1 comprising the step of contacting a crude ganglioside mixture with a microorganism capable of producing a sialidase; and a bacterial strain of Pseudomonas genus capable of producing a sialidase and usable in the above method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for cloning a gene for Pol I type DNA polymerase comprising;(a) amplifying target DNA with PCR using primers specific to said genes;(b) cloning a gene for Pol I type DNA polymerase with a probe selected from amplified DNA. And this invention is directed to a novel isolated gene coding for Pol I type DNA polymerase cloned in the plasmid.

Abstract: An isolated hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase gene derived from Pyrococcus furiosus is described. Examples include DNA sequences shown in SEQ ID NO. 2 and SEQ ID NO. 4 and DNAs hybridizable with these DNAs. A method of cloning the hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase gene in which each of the above sequences or portions thereof is used as a probe or primer is described. A process for producing a hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase by culturing a transformant into which a plasmid containing each of the above genes has been introduced is described. A particularly preferred gene encodes an SDS-resistant hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase.

Abstract: Provided are functional peptide fragments of human caldesmon having calmodulin and actin-binding activity, the amino acid sequences and nucleic acid sequences therefor.

Abstract: A restriction endonuclease which recognizes the nucleotide sequence of the following Chemical formula 1 in double stranded DNA and strictly cleaves the nucleotide sequence at the sites marked by arrows. ##STR1## The endonuclease may be made cultivating a strain of the genus Streptomyces such as Streptomyces sp. YH 8647 (FERM BP-5022) capable of producing it.

Abstract: An almond N-glycosidase gene and genes associated therewith are described. Vectors integrated such genes therein, recombinant microorganisms transformed with said vectors, and a process for preparing the almond N-glycosidase using said recombinant microorganisms are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to Aureobasidins useful as an antifungal agent having broader spectrum. The compound according to this invention includes a cyclic depsipeptide consisting of one hydroxy acid residue having A.sup.1, 3 amino acid residues having C.sup.1, F.sup.1 and H.sup.1, respectively, 4 N-methylamino acid residues having B.sup.1, D.sup.1, G.sup.1 and I.sup.1, respectively, and 1 cyclic amino acid residue having E.sup.1. The typical compound includes one wherein A.sup.1 is CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)--, B.sup.1 is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH--, C.sup.1 is benzyl, cyclohexylmethyl, p-fluorobenzyl, benzyloxymethyl, benzyloxybenzyl, methoxybenzyl, cyclohexylmethyloxybenzyl or the like, D.sup.1 is methyl, benzyl, hydroxymethyl or the like, E.sup.1 is --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --, F.sup.1 is CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)--, G.sup.1 is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH--, H.sup.1 is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CHCH.sub.2 -- and I.sup.1 is (CH.sub.3).sub.2 C(OH)--.

Abstract: An isolated DNA is provided coding for the variable region of an anti-human influenza A type virus antibody having the following characteristics: (a) specifically binds to the stem region of haemaggulutinin molecule of H1N1 and H2N2 subtypes of human influenza A type virus but does not specifically bind to the stem region of haemaggulutinin molecule of H3N2 subtype; and (b) has a neutralization activity for the H1N1 and H2N2 subtypes of human influenza A type virus but no neutralization activity for the H3N2 subtype.

Abstract: An isolated .alpha.-1,3/4-fucosidase gene is provided which codes for an .alpha.-1,3/4-fucosidase enzyme. The isolated gene codes for the fucosidase enzyme having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 1. The gene may have the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 2. A process for producing the fucosidase enzyme is also provided, which comprises cultivating a transformant into which a recombinant plasmid containing the .alpha.-1,3/4-fucosidase gene according to the invention has been introduced to produce the fucosidase enzyme encoded thereby, and harvesting the fucosidase enzyme from the culture.

Abstract: A process is provided for the total synthesis of a cyclic peptide, which is useful as antifungal drug, and novel compounds prepared by the synthesis method. The cyclic peptide is represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X1, X2, X4 and X7 are independently N-methyl-.alpha.-amino acid or .alpha.-hydroxy acid,provided that at least one of X1, X2, X4 and X7 is an .alpha.-hydroxy acid;X3, X6 and X8 are independently .alpha.-amino acid;X5 is a cyclic amino acid;X9 is an N-methyl-.alpha.-amino acid or .alpha.-hydroxy acid substituted by a hydroxy group;and the dotted lines represent intramolecular hydrogen bonds.The process includes cyclizing a corresponding linear peptide between X5 and X6 via a peptide bond.

Abstract: To provide a process for the total synthesis of a cyclic peptide, which is useful as antifungal drug, and novel compounds prepared by the synthesis method. A process for synthesizing a cyclic peptide represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X1, X2, X4 and X7 are independently N-methyl-.alpha.-amino acid or .alpha.-hydroxy acid,provided that at least one of X1, X2, X4 and X7 is a .alpha.-hydroxy acid;X3, X6 and X8 are independently .alpha.-amino acid;X5 is a cyclic amino acid;X9 is a N-methyl-.alpha.-amino acid or .alpha.-hydroxy acid substituted by a hydroxy group;and the dotted lines represent intramolecular hydrogen bonds;which process comprises cyclizing a corresponding linear peptide between X5 and X6 via a peptide bond, and a novel compound represented by the formula (I).

Abstract: An anti-human influenza virus antibody is provided having the following characteristics: (a) specifically binds to the stem region of hemagglutinin of human influenza A virus subtype H3N2; (b) does not specifically bind to the stem region of hemagglutinin of human influenza A virus subtypes H1N1 and H2N2; and (c) does not specifically bind to the stem region of hemagglutinin of human influenza B virus. A composition comprising the antibody is also provided.

Abstract: An anti-human influenza virus antibody is provided which recognizes the stem regions of haemagglutinin molecules of the H1N1 and H2N2 subtypes and has a neutralization activity, but does not recognize the stem region of the H3N2 subtype and has no neutralization activity. Also provided is an immunogenic artificial polypeptide having an antigenicity substantially the same as the stem regions of haemagglutinin molecules. Provided further is an immunogenic artificial polypeptide having an antigenicity substantially the same as the stem regions of haemagglutinin molecule and lacking the globular head region of haemagglutinin molecules. The antibody is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of influenza A virus, while the polypeptides are useful as a vaccine.

Abstract: A novel multistem strain of Lyophyllum ulmarium to form fruiting bodies is disclosed. The cultivation of the novel strain of Lyophyllum ulmarium is achieved by inoculating a medium with a novel strain of Lyophyllum ulmarium and allowing the formation of fruit bodies, the novel strain of Lyophyllum ulmarium being one capable of giving 65 or more, on the average, of fruiting bodies of a stem length of 20 mm or longer when 10 g of a solid inoculum thereof is inoculated into a medium. The medium is prepared by mixing sawdust (an equivolumetric mixture of sawdust from cedar and that from beech) and rice bran at a ratio by volume of 3:1, adjusting the moisture content to 63% and press-bottling into a polypropylene wide-mouthed bottom (volume: 850 ml) in such a manner as to give 535 g of the contents, whereby fruiting bodies are formed in a conventional manner. Three strains of the multistem strain are provided.

Abstract: Provided are functional peptide fragments of human caldesmon having calmodulin and actin-binding activity, the amino acid sequences and nucleic acid sequences therefor.

Abstract: Endo-xyloglucan transferases responsible for growth of plant cell wall, genes coding for the enzymes, a method of transferring xyloglucan molecules by using the enzyme, and methods of using the gene are described.

Abstract: A more exact, reliable, and simple method for determining the structure of a sugar chain, a kit to be used for this method, and novel oligosaccharides useful for the method as standard sugar chains are provided. The method for determining the structure of an N-acetyllactosamine type of sugar chain is characterized by determining the site of linkage and the mode of linkage of sugar residues at the non-reducing terminal side of a .beta.-N-acetylglucosamine residue linked to an .alpha.-mannose residue in M3 core by means of detecting the presence of the .beta.-N-acetylglucosamine residue after enzymatic or chemical treatment of the sugar chain. The kit for determining the structure of an N-acetyllactosamine type of sugar chain is characterized by containing at least one of the oligosaccharides represented by the chemical formula 1. The oligosaccharide is represented by the chemical formula 4.

Abstract: A new restriction endonuclease capable of recognizing the nucleotide sequence of the following formula 1 in double stranded DNA. ##STR1## and specifically cleaving it is disclosed. The endonuclease may be made cultivating a strain of the genus Streptomyces (FERM BP-4836) capable of producing it.

Abstract: This invention provides an antibody having antigen binding activity and which has a heavy chain constant region into which has been introduced an RGDS amino acid sequence giving the antibody affinity for cells, including macrophages. The antibody exhibits artificial cell adhesive activity which is the newly expressed activity that results from insertion of the RGDS amino acid sequence. This antibody having artificial cell adhesive activity can accelerate the phagocytosis of macrophages, and can activate other effector cells. Therefore, this antibody contributes to the self-defense mechanism.