Patents Examined by Ponnathapu Achutamurthy
  • Patent number: 6649385
    Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of human squalene synthase proteins and nucleic acid sequences encoding these squalene synthase proteins. The present invention provides isolated squalene synthase proteins and encoding nucleic acid molecules, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acid molecules, and processes for producing the squalene synthase proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Hui Wei, Chunhua Yan, Valentina Di Francesco, Ellen M. Beasley
  • Patent number: 6645746
    Abstract: A novel polypeptide for producing tert-butyl (3R,5S)-6-chloro-3,5-dihydroxyhexanoate, a gene encoding the polypeptide, and a method of using the polypeptide, are provided. The polypeptide has an enzyme activity to asymmetrically reduce tert-butyl (S)-6-chloro-5-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoate to tert-butyl (3R,5S)-6-chloro-3,5-dihydroxyhexanoate. The polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO. 1 in the Sequence Listing, or the amino acid sequence having at least one amino acid substitution, insertion, deletion, or addition thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kizaki, Yukio Yamada, Yoshihiko Yasohara, Junzo Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6645745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding the CYP3AX protein and variants thereof. Further, the present invention also provides vectors comprising said polynucleotides, in particular vectors, wherein polynucleotides of the present invention are operatively linked to regulatory elements allowing expression in prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic host cells. In addition, the present invention relates to proteins encoded by said polynucleotides and antibodies specifically recognizing such proteins. The present invention also concerns transgenic non-human animals comprising the above-described polynucleotide or vectors. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods for identifying and obtaining drug candidates and inhibitors for therapy of disorders related to the malfunction of the CYP3AX genes as well as to methods of diagnosing the status of such disorders. The present invention also relates to methods for the identification of molecular variants of the CYP3AX polynucleotide or protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Epidauros Biotechnologie AG
    Inventors: Leszek Wojnowski, Klaus Gellner, Regina Eiselt
  • Patent number: 6642036
    Abstract: A gene has been isolated from Arabidopsis encoding sinapoylglucose:malate sinapoyltransferase (SMT). SMT is responsible for the substitution of a glucose moiety on aromatic acid glucosides with a malate moiety in plant vacuoles. The enzyme is useful for the production of small molecules for materials manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Dennis Flint, Knut Meyer, Paul Viitanen
  • Patent number: 6642011
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing novel improved protein mutant which produce low allergenic response in humans compared to the parent of that mutant. Specifically, the present invention comprises neutralizing or reducing the allergenicity of a protein by introducing therein as replacement or modification of an epitope on such protein a sequence from human subtilisin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Estell
  • Patent number: 6642021
    Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences encoding ∈-cyclase, isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase and &bgr;-carotene hydroxylase as well as vectors containing the same and hosts transformed with the vectors. Methods for controlling the ratio of various carotenoids in a host and for the production of novel carotenoid pigments. The present invention also provides a method for screening for eukaryotic genes encoding carotenoid biosynthesis, and for modifying the disclosed enzymes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventors: Francis X. Cunningham, Jr., Zairen Sun
  • Patent number: 6638744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to canine COX-1 and COX-2 proteins; to canine COX-1 and COX-2 nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such COX-1 and COX-2 proteins, respectively; to antibodies raised against such proteins; and to compounds that inhibit the activity of such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such inhibitory compounds, particularly those that specifically inhibit COX-2 activity, as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to treat animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Heska Corporation
    Inventors: Nancy Wisnewski, Kevin S. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6638746
    Abstract: The present invention relates to phytase, nucleic acids encoding phytase as well as methods for the production of phytase and its use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Finnfeeds International Ltd.
    Inventors: Juha Apajalahti, Pekka Heikkinen, Janne Kerovuo, Marko Lauraeus, Andrew Morgan, Paivi Nurminen, Osmo Siikanen
  • Patent number: 6638747
    Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of peptides that are encoded by genes within the human genome, the phospholipase peptides of the present invention. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and paralogs of the phospholipase peptides, and methods of identifying modulators of the phospholipase peptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Ellen M Beasley, Chunhua Yan, Valentina Di Francesco
  • Patent number: 6635459
    Abstract: Dirigent proteins and pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases have been isolated, together with cDNAs encoding dirigent proteins and pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases. Accordingly, isolated DNA sequences are provided from source species Forsythia intermedia, Thuja plicata, Tsuga heterophylla, Eucommia ulmoides, Linum usitatissimum, and Schisandra chinensis, which code for the expression of dirigent proteins and pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases. In other aspects, replicable recombinant cloning vehicles are provided which code for dirigent proteins or pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases or for a base sequence sufficiently complementary to at least a portion of dirigent protein or pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductase DNA or RNA to enable hybridization therewith. In yet other aspects, modified host cells are provided that have been transformed, transfected, infected and/or injected with a recombinant cloning vehicle and/or DNA sequence encoding dirigent protein or pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Norman G. Lewis, Laurence B. Davin, Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova, Masayuki Fujita, David R. Gang, Simo Sarkanen, Joshua D. Ford
  • Patent number: 6632644
    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) and b) and d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), and processes for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acid with amplification of the zwa1 gene in the coryneform bacteria employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: DeGussa AG
    Inventors: Bettina Möckel, Walter Pfefferle, Achim Marx, Jörn Kalinowski, Brigitte Bathe, Alfred Pühler
  • Patent number: 6632673
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding an 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 S. avermitilis. The present invention further relates to vectors, host cells, and mutant strains of S. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Pfizer, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim J. Stutzman-Engwall, Yan Chen, Claes Gustafsson, Anke Krebber, Jeremy Minshull, Sun Ai Raillard
  • Patent number: 6632646
    Abstract: Enzymes produced by mutating the genes for a number of subtilisin proteases and expressing the mutated genes in suitable hosts are presented. The enzymes exhibit improved wash performance in comparison to their wild type parent enzymes. The enzymes are well-suited for use in detergent compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignees: Novozymes A/S, Unilever PLC.
    Inventors: Dorrit Aaslyng, Sven Branner, Sven Hastrup, Leif Nørskov-Lauritsen, Ole Hvilsted Olsen, Merete Simonsen, Eric Casteleijn, Maarten Robert Egmond, Johan Haverkamp, John David Marugg, Arnoldus Theodorus Anthonius Mooren
  • Patent number: 6632437
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polysaccharide-protein conjugate. The invention also relates to a method of using the conjugate to prevent systemic infections. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition. The invention also relates to a method of producing a polysaccharide-protein conjugate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Rachel Schneerson, John B. Robbins, J. N. Sarvamangala Devi
  • Patent number: 6630332
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for the fermentative preparation of L-threonine using Enterobacteriaceae which in particular already produce L-threonine and in which the nucleotide sequence(s) which code(s) for the mqo gene are enhanced, in particular over-expressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Mechthild Rieping, Georg Thierbach, Michel Eduard Van Der Rest, Douwe Molenaar
  • Patent number: 6630336
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Jane Ye, Karen A. Ketchum, Valentina Di Francesco, Ellen M. Beasley
  • Patent number: 6627427
    Abstract: Recombinant host cells that comprise recombinant DNA expression vectors that drive expression of a product and a precursor for biosynthesis of that product can be used to produce useful products such as polyketides in host cells that do not naturally produce the product or produce the product at low levels due to the absence of the precursor or the presence of the precursor in rate limiting amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Kosan Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Katz, Peter Revill
  • Patent number: 6627423
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel Meyers, William James Cook, Mark Williamson, Laura A. Rudolph-Owen, Ruth Gimeno
  • Patent number: 6627420
    Abstract: A process for preparing alanine by culturing a genetically modified microorganism that produces alanine from glucose. The microorganism is one that has been modified to result in an overexpression of an endogenous alanine dehydrogenase gene, expression of a heterologous alanine dehydrogenase gene, or a combination of both. The source of alanine dehydrogenase may be Bacillus sphaericus. The modified microorganisms may be a homofermentative microorganism, such as a strain of L. lactis. The process can be used for in situ and stereoscopic preparation of alanine. The invention also relates to the microorganisms and the recombinant DNA molecules that can be used in the invention, as well as to alanine and alanine-containing products obtained according to the process of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Nederlands Instituut voor Zuivelonderzoek
    Inventors: Pascal Hols, Michiel Kleerebezem, Oscar Paul Kuipers, Thierry Ferain, Jean Marcelin Alain Marie Ghislain Delcour, Willem Meindert De Vos
  • Patent number: 6623946
    Abstract: Polynucleotides that contain polynucleotide sequences encoding the sucC and sucD genes, selected from the group a) a polynucleotide that is at least 70% identical to a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that contains the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, b) a polynucleotide that is at least 70% identical to a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that contains the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that contains an amino acid sequence that is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that contains an amino acid sequence that is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, e) a polynucleotide that is complementary to one of the polynucleotides of a), b), c) or d), and f) a polynucleotide containing at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b), c), d) or e), a process for the fermentative production of L-amino acids using coryneform bacter
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Bettina Möckel, Walter Pfefferle, Achim Marx