Abstract: A method for controlling and modifying biopolymer synthesis by manipulation of the genetics and enzymology of synthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polyesters at the molecular level in procaryotic and eukaryotic cells, especially plants. Examples demonstrate the isolation, characterization, and expression of the genes involved in the production of PHB and PHA polymers. Genes encoding the enzymes in the PHB and PHA synthetic pathway (beta-ketothiolase, acetoacetyl-CoA reductase and PHB polymerase or PHA polymerase) from Zoogloea ramigera strain I-16-M, Alcaligenes eutrophus, Nocardia salmonicolur, and Psuedomonas olevarans were identified or isolated and expressed in a non-PHB producing organism, E. coli. Specific modifications to the polymers include variation in the chain length of the polymers and incorporation of different monomers into the polymers to produce co-polymers with different physical properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids isolated from Tetrahymena which code for a ciliate-specific triterpenoid cyclase. The inventive nucleotide sequences and the polypeptide sequences derived therefrom demonstrate a surprisingly minimal sequence identity to known isoprenoid cyclases. The invention also relates to the use of nucleic acids for the regulation of triterpenoid cyclase expression in a host organism, as well as the targeted knockout or repriming of the triterpenoid cyclase gene. As a result of the altered expression of the triterpenoid cyclase, it is possible to modify and enrich the levels of multiple unsaturated fatty acids in the host organism.

Abstract: Noval human polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences are disclosed that can be used in industrial, therapeutic, diagnostic, and pharmacogenomic applications.

Abstract: A restriction endonuclease having one DNA binding site is proposed, synthesized from a restriction endonuclease that has one C-terminal domain and one N-terminal domain and two DNA binding sites, by proteolytic cleavage into the two domains or by cloning the gene segment that codes for the domains and expression of the domains and selection of the endonucleolytic domains having one DNA binding site. In addition, a method of synthesis of the restriction endonuclease and its use are claimed.

Abstract: DNA for encoding a protein having D-hydantoinase activity which has a base sequence represented by Sequence ID No. 1 in the Sequence Listing. DNA for encoding a protein having D-carbamylase activity which has a base sequence represented by Sequence ID No. 3 in the Sequence Listing.

Abstract: An enzyme is re-engineered to be a zymogen, an enzyme precursor which is converted into an enzyme by protease cleavage. In the example described here, an RNase A enzyme is converted into a zymogen by adding to the enzyme a bridge of amino acids linking the amino and carboxyl termini of the enzyme. The bridge has built in it a protease cleavage site for a specific protease, for example the protease plasmepsin II, produced by the malaria parasite. Since RNase A can be made cytotoxic, this permits a cytotoxic enzyme to be made in the form of a zymogen that becomes active only when it is acted on by a protease only present in a particular target cell such as a pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing optically active amino acids from 5-substituted hydantoin by isolating a hydantoinase gene and an N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase gene involved in an ability to convert 5-substituted hydantoin or N-carbamylamino acid into optically active amino acids from a microorganism of the genus Microbacterium having the above ability and by improving gene amplification and transcriptional and translational activities thereby preparing a recombinant wherein the amount of the desired enzymes produced is increased. The hydantoinase gene is, for example, a DNA encoding for a protein having a hydantoinase activity, which has the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 in the Sequence. The N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase gene is, for example, a DNA encoding for a protein having an N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase activity, which has the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 in the Sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel variant EGIII or EGIII-like cellulases that have improved stability. The variant cellulases have performance sensitive residues replaced to a residue having modified stability.

Abstract: The invention provides T4 endonuclease V compositions that exhibit enhanced stability, including stability at non-refrigerated temperatures, through reduced activity of cryptic proteases. Methods for detecting cryptic protease activity and methods for reducing such activity are also provided.

Abstract: An esterase isolated from Aspergillus oryzae is capable of stereoselective hydrolysis of chiral esters and also has arylesterase activity (EC 3.1.1.2) and feruloyl esterase activity (EC 3.1.1.73). The esterase has only a limited homology to known amino acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides artificial endonucleases and methods to prepare and use those endonucleases.

Abstract: The invention relates to hESF I, II and III polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, methods for producing the polypeptides, in particular by expressing the polynucleotides, and agonists and antagonists of the polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods for utilizing such polynucleotides, polypeptides, agonists and antagonists for applications, which relate, in part, to research, diagnostic and clinical arts.

Abstract: Human choline acetyltransferase polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for the treatment of cognitive and neurological deficiencies or mental disturbances such as degenerative nervous system disorders, for example, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS and other cholinergic defects, and antagonists for treating Parkinson's Disease and other disorders relating to an over-expression of acetylcholine. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the human Choline Acetyltransferase nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The gene encoding a 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA transferase has been isolated from bacteria and integrated into the genome of bacteria also expressing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, to yield an improved production process for 4HB-containing polyhydroxyalkanoates using transgenic organisms, including both bacteria and plants. The new pathways provide means for producing 4HB containing PHAs from cheap carbon sources such as sugars and fatty acids, in high yields, which are stable. Useful strains are obtaining by screening strains having integrated into their genomes a gene encoding a 4HB-CoA transferase and/or PHA synthase, for polymer production. Processes for polymer production use recombinant systems that can utilize cheap substrates. Systems are provided which can utilize amino acid degradation pathways, ?-ketoglutarate, or succinate as substrate.

Abstract: Methods are provided for converting into a sequence specific strand specific and location specific DNA nicking endonuclease, a restriction endonuclease that recognizes an asymmetric DNA sequence, the endonuclease having two catalytic sites and one or more single sequence specific DNA-binding domains. In one embodiment the method requires inactivating one of the catalytic sites of the restriction endonuclease. In another embodiment, the restriction endonuclease is a dimer having a first and second subunit each comprising a sequence specific DNA binding domain, a catalytic site and a dimerization domain. The nicking endonuclease is formed from combining one subunit having an inactivated catalytic site and a second subunit having an inactivated DNA binding domain. The nicking endonuclease may be converted into a restriction endonuclease by the addition of manganese cations in the digestion buffer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a novel metalloproteases in gram positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for the metalloprotease. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding the metalloprotease. The present invention provides host cells which further comprises a nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides cleaning compositions, animal feeds and compositions used to treat a textile that include the metalloprotease of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amylases having improved washing performance in an alkaline detergent solution at low temperature. More specifically, the present invention provides novel ?-amylases from Bacillus sp. with improved performance in alkaline solutions, especially in alkaline detergent solutions at pH around 9–11.

Abstract: We describe here an in vitro method of increasing complementarity in a heteroduplex polynucleotide sequence. The method uses annealing of opposite strands to form a polynucleotide duplex with mismatches. The heteroduplex polynucleotide is combined with an effective amount of enzymes having strand cleavage activity, 3? to 5? exonuclease activity, and polymerase activity, and allowing sufficient time for the percentage of complementarity to be increased within the heteroduplex. Not all heteroduplex polynucleotides will necessarily have all mismatches resolved to complementarity. The resulting polynucleotide is optionally ligated. Several variant polynucleotides result. At sites where either of the opposite strands has templated recoding in the other strand, the resulting percent complementarity of the heteroduplex polynucleotide sequence is increased. The parent polynucleotides need not be cleaved into fragments prior to annealing heterologous strands. Therefore, no reassembly is required.

Abstract: A ketolase gene has been isolated from Rhodococcus erythropolis AN12 strain encoding a carotenoid modification enzyme of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. The gene and gene product are the first isolated from a Rhodococcus strain. Six conserved amino acid motifs have been identified as the characteristic of this type of ketolase enzymes. The gene and gene product of the present invention may be used in a variety of ways for the production of keto-carotenoid compounds in a variety of organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amidase enzyme, nucleic acids encoding the amidase, as well as methods of employing the nucleic acids and/or amidase to produce, for example, enantiomericallyenriched compounds such as D-amino acids.