Abstract: Disclosed are a nucleic acid molecule of Corynebacterium glutamicum origin, having an improved promoter activity, which is operably linked to a gene encoding diaminopimelate dehydrogenase, a vector containing the same, a transformant transformed with the vector, and a method for the production of L-lysine using the transformant.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for using label free optical biosensors for performing cell assays. In certain embodiments the assays can be performed in highthough put methods and can be multiplexed.

Abstract: A polypeptide molecule able to selectively modulate uric acid conversion into S(+)- allantoin is described. A pharmaceutical composition for treating uric acid related disorders and a process to selectively modulate uric acid conversion into S(+)-allantoin are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel organisms, including DNA construct host cell combinations, are disclosed. The organisms comprise a transcription unit (e.g. operon) comprising DNA sequences encoding for enzymes which promote the supply of single carbon units for the conversion of dUMP to dTMP. Examples include: dihydrofolate reductase genes e.g. T4 frd; Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase genes e.g. glyA; 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase genes e.g. serA; and THF synthase genes e.g. ADE3. The organisms are used in a biological method of producing thymidine with significantly reduced levels of uridine.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on our discovery that EGF can be engineered to generate mutants that bind to the EGF receptor (EGFR) of a cell and that have a desirable effect on the activity of the cell. For example, the mutants can agonize the receptor (i.e., increase a biological activity of the receptor), or antagonize the receptor (i.e., decrease or inhibit a biological activity of the receptor). In turn, the rate at which the cell proliferates, for example, can be changed. Moreover, some of these mutants bind EGFR with a higher affinity than wild-type EGF exhibits. The affinity may increase by about, for example, 2-, 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, 30-, 50-, or 100-fold relative to wild-type EGF.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence of the Coactivator Associated arginine (R) Methyltransferase protein, CARM1. A method is described for the use CARM1 to regulate gene expression in vivo. CARM1 has also been used to methylate arginine residues of histones, synthetic peptides, and other proteins. A method to use CARM1 to screen for drugs that inhibit its methyltransferase activity is also described, as is a method to screen for drugs that modulate CARM1's interactions with other proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated, novel steroid 5?-reductase enzyme termed SRD5AIII. The protein has an estimated molecular weight of 37 kDa and is capable of converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone at a pH of about 7.0. Also provided is a method for identifying inhibitors of SRD5AIII by contacting SRD5AIII with a test compound and measuring the activity of the enzyme. A reduced activity relative to a control indicates that the test compound is an inhibitor of SRD5AIII. A method is also provided for detecting androgen stimulated prostate cancer or recurrent prostate cancer in an individual. The method comprises obtaining a prostate biopsy from an individual and determining the level of expression of SRD5AIII gene or protein relative to a normal control. An increased expression of SRD5AIII relative to the control is indicative of androgen stimulated prostate cancer or recurrent prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant microorganisms having improved productivity of branched-chain amino acids, and a method for producing branched-chain amino acids using the mutant microorganisms. More specifically, relates to mutant microorganisms having improved productivity of L-valine, which are produced by attenuating or deleting a gene encoding an enzyme involved in L-isoleucine biosynthesis, a gene encoding an enzyme involved in L-leucine, and a gene encoding an enzyme involved in D-pantothenic acid biosynthesis, and mutating a gene encoding an enzyme involved in L-valine biosynthesis, such that the expression thereof is increased, as well as a method for producing L-valine using the mutant microorganisms. The inventive mutant microorganisms produced by site-specific mutagenesis and metabolic pathway engineering can produce branched-chain amino acids, particularly L-valine, with high efficiency, and thus will be useful as industrial microorganisms for producing L-valine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme determining amino acid sequences of an enzyme involved in pyrethrin biosynthesis and a base sequence of the gene thereof; constructing vectors bearing the gene and transformants; and extractable from plant bodies producing pyrethrin by applying such creative techniques to plant bodies with faster growth aiming to provide a method to efficiently produce pyrethrin; and the enzyme is a gene encoding a protein of the following (i) or (ii): (i) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in Sequence No. 1; or (ii) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence including one or more of a substitution, deletion, insertion, and/or addition of amino acid in the amino acid sequence shown in Sequence No. 1, in which the protein exhibits activity of pyrethrin biosynthetic enzyme.

Abstract: A method for producing L-glutamic acid by culturing a coryneform bacterium in which the gluX is inactivated in a medium to produce L-glutamic acid in the medium or cells, and collecting L-glutamic acid from the medium.

Abstract: Coryneform bacterium is modified so that an activity of acetyl-CoA hydrolase is decreased, and succinic acid is produced by using the bacterium.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method and instrument for measuring glucose concentration in blood using infrared spectroscopy. Glucose concentration in blood is measured based on an integrated value obtained by measuring an absorption spectrum that includes the wavenumber range of 1020-1040 cm?1, and by integrating the intensity of absorption of the wavenumber range of 1020-1040 cm?1 within the absorption spectrum. Alternatively, a glucose concentration in blood is measured based on an integrated value through measuring an absorption spectrum including the wavenumber range of 1010-1050 cm31 1; obtaining a second-derivative spectrum by calculating a second derivative of the absorption spectrum that includes the wavenumber range of 1010-1050 cm?1 in the absorption spectrum; determining an integration range based on the second derivative spectrum; and then obtaining the integrated value by integrating the intensity of absorption based on this determined integration range.

Abstract: Cells producing mutant phytases having modified activity are provided, as well as the phytases so produced. Also provided are methods of making and producing such phytases and the use of the expressed phytase protein in feed as a supplement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the preparation and deletion mutants of chondroitinase proteins and their use in methods for promoting the diffusion of therapeutic composition into tissues and their use for neurological functional recovery after central nervous system (“CNS”) injury or disease.

Abstract: Provided is a biomarker that enables easy and rapid detection of oxidative stress on a living organism and enables prevention of tissue damage or cell necrosis by drug administration, and which is a powerful marker for the study of toxicity and pharmacokinetics of various agents. Oxidative stress is determined by measuring blood concentration of ophthalmic acid, which is a substance that varies in blood depending on the variation of reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in a biological sample with the use of an analyzer such as a capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometer. Further, an anti-oxidative stress agent is screened by administering an anti-oxidative stress candidate agent to a non-human animal under oxidative stress conditions, measuring blood concentration of ophthalmic acid, and evaluating the degree of decrease in the ophthalmic acid concentration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for identification, sorting and enrichment of cells. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for quantitation of cell motility by measurement of individual cell motility, and rapid isolation of cell populations, using fluorescent signal within single cells. Such compositions and methods find use in clinical, therapeutic and research settings.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and methods for determining levels of STIM2 activity, thus providing tools for the characterization and study of the regulation of intracellular calcium levels.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a reagent system for detecting an analyte in a sample. The reagent system has a detection reagent comprising an enzyme-coenzyme complex in a form such that no regeneration of the coenzyme takes place, whereby the enzyme-coenzyme complex is employed in an at least stoichiometric amount relative to the analyte present in the sample, and a support to receive the detection reagent.

Abstract: A method to detect the presence or amount of at least one molecule in a sample which employs a derivative of luciferin or a derivative of a fluorophore is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products associated with analyzing and monitoring heterogeneous populations of sulfated polysaccharides. In particular therapeutic heparin products including low molecular weight heparin products and methods of analyzing and monitoring these products are described.