Abstract: Cell-targeted serine protease constructs are provided. Such constructs can be used in methods for targeted cell killing such as for treatment cell of proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer). In some aspects, recombinant serine proteases, such as Granzyme B polypeptides, are provided that exhibit improved stability and cell toxicity. Methods and compositions for treating lapatinib or trastuzumab-resistant cancers are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutated and/or transformed microorganisms for the synthesis of various compounds. More specifically, the present invention discloses microorganisms mutated in the genes encoding for the regulators ArcA and IclR. The latter mutations result in a significant upregulation of the genes that are part of the colanic acid operon. Hence, said microorganisms are useful for the synthesis of any compound being part of the colanic acid pathway such as GDP-fucose, GDP-mannose and colanic acid, and/or, can be further used—starting form GDP-fucose as a precursor—to synthesize fucosylated oligosaccharides or—starting from GDP-mannose as a precursor—to synthesize mannosylated oligosaccharides. In addition, mutations in the genes coding for the transcriptional regulators ArcA and IclR lead to an acid resistance phenotype in the exponential growth phase allowing the synthesis of pH sensitive molecules or organic acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are a number of homologs and variants of Hypocrea jecorina Ce17A (formerly Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I or CBH1), nucleic acids encoding the same and methods for producing the same. The homologs and variant cellulases have the amino acid sequence of a glycosyl hydrolase of family 7A wherein one or more amino acid residues are substituted and/or deleted.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for a mutein aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase that preferentially charges a tRNA with a non-natural amino acid. Also provided are methods for incorporating the non-natural amino acid, para-methylazido-L-phenylalanine into a protein and further conjugating a biologically active adduct to the para-methylazido-L-phenylalanine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bacterial strains, capable of utilizing glycerol as a carbon source for the fermentative production of succinic acid, wherein said strains are genetically modified so that they comprise a deregulation of their endogenous pyruvate-formate-lyase enzyme activity, as well as to methods of producing organic acids, in particular succinic acid, by making use of such microorganism. The present invention also relates to the downstream processing of the produced organic acids by cation exchange chromatography.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan with a weight average degree of polymerization (DPw) of at least 1000. This glucan polymer comprises at least 30% alpha-1,3 linkages and at least 30% alpha-1,6 linkages. Further disclosed are glucosyltransferase enzymes that synthesize poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan. Ether derivatives of poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan and methods of using such derivatives as viscosity modifiers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated, genetically modified, living non-mammal organism, having increased HMG-CoA-reductase activity compared to the wild type, and having reduced C24-methyltransferase and/or delta22-desaturase activity compared to the wild type. The invention is characterized in that the organism has increased dehydrocholesterol-delta70-reductase activity compared to the wild type. The invention further relates to different uses of such an organism, to a test kit comprising such an organism, and to a membrane extract of such an organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and articles of manufacture useful for the prophylactic and therapeutic amelioration and treatment of gram-positive bacteria, including Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, and related conditions. The invention provides compositions and methods incorporating and utilizing Streptococcus suis derived bacteriophage lysins, particularly PlySs2 and/or PlySs1 lytic enzymes and variants thereof, including truncations thereof. Methods for treatment of humans are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a methionyl tRNA synthase (MRS) for the biosynthesis of a photomethionine-labeled protein and a method for preparing a photoactivatable protein G variant using same and, more particularly, to an MRS variant in which alanine at the position of 12th is substituted with glycine, leucine at the position of 13th by serine, tyrosine at the position of 260th by phenylalanine, isoleucine at the position of 297th by valine, and histidine at the position of 301st by leucine from the N-terminal of the amino acid sequence of a wild-type Escherichia coli methionyl tRNA synthase. The MRS variant effectively confirms the biosynthesis of a photomethionine (pM)-labeled target protein and thus can be utilized for the biosynthesis of a pM-labeled target protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are steviol glycosides referred to as rebaudioside V and rebaudioside W. Also disclosed are methods for producing rebaudioside M (Reb M), rebausoside G (Reb G), rebaudioside KA (Reb KA), rebaudioside V (Reb V) and rebaudioside (Reb W).

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The Bacterial cocaine esterase (CocE) mutants disclosed herein each have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (?)-cocaine, as compared to CocE mutants in the prior art, including CocE mutant E172-173. The presently-disclosed subject matter further includes a pharmaceutical composition including a mutant of bacterial cocaine hydrolase, as described herein, and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. The presently-disclosed subject matter further includes a method of treating a cocaine-induced condition comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a mutant of bacterial cocaine hydrolase variant, as disclosed herein, to accelerate cocaine metabolism and produce biologically inactive metabolites.

Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellobiose dehydrogenases (CDH) having glucose oxidation activity at a pH of 7.4 or above, modifications to modify the pH dependency of the enzymes activity, uses for these CDHs, in particular electrode sensors and electrochemical cells.

Abstract: Provided are Thraustochytrid and Thraustochytrium and relevant methods and reagents, including engineered regulatory sequences and genes from and/or operative in Thraustochytrid or Thraustochytrium, selectable markers useful for engineering microorganisms such as Thraustochytrids, means for mutagenizing microorganisms, strains produced by mutagenesis, and methods and compositions related to production of particular compounds in microorganisms.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered microalgae that exhibit enhanced lipid production during exponential growth. Such engineered microalgae are useful, for example, for the production of biofuels.

Abstract: This document describes biochemical pathways for producing isoprene by forming two vinyl groups in a central precursor produced from isobutyryl-CoA, 3-methyl-2-oxopentanoate, or 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate as well as recombinant hosts for producing isoprene.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process of identification and isolation of sorbitol dehydrogenase promoter from Pichia pastoris. Further, the present disclosure also relates to expression of heterologous proteins under the control of Sorbitol dehydrogenase promoter in Pichia pastoris.