Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides corresponding to the luxR gene and which encode a LuxR transcriptional activator, methods of producing L-amino acids, and methods of screening for polynucleotides which encode proteins having LuxR transcriptional activation activity. The invention also relates to isolating the luxR gene and which encode a LuxR transcriptional activator from Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secreted protein (A55) produced by murine embryonic cardiac cells and a polynucleotide encoding the protein. The invention also provides a second secreted protein (A55b) produced by a splice variant of the gene encoding the first protein, and a polynucleotide encoding the variant. Finally, the invention also provides methods for utilizing the two proteins in the treatment and prevention of diseases, such as through the inhibition of proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and through the regulation of physiological activities including hematopoietic cell activity, tissue forming/repairing activity, activin/inhibin activity, chemotactic/chemokinetic activity, blood coagulating and thrombotic activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing Bloom's syndrome (BS) as well as determining whether a subject is a carrier of a mutated BLM gene. The present invention also provides one or more single-stranded nucleic acid probes and antibodies which may be formulated in kits, and used for diagnosing BS or determining whether a human subject is a carrier of a mutated BLM gene. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating or preventing the onset of BS in a subject in need of such treatment or prevention, as well as vectors and stem cells useful for such treatment or prevention. The present invention also provides a purified and isolated nucleic acid encoding an enzymatically active BLM protein, a vector comprising this nucleic acid, a cell stably transformed with this vector, as well as a method for producing recombinant, enzymatically active BLM protein. A purified, enzymatically active BLM protein is also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated nucleic acids of the rat and human p-Hyde gene, analogs, fragments, mutants and variants thereof of the p-Hyde family. The invention provides polypeptides, fusion proteins, chimerics, fusion proteins, antisense molecules, antibodies, and uses thereof. Also, this invention is directed to a method of inducing susceptibility to apoptosis with p-Hyde, a method of suppressing tumor growth with p-Hyde, and a method of treating a subject with cancer with p-Hyde alone or in combination with radiation, chemotherapy, or UV mimetic drugs. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers, which have a mutation in the p-Hyde gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics. The invention further relates tot the screening of drugs for cancer therapy. Finally the invention relates to the screening o the p-Hyde gene for mutations, which are useful for diagnosing the predisposition to cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules comprising sequences encoding avec gene products, which polynucleotide molecules can be used to alter the ratio or amount of class 2:1 avermectins produced in fermentation cultures of Streptomyces avermitilis. AveC genes, homologs and partial homologs thereof are described for S. avermitilis , S. hygroscopicus, and S. griseochromogenes, respectively. The present invention further relates to vectors, host cells, and mutant strains of Streptomyces avermitilis in which the avec gene has been inactivated, or mutated so as to change the ratio or amount of class 2:1 avermectins produced.

Abstract: The heterologous expression of the oleandomycin polyketide synthase (OlePKS) in Streptomyces lividans, produces 8,8 a-deoxyoleandolide, an aglycone precursor of oleandomycin. The co-expression with deoxyerythronolide B synthase (DEBS) in S. lividans of the P450 monooxygenase OleP produces 8,8 a-dihydroxy-6-deoxyerythonolide B and other derivatives that are precursors to important macrolide antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention is related to nucleotide sequences encoding a sensor kinse, citA, from Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Abstract: The production of carotenoid is accomplished using a DNA molecule that encodes a polypeptide as obtained from Haematococcus pluvialis, Phaffia rhodozyma, or Saccharomyces cerevisiae, having isopentonyl pyrophosphate (IPP) isomerase activity, or DNA molecule having a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes thereto. In particular, one can introduce such a DNA molecule into a carotenoid-producing microorganism, culture the microorganism thus transformed, and then obtain carotenoids in the culture broth and cells.

Abstract: Transacylase enzymes of Taxus cuspidata and the use of such enzymes to produce Taxol™, related taxoids, as well as intermediates in the Taxol™ biosynthetic pathway are disclosed. Examples of specific enzymes described herein include taxadienol 5-O-acetyl transacylase (TAX1) and 10-deacetylbaccatin III-10-O-acetyl transferase (TAX6). Also disclosed are nucleic acid sequences encoding the T. cuspidata transacylase enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides from Corynebacterium glutamicum encoding proteins of the transcription activator (MetR) and O-succinylhomoserine sulfhydrylase (MetZ). The invention also relates to producing L-amino acids, particularly methionine, in coryneform cells having attenuated metR and metZ genes.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids and their encoded polypeptides that are involved in enhancing the essential amino acid content of a plant. The polypeptide may be derived from a protease inhibitor, and more specifically, a chymotrypsin inhibitor. Chymotrypsin inhibitors that may be modified for use in the invention are present in many plant species. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) was initially used to obtain the chymotrypsin inhibitor modified for use in the present invention. Other plant species that may be used as a source for chymotrypsin inhibitor for use in the present invention include Zea Mays, Vicia faba, Cucurbita maxima, Canavalia lineata, Vigna angularis, Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana sylvestris, Sambucus nigra, Momordica charantia, Solanum tuberosum, Lycopersicon peruvianum, Lycopersicon esculentum, Amaranthus caudatus and Arabidopsis thalania. Optionally there is also a decrease in protease inhibitory activity of the polypeptide.

Abstract: A DNA sequence encoding a human type V adenylyl cyclase is described. The amino acid sequence of the adenylyl cyclase is also described. This adenylyl cyclase is expressed in heart and brain tissue.

Abstract: Linking sequences that modulate cross-talk between modules of Type I polyketide synthases have been identified and methods for their use are described. Arbitrarily chosen modules can be mixed and matched by supplying the appropriate linkers to facilitate transfer of a growing polyketide chain between modules. Employing these techniques, new polyketide end products may be obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel polynucleotide sequences encoding the histidine kinase luminescence expression sensor (luxS) gene from Corynebaclerium glutamicum, probes to the novel polynucleotide sequences encoding the luxS gene, vector and host cells containing the novel luxS polynucleotide sequences, the encoded Lux S polypeptide, and a process for the fermentative preparation of amino acids using bacteria which the luxS gene is attenuated.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of human lanosterol synthase proteins and nucleic acid sequences encoding these lanosterol synthase proteins. The present invention provides isolated lanosterol synthase proteins and encoding nucleic acid molecules, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acid molecules, and processes for producing the lanosterol synthase proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated DNA molecule encoding a small subunit of acetohydroxy acid synthase isozyme III originating from Escherichia coli and mutants of Escherichia coli acetohydroxy acid synthase isozyme III, which are free from inhibition by L-valine an can catalyze the conversion of: (a) pyruvate to &agr;-acetolactate and (b) &agr;-ketobutyrate and pyruvate to &agr;-aceto-a-hydroxybutyrate. The present invention also provides methods for producing L-valine by fermentation of a bacterium harboring the novel DNA molecule and/or expressing the mutant acetohydroxy acid synthase isozyme III.

Abstract: It is desirable to have selective markers suitable for screening of thermophilic bacteria such as Thermus thermophilus. T. thermophilus are good research materials for investigating the interrelation between enzyme structures and functions since they are stable at extreme pH, crystallize easily and are easy-to-handle. Novel mutants of Staphylococcus aureus kanamydn nucleotidyltransferase with markedly improved thermostability are disclosed, as well as a selective marker using the same, and a screening method for thermophilic bacteria such as T. thermophilus using said selective marker.

Abstract: This invention comprises novel Rapamycin-FKBP12 binding proteins of mammalian origin for identification, design and synthesis of immunomodulatory, anti-restenosis or anti-tumor agents, as well as fragments of the proteins and the DNA, cDNA, antisense RNA and DNA segments corresponding to the proteins. This invention also comprises methods for isolating the proteins and therapeutic uses related to the proteins.

Abstract: BTL.010 is a novel human serine proteinase inhibitor of the Kunitz family that exhibits greater potency towards neutral serine proteinases, particularly leukocyte elastase and proteinase 3 than towards trypsin-like proteinases. BTL.010, or variants thereof, may be employed as therapeutics in diseases such as emphysema, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, organ failure, and glomerulonephritis in which uncontrolled proteolysis due to neutral serine proteinase activity results in tissue damage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for producing avermectins, and is primarily in the field of animal health. The present invention relates to the identification and characterization of two novel genes, herein referred to as the aveR1 and aveR2 genes, that are involved in regulating avermectin polyketide synthase (PKS) expression and avermectin biosynthesis in Streptomyces avermitilis. The present invention is based on the discovery that inactivation of these genes results in an increase in the amount of avermectin produced by S. avermitilis.