Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lipase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: An efficient method for identifying important cancer biomarkers and identifying progression of bladder cancer using pro-u-PA as a clinical tool is provided. Searching for biomarkers critical for bladder carcinoma diagnosis and prognosis, secreted proteomes of highly malignant U1 and pre-malignant U4 cell lines are first analyzed. Proteins in the cultured media of the U1 and U4 cell-lines were systematically examined by SDS-PAGE combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Expression of pro-u-plasminogen activator (pro-u-PA) was confirmed by Western blot analysis and further evaluated. A statistically significant relationship between the low level and absence of pro-u-PA in urine with high stages and grades of the tumor samples was established. Constitutive expression of Ras dominant negative protein led to increased expression of pro-u-PA in cultured media, indicating the loss of pro-u-PA is associated with oncogenic transformation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for detecting electrochemical oxidoreduction activity mediated by a redox enzyme at a site remote from the enzyme. In one embodiment, the method comprises immobilizing the redox enzyme on a first region of a conductive surface and contacting a substrate capable of producing a detectable signal upon oxidation or reduction with a second region of the conductive surface. The second region is electrically coupled with the first region and the redox enzyme is not present in the second region. The method further comprises exposing the immobilized redox enzyme to conditions that effect oxidation or reduction of the enzyme, and detecting oxidation or reduction of the substrate at the second region. The invention can be adapted for detecting a plurality of analytes.

Abstract: Infective aggregating forms of proteins such as PrP, amyloid, and tau are bound selectively in the presence of the normal form protein using a polyionic binding agent such as dextran sulphate or pentosan (anionic), or polyamine compounds such as pDADMAC (cationic) under selective binding conditions including the use of n-lauroylsarcosine at mildly alkaline pH, and may then be assayed.

Abstract: A method of detecting and identifying bacteria, micro-organisms or plants in a liquid or gaseous medium, the bacteria, micro-organisms or plants being of the kind which produce signaling molecules in intercellular space, includes positioning a biosensor in the liquid or gaseous medium, the biosensor having a biolayer matched to specific signaling molecules to be detected whereby the biolayer is reactive thereto in a manner which varies operation of the sensor. Such variation of the operation of the biosensor is detected to thereby determine the presence and purpose of the bacteria, micro-organisms or plants in the liquid or gaseous medium.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a process for reducing transfusion related complications in a recipient of an allogeneic blood transfusion by adding to the blood to be transfused a photosensitizer comprising riboflavin, irradiating the blood and riboflavin with light, transfusing the irradiated blood into a recipient, and reducing a transfusion related complication by the recipient to cells in the donor blood. The invention is also directed towards a process for preventing rejection of a donor organ by a recipient comprising the steps of transfusing the recipient of the donor organ with treated platelets; and transplanting the donor organ into the recipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method to determine CETP activity in a bodily fluid sample wherein the sample may contain an inhibitor of CETP activity. The effect of the inhibitor is preserved to provide a more accurate determination of CETP activity in the fluid. Kits for the practice of the method are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of the detection of enzymatically active enzymes in feed added in the pre-pelleting stage. Further, this invention relates to the field of detecting thermotolerant enzymes added to feed in the pre-pelleting stage. In particular, the invention relates to the detection of a phytase enzyme, in particular an E. coli phytase or an E. coli derived phytase in feed, such as Quantum™ Phytase.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indicator for the in-situ detection of the presence of a lysozyme or a microbe producing lysozyme at a location. The indicator comprises a layer (8) which is susceptible to degradation by lysozyme and a signaling layer (7) which is adapted to produce a detectable signal which indicates the presence of the lysozyme or the microbe producing lysozyme which is located at substantially the same location as the lysozyme or microbe. In use, the signaling layer is at least initially protected from contact with the lysozyme or microbe which is located at substantially the same location as the lysozyme or microbe by the degradable layer.

Abstract: New diagnostic parameters or indexes for detection of absolute iron deficiency, latent iron deficiency, functional iron deficiency, or latent functional iron deficiency have been disclosed. The parameters include a RBC size factor, RSf1 defined by the formula of (MCV×MRV)1/2, or RSf2 defined by the formula of (MCV×MRV)/100, a volume-hemoglobin factor (VHf) defined by the formula of (MCV×Hgb)/100, and a volume-hemoglobin/distribution factor (VHDWf) defined by the formula of (MCV×Hgb)/(RDW×10). Further disclosed are the methods of using these parameters for detection of absolute iron deficiency, latent iron deficiency, functional iron deficiency, or latent functional iron deficiency. Also disclosed is a method of using RSf for detection of hemochromatosis.

Abstract: New subtilisin homologues (both nucleic acids and proteins) are provided. Compositions which include these new proteins, recombinant cells, shuffling methods involving the new homologues, antibodies to the new homologues, and methods of using the homologues are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pectate lyase variants exhibiting alterations relative to a parent enzyme exhibiting pectate lyase activity as its major enzymatic activity; to a method of producing such enzymes; and to methods for using such enzymes in the textile, detergent and cellulose fiber processing industries. Compared to the parent enzyme, the pectate lyase variants of the present invention exhibit improved stability in detergents.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to find and produce cathepsin L having high activity under neutral to alkaline conditions and at a low temperature range. The present inventors succeeded in discovering novel cathepsin L having activity even at a low temperature range from hepatopancreas of Japanese northern shrimp. The present inventors further determined the gene sequence encoding said novel cathepsin L, thus enabling production thereof by genetic recombination.

Abstract: The present invention relates especially to a DNA fragment that is obtainable from the gene cluster within the genome of streptomycete that is responsible for elaiophylin biosynthesis and that contains at least one gene or a part of a gene that codes for a polypeptide that is involved directly or indirectly in the biosynthesis of elaiophylin and to methods of preparing said DNA fragment. The present invention relates furthermore to recombinant DNA molecules containing one of the DNA fragments according to the invention and to the plasmids and vectors derived therefrom. Also included are host organisms transformed with the said plasmid or vector DNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, peptide compositions and methods for treating and preventing Flaviviridae virus (e.g., hepatitis C virus) infections.

Abstract: An adiponectin variant with one or more amino acid modifications relative to a corresponding parent adiponectin, wherein the adiponectin variant is not glycosylated, the adiponectin variant does not have residues 1-100 relative to human adiponectin, and wherein the solubility of the variant is improved by at least 3-fold relative to residues 110-244 of human adiponectin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide having analgesic and antitumor activity derived from the scorpion and partial fragment, derivative or analogue thereof having analgesic and antitumor activity, and preparation method and use thereof. The peptide having analgesic and antitumor activity is obtained by extraction, isolation and purification from the scorpion or scorpion venom. The peptide having analgesic and antitumor activity derived from the scorpion and partial fragment, derivative or analogue thereof can be obtained by chemical synthesis method or bioengineering method. The peptide having analgesic and antitumor activity derived from the scorpion and partial fragment, derivative or analogue thereof is used as the analgesic and antitumor drugs.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are described which encode polypeptides having the enzymatic activity of a fructosyltransferase. Also, vectors, host cells and transgenic plants are described which contain such nucleic acid molecules. Furthermore, processes for producing polyfructose, particularly that of the inulin type, using the hosts described and/or the fructosyltransferase produced by them are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel protease, called SENP1, which is active against sentrin-modified proteins in vivo. The invention more specifically relates to the genomic and amino acid sequences for SENP1, compositions related to and based on these sequences, and methods of using these sequences and compositions.