Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleic acids, novel polypeptide sequences encoded by these nucleic acids and uses thereof.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences coding for a protein having ?,?-carotene 15,15?-monooxygenase activity and their uses in diagnostics, the synthesis of vitamin A and methods for the introduction of the ?,?-carotene 15,15?-monooxygenase cDNA into host cells are disclosed.

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: A novel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase derived from a microorganism capable of producing a PHA having a novel side-chain structure and a DNA encoding the amino acid sequence for the synthase are provided. Two PHA synthase proteins (SEQ ID Nos. 1 and 3) derived from Pseudomonas jessenii P161 (FERM BP-7376) and PHA synthase genes encoding these PHA synthases are provided, respectively (SEQ ID Nos. 2 and 4). A recombinant microorganism is endowed with a PHA producing ability.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel calcium-independent cytosolic phospholipase A2-Beta enzyme, polynucleotides encoding such enzyme and methods for screening unknown compounds for anti-inflammatory activity mediated by the arachidonic acid cascade.

Abstract: The enzyme, iron hydrogenase (HydA), has industrial applications for the production of hydrogen, specifically, for catalyzing the reversible reduction of protons to molecular hydrogen. The present invention relates to the isolation of a nucleic acid sequence from the algae Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and Chlorella fusca that encodes iron hydrogenase. The invention further discloses the genomic nucleic acid, c-DNA and the protein sequences for HydA. The genes and gene products may be used in a photosynthetic process for hydrogen production which includes growing a microorganism containing the gene coding for HydA in a culture medium under illuminated conditions sufficient to accumulate an endogenous substrate; depleting a nutrient selected from the group consisting of sulfur, iron, and manganese from the medium; then allowing the culture to become anaerobic by consumption of an endogenous or exogenous substrate in the light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel serine proteases in Gram-positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for the Bacillus subtilis serine proteases SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 and SP5. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 and SP5. The present invention also provides host cells further comprising nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides a cleaning composition comprising a serine protease of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel serine proteases in Gram-positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for the Bacillus subtilis serine proteases SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 and SP5. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4 and SP5. The present invention also provides host cells further comprising nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides a cleaning composition comprising a serine protease of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides molecules that encode sphingosine kinase, the enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of sphingosine to form sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP). Vectors and host cells which express sphingosine kinase are also provided, as are methods for evaluating the stimulatory or inhibitory effects of agents on sphingosine kinase production and activity.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide polypeptides capable of retaining a strong enzyme activity of formate dehydrogenase in the presence of an organic solvent and to provide the uses thereof. Formate dehydrogenase mutant polypeptides, which are resistant to organic solvents, were constructed by substituting cysteines at position 146 and/or at position 256 in the amino acid sequence of Mycobacterium vaccae-derived formate dehydrogenase by site-directed mutagenesis. The polypeptides have strong activities of formate dehydrogenase in the presence of an organic solvent. The mutants are useful for the production of alcohols using ketones as raw material, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) synthase useful in a process for preparing a PHA, a gene encoding the enzyme, a recombinant vector comprising the gene, a transformant transformed by the vector, a process for producing a PHA synthase utilizing the transformant and a process for preparing a PHA utilizing the transformant. A transformant obtained by introducing a PHA synthase gene from Pseudomonas putida P91 strain into a host microorganism is cultured to produce a PHA synthase or PHA.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of peptides that are encoded by genes within the human genome, the kinase peptides of the present invention. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and paralogs of the kinase peptides, and methods of identifying modulators of the kinase peptides.

Abstract: A novel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase derived from a microorganism capable of producing a PHA having a novel side-chain structure and a DNA encoding the amino acid sequence for the synthase are provided. Two PHA synthase proteins (SEQ ID Nos. 1 and 3) derived from Pseudomonas jessenii P161 (FERM BP-7376) and PHA synthase genes encoding these PHA synthases are provided, respectively (SEQ ID Nos. 2 and 4). A recombinant microorganism is endowed with a PHA producing ability.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of peptides that are encoded by genes within the human genome, the kinase peptides of the present invention. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and paralogs of the kinase peptides, and methods of identifying modulators of the kinase peptides.

Abstract: A novel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase derived from a microorganism capable of producing a PHA having a novel side-chain structure and a DNA encoding the amino acid sequence for the synthase are provided. Two PHA synthase proteins (SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 3) derived from Pseudomonas cichorii H45 (FERM BP-7374) and PHA synthase genes encoding these PHA synthases are provided, respectively (SEQ ID NOs. 2 and 4). A recombinant microorganism is endowed with a PHA producing ability.

Abstract: An enzyme that cleaves 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds by incorporating molecular oxygen into the substrate in amounts equimolar to the amount of substrate cleaved. The enzyme from Acinetobacter johnsonii is a multimer of about 67 kilodaltons made up of subunits of about 16.6 kilodaltons. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence analysis of a cloned A. johnsonii subunit indicates little homology with other proteins. Native or recombinant enzyme can be used to decontaminate or detoxify acetylacetone or related diketones.

Abstract: Oxygenase enzymes and the use of such enzymes to produce paclitaxel (Taxol™), related taxoids, as well as intermediates in the Taxol biosynthetic pathway are disclosed. Also disclosed are nucleic acid sequences encoding the oxygenase enzymes.

Abstract: Novel human polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences are disclosed that can be used in therapeutic, diagnostic, and pharmacogenomic applications.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel metalloprotease having an aggrecanase activity which causes joint diseases, a gene coding for this metalloprotease, a promoter of the above metalloprotease, a method for screening a drug with the use of the above metalloprotease and a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting degradation of proteoglycans, which comprises as the active ingredient a substance capable of inhibiting the aggrecanase activity of the above metalloprotease.