Abstract: The present invention relates to novel phytases, in particular, of fungal origin, and also to their respective methods of production. The present invention relates more particularly to novel phytases derived from fungi of the Penicillium genus, in particular of the Penicillium sp. CBS 109899 strain, and also to the polynucleotides encoding these phytases. The invention also relates to vectors containing the polynucleotides, and to transformed host organisms expressing the phytases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filamentous fungal host cells and particularly Trichoderma host cells useful for the production of heterologous granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes having glucoamylase activity.

Abstract: A novel gene defining a novel enzyme in the UDP-D-galactose: beta-N-acetylglucosamine/beta-N-acetylgalactosamine beta 1,3galactosyltransferase family, termed beta3Gal-T5, with unique enzymatic properties is disclosed. The enzymatic activity of beta3Gal-T5 is shown to be distinct from that of previously identified enzymes of this gene family. The invention discloses isolated DNA molecules and DNA constructs encoding beta3Gal-T5 and derivatives thereof by way of amino acid deletion, substitution or insertion exhibiting beta3Gal-T5 activity, as well as cloning and expression vectors including such DNA, cells transfected with the vectors, and recombinant methods for providing beta3Gal-T5. The enzyme beta3Gal-T5 and beta3Gal-T5-active derivatives thereof are disclosed, in particular soluble derivatives comprising the catalytically active domain of beta3Gal-T5.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a strain capable of producing transglutaminase at a high efficiency; and a process for producing transglutaminase by using this strain. A structural gene from Streptomyces mobaraensis and a promoter and a terminator acting on this structural gene are externally transferred into Streptomyces mobaraensis to give a transformant. Transglutaminase is produced by culturing this transformant.

Abstract: The present invention provides an M-1-P-producing enzyme which employs, as starting materials, an oligosaccharide or polysaccharide having a glucose polymerization degree of 5 or more and containing an ?-1,4-glycosidic bond such as maltooligosaccharide, dextrin, or starch, and which enables production of a large amount of M-1-P. The M-1-P-producing enzyme can produce M-1-P from a phosphoric acid or a salt thereof and an oligosaccharide or polysaccharide having a glucose polymerization degree of 5 or more and containing an ?-1,4-glycosidic bond.

Abstract: The invention is directed to modified xylanases having increased stability in harsh industrial environments, such as increased pH and/or temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filamentous fungal host cells and particularly Trichoderma host cells useful for the production of heterologous granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes having glucoamylase activity (GSHE). Further the invention relates to a method for producing a glucose syrup comprising contacting a granular starch slurry obtained from a granular starch substrate simultaneously with an alpha amylase and a GSHE at a temperature equal to or below the gelatinization temperature of the granular starch to obtain a composition of a glucose syrup.

Abstract: An L-amino acid-producing strain of Escherichia coli is bred by modifying an Escherichia coli K12 strain or a derivative thereof so as to become resistant to L-valine and have an ability to produce one or more L-amino acids selected from the group consisting of L-tryptophan, L-phenylalanine, L-lysine, L-tyrosine, L-glutamic acid, L-histidine, L-cysteine, and L-proline.

Abstract: This invention provides genes and their encoded proteins, involved in the biosynthesis of farnesyl dibenzodiazepinones, including ECO-04601. The invention relates to expression vectors comprising the genes and to host cell transformed with these vectors. The invention further relates to methods of producing farnesyl dibenzodiazepinone compounds using the genes and proteins of the invention, for example, involving expression of biosynthetic pathway genes in transformed host cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and reagents for diagnosing and treating diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene useful in a process to increase the microbial production of carotenoids. The carotenoids astaxanthin is distributed in a wide variety of organisms such as animals, algae and microorganisms. It has a strong antioxidation property against reactive oxygen species. Astaxanthin is used as a coloring reagent, especially in the industry of farmed fish, such as salmon, because astaxanthin imparts distinctive orange-red coloration to the animals and contributes to consumer appeal in the marketplace.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the fermentative production of sulfur-containing fine chemicals, in particular L-methionine, by using bacteria which express a nucleotide sequence coding for a methionine synthase (metF) gene.

Abstract: A cDNA fragment participating in the maintenance of smooth muscle differentiation was isolated using a culture system of chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells, the differential display method and the subtracted hybridization method. Using the obtained cDNA sequence as a query, cDNA sequences of Helix Research Institute (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-118776) were retrieved, and thus, a novel gene “C-NT2RP3001495” was obtained. The protein encoded by this gene has two WW domains that participate in protein interactions in the N-terminal domain. Evidence suggests that this protein binds to other proteins, and thus regulates the intracellular signal transduction, gene expression, and so on, thereby participating in the maintenance of the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. This protein and compounds regulating the expression thereof are markedly useful in developing drugs for various diseases associated with abnormality in the maintenance of smooth muscle cell differentiation.

Abstract: A DNA molecule consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, which encodes a collagenous (COL1) domain and a C-terminal noncollagenous (NC1) domain of type XXI collagen. Expression systems and methods for the expression of the DNA molecule are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are mammalian secreted and non-secreted diabetes mediating proteins, including protective and deleterious diabetes-mediating proteins, as well as polynucleotides encoding same, drug screening methods for identifying a test compound capable of altering the expression of a diabetes-mediating protein, and methods of preventing or ameliorating diabetes by administering a compound capable of the expression of a diabetes-mediating protein.

Abstract: Acyltransferases are provided, suitable for use in the manufacture of microbial oils enriched in omega fatty acids in oleaginous yeast (e.g., Yarrowia lipolytica). Specifically, genes encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT1) have been isolated from Y. lipolytica and Mortierella alpina. These genes encode enzymes that participate in the terminal step in oil biosynthesis in yeast. Each is expected to play a key role in altering the quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids produced in oils of oleaginous yeasts.

Abstract: The invention relates to sesquiterpene synthases and methods of their production and use. In one embodiment, the invention provides nucleic acids comprising a nucleotide sequence as described herein that encodes for at least one sesquiterpene synthases. In a further embodiment, the invention also provides for sesquiterpene synthases and methods of making and using these enzymes. For example, sesquiterpene synthases of the invention may be used to convert farnesyl-pyrophosphate to various oxygenated and aliphatic sesquiterpenes including valencene, bicyclo-germacrene, cubebol and delta-cadinene.

Abstract: Two acyltransferases are provided, suitable for use in the manufacture of microbial oils enriched in omega fatty acids in oleaginous yeast (e.g., Yarrowia lipolytica). Specifically, the genes encoding phophatidylcholine-diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT2) have been isolated from Y. lipolytica. These genes encode enzymes that participate in the terminal step in oil biosynthesis in yeast. Each is expected to play a key role in altering the quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids produced in oils of oleaginous yeasts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for utilizing less purified starch in fermentation processes. One example is a recombinant E. coli containing a exogenous extracellular isoamylase activity that is capable of utilizing small oligomers containing (1,6) linkages (including but not limited to isomaltose and panose) in fermentations to produce useful products. The invention is useful in large-scale industrial biofermentations by reducing the cost of the substrate carbohydrate.

Abstract: Enzymes mediating in the release of compounds characteristic of human malodour and in particular axillary malodour, and compounds that inhibit said enzymes having the general formula (I)