Patents Examined by Delia M. Ramirez
  • Cytochrome c oxidase enzyme complex
    Patent number: 7842483
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel cytochrome c oxidase complex, genetic materials useful for the preparation of the said complex, such as recombinant polypeptides involved in cytochrome c oxidase complex, recombinant DNA fragments, expression vectors, recombinant organisms and the like. Those novel cytochrome c oxidase complex and genetic materials may be originated from a microorganism having the identifying characteristics of Gluconobacter oxydans DSM 4025. The present invention also provides a method for the preparation of the said novel recombinant cytochrome c oxidase complex and a process for the production of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2KGA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: DSM Nutritional Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Asakura, Tatsuo Hoshino, Masako Shinjoh
  • Phospholipases and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7838274
    Abstract: The invention relates to a newly identified polynucleotide sequence comprising a gene that encodes a novel phospholipase isolated from Aspergillus niger. The invention features the full length nucleotide sequence of the novel gene, the cDNA sequence comprising the full length coding sequence of the novel phospholipase as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional protein and functional equivalents thereof. The invention also relates to methods of using these enzymes in industrial processes and methods of diagnosing fungal infections. Also included in the invention are cells transformed with a polynucleotide according to the invention and cells wherein a phospholipase according to the invention is genetically modified to enhance or reduce its activity and/or level of expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Kaj Albermann, Wolfram Kemmner, Dieter Maier, Fabio Spreafico, Alexander Stock, Christian Wagner, Lex De Boer, Roelf Bernhard Meima
  • McrA variants and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7833769
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided in which the composition is a protein with at least 50% but less than 100% amino acid sequence identity with McrA or is a variant McrA protein with at least one amino acid sequence modification. The variant or protein has the property of cleaving DNA with methylated cytosine and not hydroxymethylated cytosine in a target DNA sequence, or substantially lacks catalytic activity while maintaining binding activity. Methods are provided in which the protein or McrA variant are used to identify methylation sites either by cleavage or by binding to the methylation site in the presence of a marker or by binding to an immobilized protein or McrA variant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Anton, Elisabeth A. Raleigh
  • Thermostable amylase polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding those polypeptides and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7833770
    Abstract: This is invention relates to amylase polypeptides, and nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides and uses thereof. The amylases of the present invention have been engineered to have more beneficial qualities. Specifically, the amylases of the current invention show an altered thermostability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Danisco A/S
    Inventors: Karsten Matthias Kragh, Casper Tune Berg, Patrick M. F. Derkx, Anja H. Kellett-Smith, Charlotte Refdahl Thoudahl, Oene R. Veltman, Carol Fioresi, Gijsbert Gerritse, Wei Liu, Andrew Shaw
  • Process for the production of ?-amino acids using acylase
    Patent number: 7833760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Variovorax sp. which produces an acylase having an asymmetric hydrolysis activity on an N-acetyl ?-amino acid to selectively produce an R-?-amino acid, and a Burkholderia sp. which produces both an acylase having an asymmetric hydrolysis activity on an N-acetyl ?-amino acid to selectively produce an S-?-amino acid and an acylase having an asymmetric hydrolysis activity of an N-acetyl ?-amino acid to selectively produce an R-?-amino acid, and a process for the selective production of an S-, or R-?-amino acid using the above strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakamatsu, Hisashi Kawasaki, Kunihiko Watanabe, Masakazu Nakazawa, Kunisuke Izawa
  • Polypeptides having phytase activity
    Patent number: 7833768
    Abstract: The invention relates to Citrobacter phytases derived from Citrobacter amalonaticus, Citrobacter gillenii, and related phytases. The phytases belong to the acid histidine phosphatase family, are acid-stable, and expectedly of a high specific activity. The invention also relates to the corresponding DNA, the recombinant and wild-type production of the phytases, as well as the use thereof, in particular in animal feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Monica Takamiya Wik, Carsten Sjoholm
  • Ketoreductase polypeptides and related polynucleotides
    Patent number: 7833767
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to variant polypeptides having enhanced ketoreductase activity and/or thermostability for use in the stereospecific reduction of ketones. In addition, the present invention is directed to polynucleotides that encode the ketoreductase polypeptides, including codon optimized versions of the polynucleotides which provide for enhanced expression in host cells. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to nucleotide constructs, vectors and host cells that are transformed with polynucleotides of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Davis, Gjalt W. Huisman, Stephane J. Jenne, Anke Krebber, Lisa Marie Newman
  • Production of peracids using an enzyme having perhydrolysis activity
    Patent number: 7829315
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted with an inorganic peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolysis activity. The present perhydrolase catalysts are classified as members of the carbohydrate esterase family 7 (CE-7) based on the conserved structural features. Further, disinfectant formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark Payne
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus nucleic acids encoding fructo-oligosaccharide utilization compounds and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7824894
    Abstract: Fructooligosaccharide (FOS)-related protein nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, FOS-related fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-FOS-related antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Rodolphe Barrangou, Todd R. Klaenhammer, Eric Altermann
  • Halohydrin dehalogenases and related polynucleotides
    Patent number: 7824898
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel halohydrin dehalogenase polypeptides and the polynucleotides that encode them. These polypeptides are useful in the production of 4-substituted-3-butyric acid derivatives and vicinal cyano, hydroxyl substituted carboxylic acid esters. The invention also provides related vectors, host cells and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Davis, Richard John Fox, Gjalt W. Huisman, Vesna Gavrilovic, Lisa Marie Newman
  • Phytases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them
    Patent number: 7824895
    Abstract: The invention provides isolated and recombinant phytase enzymes. In one aspect, the phytases are produced by modification of the wild type appA of E. coli. The enzyme can be produced from recombinant host cells. The phytases of the invention can be used to aid in the digestion of phytate where desired. In particular, the phytases of the invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients. The phytases of the invention can be thermotolerant and/or thermostable. Also provided are methods for obtaining a variant polynucleotide encoding a phytase and for obtaining a phytase with thermostability or thermotolerant at high or low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Verenium Corporation
    Inventors: Jay M. Short, Kevin A. Gray, Nelson R. Barton, James B. Garrett, Eileen O'Donoghue, Dan E. Robertson
  • Nicking endonuclease methods and compositions
    Patent number: 7820424
    Abstract: A nicking endonuclease is described which has an amino acid sequence with at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:6 and comprising a mutation at least one of an arginine or glutamic acid corresponding to position 507 and position 546 respectively in SEQ ID NO:6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuang-Yong Xu, Zhenyu Zhu, Timothy Meixsell
  • Microorganism having the improved gene for hydrogen-generating capability, and process for producing hydrogen using the same
    Patent number: 7816109
    Abstract: A hydrogen producing method by culturing a microorganism having a hydrogenase gene, in which a lactic acid biogenetic path and a succinic acid biogenetic path in anaerobic metabolic paths are inactivated, under an anaerobic condition in the presence of organic substrate. The microorganism may further have a formate dehydrogenase gene. The microorganism may be Escherichia coli which is a facultative anaerobic bacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, Sharp Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Yukawa, Masayuki Inui, Akihito Yoshida, Naoto Torata
  • Recombinant host for producing L-asparaginase II
    Patent number: 7807436
    Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant Escherichia coli host cell for producing an Escherichia coli-asparaginase II enzyme. The host cell includes an Escherichia coli chromosome and at least one copy of a recombinant extrachromosomal vector, wherein the recombinant extrachromosomal vector encodes the L-asparaginase II enzyme, wherein the host cell chromosome also encodes the same L-asparaginase II enzyme, and wherein the host chromosome does not encode any other isoform of L-asparaginase II.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Defiante Farmaceutica, S.A.
    Inventors: David Ray Filpula, Maoliang Wang
  • Production of flavonoids by recombinant microorganisms
    Patent number: 7807422
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for production of flavonoids in microbial hosts. The compositions comprises a set of genes which encode for enzymes involved in one or more steps in the biosynthetic pathway for the conversion of phenylpropanoids to various flavonoids. The method comprises the steps of introducing the set of genes into a heterologous host cell, allowing growth of the cells in a suitable medium such that the expression of the genes results in production of enzymes. When specific substrate(s) is/are provided to the transformed cell, the enzymes act on the substrate(s) to produce the desired flavonoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventors: Mattheos Koffas, Effendi Leonard, Yajun Yan, Joseph Chemler
  • Process for production of biopterin compound
    Patent number: 7807421
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transformed cell which is transformed by at least one gene of enzymes participating in biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin and a process for the production of a biopterin compound using the same. In accordance with the present invention, the biopterin compound can be produced in large quantities in an industrial advantageous manner from less expensive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Asubio Pharma Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Yabuta, Kazuaki Furukawa, Nobue Miyamoto, Katsuhiko Yamamoto, Kazuhiro Ohsuye
  • GSK3 polypeptides
    Patent number: 7807430
    Abstract: The invention provides truncated GSK3 polypeptides capable of crystallization, including GSK3? and GSK3? polypeptides, and use of these polypeptides to identify and optimize GSK3 inhibitors. Also provided are GSK3 polypeptides having at least one substituted amino acid that differs from wild-type GSK3, wherein the substituted amino acid is incapable of being phosphorylated. The invention finds use in providing methods of identifying and optimizing compounds useful for treating diseases mediated by GSK3 activity, including Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and inflammation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D Harrison, John A Hall, Maria Calderon-Cacia, Ziyang Zhong, Eric Y Fang, Doris G Coit, Steve H Nguyen, Angelica Medina-Selby
  • Production of peracids using an enzyme having perhydrolysis activity
    Patent number: 7807425
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted with an inorganic peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolysis activity. The present perhydrolase catalysts are classified as members of the carbohydrate esterase family 7 (CE-7) based on the conserved structural features. Further, disinfectant formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark Payne
  • Carbonyl reductase, gene thereof and method of using the same
    Patent number: 7794993
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide having an activity to asymmetrically reduce (3S)-1-chloro-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-phenyl-2-butanone to produce (2R,3S)-1-chloro-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-phenyl-2-butanol isolated from a microorganism belonging to the genus Ogataea, a DNA encoding the polypeptide and a transformant that produces the polypeptide. The present invention moreover relates to a method of producing (2R,3S)-1-chloro-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-phenyl-2-butanol utilizing the polypeptide or the transformant. Using the polypeptide or transformant of the present invention, optically active alcohols such as (2R,3S)-1-chloro-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-phenyl-2-butanol and the like can be produced efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kizaki, Miho Yano, Masahiro Funaki, Teruaki Takesue, Yoshihiko Yasohara, Souichi Morikawa, Takahisa Nakai, Michihiko Kataoka, Sakayu Shimizu
  • Essential fungal polypeptide, CaYDR341c, and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 7790428
    Abstract: The present invention provides essential fungal polynucleotides and their encoded polypeptides, homologues thereof and their uses. Additionally, the invention provides methods for the identification of essential polynucleotides and fungal strains which may be used for drug screening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
    Inventors: Ying-Kai Wang, Mengping Liu, Brian A. Dougherty, Matthew D. Healy, Daniel B. Davison, Charles E. Mazzucco, Trina Maurice