Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel thermostable N-acylamino acid racemase (NAAAR) isolated from Deinococcus radiodurans NCHU1003, the coding sequence and the preparation thereof. The present invention also discloses the process for preparing highly optically pure L-amino acids, such as L-homophenylalanine (L-HPA) and the derivatives thereof, from N-protected amino acid by using the novel NAAAR combined with L-N-carbamoylase.

Abstract: A recombinant Drosophila melanogaster deoxynucleoside kinase that remains stable during the synthesis of nucleoside monophosphate without the addition of stabilizing SH reagents or stabilizing proteins, and that accepts all four natural deoxynucleotides is provided. In addition, the invention concerns DNA sequences, vectors, transformed cells, a method for production of the recombinant kinase as well as its use for preparing nucleoside monophosphates.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to (i) a gene isolated from Cellulomonas sp.JCM2471, the gene encoding a new glycerol kinase and (ii) a method for preparing the glycerol kinase by gene recombination technique, A Glycerol kinase which has high resistance against preservative, a recombinant vector comprising a gene encoding the glycerol kinase, a transformant prepared by transforming a host cell with the recombinant vector, and a method for producing the glycerol kinase, including culturing the transformant to produce glycerol kinase, and collecting the resulting glycerol kinase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding plant cyclotides. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the plant cyclotides, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in the production of altered levels of plant cyclotides in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide having analgesic and antitumor activity derived from the scorpion and partial fragment, derivative or analogue thereof having analgesic and antitumor activity, and preparation method and use thereof. The peptide having analgesic and antitumor activity is obtained by extraction, isolation and purification from the scorpion or scorpion venom. The peptide having analgesic and antitumor activity derived from the scorpion and partial fragment, derivative or analogue thereof can be obtained by chemical synthesis method or bioengineering method. The peptide having analgesic and antitumor activity derived from the scorpion and partial fragment, derivative or analogue thereof is used as the analgesic and antitumor drugs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray crystallography studies of a human Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) domain. More particularly, it relates to the crystal structure of a JAK2 kinase domain bound to a inhibitor. The invention further relates to the use of the crystal and related structural information to select and screen for compounds that interact with JAK2 and related proteins and to compounds that could be used for the treatment of diseases mediated by inappropriate JAK2 activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, peptide compositions and methods for treating and preventing Flaviviridae virus (e.g., hepatitis C virus) infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated leukotriene A4 (LTA4) hydrolase, which LTA4 hydrolase is present in its naturally occurring three dimensional form. It is the first three-dimensional structure of any protein component of the leukotriene cascade and enables a description of the structural basis and molecular mechanisms for the two catalytic activities of LTA4 hydrolase. Further, the invention also relates to LTA4 hydrolase complexed with an inhibitor. The structural information provided by the present invention will make possible rational design of enzyme inhibitors, which may be developed into clinically useful anti-inflammatory drugs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of L-amino acids by the fermentation of recombinant microorganisms of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The microorganisms produce the desired L-amino acid and overexpress the E. coli or S. typhimurium yibD gene encoding the putative glycosyl transferase enzyme. The microorganisms are cultivated in a medium under conditions in which the desired L-amino acid is enriched in the medium or in the cells. The amino acid is then isolated, optionally with constituents of the fermentation broth, and/or all or part (?0 to 100%) of the biomass.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods for growing crystals of both the uncomplexed and complexed forms of ?-secretase (BACE) polypeptide. The present application also relates to crystalline forms of uncomplexed BACE and the three-dimensional structure of BACE, as determined from the crystals. In addition, the present application relates to the use of crystalline forms of BACE to identify ligands, preferably inhibitors (antagonists), which bind to, and preferably inhibit the enzymatic activity of, BACE. Furthermore, the present application relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding human BACE polypeptide, and methods for making BACE in greater quantity than prior methods, resulting in more effective crystallization.

Abstract: Provided are crystals relating to Farsenyl Pvrophosphate Synthase (IspA) from E. coli and its various uses.

Abstract: Provided are crystals relating to human phosphodiesterase 4-D3 (PDE4-D3), methods for forming crystals comprising PDE4-D3 and crystals comprising PDE4-D3 co-crystallized with a ligand molecule, and methods of using crystals comprising PDE4-D3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crystallized form of the E223Q Y365F mutant of the light chain of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) protein as well as the atomic structure of this mutant protein. The present invention also provides crystals of the E223Q Y365F mutant of the BoNT/A light chain in complex with the SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) domain of the SNAP-25 (synaptosome-associated protein-25 kDa) protein as well as the atomic structure of this complex. The present invention further provides a method of determining whether an agent mimics a region of the SNAP-25 protein that interacts with BoNT/A. With this method, a three-dimensional representation of the SNAP-25 region is used to computationally compare the agent with the three-dimensional representation of the SNAP-25 region.

Abstract: It is intended to provide amino acid transporters which act as a single molecule and transport neutral amino acids typified by branched amino acids, and genes thereof. A protein consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6 or 8 or an amino acid sequence derived from an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6 or 8 by deletion, substitution or addition of one to several amino acids, and being capable of sodium-independently transporting neutral amino acids typified by branched amino acids and analogs thereof as a single molecule. A gene which is a DNA consisting of a base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5 or 7 or a DNA hybridizable with it and encodes a protein capable of sodium-independently transporting branched amino acids as a single molecule.

Abstract: Crystalline forms of mammalian Glucokinase, ideally human liver isozyme source, of sufficient size and quality to obtain structural data by X-ray crystallography are presented. Methods of growing such crystals are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are crystals relating to the carboxyltransferase domain of human Acetyl-Coenzyme A Carboxylase 2 and its various uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene that codes for a protein, wherein the protein is an anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase, which is an enzyme that transfers a glycoside to the 5 position of a flavonoid. The disclosed anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferases were isolated from Perilla fruescens, Verbena hybrida, Torenia hybrida, and Petunia hybrida. Also disclosed are genes that code for a protein having a modified amino acid sequence relative to the above amino acid sequence and having activity that transfers a glycoside to the 5 position of a flavonoid, and a process for producing the above protein using said gene. This gene can be used to artificially alter the color of plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gene isolated from E. coli, dep, which confers resistance to the antibacterial activity of 4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one (DHCP). The invention further relates to the putative protein encoded by dep, which is a hydrophobic, transmembrane efflux protein specific for DHCP. The invention further relates to plasmids containing the dep gene, and to bacterial cells expressing dep. Furthermore, the invention provides applications for use in conferring resistance to antibacterial activity in organisms. The dep gene can be used to identify compounds which inhibit the efflux activity responsible for the resistance to DHCP or to compounds which are functionally equivalent to DHCP.

Abstract: Genetic and biochemical characterization of the leinamycin biosynthesis gene cluster from Streptomyces atroolivaceus S-140 revealed two PKS genes, lnmI and lnmJ, that encode six PKS modules, none of which contains a cognate AT domain. The AT activity is provided in trans by a discrete protein, LnmG, which loads the malonyl coenzyme A extender unit onto the ACP domains of all six PKS modules. This finding provides a basis for methods of engineering modular polyketide synthases and polyketide synthase/nonribosomal peptide synthetases.

Abstract: Protein engineered CrtO ketolases isolated from Rhodococcus erythropolis AN12 are provided having increased carotenoid ketolase activity. Methods using the present CrtO ketolases are also provided for increasing ketocarotenoid production in suitable production hosts.