Abstract: The invention provides a biosynthetic gene cluster for mitomycin, for example, a mitomycin biosynthetic cluster from organisms such as Streptomyces, for instance, S. lavendulae, as well as methods of using gene(s) within the cluster to alter antibiotic biosynthesis and to prepare a polyketide synthase.

Abstract: A protein with canonical lysyl-tRNA synthetase activity was purified from Methanococcus maripaludis, cloned, and sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence of the enzyme indicated a novel class I polypeptide structurally unrelated to class II lysyl-tRNA synthetase reported in eubacteria, eukaryotes, and the Crenarchaeote Sulfobus solfataricus. A similar class I polypeptide was isolated from Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, and an open reading frame encoding a class I-type lysyl-tRNA synthetase was identified in the genome of Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis. The B. burdorferi gene encoding tRNALysl was cloned and used to make tRNA in vitro. The fundamental difference between pathogen and host in an essential enzyme suggests that class I-type lysyl-tRNA synthetase provides a target for the development of medical and veterinary therapeutics and diagnostics for Borrelia and other microorganism infections.

Abstract: Novel human phosphatidylserine synthase-like polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length human phosphatidylserine synthase-like proteins, the invention further provides isolated human phosphatidylserine synthase-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-human phosphatidylserine synthase-like antibodies. The invention also provides human phosphatidylserine synthase-like nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a human phosphatidylserine synthase-like gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing bone density using antibodies directed to a novel class or family human of TGF-&bgr; binding proteins are disclosed. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with a loss of bone density, for example osteoporosis. The disclosed compositions include polypeptides, and their encoding polynucleotides, which specifically bind to at least one human bone morphogenic protein (BMP) selected from BMP-5 and BMP-6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel metalloproteases in gram positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for the metalloprotease. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding the metallprotease. The present invention provides host cells which further comprises a nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides cleaning compositions, animal feeds and compositions used to treat a textile that include the metallprotease of the present invention.

Abstract: Crabtree negative organisms such as Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Hansenula and Candida, are used to make selected organic products such as lactic acid. The organisms are cultured in a first culture medium that includes glucose, under conditions that promote cellular respiration. The organisms are then cultured under a second set of conditions that promote production of the selected organic product. The organisms preferably contain an exogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene.

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: Here we describe the molecular identification of a cDNA encoding a novel serine protease we have termed protease EOS. The deduced amino acid sequence, and it alignment with other well-characterized serine proteases indicates that it is a member of the S1 serine protease family. We have found that the protease EOS mRNA is expressed in platelets and leukocytes and more specifically eosinophils. Although this protease is abundantly expressed in ovary, retina and stomach, where it may perform important functions, its expression in platelets and certain cells of the immune system suggests that it may play roles in thrombosis and in the immune process.

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 invention relates to a novel lipid kinase which is part of the PI3 Kinase family. PI3 Kinases catalyze the addition of phosphate to inositol generating inositol mono, di and triphosphate. Inositol phosphates have been implicated in regulating intracellular signalling cascades resulting in alternations in gene expression which, amongst other effects, can result in cytoskeletal remodelling and modulation of cellular motility. More particularly the invention relates to a novel human PI3 Kinase, p110&dgr; which interacts with p85, has a broad phosphoinositide specificity and is sensitive to the same kinase inhibitors as PI3 Kinase p110&agr;. However in contrast to previously identified PI3 Kinases which show a ubiquitous pattern of expression, p110&dgr; is selectively expressed in leucocytes. Importantly, p110&dgr; shows enchanced expression in most melanomas tested and therefore may play a crucial role in regulating the metastatic property exhibited by melanomas.

Abstract: Novel protease variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human proteases are disclosed. The variant proteases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant protease to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor protease. Such variant proteases have properties which are different from those of the precursor protease, such as altered wash performance. The substituted amino acid residue correspond to positions 62, 212, 230, 232, 252 and 257 of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a newly identified human gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (&ggr;-BBH). The invention also related to polynucleotides encoding the gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylases. The invention further relates to methods using the &ggr;-BBH polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in &ggr;-BBH-mediated or -related disorders. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the &ggr;-BBH polypetides and poly-nucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the &ggr;-BBH polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to procedures for producing the polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the complete detoxification of fumonisin and fumonisin degradation products are provided. Particularly, nucleotide sequences corresponding to the detoxification enzymes are provided. The sequences find use in preparing expression cassettes for the transformation of a broad variety of host cells and organisms.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for evaluating the ability of a compound to inhibit protoporphyrinogen oxidase activity with a host cell deficient in protoporphyrinogen oxidase production which has been transformed with a vector comprising a DNA fragment encoding a protoporphyrinogen oxidase. Transformed cells are grown in protoheme-free medium in the presence and absence of test compounds and growth rates measured under these condition are compared to determine if inhibition has occurred.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a recombinant LPA phosphates capable of specifically hydrolyzing LPA, which is useful for elucidation of the metabolic pathway of LPA, and also for diagnosis and treatment of various diseases with which LPA is associated. The present invention also provides for a method capable of simply and inexpensively determining LPA associated with various diseases. The present invention also provides for a kit for determination suitable for the method. The present invention has succeeded in purifying the LPA phosphatase using bovine brain as a raw material, and further in cloning human LPA phosphatase gene.

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: Processes for stereoselective enzymatic conversion of certain keto carboxylic acid derivatives to form the corresponding alkylamino acid compounds are described. The invention also concerns an engineered yeast host cell containing recombinant nucleic acid capable of expressing a phenylalanine dehydrogenase, as well as an engineered host cell containing recombinant nucleic acid capable of expressing a phenylalanine dehydrogenase enzyme and nucleic acid capable of expressing a formate dehydrogenase enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for stabilizing the flavor of a fermented malt beverage, most particularly a beer, by the addition of one or more inhibitors, blockers, reducing agents or binding agents that inactivate one or more Maillard reaction intermediates that induce staling of the flavor of fermented malt beverages. In preferred such methods, the agents used are reductase enzymes, especially aldehyde reductases, carbonyl reductases, aldose reductases, oxoaldehyde reductases and most particularly oxidoreductases such as isozymes of Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE;EC 1.6.99.1) (e.g., OYE1 and OYE2 and OYE3). The invention is also directed to the fermented malt beverage prepared by such a method, and to the use during the brewing process of reductase enzymes from naturally occurring sources, including those produced by yeasts, to stabilize the flavor of the resulting beer product and to produce a beer having a stable flavor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase and a novel microorganism that is capable of growing in concentrations of at least 105 g/l 1,3-propanediol, levels normally toxic to wild-type microorganisms. The present invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising the mutant 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase as well as methods for producing 1,3-propanediol comprising the use of cells comprising the mutant 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase.