Abstract: Glycosylation or transglycosylation of a specified guanine derivative, namely 9-substituted or non-substituted guanine of formula [I] with a 3-deoxyribose donor such as 3'-deoxyadenosine in the presence of a nucleoside phosphorylase source such as of microorganism origin is disclosed.

Abstract: Glycosylation or transglycosylation of a specified guanine derivative, namely 9-substituted or non-substituted guanine of formula [I] with a 3-deoxyribose donor such as 3'-deoxyadenosine in the presence of a nucleoside phosphorylase source such as of microorganism origin is disclosed. The nucleoside phosphorylase source is specified.

Abstract: A process for the saccharification of starch, which comprises saccharifying a raw and/or gelatinized starch by the use of an amylase produced by a fungus belonging to genus Chalara to produce glucose.According to the process of the present invention, the starch is directly saccharified, and glucose can be obtained efficiently.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antibiotic polypeptide compound, or addition salt thereof, having a molecular weight no greater than 10000 and possessing bactericidal and bacteriolytic activities in respect of Gram-positive bacteria, the said compound comprising within the molecular structure thereof amino acid derivative units of formulae --NR--R.sub.1 --CO--, --NH--R.sub.2 --CO--, --NH--R.sub.3 --CO--, --NH--R.sub.4 --CO--, --NH--R.sub.5 --CO--, --NH--R.sub.6 --CO--, --NH--R.sub.7 --CO-- and ##STR1## wherein NH.sub.2 --R.sub.1 --COOH, NH.sub.2 --R.sub.2 --COOH, NH.sub.2 --R.sub.3 --COOH, NH.sub.2 --R.sub.4 --COOH, NH.sub.2 --R.sub.5 --COOH, NH.sub.2 --R.sub.6 --COOH and NH.sub.2 --R.sub.7 --COOH respectively represent isoleucine, phenylalanine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine and glycine and ##STR2## represents proline. The invention further provides a process for the preparation of antibiotic polypeptides by the aerobic culturing of a strain of S. epidermidis.

Abstract: This application discloses a method for assaying viruses in which viral particles or fragments are treated to expose M-protein, and the presence of M-protein is subsequently determined by an immunoassay technique. The M-protein of viruses is quite lipophilic and appears to bind preferentially to surfaces such as polystyrene. This permits the assay to be conducted on a convenient polystyrene or similar solid surface. Detection is preferably by means of an enzyme antibody conjugate.

Abstract: New Actinoplanes missouriensis strains CUC 014 (NRRL 15647) and CSV 558 (NRRL 15646) which operate together to cosynthesize the useful glycopeptide antibiotic CUC/CSV.

Abstract: An insulin such as porcine insulin is reacted enzymatically with an L-amino acid, amide, or ester in the presence of L-specific serine carboxypeptidase modified by reaction with divalent metal ions in aqueous solution or dispersion containing F.sup.-, Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, CN.sup.-, or SCN.sup.-.

Abstract: A plasmid cloning vector containing both transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences derived from the bacteriophage lambda genome was constructed to achieve high level expression of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes. The system utilizes a plasmid vehicle carrying the strong, regulatable lambda promoter, P.sub.L, and host lysogens into which this vector can be stabily transformed. The lysogen synthesizes sufficient repressor (cI) to control P.sub.L expression and thereby stabilize plasmids which carry such a highly efficient promoter. Use of a temperature sensitive repressor permits simple, rapid induction of P.sub.L transcripts at any given time. Efficient transcription of essentially any coding sequence is assured by providing the phage lambda antitermination factor, N, and a site on the transcription unit for its utilization (Nut site). This pAS1 plasmid closely resembles the earlier constructed pKC30cII, also a regulatory protein which activates promoters for lysogenic development.

Abstract: Novel compounds designated as WS 6049-A and WS 6049-B are disclosed, as well as compositions containing the compounds thereof, a method of treating microbial infections, a method of prolonging the survival time of the patient with lymphocytic leukemia by administering the compounds thereof, and a process for making the WS 6049 substances, are disclosed. As indicated above, the novel compounds have antimicrobial and antileukemic activities which make them useful against a variety of pathogenic microorganisms and leukemic tumors.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of Mycobacteria in a fluid or tissue which comprises mixing the fluid or tissue containing a secretory product of Mycobacteria with a complex of a tracer-containing molecule and a binding macromolecule having reversible binding affinity for the tracer-containing molecule detecting the tracer-containing molecule, wherein the tracer-containing molecule is a charcoal-adsorbable protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis which has a molecular weight of 20,000-30,000 and which is immunochemically stable from 4.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. and has a pH range from 3.0 to 9.0. The method is particularly applicable to the detection of infectious tuberculosis in humans and determining the antibiotic sensitivity of infecting Mycobacteria.

Abstract: A process for screening microorganisms to identify those microorganisms capable of the production of glucose-2-oxidase is disclosed. Microorganisms are cultured on a solid medium. Those capable of producing glucose-2-oxidase are identified by reaction of the hydrogen peroxide surrounding each such microorganism with a hydrogen peroxide indicating reagent. The process is particularly useful for the early detection of glucose-2-oxidase activity in slow growing strains of microorganisms such as Basidiomycetes.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a new antibacterial and anti-tumor agent designated LL-D05139.beta., produced in a microbiological fermentation under controlled conditions using a new genus Glycomyces harbinensis gen. nov., sp. nov., and mutants thereof.

Abstract: Plasmids derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum, particularly pRN3.1, of suitable size, about 3.1 kilobases in length and weight about 2.0.times.10.sup.6 daltons, and having a limited number of restriction sites therein, suitable as vehicles for genetic engineering of Corynebacterium.

Abstract: A method for expressing a functional polypeptide in Streptomyces comprises transforming a Streptomyces host cell with a recombinant DNA expression vector and then culturing the transformed cell under conditions suitable for cell growth. The recombinant DNA expression vector comprises the veg or any other homologous Bacillus promoter, a naturally occurring or modified ribosome binding site-containing DNA sequence and a gene that codes for a functional polypeptide such as human pre-proinsulin. The method is specifically exemplified by use of expression plasmids pOW529, pOW539 and transformants, Streptomyces ambofaciens/pOW529 and Streptomyces ambofaciens/pOW539. The method is broadly applicable and is particularly useful in economically important Streptomyces taxa.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the amount of lipase in a sample comprises the steps of:(a) contacting the sample with a reagent composition comprising:(i) a lipase substrate which is a glycerol triester oil having in one of its two .alpha.-ester positions a long chain alkyl group having at least 8 carbon atoms and, in its two remaining ester positions, short chain alkyl groups such that, if the long chain alkyl group is hydrolyzed, the resulting diester is water soluble; and(ii) an esterase enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of a water soluble glycerol diester to glycerol; and(b) detecting the rate at which glycerol is formed.The compositions of the present invention include the substrate and enzyme as defined. The element of the invention comprises a support having thereon the described composition. The invention is useful for determining lipase in samples which contain endogenous glycerol, such as blood serum and other body fluids.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dry analytical element and a method of using same for quantitatively detecting alkaline phosphatase in an aqueous liquid. The element comprises, in fluid contact, first and second reagent zones which can be self-supporting or carried on a support. The first reagent zone contains a substrate for alkaline phosphatase, e.g. p-nitrophenyl phosphate, and the second reagent zone contains a buffer which is an alkali metal or ammonium salt and has a pKa in the range of 9-11.5, e.g. an alkali metal salt of carbonic acid.

Abstract: A method for the potentiometric determination of a dextran solution is provided wherein the dextran is enzymatically hydrolyzed to glucose, the glucose is oxidized to form hydrogen peroxide and the hydrogen peroxide is measured utilizing a redox electrode. A novel electrode having a plurality of enzyme impregnated layers is provided for converting the dextran to glucose.

Abstract: A method for the mass production of interferon, wherein cultured cells are brought into contact with at least one polyhydric alcohol, thereby achieving a remarkable increase in the production of interferon from the cultured cells.

Abstract: A cell cultivation container with screw cover, where the zone of the mouth portion of the container adjacent the edge of the mouth has a greater diameter than the more remote zone and is constructed with at least two inwardly protruding, axially extending projections, and where the screw cover has an inner skirt with an outer annular bead which in the fully closed position of the cover is in sealing engagement with the inner wall of the narrow zone of the mouth portion of the container, while in partly unscrewed position of the cover the bead is only in contact with the inwardly protruding, axially extending projections. Hereby the cross-sectional area of the communication passages between the interior of the container and the surroundings formed by partial unscrewing of the cover will remain constant, even if the angle of turning of the screw cover varies within wide limits.

Abstract: A methane fermentation process wherein a strain of the genus Methanobacterium is cultivated in a fermenter containing at least a carbon source, a nitrogen source, inorganic salts and micro-flora for methane fermentation. The strain has a methanogenic activity above 8.7.times.10.sup.-8 ml/cell.day in the stationary phase of growth, exhibits the methanogenic activity even at an oxygen partial pressure of 1/30 atm. and is allowed to live under an oxygen partial pressure up to 1/5 atm. The seed of the strain is obtained by anaerobically cultivating the strain in a culture medium containing at least nitrogen sources, inorganic salts and reducing agents in a mesophilic range of 25.degree. to 45.degree. C. using a substrate such as a mixed gas of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, a formate or an acetate. The growth of the strain is facilitated when cocultured with a strain belonging to the genus Clostridium.