Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for producing avermectins, and is primarily in the field of animal health. The present invention relates to the identification and characterization of two novel genes, herein referred to as the aveR1 and aveR2 genes, that are involved in regulating avermectin polyketide synthase (PKS) expression and avermectin biosynthesis in Streptomyces avermitilis. The present invention is based on the discovery that inactivation of these genes results in an increase in the amount of avermectin produced by S. avermitilis.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of peptides that are encoded by genes within the human genome, the phospholipase peptides of the present invention. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and paralogs of the phospholipase peptides, and methods of identifying modulators of the phospholipase peptides.

Abstract: BTL.010 is a novel human serine proteinase inhibitor of the Kunitz family that exhibits greater potency towards neutral serine proteinases, particularly leukocyte elastase and proteinase 3 than towards trypsin-like proteinases. BTL.010, or variants thereof, may be employed as therapeutics in diseases such as emphysema, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, organ failure, and glomerulonephritis in which uncontrolled proteolysis due to neutral serine proteinase activity results in tissue damage.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological method of producing farnesol or geranylgeraniol.

Abstract: The invention relates to polynucleotides corresponding to the ccpA2 gene and which encode a CcpA2 catabolite control protein, methods of producing L-amino acids, and methods of screening for polynucleotides which encode proteins having CcpA2 catabolite control activity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of using bifunctional binding molecules, such as two linked VH-VL single chain binding molecules, to recruit a therapeutic agent to a solid tissue site. The therapeutic agent is administered separately from the binding molecules and following the administration of a remover substance which aids in clearing free binding molecules in the circulation. In the preferred mode of the invention, the binding molecules have one specificity for antigens at the target site and one for the therapeutic agent. The binding molecules are administered and allowed time to approach a maximum concentration in the extravascular space. A remover substance, preferably a liposome conjugated with antibodies which are reactive with an antigenic epitope on the binding molecules, is then administered to remove excess binding molecules from the circulation and the extravascular space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes produced by mutating the genes for a number of subtilases and expressing the mutated genes in suitable hosts are presented. The enzymes exhibit improved stability and/or improved wash performance in any detergent in comparison to their wild type parent enzymes. The enzymes are well-suited for use in any detergent and for some in especially liquid or solid shaped detergent compositions.

Abstract: Through function complementation of E. coli auxotrophs, the ultimate and pentultimate enzymes of the spinach riboflavin biosynthetic pathway have been cloned, namely, lumazine synthase (LS) and riboflavin synthase (RS). This invention relates to the isolation of nucleic acid fragments from plants or fungi that encode LS protein. The invention also relates to the isolation of nucleic acid fragments from plants or fungi that encode RS protein. In addition, the invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all of a portion of LS, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein the expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of plant LS in a transformed host cell. Furthermore, the invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all of a portion of RS, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein the expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of plant or fungal RS in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described that are useful to assay for compouds that affect PKB kinase activity which have medical applications for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides corresponding to the plsC gene and which encode 1-acyl-SN-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, methods of producing L-amino acids, and methods of screening for polynucleotides which encode proteins having 1-acyl-SN-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the nucleic acid molecules encoding an STE20-related family of novel protein kinases, ZC1, ZC2, ZC3, ZC4, STLK2, STLK3, STLK4, STLK5, STLK6, STLK7, KHS2, SULU1, SULU3, GEK2, PAK4 and PAK5, segments and domains thereof, as well as various methods useful for the diagnosis and treatment of various kinase-related diseases and conditions. Mammalian nucleic acid molecules encoding these kinases are particularly disclosed, and more specifically human sources of these nucleic acids are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a polyphenol oxidase enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention features a novel p21-activated kinase that interacts with steroid hormone receptors, the steroid hormone receptor interacting p21-activated kinase (PAKSI). In general, the invention provides methods of inhibiting hormone related cancers. More particularly, the present invention relates to inhibiting prostate cancer and breast cancer. The present invention further provides methods of activating the therapeutic effects of steroid hormone receptors, particularly the estrogen receptor. Alternatively, the present invention provides methods of diagnosing steroid hormone receptor-related diseases.

Abstract: Novel protease variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human proteases are disclosed. The variant proteases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant protease to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor protease. Protease variants are provided that contain substitutions of the amino acids at one or more residue positions so that the substitution alters the charge at that position to make the charge more negative or less positive compared to a precursor protease and thus the protease variant is more effective in a low detergent concentration system than a precursor protease.

Abstract: It is disclosed that the enzymes ATP:corrinoid adenosyltransferase (CobA) from Salmonella typhimurium and reduced flavodoxin (FldA) from E. coli are both necessary and sufficient, in the presence of ATP, to reduce the oxidation state of the cobalt atom in cobalamin and produce adenosylcobalamin. This makes possible the construction of plasmids to confer upon microbial fermentation hosts the ability to synthesize adenosylcobalamin, the supply of which can sometimes be a limitation on microbial growth in fermentation. Since the enzyme flavodoxin reductase (Fpr), also from E. coli, can act to reduce FldA for biological activity, that enzyme should preferably be expressed in a fermentation host as well.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a diaminopimelate epimerase from Corynebacterium glutamicum and to polynucleotides encoding this enzyme. The gene has been given the designation “dapF.

Abstract: A method of preparing a bioactive polypeptide in a stable, inactivated form, the method comprising the step of treating the polypeptide with ozonated water in order to oxidize and/or stabilize the cysteine residues, and in turn, prevent the formation of disulfide bridges necessary for bioactivity. The method can involve the use of ozonated water to both oxidize the disulfide bridges in a bioactive polypeptide, and to then stabilize the resultant cysteine residues. Optionally, and preferably, the method can involve the use of ozonated water to stabilize the cysteine residues, and thereby prevent the formation of disulfide bridges, in a polypeptide produced by recombinant means in a manner that allows the polypeptide to be recovered with the disulfide bridges unformed.

Abstract: A bacterial &agr;1,2-fucosyltransferase gene and deduced amino acid sequence is provided. The gene is useful for preparing &agr;1,2-fucosyltransferase polypeptide, and active fragment thereof, which can be used in the production of oligosaccharides such as Lewis X, Lewis Y, Lewis B and H type 1, which are structurally similar to certain tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens found in mammals. These product glycoconjugates also have research and diagnostic utility in the development of assays to detect mammalian tumors.

Abstract: The production of thermostable xylanses having bacterial origin is described. These compositions are useful for modifying plant biomass and for enzyme-aided bleaching of wood pulp.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for preparing D-pantothenic acid using Coryneform bacteria having an enhanced pfkA gene.