Abstract: Through function complementation of E. coli auxotrophs, the ultimate and pentultimate enzymes of the spinach riboflavin biosynthetic pathway have been cloned, namely, lumazine synthase (LS) and riboflavin synthase (RS). This invention relates to the isolation of nucleic acid fragments from plants or fungi that encode LS protein. The invention also relates to the isolation of nucleic acid fragments from plants or fungi that encode RS protein. In addition, the invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all of a portion of LS, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein the expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of plant LS in a transformed host cell. Furthermore, the invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all of a portion of RS, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein the expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of plant or fungal RS in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Recombinant host cells that produce rapamycin analogues are constructed by deleting or modifying rapamycin biosynthetic gene cluster genes and are useful in the production of compounds used as antifungals, anticancers, immunosuppressants, and neurotrophins.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a diaminopimelate epimerase from Corynebacterium glutamicum and to polynucleotides encoding this enzyme. The gene has been given the designation “dapF.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides involved in the biosynthesis of cobalamines and/or cobamides, in particular coenzyme B12, genetic material responsible for expressing these polypeptides, and a method for preparing them, are described. A method for amplifying the production of cobalamines, and particularly coenzyme B12, using recombinant DNA techniques, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention related to the novel human kinase polypeptides STLK2, STLK3, STLK4, STLK5, STLK6, STLK7, ZC1, ZC2, ZC3, ZC4, KHS2, SULU1, SULU2, SULU3, GEK2, PAK4, and PAK5, nucleotide sequences encoding the novel kinase polypeptides, as well as various products and methods useful for the diagnosis and treatment of various kinase-related diseases and conditions.

Abstract: There are described methods for making polyhydroxyalkanoate and its copolymers, by culturing a host cell transformed with a vector comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis-related DNA fragment isolated from Alcaligenes latus. The DNA fragment comprises genes that encode for polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, &bgr;-ketothiolase, and acetoacetyl-CoA reductase.

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

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences encoding ∈-cyclase, isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase and &bgr;-carotene hydroxylase as well as vectors containing the same and hosts transformed with the vectors. Methods for controlling the ratio of various carotenoids in a host and for the production of novel carotenoid pigments. The present invention also provides a method for screening for eukaryotic genes encoding carotenoid biosynthesis, and for modifying the disclosed enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding an aveC gene product, which polynucleotide molecules can be used to alter the ratio or amount of class 2:1 avermectins produced in fermentation cultures of S. avermitilis. The present invention further relates to vectors, host cells, and mutant strains of S. 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: Recombinant host cells that comprise recombinant DNA expression vectors that drive expression of a product and a precursor for biosynthesis of that product can be used to produce useful products such as polyketides in host cells that do not naturally produce the product or produce the product at low levels due to the absence of the precursor or the presence of the precursor in rate limiting amounts.

Abstract: A process for preparing alanine by culturing a genetically modified microorganism that produces alanine from glucose. The microorganism is one that has been modified to result in an overexpression of an endogenous alanine dehydrogenase gene, expression of a heterologous alanine dehydrogenase gene, or a combination of both. The source of alanine dehydrogenase may be Bacillus sphaericus. The modified microorganisms may be a homofermentative microorganism, such as a strain of L. lactis. The process can be used for in situ and stereoscopic preparation of alanine. The invention also relates to the microorganisms and the recombinant DNA molecules that can be used in the invention, as well as to alanine and alanine-containing products obtained according to the process of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides having alpha-amylase activity [E.C. 3.2.1.1], which may be derived from Bacillus. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleotide sequences coding for the superoxide dismutase (sod) gene from Corynebacterium melassecola. It includes processes for the fermentative preparation of nucleotides, vitamins and L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which the sod gene is amplified.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for pulmonary delivery of chemically modified G-CSF, and pegylated proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains, in general, to the identification, isolation and use of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) genes and the proteins encoded by such genes. In particular, the present invention pertains to the identification, isolation and use of TERT genes and TERT proteins from several genetically diverse and economically important organisms, including two human pathogens, Candida albicans and Plasmodium falciparum and an agronomic crop species, Oryza sativa.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to human polypeptide activators of caspases such as polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences diagnostic of caspase activators. These sequences and polypeptides and polynucleotides embodying these sequences find a wide vanety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications involving detecting and/or modulating expression and/or function of activators or caspases or genes or transcripts encoding such activators and generating genetic and immuno probes specific to activators of caspases.

Abstract: Cell-free systems which effect the production of polyketides employing modular polyketide synthases are described. Libraries of new and/or known polyketides may also be produced in cell-free systems employing aromatic PKS, modular PKS or both.

Abstract: The present invention describes the DNA sequence for eukaryotic genes encoding &egr; cyclase, isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) isomerase and &bgr;-carotene hydroxylase as well as vectors containing the same and host cells transformed with said vectors. The &egr; cyclase and &bgr;-carotene hydroxylase genes disclosed include those from A. thaliana; the IPP isomerase genes disclosed include those from A. thaliana, H. pluvialis, and marigold. The present invention also provides methods for controlling the ratio of various carotenoids in a host cell and for the production of novel carotenoid pigments. The present invention also provides a method for screening for eukaryotic genes encoding carotenoid biosynthesis enzymes.

Abstract: Hydantoinase enzymes which are mutants of a previously isolated hydantoinase having the amino acid SEQ. ID. NO. 2. The mutants include amino acid substitutions at positions 95, 154, 180, 251 and/or 255 of the wild type hydantoinase (SEQ. ID. NO. 2). The mutant hydantoinases, like the parent hydantoinase, are used in the production of optically pure amino acids.

Abstract: Spinosyn biosynthetic genes from Saccharopolyspora spinosa, spinosyn producing microorganisms transformed with the biosynthetic genes, methods using the biosynthetic genes to increase production of spinosyn insecticidal macrolides, and methods using the genes or fragments thereof to change the products produced by spinosyn-producing microorganisms are provided.