Abstract: Disclosed is a novel cellulase having an amino acid sequence in which the 162nd and/or 166th amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of cellulase NCE5 are substituted. Further, a polynucleotide encoding the novel cellulase, an expression vector containing the polynucleotide, a host cell transformed with the expression vector, and a cellulase preparation and a washing composition containing the cellulase are disclosed. The cellulase of the present invention is resistant to surfactants, and maintains a high activity even under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated polypeptides having ?-H-?-amino acid amide racemase activity and nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention also relates to vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acids according to the invention. The invention also relates to methods of producing and using the polypeptides according to the invention. The invention also relates to a method for isolating polypeptides having ?-H-?-amino acid amide racemase activity, for isolating nucleic acids encoding the same and for isolating microorganisms comprising polypeptides having ?-H-?-amino acid amide racemase activity. The invention also relates to new microorganisms comprising polypeptides having ?-H-?-amino acid amide racemase activity.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen, comprising the steps of: (i) providing a photosynthetic microorganism having electron transfer capability through a photosynthetic light reaction pathway and through a respiratory electron transfer chain involving an oxidative phosphorylation pathway, and which expresses a hydrogenase, wherein regulation of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway is disrupted with the result that electron flow along the respiratory electron transfer chain toward cytochrome oxidase (complex IV) is reduced; ii) culturing the microorganism under microoxic and illuminated conditions; and (iii) collecting evolved hydrogen.

Abstract: We disclose a food additive comprising a PS4 variant polypeptide, in which the PS4 variant polypeptide is derivable from a parent polypeptide having non-maltogenic exoamylase activity, in which the PS4 variant polypeptide comprises substitutions at the following positions: G121D, 134, 141, 157, 223, 307 and 334 with reference to the position numbering of a Pseudomonas saccharophilia exoamylase sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aerobic coryneform bacterium transformant in which a lactate dehydrogenase gene is disrupted, and a pyruvate carboxylase gene is recombined so as to be highly expressed by a genetic engineering method. The aerobic coryneform bacterium transformant of the present invention can produce dicarboxylic acids from saccharides at a high production rate.

Abstract: A catalytically active peptide comprising an imidazole function in position i flanked by at least one functional group to be amidated in position i+3+4k, where k is an integer equal to or higher than ?1 or in position i?4?4n, wherein n is an integer equal to or higher than 0, characterized in that it also comprises at least one activating group in position i+4+4n or i?3?4n, respectively, wherein n is as above.

Abstract: Methods of producing cyclic peptides and splicing intermediates of peptides in a looped conformation are disclosed. The methods utilize the trans-splicing ability of split inteins to catalyze cyclization of peptides from a precursor peptide having a target peptide interposed between two portions of a split intein. The interaction of the two portions of the split intein creates a catalytically-active intein and also forces the target peptide into a loop configuration that stabilizes the ester isomer of the amino acid at the junction between one of the intein portions and the target peptide. A heteroatom from the other intein portion then reacts with the ester to form a cyclic ester intermediate. The active intein catalyzes the formation of an aminosuccinimide that liberates a cyclized form of the target peptide, which spontaneously rearranges to form the thermodynamically favored backbone cyclic peptide product.

Abstract: A novel gene having a function of improving acetic acid fermentation in practical level was cloned from a practical acetic acid bacterium belonging to the genus Gluconacetobacter by a method for obtaining a gene having a growth-promoting function in acetic acid-containing medium from the chromosomal DNA library of the acetic acid bacterium. It was made possible to significantly shorten the growth induction period and significantly improve the acetic acid fermentation rate of transformants obtained by introducing the gene into acetic acid bacteria, when such transformants are cultured in the presence of ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gene having asymmetric hydrolase activity which is useful for synthesis of an optically active carboxylic acid, its antipode ester, and lactone, and a hydroxycarboxylic ester asymmetric hydrolase enzyme (EnHCH) derived from Enterobacter sp. DS-S-75 strain (FERM BP-5494) which is bacteria belonging to the genus Enterobacter, a EnHCH gene shown by base sequence of SEQ. ID. NO: 1, a gene encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO: 2, and E. coli DH5? (pKK-EnHCH) deposited to International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology as a deposition No. FERM BP-08466.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules which encode pyruvate decarboxylase enzymes having improved decarboxylase activity, substrate affinity, thermostability, and activity at different pH. The nucleic acids of the invention also have a codon usage which allows for high expression in a variety of host cells. Accordingly, the invention provides recombinant expression vectors containing such nucleic acid molecules, recombinant host cells comprising the expression vectors, host cells further comprising other ethanologenic enzymes, and methods for producing useful substances, e.g., acetaldehyde and ethanol, using such host cells.

Abstract: An RNA ligase derived from bacteriophage TS2126 which infects Thermus scotoductus, nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences of open reading frame (ORF) and polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids, are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to covalent modification of proteins through their conjugation with other proteins. More particularly, the invention relates to the modulation of such conjugation involving the protein NEDD8. The invention provides compositions and methods for detecting and/or modulating the activation and/or conjugation of NEDD8, as well as compositions and methods for discovering molecules which are useful in detecting and/or modulating the activation and/or conjugation of NEDD8. The present invention arises from the purification and characterization of novel NEDD8 activating and conjugating enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new glycosyl hydrolases with an amyloltic activity and nucleic acids coding for said gylcosyl hydrolases, A PCR-based method for identifying and preparing new gylcosyl hydrolases from metagenome DNA and several possible technical uses for such glycosyl hydrolases with an amylolytic activity. Washing and cleaning products containing such enzymes, and methods and possible uses corresponding thereto are particularly interesting.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that a polypeptide containing the JAB subunit or the JAM domain has peptidase activity, e.g., isopeptidase activity. The present invention provides polypeptides and crystalline polypeptides containing the JAM domain and methods of using such polypeptides to screen for agents capable of affecting the peptidase activity of the polypeptides. The present invention also provides methods of using the JAM domain for rational drug design or identifying agents capable of affecting the peptidase activity of the JAM domain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stable recombinant host cell comprising a CYP24 nucleic acid. The host cell is preferably a mammalian cell or an insect cell. The cell is useful for identifying modulators of CYP24 that can be used in the treatment of CYP24 expression-related medical conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are xylose-fermenting recombinant yeast strains expressing xylose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase, and xylulokinase and having reduced expression of PHO13 or a PHO13 ortholog, as well as methods of fermenting xylose to obtain ethanol using the recombinant yeast strains.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of increasing the production of aromatic carboxylic acids from a host cell via manipulation of the yhcRQP operon encoding a family of efflux proteins. Up-regulation of all or a sub-set of the genes in the yhcRQP were additionally found to enhance tolerance to aromatic carboxylic acids toxicity.

Abstract: Methods for identifying agents that can increase or decrease the isopeptidase activity of a COP9 signalsome (CSN) are provided, as are agent identified using such screening assays. In addition, methods of ameliorating a pathologic condition such as a cancer or an autoimmune disease in a subject by modulating the CSN isopeptidase activity are provided, as are medicaments useful for treating a subject having such a condition.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing 1,3-propanediol from a carbon-containing substance, said method comprising a step which consists in culturing a recombinant micro-organism not producing coenzyme B12 in the absence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors. The invention also concerns a nucleic acid coding for a glycerol dehydratase whereof the catalytic activity is independent of the presence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors and a nucleic acid coding for a 1,3-propanol dehydrogenase intervening in the synthesis of 1,3-propanediol. The invention further concerns recombinant vectors and host cells comprising said nucleic acids and the polypeptides coded by the latter.

Abstract: Mutants of 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase A, an enzyme used to produce 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, a precursor of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) are prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. These mutants have increased catalytic activity, increased expression levels, and/or enhanced temperature stability.