Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid sequences which code for a polypeptide having nitrilase activity, to nucleic acid constructs comprising the nucleic acid sequences, and to vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequences or the nucleic acid constructs. The invention further relates to amino acid sequences which are encoded by the nucleic acid sequences, and to microorganisms comprising the nucleic acid sequences, the nucleic acid constructs or vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequences or the nucleic acid constructs. The invention additionally relates to a process for preparing chiral carboxylic acids from the racemic nitriles.

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

Abstract: Described herein are novel nucleic acids, proteins and methods that can be used to provide new catalysts with desirable traits for industrial processes. In particular, novel reductases isolated from the environment using PCR methods are described.

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

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

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polynucleotides containing a polynucleotide sequence which is: a) polynucleotide which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, or b) polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, or c) polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), or d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), and a process for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which at least the ccpA1 gene is present in attenuated form, and the use of the polynucleotide sequences as hybridization probes.

Abstract: A transformed mutant, P. mendocina, is provided containing a DNA fragment that inactivates all pobA genes and encodes the enzyme hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase. Mutants deficient in hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase are useful for the production of para-hydroxybenzoate (PHBA).

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence chosen from the group consisting of a) polynucleotide which is identical to the extent of at least 70 % to a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, b) polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is identical to the extent of at least 70 % to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, c) polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), and d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), a process for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids with enhancement of the acp gene and the use of the polynucleotide as a primer or hybridization probe.

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

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to produce a novel (R)-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase useful for the production of ketones, alcohols, and particularly optically active vicinal diols. It has been found that Pichia angusta produces novel (R)-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase that shows the high activity and high stereoselectivity. Further, polynucleotide encoding this (R)-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase was cloned, and the nucleotide sequence thereof was determined. The expression of the glycerol dehydrogenase was carried out in heterologous microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides corresponding to the lysR3 gene and which encode a LysR3 transcriptional regulator, methods of producing L-amino acids, and methods of screening for polynucleotides which encode proteins having LysR3 transcriptional regulator activity.

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 YN2 (FERM BP-7375) 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 relates to a new D-carbamoylase and the gene sequences which code for this from the organism Arthrobacter crystallopoietes DSM 20117. Plasmids, vectors, microorganisms, particular primers and specific possible uses of the enzymes according to the invention are also mentioned. The invention moreover describes a new process for the discovery of enzymes which can be employed in a process for the preparation of D-amino acids starting from 5′-substituted hydantoins.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding mouse and human sphingosine kinase type 2 isoforms, methods for detecting agents or drugs which inhibit or promote sphingosine activity and therapeutic agents containing peptides or antibodies to peptides encoded by such nucleic acids.

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

Abstract: A novel enzyme which is useful in the optical resolution of D,L-pantolactone via D-selective asymmetric hydrolysis and a gene encoding the the same are provided. The invention discloses the gene coding for a natural D-pantolactone hydrolase (for example, one originating in Fusarium oxysporum) or proteins having an activity substantially equivalent thereto; host cells transformed with DNA containing a nucleotide sequence coding for said protein, processes for producing said protein via using said host cells and uses of said proteins and host cells.

Abstract: A naturally occurring or recombinant protein, especially a mutein of porcine urate oxidase (uricase), that is essentially free of large aggregates can be rendered substantially non-immunogenic by conjugation with a sufficiently small number of strands of polymer such that the bioactivity of the protein is essentially retained in the conjugate. Such conjugates are unusually well suited for treatment of chronic conditions because they are less likely to induce the formation of antibodies and/or accelerated clearance than are similar conjugates prepared from protein preparations containing traces of large aggregates.

Abstract: A hyperthermostable protease having the amino acid sequence represented by the SEQ ID NO:1 of the Sequence Listing or a sequence derived therefrom by deletion, substitution, insertion or addition of one to several amino acid residues, a gene encoding the hyperthermostable protease, and a process for preparing the protease, aiming at providing by genetic engineering techniques a hyperthermophile protease which is advantageous for industrial use.

Abstract: A wheat-derived sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase cDNA is provided which is characterized in that said cDNA has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No. 1 in FIG. 1. A wheat-derived invertase cDNA is provided which is characterized in that said cDNA has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No. 2 in FIG. 2. A method is provided for isolating a wheat-derived sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase cDNA having a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No.1 in FIG. 1 and a wheat-derived invertase cDNA having a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid sequence listed as SEQ.ID. No. 2 in FIG. 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides the D-aminoacylase-encoding gene derived from Hypomyces mycophilus, a filamentous fungus, the polypeptide encoded by the gene, and the homologues thereof. The D-aminoacylase of the present invention is capable of producing D-tryptophan from N-acetyl-D-tryptophan. D-tryptophan is useful as a medicinal raw material or the like.