Abstract: Various methods are provided for the enzymatic production of glycolic acid from glycolonitrile. These methods include: 1) use of Acidovorax facilis 72W nitrilase mutants having improved nitrilase activity for converting glycolonitrile to glycolic acid, and 2) methods to improve catalyst stability and/or productivity. The methods to improve catalyst stability/productivity include use of reaction stabilizers, running the reactions under substantially oxygen free conditions, and controlling the concentration of substrate in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A novel mutant endonuclease V not exhibiting a nonspecific nucleic acid cleavage activity but showing a specific activity. The present invention relates to a mutant endonuclease V not exhibiting a nonspecific nucleic acid cleavage activity but having a specific activity, to a gene coding for the endonuclease V, to a recombinant DNA containing the gene, to a transformant or transductant containing the recombinant DNA, and to a method for producing the endonuclease V. The present invention also relates to a method of using the endonuclease V for nucleic acid cleavage, and to a reagent kit for detection or modification of a nucleic acid or gene that contains the endonuclease V.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polynucleotide sequences encoding the proteins ROC1 and ROC2, the isolated proteins themselves, expression vectors containing at least a fragment of the ROC1 and ROC2 polynucleotide sequences, and host cells comprising the same. Methods of producing the ROC1 and ROC2 proteins are also disclosed, and methods of detecting the polynucleotides in samples are included in this invention, as are antibodies to the ROC1 and ROC2 proteins and antisense molecules complementary to polynucleotides encoding the same. The present invention further includes methods for screening bioactive agents that are capable of binding to a ROC protein, methods of screening bioactive agents capable of interfering with the binding of ROC proteins, and methods of screening bioactive agents capable of modulating the activity of a ROC protein. Such screening methods are capable of identifying compounds that have pharmacological.

Abstract: Reagents that regulate human transmembrane serine protease activity and reagents that bind to human transmembrane serine protease gene products can be used to regulate extracellular matrix degradation. Such regulation is particularly useful for treating COPD, metastasis of malignant cells, tumor angiogenesis, inflammation, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and pathogenic infections.

Abstract: A method of producing coryneform bacteria having an improved amino acid or nucleic acid-productivity comprises the steps of introducing a mutation in a promoter sequence of amino acid- or nucleic acid-biosynthesizing genes on a chromosome of a coryneform bacterium so that it is close to a consensus sequence or introducing a change in the promoter sequence of amino acid- or nucleic acid-biosynthesizing genes on the chromosome of a coryneform bacterium by gene recombination so that it is close to a consensus sequence, obtaining mutants of the coryneform amino acid- or nucleic acid-producing microorganism, culturing the mutants and select a mutant capable of producing the intended amino acid or nucleic acid in a large amount. This method allows one of skill in the art to construct a mutant capable of enriching or controlling the expression of an intended gene without using a plasmid and to promote production of amino acids in a high yield, by the recombination or mutation.

Abstract: An immunomodulatory protein is cloned from Ganoderma microsporum. Its molecular weight is 15863.79 Da. Its genome sequence and translated protein sequence are different from those protected by the known patent of glycoprotein LZ-8, which is isolated from the mycelium of G. lucidum and has immunomodulator effect, and its immunomodulator efficiency is better than that of LZ-8.

Abstract: A process for the production of L-amino acids, in particular L-threonine, in which the following steps are carried out: (a) fermentation of the microorganisms of the family Enterobacteriaceae producing the desired L-amino acid, in which the fruR gene or nucleotide sequences coding therefor are attenuated, in particular are switched off, (b) enrichment of the L-amino acid in the medium or in the cells of the bacteria, and (c) isolation of the L-amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a newly identified hydrolase from thermophilic microorganisms having thermostable properties, and more specifically, to a novel thermostable hydrolase showing high activity at high temperatures.

Abstract: The amino acid sequence of a mutant which is obtained by introducing a novel mutation into a Pseudonocardia thermophila JCM3095-derived nitrile hydratase consisting of two types of heterogeneous subunits, and the base sequence of the gene are provided. The nitrile hydratase is modified by specifying the region to be modified in the stereostructure/amino acid sequence of the nitrile hydratase, and applying alteration such as substitution, insertion, deletion or the like, to the amino acids in the amino acid sequence which are corresponding to the amino acid residues forming the region. Also provided is a method for modifying an enzyme having a nitrile hydratase activity.

Abstract: A nucleic acid encodes a cysteinized RNase to which a targeting moiety can be conjugated.

Abstract: A nucleic acid encodes a novel fusion protein. The fusion protein contains a cysteinized variant of an RNase disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,257 B1.

Abstract: A method for purifying a desired heterologous polypeptide from microbial fermentation broth or homogenate in which it is produced and solubilized is described. This method involves adding to the broth or homogenate an effective amount of a solution of 6,9-diamino-2-ethoxyacridine lactate (ethacridine lactate) to precipitate host cell impurities under conditions wherein the majority of polypeptide remains soluble, and separating the desired polypeptide from the broth or homogenate. The broth or homogenate containing the ethacridine lactate and polypeptide is also disclosed.

Abstract: Keratin and derivatives thereof, preferably S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament protein, S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur protein, and S-sulfonated peptides provide antioxidant activity, e.g., that equal to 200-2200 ?mol TEAC/100 g or 100 ml, and are useful in an oral supplement to cause reduction in oxidative stress and benefits stemming therefrom, e.g., promoting skin health and to provide anti-inflammatory effect.

Abstract: A method of controlling acarine pests comprises applying to the locus of the acarine pests, an isolated polypeptide toxin, wherein the polypeptide toxin has acaricidal activity. In one embodiment, the polypeptide toxin comprises three intrachain disulfide bonds and/or is a component of a venom of an Australian funnel web spider of the genus Atrax or Hadronyche. The polypeptide toxins may be applied to the acarine pests themselves, to the environment of the acarine pests, to the hosts of the acarine pests, or to an animal vector of the acarine pests, for example.

Abstract: A preparation for the diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine function by determining the amount in which a substance administered to a subject or a degradation product or metabolite thereof migrates into the blood and/or is excreted out of the body, wherein the substance is carried by a carrier and released from the carrier when exposed to the action of a pancreatic exocrine function-related factor.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide having a thermostable ribonuclease H activity from Archaeoglobus profundus is highly useful in genetic engineering, as well as a gene encoding this polypeptide and a genetic engineering process for producing the polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel nucleic acid encoding a ?-1,3-glucanase polypeptide of lily, and an expression vector, host cell and transgenic plant comprising the nucleic acid of the invention. The expression of the nucleic acid of the invention in the plant will enhance resistance against a wide variety of stresses, in particular fungal attack.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel proteins, termed INSP 108 and INSP 109, herein identified as members of the defensin family of proteins and to the use of these proteins and nucleic acid sequences from the encoding genes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding CEL II endonuclease and vectors and host cells for producing a protein encoded thereby.