Abstract: The invention is based on the finding that furin belongs to a family of endoproteolytically active enzymes and relates to a process for the in vitro cleavage of a protein by treating the protein in the presence of Ca.sup.2+ ions with furin or furin like enzyme, or enzymatically active fragment, derivative or fusion protein of furin or furin-like enzyme.

Abstract: A subtilin mutant substituting isoleucine for Glu.sub.4 of the native sequence (SEQ ID NO: 7) exhibits a 57-fold improvement in stability, resisting modification of the dehydroalanine residue at position 5. This stable mutant exhibits 3-4 times the specific activity, in suppression of bacterial spore outgrowth, of the native bacteriocin. A method for site-specific mutagenesis, as well as the resulting mutant gene, plasmid and transformant is similarly set forth.

Abstract: Methods for detecting glucagon antagonists through the use of recombinant DNA techniques are provided. Briefly, subsequent to the expression of glucagon analogs within suitable host cells, the analogs are exposed to a glucagon receptor coupled to a response pathway in the presence of native glucagon. A reduction in the stimulation of the response pathway resulting from the binding of the glucagon analog to the glucagon receptor relative to the stimulation of the response pathway by native glucagon alone indicates the presence of a glucagon antagonist. Glucagon antagonists identified and isolated through the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel microbe and genes encoding novel toxin proteins with activity against cockroaches. Cockroaches are common house pests, and they create problems in hospitals, the food industry and in agriculture. The novel Bacillus thuringiensis microbe of the invention is referred to as B.t. PS185L8. The subject invention also concerns the use of B.t. PS201T6 to control cockroaches. A truncated form of a toxin obtained from PS201T6 having particular activity to cockroaches is also claimed for use in controlling the pest. The spores or crystals of the two microbes, or mutants thereof, are useful to control cockroaches in various environments. The genes of the invention can be used to transform various hosts wherein the novel toxic proteins can be expressed.

Abstract: One or more amino acid residues within the reactive site region of protease nexin-I are altered in order to create analogs or variants of protease nexin-I. These analogs have substantially different protease specificities as well as different effects on regulating the activity of proteolytic enzymes which enzymes have substantial effects on a number of different physiological functions. Formulations containing the protease nexin-I variants and methods for administering these formulations to obtain desirable therapeutic results are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of .alpha.-acetolactate and/or diacetyl, wherein a recombinant micro-organism containing an .alpha.-acetolactate synthase-encoding sequence is incubated in a medium containing an .alpha.-acetolactate precursor. The invention also provides a recombinant vector comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for an enzyme, which vector upon transfer into a host micro-organism enables expression of the nucleotide sequence in the host micro-organism, wherein the enzyme has .alpha.-acetolactate synthase activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel protease-inhibitor,--which we called GELIN--and to pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations thereof, containing this compound. GELIN is an inhibitor of human and porcine leucocyte elastase and chymotrypsin. GELIN has specific antibiotic properties. It also relates to the novel use of EGLIN, another chymotrypsin-inhibitor in cosmetic preparations.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel peptides which have the property of interfering with the biosynthesis of the enzyme trypsin. This property enables the use of these peptides to, for example, inhibit the formation of progeny in blood-ingesting insects, since trypsin is an essential enzyme for food digestion which provides the essential building blocks for egg development in such insects.

Abstract: A GL-7ACA acylase having the following characteristics:(a) has ability to catalyze the enzymatic conversion of glutaryl 7-ACA, adipyl 7-ACA, and succinyl 7-ACA, into 7-aminocephalosporanic acid,(b) has a molecular weight of 70,000 dalton (SDS-PAGE) and(c) has N-terminal amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) thereof: Gln-Ser-Glu-Gln-Glu-Lys-Ala-Glu-Glu-.A process for producing GL-7ACA acylase is also provided.

Abstract: Two genes encoding the predominant polypeptides of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thompsoni cuboidal crystals were cloned in Escherichia coli and sequenced. The new class of crystal proteins have electrophoretic mobilities of 40 and 34 kilodaltons (kDa) with the deduced amino-acid sequences predicting molecular masses of 35,384 and 37,505 daltons, respectively. No statistically significant similarities were detected for the 40 kDa and 34 kDa crystal proteins to any other characterized Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein or to each other. A 100 MDa plasmid encodes both crystal protein genes, which appear to be part of an operon with the 40 kDa gene 64 nucleotides upstream of the 34 kDa gene. Both crystal proteins are synthesized in approximately the same amounts. Even though small, compared to other crystal proteins, the 34 kDa crystal protein has insecticidal activity against lepidopteran larvae (Manduca sexta).

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel microbe and genes encoding novel toxin proteins with activity against cockroaches. Cockroaches are common house pests, and they create problems in hospitals, the food industry and in agriculture. The novel Bacillus thuringiensis microbe of the invention is referred to as B.t. PS185L8. The subject invention also concerns the use of PS201T6 to control cockroaches. The spores or crystals of these microbes, or variants thereof, are useful to control cockroaches in various environments. The genes of the invention can be used to transform various hosts wherein the novel toxic proteins can be expressed.

Abstract: A Bacillus cell containing a mutation in the residual protease III (rp-III) gene resulting in the inhibition of the production by the cell of proteolytically active RP-III.

Abstract: Certain known and available strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) have been found to have activity against coleopteran pests. Previously, these strains were not known to have any insecticidal properties. The B.t. strains can be used in various environments to control coleopteran pests, e.g., the Colorado Potato Beetle. Also described are novel toxins, and genes coding for these toxins, which have coleopteran activity.