Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, compositions and articles of manufacture useful for the treatment of Bacillus anthracis and B. cereus bacteria and spores, and related conditions. The disclosure further relates to methods and compositions for the identification of a phage associated lytic enzyme to rapidly and specifically detect and kill Bacillus anthracis and other bacteria. Related articles of manufacture, methods of degrading spores and methods of treatment of infections or bacteria populations of, or subjects exposed to or at risk for exposure to, Bacillus anthracis are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for the detection of genetic polymorphisms or mutations of the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency (DPDD). The polymorphisms or mutations generally occur in the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) gene in chromosome 1. Also provided are mutant forms of DPD.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel acid DNase (DLAD) which is an endonuclease capable of cleaving DNA independently from divalent cations, under acidic conditions, which retains its activity in acidic to even neutral pH range, and which is not inhibited by G-actin. This invention also provides a DNA encoding the enzyme, an expression vector containing the DNA, and a host cell transformed with the expression vector. Furthermore, a pharmaceutical composition containing DLAD, DLAD expression vector or a host cell transformed with the expression vector as an active ingredient is provided. The pharmaceutical composition is useful as a therapeutic agent replacing DNase I for cystic fibrosis, and can provide a new approach for the prophylaxis and treatment of infectious diseases.

Abstract: A bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia which has an ability to produce an L-amino acid, wherein the ability to produce the L-amino acid is increased by increasing expression of an L-amino acid excretion protein is described. A method for producing the L-amino acid using the bacterium is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene that can be used extensively in studies relating to resistant rice blast fungi. The gene codes for either one of the following proteins (a) or (b): (a) a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2; or (b) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 by deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acids, which exhibits scytalone dehydratase activity in the presence of a scytalone dehydratase inhibitor.

Abstract: Isolated mammalian Mus81-Eme endonuclease complexes comprise an Mus81 protein portion and an Eme protein portion. A method of identifying a chemical compound that modulates mammalian cellular response to DNA damage comprises contacting a chemical compound to be tested with a biochemical mixture containing an isolated mammalian Mus81-Eme1 endonuclease complex, a source of magnesium ion, and a suitable DNA substrate; measuring the activity level of mammalian Mus81-Eme endonuclease complex in the mixture; comparing the measured activity level to the activity level of a substantially similar mixture of isolated Mus81-Eme1 endonuclease, magnesium ion, and DNA substrate in the absence of the chemical compound to be tested; and selecting a chemical compound that increases or decreases the endonuclease activity. Isolated mammalian Eme1 and Eme2 proteins derived from humans and murine species and isolated nucleic acids encoding the proteins are also described.

Abstract: A whole cell catalyst is described comprising a hydantoinase, a racemase and a carbamoylase. Thus this catalyst is able to degrade hydantoins directly into the amino acids. Additionally, a process for the production of this catalysts and for the production of amino acids is claimed.

Abstract: CrtW carotenoid ketolases are provided that are useful for the production of astaxanthin and other cyclic ketocarotenoids. The mutant ketolase genes of the present invention encode polypeptides characterized by an improvement in astaxanthin synthesis activity when converting cyclic hydroxylated carotenoid intermediates into astaxanthin. Expression of the mutant carotenoid ketolases in heterologous hosts enabled increased production of astaxanthin relative to the Sphingomonas melonis DC18 CrtW.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that each encode a geranyl diphosphate synthase protein, wherein each isolated nucleic acid molecule hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule consisting of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under conditions of 5×SSC at 45° C. for one hour. The present invention also provides isolated geranyl diphosphate synthase proteins, and methods for altering the level of expression of geranyl diphosphate synthase protein in a host cell.

Abstract: Isolated GSTO2 nucleic acid molecules that include a nucleotide sequence variant and nucleotides flanking the sequence variant are described, as well as GSTO2 allozymes. Methods for determining if a subject contains a GSTO2 sequence variant also are described.

Abstract: Novel DNA constructs and host cells comprising the same are disclosed. DNA constructs comprise a transcription unit (e.g. operon) comprising DNA sequences encoding for ribonucleotide reductase and thioredoxin or a uridine kinase gene and/or a dCTP deaminase gene. In preferred embodiments the constructs comprising DNA sequences encoding for ribonucleotide reductase and thioredoxin further comprise DNA sequences encoding for thymidylate synthase and/or transcription units comprising sequences encoding for uridine kinase preferably together with dCTP deaminase. In particularly preferred embodiments, the host cells comprise constructs having all of the above characteristics wherein the host cell displays repressed or no uracil DNA glycosylase activity. This may be achieved by removal of the host cell ung gene. Use of host cells in the manufacture of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotides e.g. thymidine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biocatalytic method for preparing para-hydroxystyrene from para-hydroxycinnamic acid is described. The method uses an enzyme source having para-hydroxycinnamic acid decarboxylase activity to catalyze the decarboxylation of para-hydroxycinnamic acid in a biphasic reaction medium to produce para-hydroxystyrene, which is extracted into the organic phase of the biphasic reaction medium. The method results in a high yield of para-hydroxystyrene due to the decreased exposure of the enzyme source to the inhibitory product. The product is readily recovered from the extractant, or may be chemically derivatized directly in the extractant before recovery.

Abstract: Recombinant mycobacterial strains which overproduce essential biosynthetic enzymes of pathogenic mycobateria are provided. These strains overproduce enzymes involved in the synthesis and incorporation of D-alanine into mycobacterial peptidoglycan, the backbone of the mycobacterial cell wall. These overproducing strains may be used as reference strains in in vitro screening methods to identify antimycobacterial agents.

Abstract: The invention concerns a modified nitrilase with modulated selectivity, characterized in that it comprises in position 162 an amino acid residue different from the original amino acid residue.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a substantially pure human or rabbit 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase.

Abstract: An enzyme having diterpene cyclase activity has been purified from P. elisabethae using a series of chromatography steps. The purified enzyme has an apparent molecular weight of about 47 kilodaltons and an isoelectric point of about 5.1. The purifed enzyme catalyzed the cyclization of geranyl geranyl diphosphate to elisabethatriene.

Abstract: A DNA encoding a variant of a protein, the protein having a loop region and six hydrophobic helices and involved in secretion of L-lysine to the outside of a cell, wherein the DNA encodes a variant of a protein not containing the loop region and facilitates secretion of L-lysine, L-arginine or both of these L-amino acids to the outside of a methanol-assimilating bacterium when the DNA is introduced into the bacterium, specifically lysE24, is introduced into a Methylobacillus bacteria to improve L-amino acid productivity, especially L-lysine and L-arginine productivities.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a PFM/SET polypeptide. Also provided is an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a functional fragment of a PFM/SET polypeptide that contains a PR, SET, PRAZ or PKZL domain of a PFM/SET polypeptide of the invention. Further provided by the invention are PFM/SET polypeptides, and functional fragments thereof that contain a PR, SET, PRAZ or PKZL domain of a PFM/SET polypeptide. The invention also provides PFM/SET antibodies, PFM/SET modulatory compounds, and related methods. The molecules of the invention can be used in methods of screening for a compound that modulates PFM/SET polypeptide histone methyltransferase activity and to modulate cell proliferation to prevent or treat proliferative disorders, including cancer. Additionally, the molecules and methods of the invention can be used to diagnose and prognose proliferative disorders.

Abstract: By this invention, nucleic acid sequences encoding for fatty acyl-CoA:fatty alcohol acyltransferase (wax synthase) are provided, wherein said wax synthase is active in the formation of a wax ester from fatty alcohol and fatty acyl-CoA substrates. Of special interest are nucleic acid sequences obtainable from a jojoba embryo wax synthase having an apparent molecular mass of approximately 33 kD. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from wax synthase proteins and the use of such sequences to provide transgenic host cells capable of producing wax esters.