Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides having proteolytic activity. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as recombinant methods for producing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying enzymes suitable for use in detergents, especially the selection of specific enzyme variants among a large number of such variants created through random mutagenesis.

Abstract: Disclose herein is a novel recombinant mutant protein of human Group IIA phospholipase A (PLA2) which has enhanced antibacterial activity when compared to the wild-type human Group IIA PLA2, pharmaceutical formulations comprising the protein and methods of use thereof. Additionally, the formulations may comprise other bioactive compounds, such as, e.g., conventional antibiotics, that act additively or synergistically with Group IIA PLA2 in order to promote bacterial killing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioengineered synthesis scheme for the production of gallic acid from a carbon source. Methods of producing gallic acid from a carbon source based on the synthesis scheme are also provided. The gallic acid produces from these methods can be further converted to pyrogallol. Methods for the biosynthesis of pyrogallol from gallic acid are also provided.

Abstract: L-amino acid oxidases (L-AAO) from Rhodococcus species and nucleic acids, vectors and microorganisms expressing such L-AAOs. L-AAOs may be used to selectively transform the L-portion of a racemic mixture of an amino acid into keto acid, and thus purify the corresponding D-amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention describes peptide substrates of the metalloproteases, ADAM8, ADAM15 and MDC-L. The invention also describes methods using these peptides to discover pharmaceutical agents that modulate these proteases. The invention further describes CD23 processing activity for these enzymes that may have important therapeutic implications for the use of inhibitors of these enzymes in allergic diseases such as asthma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poly(A)-specific 3′-exonuclease activity which can be obtained by chromatographically purifying a crude extract of animal or human cells and to its use for deadenylating 3′-poly(A) tails of nucleic acids and as a pharmaceutical or diagnostic agent, or for identifying functional interactors.

Abstract: This invention provides the genes encoding the RNA triphosphatase and RNA guanylyltransferase of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the catalytically active recombinant RNA triphosphatase and RNA guanylyltransferase enzymes. These enzymes form the basis of activity inhibition assays to identify molecules that specifically target the formation of the mRNA 5′ cap in unicellular eukaryotic parasites.

Abstract: Monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO A and B) are major neurotransmitter- and xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes that are thought to play a role in psychiatric and neurological disorders. These isozymes have a high degree of identity in their nucleotide deduced amino acid sequences, but are encoded by different genes on the X-chromosome. Previous studies on MAO B have shown that FAD binds both noncovalently and covalently to specific amino acid residues that reside in highly conserved regions of MAO A and B. In the instant invention, it is demonstrated that the aromatic moieties at Tyr393 and Tyr398, which are located on each side of the covalent FAD binding residue (Cys397) participate in covalent FAD binding, and the generation of catalytically active MAO B.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the systematic analysis of the structure and function of polypeptides by identifying active domains which influence the activity of the polypeptide with a target substance. Such active domains are determined by substituting selected amino acid segments of the polypeptide with an analogous polypeptide segment from an analog to the polypeptide. The analog has a different activity with the target substance as compared to the parent polypeptide. The activities of the segment-substituted polypeptides are compared to the same activity for the parent polypeptide for the target. A comparison of such activities provides an indication of the location of the active domain in the parent polypeptide. The invention also provides methods for identifying the active amino acid residues within the active domain of the parent polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel therapeutic uses of heterologous superoxide dismutase (HSD) for preparing medicines for treating diseases in which cell and organic degeneration is observed, and a method for selecting said HSD.

Abstract: Methods for producing mutant 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase enzymes with altered cofactor dependency are provided. Also provided are mutant 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase enzymes with altered cofactor dependency, DNA encoding these mutant enzymes, and vectors and host cells expressing these mutant enzymes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a promoter for dihydroxyacetone synthase gene from Candida boidinii; an expression cassette or vector comprising the promoter and a heterologous gene; a transformant transformed with this vector; and a method for producing an expression product of the heterologous gene which comprises culturing the transformant to express the heterologous gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutated human TS, said mutated synthase differing from wild type TS at amino acid residue 49, amino acid residue 52, amino acid residue 108, amino acid residue 221 or amino acid residue 225. Also provided is cDNA mutated human TSs and novel vectors and host cells and methods of using the mutated human TSs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation and sequencing of a novel class of methyltransferase genes, including the methyltransferase gene from Rhizobium meliloti, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Brucella abortus, and Helicobacter pylori. The invention further comprises efficient methods of assaying methyltransferase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a newly identified human agmatinase-like arginase, designated “25312”. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the agmatinase-like arginase. The invention further relates to methods using the agmatinase-like polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in disorders mediated by or related to the agmatinase-like arginase. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to agonists and antagonists identified by drug screening methods with the polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical probe useful as an optical probe or sensor of post translational type modifications, such as phosphorylation. The invention comprises a polypeptide moiety, which contains a recognition motif for a post translational type activity and a protease site, which is coupled to a probe moiety. Modification of the polypeptide, by the post translational type activity, results in a modulation of the rate at which a protease cleaves the polypeptide which is sensed by a measurable change in at least one optical property of the optical probe upon cleavage. The present invention also includes a recombinant nucleic acid molecule that encodes an optical probe and a vector and host cell or library of cells that include the recombinant nucleic acid molecule. The optical probe can be used in methods to determine whether a sample, including a cell or a sample from an organism, contains a post-translational type modification activity.

Abstract: Modified Tn5 transposase proteins having a preference for transposon Tn5 inside ends rather than outside ends are disclosed and can be used in combination with a transposase enzymes that prefer outside ends to inside ends in a method for end-specific directed transposition in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: The invention relates to phenol oxidizing enzymes encoded by nucleic acids capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and in particular phenol oxidizing enzymes obtainable from fungus. Particularly provided are nucleic acid sequences and amino acids from Bipolaris spicifera, Curvularia pallescens and Amerosporium atrum, and expression vectors and host cells comprising said nucleic acid sequences encoding phenol oxidizing enzymes. Additionally, methods for producing the phenol oxidizing enzymes as well as methods for constructing expression hosts are disclosed.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is provided, which encodes a novel chitinase enzyme. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain 34S1, from which an exemplary nucleic acid molecule of the invention was isolated, is also provided. The enzyme, the gene encoding the enzyme, and microorganisms and plants expressing the gene are useful for reducing or preventing plant disease caused by plant pathogenic fungi.