Patents Examined by Kagnew Gebreyesus
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Patent number: 7335498Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having saponin-decomposing activity, more specifically a protein which can decompose a glycoside having soyasapogenol B as an aglycone to produce soyasapogenol B, a polynucleotide encoding such a protein, and a method of producing soyasapogenol B on a large scale using the same. A protein according to the present invention are concerned with (a), (b) or (c), namely (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, and 6; (b) a protein that has at least 50% homology to the protein comprising the amino acid sequence of the sequence described in (a) and having saponin-decomposing activity; or (c) a protein comprising a modified amino acid sequence of the sequence described in (a) that has one or more amino acid residues deleted, substituted, inserted, or added and having saponin-decomposing activity.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.Inventors: Manabu Watanabe, Naoki Mido, Takayoshi Tamura, Naomi Sumida, Takashi Yaguchi
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Patent number: 7323321Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the fermentative production of amino acids, providing microorganisms, methods and processes useful therefor. Microorganisms of the invention are capable of converting glucose to amino acids other than L-isoleucine, L-leucine and L-valine with greater efficiency than the parent strain. The efficiency of conversion may be quantified by the formula: [(g amino acid produced/g dextrose consumed)*100]=% Yield and expressed as yield from dextrose. The invention provides microorganisms that are made bradytrophic for the synthesis of valine by mutagenesis.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Archer-Daniels-Midland CompanyInventors: P. John Rayapati, Corey M. Crafton
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Patent number: 7297513Abstract: A gene encoding glutathione synthetase from Candida utilis is provided and food containing ?-glutamylcysteine cysteine or cystenylglycine is produced by cultivating Candida utilis modified by means of a gene encoding glutathione synthetase under a suitable condition and mixing the obtained culture or a fraction thereof or the culture or a fraction thereof subjected to heat treatment with a raw material of food or drink to process food or drink.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.Inventors: Hiroaki Nishiuchi, Yasushi Nishimura
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Patent number: 7294493Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, sequencing, and recombinant expression of genes encoding either a nitrile hydratase (NHase) or amidase (Am) from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D, where the NHase is useful for catalyzing the hydration of nitriles to the corresponding amides, and the amidase is useful for hydrolysis of amides to the corresponding carboxylic acids. Also provided are transformed host cells containing polynucleotides for expressing the nitrile hydratase or amidase enzymes from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Mark S. Payne, Robert DiCosimo, John E. Gavagan, Robert D. Fallon
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Patent number: 7288382Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for protein structure analysis, including substrate binding sites, sites of protein-protein interactions, three dimensional structure analysis, and stability, all with single amino acid resolution. In general, the subject methods involve introduction of cysteine residues, which serve as probes for physical analysis, into a protein by translational misincorporation in vivo. In many embodiments, proteins containing misincorporated cysteine residues are reacted with a crosslinking agent that covalently links misincorporated cysteine residues to a proximal amino acid in the folded protein. These methods, termed “MXLINK” methods, may be used for protein tertiary structure analysis. In other embodiments, cysteine-misincorporated proteins are used in protein footprinting methods, termed “MPAX” or “MSX” methods.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: The Board of Trustees od the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Pehr A. B. Harbury, Joshua A. Silverman, Warham Lance Martin
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Patent number: 7285406Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, sequencing, and recombinant expression of genes encoding either a nitrile hydratase (NHase) or amidase (Am) from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D, where the NHase is useful for catalyzing the hydration of nitrites to the corresponding amides, and the amidase is useful for hydrolysis of amides to the corresponding carboxylic acids. Also provided are transformed host cells containing polynucleotides for expressing the nitrile hydratase or amidase enzymes from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Mark S. Payne, Robert DiCosimo, John E. Gavagan, Robert D. Fallon
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Patent number: 7282359Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase in a transformed host cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: E.I. Dupont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Rebecca E. Cahoon, Yong Tao
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Patent number: 7279290Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting activation of ATM kinase, DNA damage, and DNA damaging agents. Further provided are antibodies which specifically recognize the phosphorylation state of Ataxia Telangiectasia-Mutated (ATM) kinase. Methods of identifying agents which modulate the activation and activity of ATM kinase are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: St. Jude Children's Research HospitalInventors: Michael B. Kastan, Christopher Bakkenist
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Patent number: 7273738Abstract: The present invention relates to use of an anti-staling GH-61 polypeptide for preparing an edible product.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Novozymes A/SInventors: Kirk Matthew Schnorr, Sara Landvik, Tina Spendler, Lars Lehmann Hylling Christensen
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Patent number: 7255857Abstract: Described are methods of treating and preventing conditions associated with a loss of elastic fibers. Also provided herein are methods of screening for agents useful in treating such conditions, and animal models of conditions associated with a loss of elastic fibers.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear InfirmaryInventors: Tiansen Li, Xiaoqing Liu
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Patent number: 7255856Abstract: Described are methods of treating and preventing conditions associated with a loss of elastic fibers. Also provided herein are methods of screening for agents useful in treating such conditions, and animal models of conditions associated with a loss of elastic fibers.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear InfirmaryInventors: Tiansen Li, Xiaoqing Liu
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Patent number: 7250505Abstract: A mammalian homology of Drosophila Disabled protein has been identified and cloned. In particular, the murine homolog designated mDab1 has been cloned and expressed. mDab1, when tyrosine phosphorylated, binds to the SH2 domain of Src, Abl and Fyn. Antibodies specific for mDab1 are provided as are methods for the screening of agents for their ability to modulate mDab1 activity. Methods for diagnosing Disabled protein associated disease are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterInventors: Jonathan A. Cooper, Brian W. Howell
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Patent number: 7238513Abstract: Protein disulfide isomerase is a major component of Conus venom ducts. The invention relates to a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) from Conus snails, a nucleic acid sequence encoding the Conus protein disulfide isomerase, and to methods for folding disulfide-rich peptides using a protein disulfide isomerase. Oxidative folding of conotoxin precursors, catalyzed by a PDI, was more efficient and decreased the number and concentration of transiently accumulated folding species. The PDI-assisted oxidative folding of conotoxins was also influenced by the propeptide relative to the mature peptide.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, Cognetix, Inc.Inventors: Grzegorz Bulaj, Baldomero M. Olivera, Olga Buczek, James E. Garrett, Ian Goodsell
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Patent number: 7232666Abstract: Methanotrophic bacterial strains are provided that have been optimized for the production of carotenoid compounds through the down-regulation of one or more of the crtN1, ald, crtN2 and crtN3 genes of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. The resulting strains lack pigmented C30 carotenoid compounds, and show an increase in the production of C40 carotenoids. The use of the optimized host strains for the production of the C40 carotenoids canthaxanthin and astaxanthin is also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Pamela L. Sharpe, Qiong Cheng, Melissa D. Bosak, Luan Tao, Natalia Sedkova
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Patent number: 7223543Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of conjugated linoleic acid and a process for the production of triglycerides with an increased content of conjugated linoleic acid. Moreover, the invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence; a nucleic acid construct, a vector and transgenic organisms comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence or one nucleic acid construct which encodes a polypeptide with conjugated linoleic isomerase activity. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a microorganism of the genus Bifidobacterium as a probiotic.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Teagasc Dairy Products Research CentreInventors: Catherine Stanton, R. Paul Ross, Oskar Zelder, Bruno Kaesler
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Patent number: 7223579Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide sequence comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of KshA protein or of KshB protein, encoded by nucleotides 499–1695 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or by nucleotides 387–1427 of SEQ ID NO:2, respectively, and functional homologues thereof. The polynucleotides of the invention can be used to construct genetically modified microorganisms blocked in 3-ketosteroid 9?-hydroxylase activity, which are useful in the microbial degradation of steroids to accumulate certain steroid products.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: N.V. OrganonInventors: Robert Van Der Geize, Peter Van Der Meijden, Gerda Hessels, Lubbert Dijkhuizen
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Patent number: 7217809Abstract: Methods for making glycoproteins, both in vitro and in vivo, are provided. One method involves incorporating an unnatural amino acid into a protein and attaching one or more saccharide moieties to the unnatural amino acid. Another method involves incorporating an unnatural amino acid that includes a saccharide moiety into a protein. Proteins made by both methods can be further modified with additional sugars.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: The Scripps Research InstituteInventors: Peter G. Schultz, Lei Wang, Zhiwen Zhang
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Patent number: 7217537Abstract: A method to increase carotenoid production in carotenogenic microbial host cells is provided by down-regulating or disrupting glycogen synthesis. Disruption of glycogen synthase activity in a carotenogenic microbial host cell significantly increased carotenoid production. Carotenogenic microorganisms are also provided that have been optimized for the production of carotenoid compounds through the down-regulation and/or disruption of glycogen synthase activity.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Edward S. Miller, Jr., James M. Odom, Pamela L. Sharpe
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Patent number: 7208310Abstract: The present invention relates to proteases of high specific activity homologous to proteases derived from Nocardiopsis, and the production thereof by the wild-type, and in recombinant host cells including transgenic plants and non-human transgenic animals. The proteases are effective in animal feed, and detergents. Characteristic structural features of relevance for the specific activity of these proteases of peptidase family S2A or S1E are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Novozymes A/SInventors: Soeren Flensted Lassen, Carsten Sjoholm, Peter Rahbek Ostergaard
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Patent number: 7205135Abstract: Reagents which regulate human adenylate cyclase and reagents which bind to human adenylate cyclase gene products can play a role in preventing, ameliorating, or correcting dysfunctions or diseases including, but not limited to, peripheral and central nervous system disorders, disorders of the genito-urinary system including but not limited to benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary incontinence, obesity, COPD and diabetes.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Bayer HealthCare AGInventor: Zhimin Zhu