Abstract: The present invention relates to the single-chain thrombomodulin ("TM") and analogs thereof that are not susceptible to cleavage by proteases and retain the biological activity of thrombomodulin, as well as methods of use in, for example, antithrombotic therapy. Novel proteins, nucleic acid gene sequences, pharmaceuticals and methods of inhibiting thrombotic activity are disclosed.

Abstract: Chondrotin 6-sulfotransferase (C6ST), for transferring sulfate group to the hydroxyl group at C-6 position of N-acetylgalactosamine residue or galactose residue of glycosaminoglycan, was purified from a culture liquid of chick embryo chondrocytes to determine its partial amino acid sequences. Partial cDNA of C6ST was amplified from poly(A).sub.+ prepared from the chondrocytes, by means of PCR by using oligonucleotide primers prepared on the basis of the determined sequences. Entire length cDNA of C6ST was obtained from a cDNA library by means of hybridization by using an obtained cDNA fragment as a probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel microorganisms, their use and method of producing L-.alpha.-amino acids. In particular, microorganisms DSM 7329 and 7330 are suitable for the production of L-.alpha.-amino acids from corresponding hydantoins or carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acids. These novel microorganisms are simple to cultivate and make possible high L-.alpha.-amino acid yields from different substrates.

Abstract: An .alpha.-amylase characterized by having a specific activity at least 25% higher than the specific activity of Termamyl.RTM. at a temperature in the range of 25.degree. C. to 55.degree. C. and a pH value in the range of pH 8 to pH 10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the genes for riboflavin biosynthesis in the fungus Ashbya gossypii and to genetic engineering processes for preparing riboflavin using these genes and gene products.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding the murE stem peptide biosynthetic gene of Streptococcus pneuinoniae. Also provided are vectors and transformed heterologous host cells for expressing the murE enzyme product and a method for identifying compounds that inhibit stem peptide biosynthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel DNases .alpha., .beta. and .gamma. capable of selectively cleaving the linker sites of chromatin DNA. The present invention also relates to novel DNase .gamma. involved in fragmentation of chromatin DNA in apoptosis. The present invention further relates to amino acid sequence of DNase .gamma., DNA encoding said enzyme, nucleotide sequence of said DNA, recombinant vector containing said DNA, transformant containing said recombinant vector, production method of DNase .gamma. comprising culture of said transformant, and antibody having affinity for said DNase .gamma., precursor thereof and the amino acid sequence of fragments thereof. The DNase .gamma. of the present invention takes part in the control system of apoptosis, and effectively contributes to the development of medications for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of apoptosis-inhibitory or promotive diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases and viral infections. In addition, the DNases .alpha. and .beta.

Abstract: The present invention clarifies the primary structure of human-originated PGIS and the nucleotide sequence encoding same. The PGIS and its DNA are useful as reagents for the development of therapeutic agents for the cardiovascular diseases induced by the production imbalance between PGI.sub.2 and TXA.sub.2, and as diagnostics for determining the in vivo tissue expression level and distribution of PGIS or mRNA thereof. Moreover, they can be used as therapeutic agents for cardiovascular diseases, which introduce PGIS and the like into human or other animals in a lesion-specific manner. The production method of the present invention is useful for the easy and efficient mass production of the human-originated PGIS. The antibody of the present invention is useful for the purification of the human-originated PGIS and immunohistochemical analysis of the cause of a disease.

Abstract: This invention concerns novel receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase polypeptides. Specifically, this invention concerns the novel receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase .lambda. which is related to the homotypically adhering receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases .kappa. and .mu.. The invention further relates to analogs of these polypeptides in other mammals, functional derivatives thereof, antibodies which are capable of specifically binding to these polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides, vectors containing and capable of expressing such nucleic acid and recombinant host cells transformed with such nucleic acid. Methods for the recombinant production of these receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase polypeptides and assays for identifying agonists and antagonists of these polypeptides are also within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: An enzyme exhibiting rhamnogalacturonase activity, capable of cleaving a rhamnogalacturonan backbone in such a manner that galacturonic acids are left as the non-reducing ends, and which exhibits activity on hairy regions from a soy bean material and/or on saponified hairy regions from a sugar beet material. The enzyme has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 and is encoded by the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the rate of reaction of the desulfurization of fossil fuels is enhanced by the addition of an oxidoreductase to the biocatalyst. The invention is drawn to a method for enhancing the rate of desulfurizing a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds, comprising the steps of:a) contacting the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst capable of cleaving carbon-sulfur bonds and a rate-enhancing amount of an oxidoreductase, thereby forming a fossil fuel and aqueous phase mixture;b) maintaining the mixture of step (a) under conditions sufficient for cleavage of the carbon-sulfur bonds of the organic sulfur molecules by the biocatalyst, thereby resulting in a fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content; andc) separating the fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content from the resulting aqueous phase.

Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptide analogues of human C5a which are C5a receptor antagonists that exhibit substantially no analphylatoxin or agonist activity, and derivatives of the analogues, and dimeric forms of the analogues or derivatives. DNA molecules encoding the polypeptides and methods of making the analogues are also provided. Pharmaceutical formulations containing a C5a analogue, are used therapeutically in the treatment of C5a-mediated diseases and inflammatory conditions in mammals, and prophylactically to prevent or reduce inflammation caused by an event which causes inflammation or aggravates an existing inflammatory condition, respectively. Further disclosed are antibodies specific to the C5a analogues, derivatives thereof, and dimers of the analogues and derivatives which exhibit substantially no cross-reactivity with human C5a. The antibodies are used to detect or quantify circulating C5a analogue or derivative, as well as to modify, e.g.

Abstract: A recombinant cyclodextrin glucanotransferase mutant is provided, which mutant produces lowered amounts of .beta.-cyclodextrins and .gamma.-cyclodextrins compared to wild-type cyclodextrin glucanotransferase.

Abstract: Three classes of GFP mutants having single excitation maxima around 488 nm are brighter than lid-type GFP following 488 nm excitation. GFPmut1 has a double substitution: F64L, S65T; GFPmut2 has a triple substitution: S65A, V68L, S72A; and GFPmut3 is characterized by the double substitution S65G, S72A. The excitation maxima of the three mutants are at 488 nm, 481 nm and 501 nm respectively. The fluorescence intensities following excitation at 488 nm are an order of magnitude higher than that of wild-type GFP excited at 488 nm in E. coli. The expression of GFP is observable minutes after induction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new gene which codes for a NADPH cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase from filamentous fungi. Also disclosed are a recombinant DNA molecule which comprises at least a part of that gene, an RNA molecule derived therefrom and a new polypeptide (or protein), as well as at least one host cell transformed with such recombinant DNA molecule. Particularly suitable host cells are those originating from a filamentous fungus. With the polypeptides (proteins) and the host cells according to the invention, new processes for enzymatic conversions can be performed. In particular, enzymatic conversions by means of monooxygenases, more particularly by means of enzymes from the cytochrome P450 superfamily are improved with the invention.

Abstract: Mammalian kringle 5 is disclosed as a compound for treating angiogenic diseases. Methods and compositions for inhibiting angiogenic diseases are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to proteases with improved application properties in cleaners and detergents. The improvement's achieved by substituting positively charged or uncharged amino acids in the substrate binding region of the wild type subtilisin protease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly glycosylated iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme comprising an iduronate-2-sulfatase polypeptide with at least 5 kilodalton (kDa) more sugar than iduronate-2-sulfatase purified from a natural source, e.g. human liver. The present invention also provides an enzymatically active polypeptide fragment or variant of such a highly glycosylated iduronate-2-sulfatase. The present invention further provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding iduronate-2-sulfatase, as well as an expression vector, a host cell and a method for producing the present highly glycosylated iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme.

Abstract: An isolated DNA having a sequence encoding a polypeptide possessing endoglycoceramidase activity or functionally equivalent variants thereof, and a method for producing a polypeptide possessing endoglycoceramidase activity or functionally equivalent variants thereof by gene recombinant technology.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel, biologically-derived carboxylic acid reductase, also referred to herein as an aryl-aldehyde oxidoreductase, that has been isolated and purified from Nocardia sp. strain NRRL 5646, and to methods of using the carboxylic acid reductase as a biocatalyst for the reduction of carboxylic acids or their derivatives to the corresponding useful product(s). In a preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to biochemically-produced vanillin, and to the methods of its production by the biocatalytic reduction of vanillic acid, or a precursor or derivative thereof, in a reaction comprising the substantially purified, biologically-derived carboxylic acid reductase.