Abstract: To provide a method for specifically determining CA isozyme activity. The method for determining hydrolase activity of carbonic anhydrase I (CAI) in a sample, which is characterized in that the method employs, as a substrate or a combination of a substrate and an inhibitor, any of the following (A) to (E): (A) Substrate: a substrate having higher reactivity with CAI than with CAII; (B) Substrate: a substrate having higher reactivity with CAI than with CAII; Inhibitor: an inhibitor inhibiting a hydrolase other than CA, and an optional drug for enhancing inhibitory activity of the inhibitor; (C) Substrate: a substrate having higher reactivity with CAI than with CAII, and Inhibitor: a CA inhibitor inhibiting both CAI and CAII; (D) Substrate: a substrate having reactivity with both CAI and CAII, and Inhibitor: a CA inhibitor inhibiting CAI more potently than CAII; and (E) Substrate: a substrate having higher reactivity with CAI than with CAII, and Inhibitor: a CA inhibitor inhibiting CAI more potently than CAII.

Abstract: 2-(6-Cyano-1-hexyn-1-yl)adenosine, 2-(6-cyano-1-hexyn-1-yl)adenosine 5?-monophosphate, or salts thereof; and drugs containing the same as an active ingredient. The compounds have excellent effects of lowering ocular tension, promoting blood flow in retina, and protecting optic nerve failure and are highly soluble in water. Owing to these characteristics, the compounds are useful as drugs such as remedies for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel L-glutamate oxidase, a gene encoding the enzyme, and a method for producing the enzyme. By use of a gene encoding the enzyme, L-glutamate oxidase can be readily prepared at low costs through a recombinant DNA technique. The novel L-glutamate oxidase has the following physicochemical properties: (A) action: catalyzing the following reaction: L-glutamic acid+O2+H2O??-ketoglutaric acid+H2O2+NH3; (B) substrate specificity: being specific to L-glutamic acid; (C) molecular weight and subunit structure: molecular weight as determined through SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 70,000±6,000, molecular weight as determined through gel filtration of 140,000±10,000, and being a dimer formed of the same subunits having a molecular weight of 70,000±6,000; (D) optimum pH: around pH 6.0 to 8.5; (E) heat stability: being stable up to 60° C. at a pH of 7.4 for 30 minutes; and (F) coenzyme: flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD).

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel L-glutamate oxidase, a gene encoding the enzyme, and a method for producing the enzyme. By use of a gene encoding the enzyme, L-glutamate oxidase can be readily prepared at low costs through a recombinant DNA technique. The novel L-glutamate oxidase has the following physicochemical properties: (A) action: catalyzing the following reaction: L-glutamic acid+O2+H2O??-ketoglutaric acid+H2O2+NH3; (B) substrate specificity: being specific to L-glutamic acid; (C) molecular weight and subunit structure: molecular weight as determined through SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 70,000±6,000, molecular weight as determined through gel filtration of 140,000±10,000, and being a dimer formed of the same subunits having a molecular weight of 70,000±6,000; (D) optimum pH: around pH 6.0 to 8.5; (E) heat stability: being stable up to 60° C. at a pH of 7.4 for 30 minutes; and (F) coenzyme: flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetic neuropathy, which contains cytidine 5?-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) as an active ingredient. The agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetic neuropathy of the present invention is effective for neuropathy mainly caused by metabolic disturbance of carbohydrate and is also superior in safety. Neuropathy includes peripheral neuropathy and dysautonomia. CDP-choline is effective even by oral administration.

Abstract: 2-(6-Cyano-1-hexyn-1-yl)adenosine, 2-(6-cyano-1-hexyn-1-yl)adenosine 5?-monophosphate, or salts thereof; and drugs containing the same as an active ingredient. The compounds have excellent effects of lowering ocular tension, promoting blood flow in retina, and protecting optic nerve failure and are highly soluble in water. Owing to these characteristics, the compounds are useful as drugs such as remedies for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetic neuropathy, which contains cytidine 5?-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) as an active ingredient. The agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetic neuropathy of the present invention is effective for neuropathy mainly caused by metabolic disturbance of carbohydrate and is also superior in safety. Neuropathy includes peripheral neuropathy and dysautonomia. CDP-choline is effective even by oral administration.

Abstract: 2-(6-Cyano-1-hexyn-1-yl)adenosine, 2-(6-cyano-1-hexyn-1-yl)adenosine 5?-monophosphate, or salts thereof; and drugs containing the same as an active ingredient. The compounds have excellent effects of lowering ocular tension, promoting blood flow in retina, and protecting optic nerve failure and are highly soluble in water. Owing to these characteristics, the compounds are useful as drugs such as remedies for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new use of uridine diphosphate glucose 4-epimerase (also called uridine diphosphate galactose 4-epimerase), and a method of converting uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) to uridine diphosphate N-acetylgalactosamine (UDP-GalNAc) by using the said enzyme. The process for producing UDP-GalNAc by using the uridine diphosphate glucose 4-epimerase and the UDP-GalNAc supply system according to the present invention are practical and efficient, and greatly beneficial to the industries.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for producing P1,P4-di(uridine-5′-)tetraphosphate (U2P4) or a salt thereof from uridine 5′-monophosphate (UMP); wherein the process comprises at least one of the steps (a) and (b): (a) adding UMP diphenylphosphate (UMP-DPP) in divided portions during a step of reacting UMP-DPP with an organic alkali salt of pyrophosphate (PP1) to produce a reaction mixture; wherein at least one equivalent of a first base is present during one portion of the reaction; (b) reacting UMP-DPP with a PPi-organic alkali salt in the presence of at least one equivalent of a second base to produce a reaction mixture, wherein the first base and the second base may be the same or different; (c) subsequently adding water to the reaction mixture to produce an aqueous reaction mixture; and optionally (d) adding an alkali to the aqueous reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystals of P1-(2′-deoxycytidine 5′-)P4-(uridine 5′-)tetraphosphate (dCP4U) or a salt thereof and to a process for producing the crystals. The present invention also provides a process for producing dCP4U involving reacting uridine 5′-monophosphate (UMP), 2′-deoxycytidine 5′-monophosphate (dCMP), diphenyl phosphorochloridate (DPC), and pyrophosphate (PPi). The crystals of dCP4U obtained through the process according to the present invention have high purity and high stability and no hygroscopicity as compared with a freeze-dried product, and thereby serve as a useful raw material for preparing a pharmaceutical. The process for producing dCP4U according to the present invention permits use of inexpensive UMP as a raw material and realizes high yield. Thus, the process is suitable for large-scale synthesis of dCP4U.

Abstract: The invention provides crystals of P1,P4-di(uridine 5′-)tetraphosphate or a salt thereof; a process for producing the crystals; and a process for producing P1,P4-di(uridine 5′-)tetraphosphate (U2P4) or a salt thereof from UMP serving as a starting material and by use of DPC and PPi, which process comprises at least one of the following treatment steps: (a) adding UMP diphenylphosphate (UMP-DPP) in divided portions during a step of reaction of UMP-DPP with a PPi-organic alkali salt; (b) carrying out reaction of UMP-DPP with a PPi-organic alkali salt in the presence of a base; and (c) further treating the synthesized U2P4 with an alkali. The crystals of U2P4 or a salt thereof obtained through the process according to the invention have high purity and stability and a less hygroscopicity as compared with a lyophilized product, to thereby serve as a useful raw material for preparing a pharmaceutical.

Abstract: The invention provides crystals of p1,P4-di(uridine 5′-) tetraphosphate or a salt thereof; a process for producing the crystals; and a process for producing P1,P4-di(uridine 5′-) tetraphosphate (U2P4) or a salt thereof from UMP serving as a starting material and by use of DPC and PPi, which process comprises at least one of the following treatment steps: (a) adding UMP diphenylphosphate (UMP-DPP) in divided portions during a step of reaction of UMP-DPP with a PPi-organic alkali salt; (b) carrying out reaction of UMP-DPP with a PPi-organic alkali salt in the presence of a base; and (c) further treating the synthesized U2P4 with an alkali. The crystals of U2P4 or a salt thereof obtained through the process according to the invention have high purity and stability and a less hygroscopicity as compared with a lyophilized product, to thereby serve as a useful raw material for preparing a pharmaceutical.

Abstract: The invention provides 4′-C-ethynyl pyrimidine nucleosides (other than 4′-C-ethynylthymidine) represented by formula [I]: wherein B represents a base selected from the group consisting of pyrimidine and derivatives thereof; X represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group; and R represents a hydrogen atom or a phosphate residue; and a pharmaceutical composition containing any one of the compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Preferably, the composition is used as an anti-HIV agent or a drug for treating AIDS.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating eye diseases which contain as the active ingredient 2-alkynyladenosine derivatives having an acetylene union at the 2-position of adenine base. Having a long-lasting and remarkable effect of lowering ocular tension, these compositions are useful as remedies for eye diseases accompanying increased ocular tension or optic nerve failures, such as glaucoma and hypertonia oculi.

Abstract: The invention provides 4′-C-ethynyl purine nucleosides represented by formula [I]: wherein B represents a base selected from the group consisting of purine and derivatives thereof; X represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group; and R represents a hydrogen atom or a phosphate residue; and a pharmaceutical composition containing any one of the compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Preferably, the composition is used as an anti-HIV agent or a drug for treating AIDS.

Abstract: The invention provides 4′-C-ethynyl pyrimidine nucleosides (other than 4′-C-ethynylthymidine) represented by formula [I]: wherein B represents a base selected from the group consisting of pyrimidine and derivatives thereof; X represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group; and R represents a hydrogen atom or a phosphate residue; and a pharmaceutical composition containing any one of the compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Preferably, the composition is used as an anti-HIV agent or a drug for treating AIDS.

Abstract: A process for producing uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDPAG) from uridylic acid (UMP) and N-acetylglucosamine by use of microorganism cells, characterized by adding N-acetylglucosamine kinase thereto. According to the present invention, UDPAG can be efficiently produced even when N-acetylglucosamine is used as a substrate.

Abstract: A diagnostic agent for angiopathic diseases containing a monoclonal antibody against human smooth muscle myosin or active fragments of the antibody labeled with a radioactive isotope; a kit thereof; and a method of diagnostic imaging for angiopathic diseases by using the same. The invention permits the diagnostic imaging of angiopathic diseases such as dissecting aortic aneurysm and angiitis and the specification of the region affected by these diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-4-thio-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosines having excellent antitumor activity, represented by formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a phosphoric acid residue, and to a process for the production and use thereof.