Abstract: The present disclosure includes genetically engineered, non-pathogenic Streptomyces bacterium with exogenous, non-native Thaxtomin A (ThxA) biosynthetic gene clusters conferring the genetically engineered, non-pathogenic Streptomyces bacterium with the ability to produce thaxtomin A. Also included are methods of providing thaxtomin producing capability in non-native Streptomyces bacterial strains, methods of producing thaxtomin compounds with the genetically engineered Streptomyces bacteria of the present disclosure, and methods of producing thaxtomin compounds and nitro-tryptophan analogs, and fluorinated thaxtomin compounds, analogs, and intermediates with the genetically engineered Streptomyces bacteria of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an active form of a long-acting insulin analogue derivative, in which the amino acid at position 22 of the insulin B-chain is substituted from arginine (Arg) to lysine (Lys), so that the insulin analogue can be converted to an active form without cleavage of the B-chain even when it is reacted with clostripain. In a conventional method of converting pro-insulin to an active form by use of trypsin, an albumin binding domain is cleaved, making it difficult to convert the long-acting insulin analogue derivative to an active form. The production method according to the present invention overcomes this difficulty, and thus it can be effectively used for the production of a long-acting therapeutic agent for treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel allergens isolated from grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, recombinant or modified polypeptides comprising such allergens, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides as well as related compositions. Also provided are methods and kits for diagnosing fish allergy.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions with enhanced protein specific activity, protein combinations and methods for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: Provided are a composition for cell transplant and a method for cell transplant, both of which enable a myocardial tissue to favorably retain cardiac myocytes and/or cardiac progenitors and can improve the persistence and proliferation of transplanted cells. The composition for cell transplant of the present invention is a composition for cell transplant, containing cells and an aqueous solution containing a protein (A), the cells including a cardiac myocyte and/or a cardiac progenitor, the protein (A) having a degree of hydrophobicity of 0.2 to 1.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to the field of molecular means capable of binding calcium, in particular peptides which are calcium chelators, appropriate for use in vitro or in vivo and preferably capable of targeting specific cellular compartments. Polypeptide comprising a first calcium-binding domain, a peptide linker and a second calcium binding domain, wherein the first and second binding domains are linked through the peptide linker, and wherein: the first calcium-binding domain and the second calcium binding domain each comprise at least one calcium-binding site derived from a EF-hand motif; and, the first calcium-binding domain and the second calcium binding domain differ in at least one calcium-binding site.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered penicillin G acylase (PGA) enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the enzymes, compositions comprising the enzymes, and methods of using the engineered PGA enzymes.

Abstract: A method for producing at least one microneedle containing a vaccine for transdermal delivery of the vaccine to a patient includes preparing microparticles or nanoparticles of encapsulated vaccine by preparing a solution comprising a vaccine antigen and a biocompatible polymer matrix; and spray drying the solution to form the microparticles or nanoparticles. The method includes the further steps of preparing a film composition including at least one pre-polymer solution; preparing a suspension comprising the microparticles or nanoparticles and the film composition; loading the suspension into a 3D printer; printing, via the 3D printer, at least one microneedle made from the suspension; and, converting the pre-polymer solution into a cross-linked biopolymer by exposing the at least one microneedle to UV light. Also disclosed are microneedles containing a vaccine for transdermal delivery.

Abstract: Provided are u-PA polypeptides and fusion proteins containing the u-PA polypeptides. The u-PA polypeptides are modified to have altered activity and/or specificity so that they cleave a complement protein, such as complement protein C3, to thereby inhibit complement activation. The modified u-PA polypeptides and fusion proteins that inhibit complement activation can be used for treatment of diseases and conditions that are mediated by complement activation, or in which complement activation plays a role. These disorders include ischemic and reperfusion disorders, including myocardial infarction and stroke, sepsis, autoimmune diseases, diabetic retinopathies, age-related macular degeneration, transplanted organ rejection, inflammatory diseases and diseases with an inflammatory component.

Abstract: Provided nucleic acid-based expression construct for the target cell-specific production of a therapeutic protein, such as a pro-apoptotic protein, within a target cell, including a target cell that is associated with aging, disease, or other condition, in particular a target cell that is a senescent cell or a cancer cell.

Abstract: Glycan-binding proteins, and compositions thereof, are generally described, including methods of making and using such proteins. The proteins may include scaffolds based on easily evolvable DNA-binding proteins, with binding sites able to specifically bind to mono- or disaccharides, such as monosaccharide-binding determinants, disaccharide-binding determinants, more complex carbohydrates, etc. In certain aspects, a protein may be generated starting from a small DNA-binding protein, such as Sso7d. Such glycan-binding proteins may have numerous applications, including in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), glycan characterization, cell selection, flow cytometry, histology, imaging, arrays, affinity purification, enzyme-linked visualization, binding to a target for pharmaceutical purposes, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel peptide or a partial sequence thereof for enhancing expression efficiency of a target protein, and a fusion protein comprising the same. The novel peptide according to the present invention can enhance expression efficiency of a target protein, and furthermore, the peptide can also be applied to a solubility-enhancing fusion protein in order to enhance solubility of the target protein, so that solubility as well as expression efficiency of the target protein is enhanced, which allows such a peptide to be usefully used for production of a recombinant target protein.

Abstract: A connecting polypeptide has SEQ ID NO:73. A proinsulin polypeptide includes a mature insulin A-chain, a mature insulin B-chain, and a connecting peptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 73 linking the mature A-chain and the mature B-chain, wherein the connecting peptide is not a native human proinsulin C-peptide. The proinsulin polypeptides according to the invention can be made in high titers and in high purity.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for improving the manufacturing of silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silkworm cocoons. The solutions and powders can be used to improve the post-harvest preservation of perishables and to improve the performance of packaging, including biodegradable packaging.

Abstract: A method for purification of a sulfatase using metal chelating chromatography without using tags such as His-tag, etc. is disclosed. An embodiment provides a method for purifying a sulfatase including the steps of: (a) providing a sulfatase-containing solution comprising one or a plurality of impurities; (b) performing a first chromatographic separation of the sulfatase-containing solution using a metal affinity chromatography resin; (c) performing a second chromatographic separation using a cation exchange chromatography resin; and (d) performing a final chromatographic separation using an anion exchange chromatography resin, wherein the impurities are removed thereby.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel endoprotease, mutants thereof having binding but lacking or having reduced hydrolyzing activity, and use in methods of studying and isolating O-linked glycoproteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to designed ankyrin repeat domains with altered surface residues, as well as to proteins comprising such a designed ankyrin repeat domain, nucleic acids encoding such domains or proteins, methods of preparing such proteins, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such proteins or nucleic acids, and the use of such proteins, nucleic acids or pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment of diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered human extracellular DNASE proteins (e.g., variants of DNASE1 (D1), DNASE1-LIKE 1 (D1L1), DNASE1-LIKE 2 (DTL2), DNASE1-LIKE 3 Isoform 1 (DTL3), DNASE1-LIKE 3 Isoform 2 (DTL3-2), DNASE2A (D2A), and DNASE2B (D2B)) that are useful for treating conditions characterized by neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) accumulation and/or release. In accordance with the invention, the DNase variant has advantages for therapy and/or large-scale manufacturing.

Abstract: This application discloses a composition comprising an amiloride and/or an amiloride analog which can be used for reducing nerve injury or nervous system injury in a subject. The formulation of such composition is also disclosed. The application further directs to methods for treating nerve injury or nervous system injury by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising amiloride, an amiloride analog or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: To provide a collagen sponge excellent in mechanical strength and a production method for the collagen sponge. A collagen sponge including a porous construct having a pore structure, the collagen sponge having a tensile strength of 1 N or more and 5 N or less in every direction including a length direction and a width direction. The collagen sponge may be produced by a production method including the following steps: (1) a step of subjecting a collagen solution obtained by mixing collagen and a solvent to stirring and deaeration treatment; (2) a step of subjecting the collagen solution to freeze-dry treatment; and (3) a step of subjecting a dried collagen product after the freeze-dry treatment to insoluble treatment.