Patents Examined by Richard Hutson
  • Carbonic anhydrase having increased stability under high temperature conditions
    Patent number: 7521217
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences of carbonic anhydrase variants having increased stability under high temperature conditions compared to native carbonic anhydrase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: CO2 Solution, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Daigle, Marc Desrochers
  • Human cyclooxygenase-3 enzyme and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7517676
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences describing a neve isozyme of the cyclooxygenase enzyme, herein named as human cyclooxygenase 3. The isolated nucleic acid or polypeptide molecule of the invention can be used in detection assays, gene therapy, and screening assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V.
    Inventors: Ning Qin, Ellen E. Codd, Christopher Flores, Sui-Po Zhang
  • Proteins having a flavonoid 5-O-glycosyltransferase activity (5GT)
    Patent number: 7501271
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gene that codes for a protein, wherein the protein is an anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase, which is an enzyme that transfers a glycoside to the 5 position of a flavonoid. The disclosed anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferases were isolated from Perilla fruescens, Verbena hybrida, Torenia hybrida, and Petunia hybrida. Also disclosed are genes that code for a protein having a modified amino acid sequence relative to the above amino acid sequence and having activity that transfers a glycoside to the 5 position of a flavonoid, and a process for producing the above protein using said gene. This gene can be used to artificially alter the color of plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: International Flower Development Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Kazuki Saito, Mami Yamazaki, Gong Zhizhong
  • Method of using a gene conferring resistance to 4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one (DHCP) and identifying inhibitors of a polypeptide encoded by the gene
    Patent number: 7476526
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gene isolated from E. coli, dep, which confers resistance to the antibacterial activity of 4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one (DHCP). The invention further relates to the putative protein encoded by dep, which is a hydrophobic, transmembrane efflux protein specific for DHCP. The invention further relates to plasmids containing the dep gene, and to bacterial cells expressing dep. Furthermore, the invention provides applications for use in conferring resistance to antibacterial activity in organisms. The dep gene can be used to identify compounds which inhibit the efflux activity responsible for the resistance to DHCP or to compounds which are functionally equivalent to DHCP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Takara Bio Inc.
    Inventors: Sangita Phadtare, Kunitoshi Yamanaka, Ikunoshin Kato, Masayori Inouye
  • Pullulanase variants and methods for preparing such variants with predetermined properties
    Patent number: 7445918
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pullulanase variants, wherein the variants have improved properties, for example, altered pH optimum, improved thermostability, altered substrate specificity, increased specific activity or altered cleavage pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventor: Allan Svendsen
  • Sulfated fucogalactan digesting enzyme gene
    Patent number: 7410786
    Abstract: A gene encoding a polypeptide having an activity of digesting sulfated fucogalactan which is useful in sugar chain engineering reagents, analyzing the structures of sulfated fucose-containing polysaccharides and preparing degraded products of the polysaccharides; a genetic engineering process for producing the polypeptide; and the polypeptide obtained by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Takara Bio. Inc.
    Inventors: Harumi Ueno, Jun Tomono, Hiroaki Sagawa, Takeshi Sakai, Ikunoshin Kato
  • Insecticidal Cry4Ba proteins with enhanced toxicity
    Patent number: 7393922
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to modified Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal crystal proteins, also referred to as mutant toxins, with enhanced toxicity against a variety of insect genera, particularly mosquitos. The invention provides modified Bt Cry4Ba proteins, or mutant toxins, which have toxicity-enhancing sequence modifications at one or more positions within the amino acid sequence of the protein. The invention also provides polynucleotides encoding modified Cry4Ba proteins. The invention also provides insecticidal compositions comprising mutant toxins with a new or broadened insecticidal spectrum, and insecticidal compositions comprising polynucleotides encoding the modified Cry4Ba proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Ohio State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donald H. Dean, Mohd Amir Abdullah
  • Method for L-threonine production
    Patent number: 7378267
    Abstract: A method for producing L-threonine using a microorganism is provided. In the method, the threonine dehydratase (tdc) gene existing in the genomic DNA of the microorganism is partially deactivated using a recombination technique. For a microorganism strain with enhanced activity of threonine operon-containing enzymes and the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (ppc) gene, the tdc gene engaged in one of the four threonine metabolic pathways is specifically deactivated, thereby markedly increasing the yield of L-threonine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Cheil Jedang Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Yong Park, Byoung Choon Lee, Dae Cheol Kim, Jin Ho Lee, Jae Yong Cho, Young Hoon Park
  • Tachykinin peptides, precursor peptides thereof and genes encoding the same
    Patent number: 7371810
    Abstract: Tachykinin peptide isolated and purified from the posterior salivary gland of the mollusk Octopus vulgaris. The tachykinin peptide provides a new approach for developing medicaments and pesticides through studies on the structural activity correlation at the molecular level, is characterized by: (1) number of amino acid residues is 12; (2) N terminal of the peptide is Lys; (3) an amino acid sequence of 5 amino acids from C-terminal is represented by the following amino acid sequence: Phe-Xaa-Gly-Leu-Met (SEQ ID NO: 6), (wherein, Xaa is Val, lie, Phe or Tyr), especially following amino acid sequences are provided: Lys-Pro-Pro-Ser-Ser-Ser-Glu-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu-Met (SEQ ID NO: 1), Lys-Pro-Pro-Ser-Ser-Ser-Glu-Phe-Ile-Gly-Leu-Met (SEQ ID NO: 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Minakata, Eiko Iwakoshi, Kyoko Kuroda
  • Mutant tyrosine repressor which does not require tyrosine to induce expression of the tyrosine phenol-lyase gene
    Patent number: 7365161
    Abstract: A mutant tyrosine repressor that does not require tyrosine to induce expression of tyrosine phenol-lyase gene is obtained by introducing a mutation into a tyrosine repressor (tyrR), isolated from Pantoea agglomerans, or a tyrosine repressor (tyrR) which is encoded by SEQ ID NO. 1 and its derivative. A microorganism which is able to express large amounts of tyrosine phenol-lyase is obtained by introducing the mutant tyrosine repressor into the microorganism. The microorganism is useful for producing L-DOPA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Hidehiko Kumagai, Hideyuki Suzuki, Takane Katayama, Miyoko Nawata, Hidetsugu Nakazawa
  • Tetrahydropyrimidine dioxygenase gene, polypeptides encoded by said gene and method for producing the same
    Patent number: 7361494
    Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes having tetrahydropyrimidine dioxygenase activity, to the genes coding therefor, to the homologous and heterologous expression of these genes, to processes for preparing enzymes having tetrahydropyrimidine dioxygenase activity and the use of these enzymes for in vivo and in vitro production of hydroxylated tetrahydropyrimidine. In addition, the invention relates to the biotechnological use of the hydroxylated tetrahydropyrimidine prepared by one of the processes of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Ullrich Keller, Nicolas Grammel
  • DNA molecules encoding human NHL, a DNA helicase
    Patent number: 7361491
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode NHL, a putative DNA helicase. The present invention in turn relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding NHL, substantially purified forms of associated NHL, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate NHL, which will be useful in the treatment of various neoplastic disorders. Both a genomic clone containing regulatory and intron sequences, as well as the exon structure and open reading frame of human NHL are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaomei Liu, Chang Bai, Michael L. Metzker
  • Method for producing L-?-lysine
    Patent number: 7354745
    Abstract: Purified ?-amino acids are of considerable interest in the preparation of pharmacologically active compounds. Although enantiomerically pure ?-amino acids, such as L-?-lysine, can be produced by standard chemical synthesis, this traditional approach is time consuming, requires expensive starting materials, and results in a racemic mixture which must be purified further. However, DNA molecules encoding lysine 2,3-aminomutase can be used to prepare L-?-lysine by methods that avoid the pitfalls of chemical synthesis. In particular, L-?-lysine can be synthesized by cultures of host cells that express recombinant lysine 2,3-aminomutase. Alternatively, such recombinant host cells can provide a source for isolating quantities of lysine 2,3-aminomutase, which in turn, can be used to produce L-?-lysine in vitro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Perry A. Frey, Frank J. Ruzicka
  • Escapin protein, a broadly antimicrobial compound from ink of the sea hare , and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7329517
    Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated polypeptide (escapin), and fragments thereof, from the sea hare Aplysia californica that have antimicrobial action directed against fungi, yeast, bacteria, and cyanobacteria. Further, the present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid, and fragments thereof, that encode the polypeptide and fragments thereof. Also provided are primers for detecting the nucleic acids of the present invention. A method of inhibiting microbial growth and inhibiting biofilm formation on a surface is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Micah Johnson, Hsiuchin Yang, Charles D. Derby, Phang C. Tai
  • Nucleotide sequences encoding the gpm gene
    Patent number: 7306939
    Abstract: The invention provides nucleotide sequences of the gpm gene which encode phosphoglycerate mutase, and fermentation processes for the preparation of amino acids, especially L-lysine, using corynebacteria wherein the gpm gene is amplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Bettina Möckel, Walter Pfefferle
  • Coryneform bacteria with altered glucokinase activity in the production of L-lysine
    Patent number: 7306932
    Abstract: The invention relates to alleles of the glk gene from coryneform bacteria coding for glucokinases, and to processes for the production of L-lysine by fermentation using bacteria containing such alleles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Brigitte Bathe, Stephan Hans, Caroline Reynen
  • Genes of strain DC413 encoding enzymes involved in biosynthesis of carotenoid compounds
    Patent number: 7288387
    Abstract: A carotenogenic biosynthetic gene cluster has been isolated from Panteoa stewartii strain DC413, wherein the genetic organization of the cluster is crtE-idi-crtX-crtY-crtI-crtB-crtZ. The genes contained within this cluster encode geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthetase (CrtE), isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase (Idi), zeaxanthin glucosyl transferase (CrtX), lycopene cyclase (CrtY), phytoene desaturase (CrtI), phytoene synthase (CrtB), and ?-carotene hydroxylase (CrtZ). The gene cluster, genes and their products are useful for the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate to carotenoids. Vectors containing those DNA segments, host cells containing the vectors and methods for producing those enzymes by recombinant DNA technology in transformed host organisms are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Qiong Cheng, Luan Tao, Natalia Sedkova
  • -prenyltransferases from plants
    Patent number: 7273737
    Abstract: This invention pertains to nucleic acid fragments encoding plant proteins that are homologs to the cis-prenyltransferases UPP synthase from the bacterium Micrococcus luteus or Dedol-PP synthase from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. More specifically, this invention pertains to cis-prenyltransferase homologs from wheat, grape, soybean, rice, African daisy, rubber tree latex and pot marigold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Hallahan, Christopher Coldren, Dennis Flint, Hong Wang
  • Polymerase chimeras
    Patent number: 7244602
    Abstract: The invention concerns polymerase chimeras which are composed of amino acid fragments representing domains and which combine properties of naturally occurring polymerases that are advantageous with regard to a particular application. It has surprisingly turned out that the domains from the various enzymes are active in the chimeras and exhibit cooperative behavior. In addition the present invention concerns a process for the production of the chimeras according to the invention and the use of these chimeras for the synthesis of nucleic acids e.g. during a polymerase chain reaction. Moreover the present invention concerns a kit which contains the polymerase chimeras according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Frey, Britta Villbrandt, Dietmar Schomburg, Harald Sobek, Waltraud Ankenbauer
  • Adaptor protein FRS2 and related products and methods
    Patent number: 7135320
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a newly identified adaptor protein FRS2 and related products and methods. FRS2 links protein kinases to activating partners in cells. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding portions of FRS2, nucleic acid vectors containing FRS2 related nucleic acid molecules, recombinant cells containing such nucleic acid vectors, polypeptides purified from such recombinant cells, antibodies to such polypeptides, and methods of identifying compounds that enhance or block FRS2 interactions with natural binding partners. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosing abnormal conditions in an organism with FRS2 related molecules or compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kouhara, Taly Spivak-Kroizman, Irit Lax, Joseph Schlessinger