Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformant, containing a lactate dehydrogenase gene which is introduced into Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a host, in which a part of a gene cluster encoding a pyruvate decarboxylase in the Schizosaccharomyces pombe host is deleted or inactivated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having phospholipase C activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel enzymes and the uses thereof. The invention also relates to methods of producing such enzymes, coding nucleic acid molecules, recombinant cells and methods of transforming biomass from such materials. The invention is particularly suited to degrade biomass and/or to improve biomass degradation, and to produce bioenergy products or recombinant proteins. This invention also relates to various applications of the enzymes in the field of paper industry, textile industry as well as in the chemical and medical fields.

Abstract: Provided are modified cellulase enzymes exhibiting increase cellulose-hydrolyzing activity in the presence of lignin and/or reduced binding to lignin comprising modified linker peptides comprising one or more amino acid substitutions, insertions, or deletions that result in (a) a decrease in the calculated isoelectric point of the linker peptide and/or (b) an increase in the ratio of threonine:serine in the linker peptide relative to a parental linker peptide from which said modified linker peptide is derived. Also provided are genetic constructs comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding for modified cellulase enzymes, methods for the production of the modified cellulase enzymes from host strains and a process for hydrolyzing cellulose with the modified cellulases in the presence of lignin.

Abstract: A composition includes an artificial construct having (a) a reporter-containing portion chemically coupled to (b) a cleavage site. The cleavage site interacts with an investigational substance in a manner that cleaves the reporter-containing portion from a remainder of the construct. The cleaved portion is destroyed or otherwise degraded by the local environment, and presence of an investigational substance is evidenced by reduction in signal from the reporter. The investigational substance is preferably a Botulinum toxin (BoTN), and the cleavage sequence is all or part of a SNARE protein. The cleavable reporter-containing portion is preferably Yellow Fluorescent Protein (YFP), Citrine, Venus, or a YPet protein.

Abstract: Polypeptides having nucleic acid binding activity are provided. Methods of using polypeptides having nucleic acid binding activity are provided. Fusion proteins and methods of using fusion proteins are provided. Fusion proteins comprising a polymerase and a nucleic acid binding polypeptide are provided. Fusion proteins comprising a reverse transcriptase and a nucleic acid binding polypeptide are provided. Methods are provided for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence using a fusion protein comprising a nucleic acid binding polypeptide and a polymerase. Methods are provided for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence using a fusion protein comprising a nucleic acid binding polypeptide and a reverse transcriptase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the production of peptides, and the peptides produced accordingly. Peptides produced according to the invention may be produced more efficiently than peptides produced according to prior art processes. The production process of the invention may lead to advantages in yield, purity, and/or price. Methods of marketing peptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to kinase inhibitor ligands and polyligands. In particular, the invention relates to ligands and polyligands that modulate ERK activity. The ligands and polyligands are utilized as research tools or as therapeutics. The invention includes linkage of the ligands and polyligands to a cellular localization signal, epitope tag and/or a reporter. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the ligands and polyligands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method capable of producing a natural or recombinant protein at low cost. The present invention relates to a method of producing a polypeptide, comprising culturing a cell which strongly expresses a taurine transporter and has a transferred DNA encoding a desired polypeptide and thereby allowing the cell to produce the polypeptide. Hamster taurine transporter, a DNA encoding the same, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide which has ?-glucosidase activity, and which includes an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence in which one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted, or added in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence having 90% or greater sequence identity with the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1. According to the present invention, a novel ?-glucosidase enzyme derived from Acremonium cellulolyticus, a polynucleotide encoding the ?-glucosidase, an expression vector for expressing the ?-glucosidase, a transformant incorporated with that expression vector, and a method for producing a cellulose degradation product using the ?-glucosidase can be provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transglutaminase having excellent stability. Also disclosed is a process for producing the transglutaminase. Specifically disclosed is a stabilized transglutaminase, which has such a structure in which a pro-sequence peptide of transglutaminase is bound to a mature transglutaminase. Also specifically disclosed is a process for producing stabilized transglutaminase, which includes the steps of: culturing a microorganism capable of producing transglutaminase under the conditions where transglutaminase can be produced; and separating and collecting matured transglutaminase having a pro-sequence peptide bound thereto from a culture medium.

Abstract: A novel glycosyl hydrolase with activities of beta-xylosidase and beta-glucosidase is provided. Said glycosyl hydrolase can convert 7-xylosyltaxane compounds to 7-hydroxyltaxane compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel peptide linkers and polypeptide compositions comprising the linkers (e.g., chimeric polypeptides) and methods of using the polypeptide compositions. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for targeting/delivering a polypeptide or protein of interest (e.g., a therapeutic polypeptide) to a cell, tissue or organ of interest in order to treat various diseases or disorders (e.g., lysosomal storage disorders).

Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms of corynebacterium which can utilize xylose and to a method for producing L-lysine using same. More particularly, the present invention relates to microorganisms of corynebacterium which are modified, in which genes encoding xylose isomerase and xylulokinase which are xylose synthases are introduced to express the xylose synthase. The present invention also relates to a method for producing L-lysine, comprising a step of culturing the modified microorganisms of corynebacterium using xylose as a carbon source, and recovering L-lysine from the culture.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing 3?-phosphoadenosine 5?-phosphosulfate (PAPS), the method including subjecting ATP to sulfation and phosphorylation by use of adenosine 5?-triphosphate sulfurylase (ATPS) and adenosine 5?-phosphosulfate kinase (APSK), wherein an adenosine 5?-triphosphate (ATP) supply/regeneration system including adenosine 5?-monophosphate (AMP), polyphosphate, polyphosphate-driven nucleoside 5?-diphosphate kinase (PNDK), and polyphosphate:AMP phosphotransferase (PAP), or an adenosine 5?-triphosphate (ATP) supply/regeneration system including adenosine 5?-monophosphate (AMP), polyphosphate, polyphosphate-driven nucleoside 5?-diphosphate kinase (PNDK), and adenylate kinase (ADK) is employed instead of ATP.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to proteins in which a heparin binding peptide is fused to a growth factor that promotes cell growth and survival. The compound thus formed is bound to the surface of cells which are then administered to damaged tissue. The growth factor is thereby maintained at the site of administration where it promotes repair.

Abstract: Healthcare costs are a significant worldwide, with many patients being denied medications because of their high prices. One approach to addressing this problem involves the biosynthesis of chiral drug intermediates, an environmentally friendly solution that can be used to generate pharmaceuticals at much lower costs than conventional techniques. In this context, embodiments of the invention comprise methods and materials designed to allow microorganisms to biosynthesize the nonnatural amino acid L-homoalanine. As is known in the art, L-homoalanine is a chiral precursor of a variety of pharmaceutically valuable compounds including the anticonvulsant medications levetiracetam (sold under the trade name Keppra®) and brivaracetam, as well as ethambutol, a bacteriostatic antimycobacterial drug used to treat tuberculosis. Consequently, embodiments of the invention can be used in low cost, environmentally friendly processes to generate these and other valuable compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel proteins having esterase activity, to mutants thereof, to nucleic acid sequences coding therefor, to expression cassettes, vectors and recombinant microorganisms; to methods for preparing said proteins and to the use thereof for enzymic, in particular enantioselective enzymic, ester hydrolysis or transesterification of organic esters.

Abstract: Methods for mass producing bacterial alginate, bacterial cultures for producing alginate, and pharmaceutical compositions containing bacterial alginate are contemplated.