Abstract: There are provided a plasmid characterized by having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, a plasmid characterized by having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, a plasmid characterized by having at least a part of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2 and further containing a selective marker gene, each plasmid being usable as a transformation vector for effecting gene manipulation in ammonia oxidizing bacteria, and transformants characterized in that they are obtained by transferring these plasmids into host organisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel human PDE10 polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, expression constructs comprising the polynucleotides, host cells transformed with the expression constructs; methods for producing PDE10 polypeptides; antisense polynucleotides; and antibodies specifically immunoreactive with the PDE10 polypeptides. The invention further provides methods to identify binding partners of PDE10, and more particularly, binding partners that modulate PDE10 enzyme activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein disulfide isomerases which are encoded by a nucleic acid sequence which hybridizes with (i) the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or (ii) the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, under the following conditions: presoaking in 5×SSC and prehybridizing for 1 h at ˜40° C. in a solution of 5×SSC, 5×Denhardt's solution, 50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.8, and 50 &mgr;g of denatured sonicated calf thymus DNA, followed by hybridization in the same solution supplemented with 50 &mgr;Ci 32-P-dCTP labelled probe for 18 h at ˜40° C. followed by washing three times in 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 40° C. for 30 minutes; and fragments thereof. The present invention also relates to DNA sequences encoding the protein disulfide isomerases, compositions comprising said protein disulfide isomerases and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel membrane-bound GADH from Erwinia cypripedii ATCC29267, which is useful for the production of 2KDG at high yields under the condition free of intracellular metabolism. 2KDG is converted at high yields from glucose or D-gluconate by culturing a recombinant cell, free of a ketogluconate metabolism, which harbors a recombinant plasmid containing a gene encoding the GADH.

Abstract: A novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene and a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase encoded by the gene, a process for isolating a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene using the novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene, and a novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase obtained by this isolation process are disclosed. A novel mold fungus having no &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity suitable for the production of &bgr;-fructofuranosidase, and a system for producing a recombinant &bgr;-fructofuranosidase using the novel mold fungus as a host is disclosed. Further, a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase variant which selectively and efficiently produces a specific fructooligosaccharide such as 1-kestose from sucrose is disclosed.

Abstract: An enantioselective process for the preparation of the (S)-enantiomer of an optically active cyanohydrin by reaction of an aldehyde or of a ketone with a cyanide group donor, in which the aldehyde or the ketone is reacted with a cyanide group donor in an organic diluent in the presence of a recombinant (S)-hydroxynitrile lyase from Hevea brasiliensis and the (S)-cyanohydrin formed is isolated from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Method of preparing a composite yeast fermented beverage such as beer including lager, with predetermined content of flavour compounds, comprising combining separate batches of beverage, of which at least one is a base beverage produced with a yeast strain having reduced or lacking production of one or more flavour compounds or flavour stabilizing compounds. In the method are used yeast strains including S. cerevisiae and S. carlsbergensis which have reduced or lacking production of sulphite, dimethylsulphide, thiols, thioesters, hydrogen sulphide, higher alcohols including isoamyl alcohol and/or alcohol esters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the mammalian rTS gene, a gene associated with bipolar affective disorder (BAD) in humans. The invention relates to methods for the identification of compounds that modulate the expression of rTS and to using such compounds as therapeutic agents in the treatment of rTS disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders. The invention also relates to methods for the diagnostic evaluation, genetic testing and prognosis of rTS neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, a schizoaffective disorder, a bipolar affective disorder or a unipolar affective disorder, and to methods and compositions for the treatment these disorders.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide novel genes and gene group involved in cellulose synthesis of microorganisms. The present invention relates to a gene group encoding cellulase, cellulose synthase complex, &bgr;-glucosidase and the like, and to novel &bgr;-glucosidase.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and materials involved in the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase expression as well as the treatment of catecholamine-related diseases. Specifically, the invention provides cells that contain exogenous nucleic acid having a nucleic acid sequence that encodes Nurr1 as well as methods and materials for inducing tyrosine hydroxylase expression, treating catecholamine-related deficiencies, and identifying tyrosine hydroxylase-related deficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a mammalian capping enzyme. The present invention further provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a mammalian (Guanine-7-) methyltransferase enzyme. The present invention also provides an isolated mammalian capping enzyme protein or subunit thereof. In addition the present invention provides an isolated mammalian (Guanine-7-) methyltransferase enzyme protein or portion thereof. The present invention further provides methods for catalyzing formation of RNA 5′-terminal GpppN cap complex and for coupled transcription, translation and formation of RNA 5′-terminal GpppN cap complex and methylated RNA 5′-terminal GpppN cap complex. Kits thereto are also provided.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a chromatin associated protein. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the chromatin associated protein, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the chromatin associated protein in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a novel oncogene named MN or alternatively MN/CA IX. Abnormal expression of the MN gene is shown to signify oncogenesis, and diagnostic/prognostic methods for pre-neoplastic/neoplastic disease to detect or detect and quantitate such abnormal MN gene expression. Also disclosed are methods to treat pre-neoplastic/neoplastic disease involving the MN gene and protein, e.g., methods comprising the use of MN-specific antibodies, anti-idiotype antibodies thereto, and anti-anti-idiotype antibodies, and the use of MN antisense nucleic acids. Further disclosed are methods to identify and block MN binding site(s) and identify MN protein partners(s).

Abstract: Disclosed is the DNA sequence of an enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of chitin to chitosan. The enzyme exhibits substantial homology to the rhizobial nodB protein.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a novel oncogene named MN or alternatively MN/CA IX. Abnormal expression of the MN gene is shown to signify oncogenesis, and diagnostic/prognostic methods for pre-neoplastic/neoplastic disease to detect or detect and quantitate such abnormal MN gene expression. Also disclosed are methods to treat pre-neoplastic/neoplastic disease involving the MN gene and protein, e.g., methods comprising the use of MN-specific antibodies, anti-idiotype antibodies thereto, and anti-anti-idiotype antibodies, and the use of MN antisense nucleic acids. Further disclosed are methods to identify and block MN binding site(s) and identify MN protein partners(s).

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding an enzyme involved in the N-end rule pathway of protein degradation. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the enzyme involved in the N-end rule pathway of protein degradation, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the enzyme involved in the N-end rule pathway of protein degradation in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening chemically modified mutant enzymes for amidase and/or esterase activity. This method includes providing a chemically modified mutant enzyme with one or more amino acid residues from an enzyme being replaced by cysteine residues, where at least some of the cysteine residues are modified by replacing thiol hydrogen in the cysteine residues with a thiol side chain, contacting the chemically modified mutant enzyme with a substrate for an amidase and/or a substrate for an esterase, and determining whether the chemically modified mutant enzyme exhibits amidase and/or esterase activity. The present invention also relates to chemically modified mutant enzymes and a method of producing them where one or more amino acid residues from an enzyme are replaced by cysteine residues, and the cysteine residues are modified by replacing at least some of the thiol hydrogen in the cysteine residue with a thiol side chain to form the chemically modified mutant enzyme.

Abstract: An isolated and purified DNA molecule, and an isolated and purified protein, that are involved in the degradation of s-triazine compounds (e.g., atrazine) are provided. A method for the purification of this protein is also provided.

Abstract: Modified ribonucleases belonging to the RNase A superfamily of ribonucleases is disclosed. Each modified ribonuclease has a steric hindrance moiety added to it in the loop region corresponding to amino acids 85-94 of bovine pancreatic RNase A. Such a modified ribonuclease has reduced binding affinity for ribonuclease inhibitor (RI), exhibits wild-type ribonuclease activity, and exhibits enhanced cytotoxicity toward tumor cells, relative to the wild-type ribonuclease.