Abstract: The invention provides oxygen- resistant iron-hydrogenases ([Fe]-hydrogenases) for use in the production of H2. Methods used in the design and engineering of the oxygen-resistant [Fe]-hydrogenases are disclosed, as are the methods of transforming and culturing appropriate host cells with the oxygen-resistant [Fe]-hydrogenases. Finally, the invention provides methods for utilizing the transformed, oxygen insensitive, host cells in the bulk production of H2 in a light catalyzed reaction having water as the reactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the co-expression and production of a heterologous alpha amylase and an endogenous glucoamylase in an Aspergillus strain and enzyme compositions including the same.

Abstract: Variants (mutants) of recombinant activated protein C (APC) or recombinant protein C (prodrug, capable of being converted to APC) that have substantial reductions in anticoagulant activity but that retain normal levels of anti-apoptotic activity are provided. Two examples of such recombinant APC mutants are KKK191-193AAA-APC and RR229/230M-APC. APC variants and prodrugs of the invention have the desirable property of being cytoprotective (anti-apoptotic effects), while having significantly reduced risk of bleeding. The invention also provides a method of using the APC variants or prodrugs of the invention to treat subjects who will benefit from APC's cytoprotective activities that are independent of APC's anticoagulant activity. These subjects include patients at risk of damage to blood vessels or tissue in various organs caused, at least in part, by apoptosis.

Abstract: Lipid phosphate phosphatase proteins, genes coding for them, vectors and cells comprising them, antibodies directed against them, methods of identifying compounds binding to them and functional interactors as well as to the use of proteins, genes, vectors, cells, interacting compounds and functional interactors for treating neuronal diseases and/or injuries.

Abstract: SHE, a Starch Hydrolytic Enzyme active in maize endosperm (Zea mays), and the cDNA sequence encoding SHE are disclosed. The specificity of native, purified SHE is similar, in general terms, to previously known alpha-amylases. However, the activity of SHE toward amylopectin results in hydrolysis products that are distinctly different from those of other alpha-amylases. SHE, and its homologous equivalents in other plants such as rice, Arabidopsis, apple and potato, can be used in starch processing for generating different, e.g., larger sized, alpha-limit dextrins for industrial use, as compared to those generated by previously known alpha-amylases or other starch hydrolytic enzymes. In addition, modification of the expression of this enzyme in transgenic maize plants or in other transgenic organisms (including bacteria, yeast, and other plant species) can be useful for the generation of novel starch forms or altered starch metabolism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a selection method of an Escherichia coli mutant strain which expresses an exogenous gene at a high level, wherein stress resistance such as hydrogen peroxide decomposition activity is used as an index, the Escherichia coli mutant strain selected thereby and production methods of enzyme using the strain and of useful compounds like amino acids (especially L-amino acid) and the like using the strain. According to the selection method of the invention, an Escherichia coli mutant strain where gene expression amount does not decrease with passage can be obtained, and a compound using a plant-derived ammonia lyase can be efficiently produced.

Abstract: The present invention is related to glucoamylases having at least 80% sequence identity to a Trichoderma glucoamylase having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and biologically functional fragments thereof. The invention is also related to DNA sequences coding for the glucoamylases, vectors and host cells incorporating the DNA sequences, enzyme compositions and methods of using the glucoamylases in various applications.

Abstract: Compounds that modulate the function of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL are identified. These compounds have the ability to convert the activity of Bcl-2-family member proteins from anti-apoptotic to pro-apoptotic. Methods for inducing apoptosis are described, together with methods for identifying molecules that induce apoptosis through interaction with Bcl-2-family members.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the surprising discovery that toxin complex (TC) proteins, obtainable from Xenorhabdus, Photorhabdus, and Paenibacillus, can be used interchangeably with each other. In particularly preferred embodiments of the subject invention, the toxicity of a “stand-alone” TC protein (from Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus, or Paenibacillus, for example) is enhanced by one or more TC protein “potentiators” derived from a source organism of a different genus from which the toxin was derived. As one skilled in the art will recognize with the benefit of this disclosure, this has broad implications and expands the range of utility that individual types of TC proteins will now be recognized to have. Among the most important advantages is that one skilled in the art will now be able to use a single set of potentiators to enhance the activity of a stand-alone Xenorhabdus protein toxin as well as a stand-alone Photorhabdus protein toxin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Rhodococcus polynucleotide cluster which contains nucleotide sequences which encode polypeptides having the activity of a nitrile hydratase, of an auxiliary protein P15K which activates this enzyme and of a cobalt transporter, to transformed microorganisms in which the nucleotide sequences encoding these proteins are present in increased quantity, and to the use of the transformed microorganisms for preparing amides from nitriles.

Abstract: The present invention provides the identification of human Ras palmitoyl acyl transfersase complexes, and nucleic acids coding therefore. In addition, methods of screening for modulators of human Ras palmitoyl acyl transfersase, including high throughput yeast screens, are also provided.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to mutants of chondroitinase ABCI. Such chondroitinase ABCI mutants exhibit altered chondroitin lyase activity or increased resistance to inactivation from stressors including exposure to UV light or heat. Methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions that can be used to synthesize oligosaccharides; mutants of galactosyltransferases having altered donor and acceptor specificity; methods for increasing the immunogenicity of an antigen; and polypeptide stem regions that can be used to promote in vitro folding of polypeptides, such as the catalytic domain from a galactosyltransferase.

Abstract: Human BACE polypeptides having modifications to the N-linked glycosylation sites including one or more of the following amino acid substitutions: S174I, N223A, N153Q and N354S. DNA sequences, vectors, and host cells for producing the polypeptides. Crystalline protein compositions formed from the purified polypeptides. Methods of screening for compounds that inhibit A? using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a human subject having increased or decreased sensitivity to warfarin, comprising detecting in the subject the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the VKOR gene, wherein the single nucleotide polymorphism is correlated with increased or decreased sensitivity to warfarin, thereby identifying the subject having increased or decreased sensitivity to warfarin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of xylitol, the method comprising (a1) providing (i) a microorganism having xylanolytic activity, and (ii) a microorganism capable of converting a pentose sugar to xylitol; or (a2) providing a microorganism having xylanolytic activity and being capable of converting a pentose sugar to xylitol, (b) culturing the microorganism of step (a1) (i) or the microorganism of step (a2) in a medium comprising polymer or oligomer materials containing pentose sugars in conditions sufficient for enabling hydrolysis of said polymers or oligomers by the microorganism; (c) producing xylitol in the microorganism of step (a1) (ii) or in the microorganism of step (a2) by bioconversion of the hydrolysis products obtained in step (b), and (d) recovering said xylitol produced. The invention also relates to a microorganism, which has xylanolytic activity and has been genetically modified (i) to enhance its xylanolytic activity, and (ii) to reduce its xylitol metabolism.

Abstract: Isolated PNMT nucleic acid molecules that include a nucleotide sequence variant and nucleotides flanking the sequence variant are described, as well as PNMT allozymes. Methods for determining if a subject is predisposed to multiple sclerosis, early-onset Alzheimer's disease, or Parkinson's disease also are described.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for the enzymatic production of glycolic acid from glycolonitrile. These methods include: 1) use of Acidovorax facilis 72W nitrilase mutants having improved nitrilase activity for converting glycolonitrile to glycolic acid, and 2) methods to improve catalyst stability and/or productivity. The methods to improve catalyst stability/productivity include use of reaction stabilizers, running the reactions under substantially oxygen free conditions, and controlling the concentration of substrate in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A human-derived novel chondroitin synthase, which is an enzyme for synthesizing a fundamental backbone of chondroitin and has both glucuronic acid transferring activity and N-acetylgalactosamine transferring activity.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing an L-amino acid, for example L-threonine, L-lysine, L-histidine, L-phenylalanine, L-arginine, L-tryptophan or L-glutamic acid, using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, wherein the bacterium has been modified to enhance an activity of L-arabinose permease.