Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide from Corynebacterium glutamicum having a polynucleotide sequence which codes for the carbon starvation protein A (cstA) gene, and a host-vector system having a coryneform host bacterium in which the cstA gene is present in enhanced form and a vector which carries at least the cstA gene according to SEQ ID NO: 1, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: A hybrid type I polyketide synthase gene typically containing a starter module and a plurality of heterologous extender modules is used to synthesize novel polyketides. It is preferably under the control of a type II polypolyketide synthase promoter e.g. act I of S. coelicolor.

Abstract: An amino acid such as threonine, homoserine, isoleucine, lysine, valine and tryptophan is produced using a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia which has been constructed from sucorse non-assimilative strain belonging to the genus Escherichia and which harbors sucrose non-PTS (phosphoenol pyruvate-dependent sucrose-6-phosphotransferase system) genes and has an ability to produce the amino acid.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated polynucleotides that encode the MurF (UDP-N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine-D-glutamate-m-DaD:D-alanine-D-alanine ligase) protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Purified and isolated MurF recombinant proteins are also provided. Nucleic acid sequences which encode functionally active MurF proteins are described. Assays for the identification of modulators of the expression of murF and inhibitors of the activity of MurF, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for the prophylaxis or treatment of dental caries, dental plaque, and periodontal infection that include lactic bacteria that are not part of the resident micriflora of the mouth, that are low acidifying, and that are capable of adhering directly to the pellicle of the teeth. Preferably, the lactic bacteria of the include one or more of Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, or Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis. The compositions are used in methods of treating or preventing dental caries, dental plaque, and periodontal infection.

Abstract: The use of enzymes that catalyze the production of starter and extender units for polyketides in E. coli and Streptomyces is described; these enzymes include malonyl CoA decarboxylase (MatA), malonyl CoA synthetase (MatB), and a malonate transporter (MatC) as well as proprionyl CoA carboxylase (pcc). The matBC gene from Streptomyces coelicolor, the matABC genes from Rhizobium trifoli, and the pccB and accA2 from Streptomyces coelicolor are useful in specific embodiments of the claimed invention. These enzymes may be used to enhance the yield of polyketides that are natively produced or polyketides that are rationally designed. By using these techniques, the synthesis of a complete polyketide has been achieved in E. coli in the presence of a phosphopantetheinyl transferase, such as sfp from Bacillus subtilis. This achievement permits a host organism with desirable characteristics to be used in the production of such polyketides and to assess the results of gene shuffling.

Abstract: A gene coding for a mutant tyrosine repressor having increased positive regulatory activity for expression of the tyrosine phenol lyase gene compared with a tyrosine repressor not having mutation is obtained by introducing a mutation into a tyrosine repressor gene of Erwinia herbicola, introducing the gene into which the mutation is introduced into Escherichia coli expressing a lactose operon under the control of a promoter and enhancer of the tyrosine phenol lyase gene derived from Erwinia herbicola, and selecting a transformed strain having increased ?-galactosidase activity.

Abstract: The invention describes the riboflavin biosynthesis gene and gene products from yeast. Vectors and recombinant preparation processes for riboflavin are furthermore described. Specifically, the invention relates to the genes for riboflavin biosynthesis in yeast, the proteins encoded therewith and genetic engineering process for the preparation of riboflavin using these genes and gene products. Accordingly, six genes (rib genes), which encode from enzymes of riboflavin biosynthesis starting from GTP, were found in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and isolated.

Abstract: A DNA sequence suitable for the controlled transcription and/or expression of a variety of different genes in bacteria, preferably gram positive bacteria is provided. In particular, the DNA sequence includes the promoter and the gene coding for the lac repressor of the lac operon of Lactobacillus delbrueckii with a DNA sequence coding for a gene product of interest being arranged inbetween.

Abstract: This invention provides detailed sequence analysis and characterization of the gene cluster responsible for the synthesis of bleomycin in Streptomyces verticillus. The bleomycin gene cluster provides the first hybrid polyketide synthase/nonribosomal peptide synthetase pathway and elucidation of the various modules and enzymatic domains characterizing the pathway provides convenient synthetic routes for bleomycins, bleomycin analogs, and various other polyketides.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to increase the production of an amino acid from Corynebacterium species by way of the amplification of amino acid biosynthetic pathway genes in a host cell chromosome. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods to increase the production of L-lysine in Corynebacterium glutamicum by way of the amplification of L-lysine biosynthetic pathway genes in a host cell chromosome. The invention also provides novel processes for the production of an amino acid by way of the amplification of amino acid biosynthetic pathway genes in a host cell chromosome and/or by increasing promoter strength. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides processes to increase the production of L-lysine in Corynebacterium glutamicum by way of the amplification of L-lysine biosynthetic pathway genes in a host cell chromosome.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of L-amino acids. The process includes fermenting the coryneform bacteria producing the desired L-amino acid, in which at least the gene coding for 6-phosphofructokinase and/or the gene coding for 1-phosphofructokinase are/is attenuated, enriching the desired L-amino acid in the medium or in the cells of the bacteria, and isolating the L-amino acid. Optionally bacteria are employed in which, in addition, further genes of the biosynthetic pathway of the desired L-amino acid are enhanced, or bacteria are employed in which the metabolic pathways that diminish the formation of the desired L-amino acid are at least partly switched off.

Abstract: The invention relates to polynucleotides corresponding to the oxyR gene from Corynebacterium glutamicum and which encode a OxyR transcriptional regulator, methods of producing L-amino acids, and methods of screening for polynucleotides which encode proteins having OxyR transcriptional regulator activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates lo an isolated polynucleotide from Corynebacterium glutamicum comprising a polynucleotide sequence chosen from the group c insisting of (a) a polynucleotide which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; (b) a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; (c) a polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of(a) or (b), and (d) a polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of (a), (b), or (c), and a process for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which at least the sigE gene is present in enhanced form, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequence according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for altering amino acid composition of a protein of interest are provided, particularly proteins whose three-dimensional structure is unknown. The method comprises creating interacting molecules to the native protein and selecting for engineered proteins which retain the native conformation by antibody binding. In this manner, the levels of essential amino acids in a protein can be increased yet the biological activity of the protein maintained. Also provided is an exemplary plant protein—Glycine max vegetative storage protein (VSP)—in which methionine levels have been increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for the synthesis of clavam compounds, in particular clavulanic acid. In one aspect, the invention relates to Streptomyces clavuligerus ?-lactam synthetase polypeptide sand Streptomyces clavuligerus ?-lactam synthetase polynucleotides, recombinant materials thereof and methods for their production. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods for using such polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Abstract: The invention provides Staphylococcus aureus methionyl tRNA synthetase polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding Staphylococcus aureus methionyl tRNA synthetase polypeptides and methods for producing such poypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing Staphylococcus aureus methionyl tRNA synthetase polypeptides for the protection against infection, particularly bacterial infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide from Corynebacterium glutamicum having a polynucleotide sequence which codes for the sigD gene, and a host-vector system having a coryneform host bacterium in which the sigD gene is present in enhanced form and a vector which carries at least the sigD gene according to SEQ ID No: 1, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: There is provided DNA sequences isolated from Myxococcus xanthus partially encoding a functional portion of a polypeptide component required for the synthesis of antibiotic TA. Also provided are purified, isolated and cloned DNA sequences encoding a polypeptide component required for postmodification of antibiotic TA and encoding a gene product involved in the regulation of the biosynthesis of antibiotic TA. A purified, isolated and cloned DNA sequence having a DNA sequence (seq. ID No:2 and 20) encoding a polypeptide component required for encoding the TA gene cluster and any mutations thereof is provided. Also provided are methods of using the TA genes for combinatorial genetics and of using the TA genes encoding for synthesis and modification or regulation of antibiotic TA.

Abstract: An Escherichia coil mutant strain deficient in dihydrodipicolinate synthase or dihydrodipicolinate reductase is transformed by using a chromosome gene library of Bacillus methanolicus, a transformant strain which can grow on a minimal medium is selected, and recombinant DNA containing DNA which codes for dihydrodipicolinate synthase or dihydrodipicolinate reductase is obtained from the transformant.