Abstract: The invention provides PcrA Helicase polypeptides and polynucleotides encodi PcrA Helicase polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing PcrA Helicase polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a Coriolus hirsutus host cell transformed with a vector containing a basidiomycete-derived promoter region selected from the group consisting of basidiomycete-derived ras and priA gene promoter regions. This invention is particularly characterized in that the basidiomycete-derived promoter region is a Lentinus edodes-derived ras or priA gene promoter region or a Coriolus hirsutus-derived ras gene promoter region. This host cell can be utilized for the high productivity of lignin degrading enzymes.

Abstract: A method for screening for potential fungicides identifies biochemical or chemical agents that inhibit the formation of the fungal sterol ergosterol by inhibiting cytochrome P450 reductase or reductase related enzymes or proteins involved in its biosynthesis. Test samples are incubated in two yeast strain cultures, and the extent of growth inhibition is compared between them. One culture is supersensitive to cytochrome P450 reductase inhibitors; the yeast strain typically contains a disrupted or deleted cytochrome P450 reductase gene. The other culture is less sensitive to the compounds, typically exhibiting enhanced permeability such as that observed in erg6 mutants. In preferred embodiments, a known cytochrome P450 reductase related electron-transfer protein inhibitor such as keto-conazole, miconazole, dinaconazole or econazole is employed as a positive control. Preferred embodiments employ solidified media, and test samples are applied to disks or wells.

Abstract: An improved process for production of an N-acylated cephalosporin is described. The process utilizes an Acremonium strain which has been modified to express an acyl transferase of a filamentous fungus and is selected for production of the N-acylated cephalosporin at a level which is equal to or higher than the production of the corresponding &agr;-aminoadipyl-7-cephalosporins in the strain.

Abstract: Germacrene C synthase genes from Lycopersicon esculentum have been cloned and sequenced. Transgenic expression of germacrene C synthase in plants can result in beneficial and useful characteristics such as increased host resistance to pathogens and herbivores and altered flavor and odor profiles.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKif9, antibodies to HsKif9, methods of screening for HsKif9 modulators using biologically active HsKif9, and kits for screening for HsKif9 modulators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel telomerase nucleic acids and amino acids. In particular, the present invention is directed to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences encoding various telomerase protein subunits and motifs, including the 123 kDa and 43 kDa telomerase protein subunits of Euplotes aediculatus, and related sequences from Schizosaccharomyces, Saccharomyces sequences, and human telomerase. The present invention is also directed to polypeptides comprising these telomerase protein subunits, as well as functional polypeptides and ribonucleoproteins that contain these subunits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having glucoamylase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. 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 relates to a modified enzyme of a non-heme iron (II) dependent family of oxygenases and oxidases which renders the enzyme dependent on bicarbonate for activity. In a preferred embodiment, the modification is an arginine, lysine, or other amino acid that is two amino acid residues upstream of a histidine residue that is an iron ligand in the enzyme and is one of the histidine residues of the 2-histidine-1-aspartic acid trifacial motif. In particular, the modified enzymes are isopenicillin N synthetase, deacetoxycephalosporin C synthetase, and deacetoxycephalosporin C synthetase/deacetylcephalosporin C synthetase which are used to make antibiotics. The present invention further provides a method for making antibiotics using a modified enzyme such as isopenicillin N synthetase, deacetoxycephalosporin C synthetase, and deacetoxycephalosporin C synthetase/deacetylcephalosporin C synthetase wherein the modification renders the enzyme dependent on bicarbonate for activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a quinolinate metabolic enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the quinolinate metabolic enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the quinolinate metabolic enzyme in a transformed host cell.