Abstract: The present invention provides an ?-keto acid reductase isolated from Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum, and a DNA encoding the reductase. The enzyme and homologs thereof reduce ?-keto acids under the presence of NADH to produce optically active ?-hydroxy acids. The ?-hydroxy acids of the present invention include optically active mandelic acid derivatives of formula II.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water-soluble PQQGDH wherein two subunits are linked together via a disulfide bond. The water-soluble PQQGDH of the invention exhibits improved thermal stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating conception in animals. More particularly, the composition modulates mRNA degradation during gametogenesis and early development. Yet further, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for modulating diseases of the reproductive organs, such as hyperproliferative diseases.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having P450 activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, antibodies that bind to these polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The P450 enzymes can be used to catalyze the hydrolysis of epoxides and arene oxides to their corresponding diols.

Abstract: A substantially pure culture of a microorganism having enzyme activities of pyrG and CCT and carrying a recombinant DNA composed of a DNA fragment containing genes encoding pryG and CCT and a vector.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding cytochrome P450 variants are provided. The cytochrome P450 variants of have a higher alkane-oxidation capability, alkene-oxidation capability, and/or a higher organic-solvent resistance than the corresponding wild-type or parent cytochrome P450 enzyme. A preferred wild-type cytochrome P450 is cytochrome P450 BM-3. Preferred cytochrome P450 variants include those having an improved capability to hydroxylate alkanes and epoxidate alkenes comprising less than 8 carbons, and have amino acid substitutions corresponding to V78A, H236Q, and E252G of cytochrome P450 BM-3. Preferred cytochrome P450 variants also include those having an improved hydroxylation activity in solutions comprising co-solvents such as DMSO and THF, and have amino acid substitutions corresponding to T235A, R471A, E494K, and S1024E of cytochrome P450 BM-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of conjugated linoleic acid and a process for the production of triglycerides with an increased content of conjugated linoleic acid. Moreover, the invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence; a nucleic acid construct, a vector and transgenic organisms comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence or one nucleic acid construct which encodes a polypeptide with conjugated linoleic isomerase activity. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a microorganism of the genus Bifidobacterium as a probiotic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to canine COX-1 and COX-2 proteins; to canine COX-1 and COX-2 nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such COX-1 and COX-2 proteins, respectively; to antibodies raised against such proteins; and to compounds that inhibit the activity of such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such inhibitory compounds, particularly those that specifically inhibit COX-2 activity, as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to treat animals.

Abstract: Glucose oxidase enzymes are provided, including novel variants of galactose oxidase enzymes. The polynucleotides that encode these novel variants can be expressed in recombinant host cell expression systems. The novel variant oxidase enzymes are capable of oxidizing compounds towards which wild-type galactose oxidase (e.g. D-galactose: oxygen 6-oxidoreductase, GAO; EC 1.1.3.9) has little or no activity. Preferred galactose oxidase variants are those which that have improved capability to oxidize secondary alcohols and/or D-glucose relative to the wild-type enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new strain of Pseudomonas putida (designated as HI-70) and to the isolation, cloning, and sequencing of a cyclododecanone monooxygenase-encoding gene (named cdnB) from said strain. The invention also relates to a new cyclododecanone monooxygenase and to a method of use of the cyclododecanone monooxygenase-encoding gene.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing a substrate which is an acyclic or cyclic terpene, or a cycloalkene; or a substituted derivative thereof, which process comprises oxidizing said compound with a mutant haem-containing enzyme, the mutant comprising the substitution of an amino acid in the active site by an amino acid with a less polar side-chain. The enzyme is typically P450cam or P450BM-3. Cells and libraries of cells in which the process can be carried out or which can be used to select advantageous mutant enzymes are also provided.

Abstract: Variants of the ? subunit of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), nucleic acids encoding such variants, and methods for their use are provided. The AMPK variants include splice variants that have an additional exon in the AMPK mRNA, and thus have an additional 15 amino acid residues in the encoded polypeptide. The AMPK variants can, for example, have at least 75% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, and can contain an amino acid sequence having at least 75% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel lysyl oxidase genes, termed EER-7. The invention relates to the protein and nucleic acids encoding the protein. The invention further relates to an assay system to identify compounds that selectively modulate EER-7 protein activity by interaction with estrogen receptors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proteases of high specific activity homologous to proteases derived from Nocardiopsis, and the production thereof by the wild-type, and in recombinant host cells including transgenic plants and non-human transgenic animals. The proteases are effective in animal feed, and detergents. Characteristic structural features of relevance for the specific activity of these proteases of peptidase family S2A or S1E are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides (R)-2-octanol dehydrogenase that catalyzes oxidation-reduction reaction using NAD+ (NADH) as a coenzyme and the genes that encodes them. The enzymes of this invention can be obtained from microorganisms such as the genera Pichia, Candida, and Ogataea, and so on. It is possible to produce alcohols, in particular, alcohols such as (S)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyric acid esters and (R)-propoxybenzene derivatives by reducing ketones with this (R)-2-octanol dehydrogenase. Moreover, the (R)-2-octanol dehydrogenase of this invention is excellent in activity and stereoselectivity.

Abstract: An organic nitrogen-containing composition comprising fermentation mother liquor obtained by culturing a microorganism having L-glutamic acid-producing ability in a liquid medium of which pH is adjusted to a condition under which L-glutamic acid is allowed to be precipitated, to allow L-glutamic acid to be produced and accumulated with precipitation of L-glutamic acid accompanied, and then separating L-glutamic acid from the medium.

Abstract: A fibrinolytically active metalloproteinase polypeptide (called “novel acting thrombolytic”) which is useful for blood clot lysis in vivo and methods and materials for its production by recombinant expression are described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nucleotide sequence encoding D-amino oxidase (D-AAO, EC 1.4.3.3) from Arthrobacter protophormiae. This may be inserted into an expression and used to transform a microbial host. The transformed microbial hosts ecomically produce D-AAO which may be used to oxidize D-amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for producing hydroxynitrile lyases. A process is provided whereby hydroxynitrile lyases may be produced by cultivation in bacteria or suitable host cells. Cells containing a gene encoding for a hydroxynitrile lyase may be precultivated, induced with a low concentration of IPTG, cultured, and lysed. The process allows for the production of relatively large quantities of hydroxynitrile lyases in a dissolved, native, and active form, and without the presence of substantial amounts of inclusion bodies, and thus allowing for the production of the lyases without requiring expensive and time consuming renaturation steps.

Abstract: This invention relates to new members of the human Claudin polypeptide family, to methods of making such polypeptides, and to methods of using them to treat Claudin-associated conditions and to identify agents that alter Claudin polypeptide activities.