Abstract: Provided are compositions, e.g., multiplexed platforms or systems, to screen for molecules, e.g., small molecule active agents such as drugs, that inhibit enzymes such as proteases. Provided are cell-based or multiplexed platforms for monitoring or assay the activity of a protease. Provided are cell-based assays and multiplexed systems for the monitoring of enzyme, activity such as proteolytic cleavage on the cell surface, where optionally the protein, e.g., an enzyme, can be naturally expressed on the cell surface or engineered to be expressed on the cell's surface. Provided are cells and stable cell lines expressing an “assay construct” and an enzyme of interest, where optionally one cell or cell line expresses both the “assay construct” and the enzyme, or two different cells or independent cell lines are used and mixed in the assay, where one expresses the “assay construct” with the enzyme substrate and the second expressing the enzyme.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating a protein to be renatured, including: (1) mixing the protein to be renatured with a denaturing solution containing a denaturing reagent; (2) incubating a resulting mixture at such a low temperature that the denaturing agent is gradually precipitated from the denaturing solution, resulting in a decreasing concentration gradient of the denaturing agent and an increasing concentration of a renatured protein or its precursor in the denaturing solution with a decreasing volume; and (3) obtaining at least one of the renatured protein and its precursor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a protein purification system and methods of using the system. In particular, disclosed is a split intein comprising an N-terminal intein segment, which can be immobilized, and a C-terminal intent segment, which has the property of being self-cleaving, and which can be attached to a protein of interest. Through the self-cleaving mechanism of the intein, the protein of interest can be purified.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of cell disruption and release of biomolecules from a cell. The invention comprises the use of positively and/or negatively charged microparticles comprising ground resin. It is particularly useful for purification of biomolecules from cell culture.

Abstract: Provided is an enzymatic process for the preparation of a mercaptan of formula R—SH from disulfides utilizing hydrogen.

Abstract: A fusion protein based on the heavy chain of human ferritin is described, which includes at the N terminus of the protein at least one metalloproteinase cleavage sequence and a PAS polypeptide that acts as a masking polymer that increases the protein-drug stability, as well as a nanoparticle composed of multiple monomers of said fusion protein, a nucleic acid encoding for said fusion protein, and diagnostic and therapeutic applications thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein is a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a methanol metabolic pathway that can enhance the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of methanol. Such reducing equivalents can be used to increase the product yield of organic compounds produced by the microbial organism, such as succinate. Also provided herein are methods for using such an organism to produce succinate.

Abstract: Provided herein is a thermolabile proteinase and methods of using the same. In some embodiments, the thermolabile proteinase may comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to any of SEQ ID NOs:1-11 and at least one amino acid substitution in helix 3. The thermolabile proteinase is active at a temperature in the range of 4° C.-40° C. and is inactivated by raising the temperature to above 50° C., where the proteinase is substantially inactive at 65° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugation-competent albumins and albumin-related polypeptides, and their conjugates with at least one moiety, and to polynucleotides encoding them.

Abstract: A protein comprising a moiety of 100-160 amino acid residues having at least 70% identity with the N-terminal (NT) fragment of a spider silk protein, wherein the amino acid residue corresponding to position 40 in NT is selected from the group consisting of Lys, Arg and His; and wherein the amino acid residue corresponding to position 65 in NT is selected from the group consisting of Asp and Glu, is useful as a moiety in a fusion protein for enhancing the solubility of another moiety in the fusion protein, which is a desired protein or polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to non-cytotoxic protein conjugates for inhibition or reduction of exocytic fusion in a nociceptive sensory afferent cell. The protein conjugates comprise: (i) a Targeting Moiety (TM), wherein the TM is an agonist of a receptor present on a nociceptive sensory afferent cell, and wherein the receptor undergoes endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; (ii) a non-cytotoxic protease or a fragment thereof, wherein the protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; and (iii) a Translocation Domain, wherein the Translocation Domain translocates the protease or protease fragment from within the endosome, across the endosomal membrane, and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell wherein the Targeting Moiety is selected from the group consisting of BAM, ?-endorphin, bradykinin, substance P, dynorphin and/or nociceptin.

Abstract: A method of processing a protein in an acid solution is disclosed. The processed protein exhibits various optimized properties including crystallinity, thermal stability, bio-stability, and elastic modulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a mechanism to reduce glycerol production and increase nitrogen utilization and ethanol production of recombinant microorganisms. One aspect of this invention relates to strains of S. cerevisiae with reduced glycerol productivity that get a kinetic benefit from higher nitrogen concentration without sacrificing ethanol yield. A second aspect of the invention relates to metabolic modifications resulting in altered transport and/or intracellular metabolism of nitrogen sources present in com mash.

Abstract: A method of producing a desired non-spidroin protein or polypeptide is comprising the steps of expressing in a suitable host a fusion protein, obtaining a mixture containing the fusion protein, and optionally isolating the fusion protein. The fusion protein is comprising at least one solubility-enhancing moiety which is derived from the N-terminal (NT) fragment of a spider silk protein. It is further comprising at least one moiety which is a desired non-spidroin protein or polypeptide. Each solubility-enhancing moiety is linked directly or indirectly to the desired protein or polypeptide moiety.

Abstract: An engineered enzyme, comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of a human beta-glucuronidase, wherein the engineered enzyme exhibits a higher level of alpha-iduronidase enzymatic activity as compared to the human beta-glucuronidase.

Abstract: To efficiently analyze interaction and function between proteins, the present invention relates to a method for forming a light-induced protein nanocluster, comprising: an expression vector preparation step of preparing a first expression vector including polynucleotides coding a first fusion protein including a light-induced heterodimer-forming protein and a first self-assembly protein, and a second expression vector including polynucleotides coding a couple protein that forms a homodimer with said light-induced heterodimer-forming protein, or a second fusion protein including said couple protein and a second self-assembly protein; a transformed cell, tissue or individual preparation step of transforming cells, tissues or individuals using said first expression vector and second expression vector; and a light radiation step of radiating light having a wavelength for inducing the formation of heterodimer between said light-induced heterodimer-forming protein and said couple protein, to said transformed cells,

Abstract: A composition and method for preventing or reducing the incidence of a transient ischemic attack in a subject at risk for developing a stroke comprises orally administering to the subject a prophylactically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an ASIC1a inhibitor capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier. Preferred ASIC1a inhibitors for use in the disclosed methods include amiloride and amiloride analogs.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to the biological process of protein ubiquitination and particularly, but not exclusively, to compositions and methods for studying protein ubiquitination and developing therapeutics to modulate protein ubiquitination.

Abstract: The invention relates to an albumin-purification method comprising a step consisting in subjecting an aqueous albumin solution, with a concentration of between 15 g/l and 80 g/l and a pH of not less than 7, to nanofiltration in a temperature range of between 15 DEG C. and 55 DEG C. The invention also relates to: a virally-safe aqueous albumin solution which can be obtained using the inventive method and in which the sites for the transport and binding of the active therapeutic ingredients of the albumin are available; and an albumin composition for therapeutic use, which is obtained by adapting the albumin solution that is intended for clinical use.

Abstract: Provided is an enzymatic process for preparing L-methionine from diethyl disulfide.