Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having polypeptide having 2,6-&bgr;-D-fructan hydrolase 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: Recombinant nucleic acids that encode all or a portion of the megAI gene of the megalomicin polyketide synthase (PKS) of Micromonospora megalomicea are used to produce recombinant PKS enzymes in host cells to make megalomicin, megalomicin derivatives, and other polyketides that are useful as antibiotics, motilides, and antiparasitics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel metallo-proteases (MP) in Gram-positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for Bacillus MP. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding MP. The present invention also provides host cells further comprising nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides cleaning compositions comprising an MP of the present invention.

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.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided selection systems and methods for screening for agents that control splicing of inteins in their native host protein (extein) or in homologous exteins. Specifically, there are provided positive genetic selection systems for the screening of agents which inhibit or activate protein splicing which comprise: a host cell containing a chromosomal gene encoding either a drug-resistant form of a target enzyme or a wild-type target enzyme, and a plasmid-borne gene encoding either a drug-sensitive form of the target enzyme, which is dominantly cytotoxic upon interaction with the drug, or a dominantly cytotoxic form of the target enzyme. In these systems the plasmid-borne gene contains an intein, and the inhibition or activation of splicing of the dominant cytotoxic form of the target enzyme by a given reagent results in the survival or death of the host cell. More specifically, positive genetic selection systems which utilize the M. xenopi GyrA intein or M.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an isolated and purified enzyme with inulinolytic activity having more than 75% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO 12 to its encoding nucleotidic sequence to a cell producing the enzyme and to the use for the degradation of inulin or inulin-containing plant material, especially for the production of fructose syrups and for the production of oligomers of fructose.

Abstract: An in vitro method for production of a protein (polypeptide), characterised in that the mRNA encoding the protein is translated when bound to a solid phase. By allowing for a pause at a terminating stop codon and addition of release factor the final proteon may be obtained in almost pure form. By allowing for pauses and restart at internal codons and replacement of the amino acid mixture used before a pausing with an amino acid mixture that differs with resect to labelling, region-labelled polypeptides/proteins can be accomplished. A labelled polypeptide/protein, characterised in that its amino acid sequence contains one or more regions of two or more labelled amino acid residues in sequence. In a subaspect, the polypeptide/protein has at least one amino acid that is occurring twice and this amino acid differs in labelling at at least two positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides exhibiting antibiotic, and anti-viral and anti-cancer effects. In particular, the invention relates to modified T4 lysozyme, polypeptides comprising fragments of T4 lysozyme and to the production and use thereof. The fields of application for this invention are wide-ranging, and include, for example, human and veterinary uses, resistance cultivation in plants and prevention of bacterial and/or fungal-mediated food spoilage.

Abstract: Phytase variants, their preparation and uses, which phytase variants, when aligned according to FIG. 1, are amended as compared to a model phytase in at least one of a number of positions. Preferred model phytases are basidiomycete and ascomycete phytases, such as Peniophora phytase and Aspergillus phytases. Preferred phytase variants exhibits amended activity characteristics, such as improved specific activity and/or improved thermostability.

Abstract: The invention provides human fatty acid beta-oxidation enzymes (HUFA) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HUFA. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of HUFA.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated DHDR nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel DHDR-related dehydrogenase molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing DHDR nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a DHDR gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated DHDR proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-DHDR antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

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

Abstract: A mutated subtilisin-type protease that bears at least one mutation in its amino-acid sequence that causes the positive charge to be reduced or the negative charge to be increased in the substrate binding region of the molecule is used in cosmetic products. Such proteases show a surprisingly low skin and mucous membrane irritating potential.

Abstract: A DNA fragment coding for alkaline pullulanase, which contains about 6.3 Kb base pairs and has a restriction map shown in FIG. 2, a recombinant vector containing the DNA fragment, and a microorganism carrying the vector. Also disclosed is a method of preparing alkaline pullulanase which comprises culturing a transformant microorganism which has been transformed with a recombinant vector containing a DNA fragment coding for alkaline pullulanase, having a restriction enzyme map shown in FIG. 2 and having about 6.3 Kb base pairs. According to the method of the invention, alkaline pullulanase which is useful as a component of detergents can be mass-produced in a low cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the 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 Streptomyces avermitilis. 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 disclosure describes methods for inducing apoptosis of a selected group of vertebrate cells in vivo by reducing the level of thiamin in the cells. Included are methods for inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. Also described are compounds and compositions for use in methods of thiamin depletion and treating diseases such as cancer, and methods for identifying thiamin-depleting agents and for preparing pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutations of the subtilisin gene, some of which result in changes in the chemical characteristics of subtilisin enzyme. Mutations are created at specific nucleic acids of the subtilisin gene and, in various specific embodiments, the mutant enzymes possess altered chemical properties including, but not limited to, increased stability to oxidation, augmented proteolytic activity, and improved washability. The present invention also relates, but is not limited to, the amino acid and DNA sequences for two proteases derived from Bacillus lentus variants, subtilisin 147 and subtilisin 309, as well as mutations of these genes and the corresponding mutant enzymes.

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: The present invention relates to secretion in Gram-positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nuclei acid and amino acid sequences for the Bacillus subtilis secretion factor SecG. The present invention also provides means for increasing the secretion of heterologous or homologous proteins in gram-positive microorganisms.

Abstract: Recombinant, thermostable alpha-glucosidases from archaeal micro-organisms and isolated DNA encoding for such alpha-glucosidases are provided. The isolated DNA is obtained by use of DNA or antibody probes prepared from the DNA encoding S. sulfataricus alpha-glucosidase. Also provided are methods for producing recombinant archaeal thermostable alpha-glucosidase and transformants incorporating thermostable alpha-glucosidase. Autoprocessing of plant tissue through the use of transgenic thermostable glycosyl hydrolases is described.