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

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like &agr;-amylase, comprising mutations in two, three, four, five or six regions/positions. The variants have increased stability at high temperatures (relative to the parent). The invention also relates to a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence encoding an &agr;-amylase variant of the invention, a recombinant expression vector which carries a DNA construct of the invention, a cell which is transformed with a DNA construct of the invention, the use of an &agr;-amylase variant of the invention for washing and/or dishwashing, textile desizing, starch liquefaction, a detergent additive comprising an &agr;-amylase variant of the invention, a manual or automatic dishwashing detergent composition comprising an &agr;-amylase variant of the invention, a method for generating a variant of a parent Termamyl-like &agr;-amylase, which variant exhibits increased.

Abstract: To provide an amino terminal protecting group-releasing enzyme characterized in that the enzyme possesses an activity for releasing a protecting group by acting on a peptide of which amino terminal is blocked by the protecting group, and exhibits the activity for two or more protecting groups, or a functional equivalent thereof; a DNA encoding the same; a method for producing the enzyme; a method for removing amino terminal protecting group including the step of subjecting to a reaction with the enzyme to release amino terminal protecting group; and a method for analyzing an amino acid sequence. The above enzyme is useful in the analysis of an amino acid sequence of peptides, particularly proteins and peptides, of which amino terminal is blocked by unknown protecting groups.

Abstract: Provided is a novel &bgr;-glucosidase from Orpinomyces sp. PC2, nucleotide sequences encoding the mature protein and the precursor protein, and methods for recombinant production of this &bgr;-glucosidase.

Abstract: Methods of making and using Picornavirus L proteinase peptides (PLPPs) are provided, including, but not limited to, expression of DNA encoding all or a portion thereof, such as a Picornavirus L proteinase (PLP) and variants thereof, as well as methods for determining active sites and inhibitors of a PLP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the biosynthesis of &bgr;-lactam antibiotics. More specifically, the invention relates to processes of producing &bgr;-lactam antibiotics in vivo and in vitro. Also contemplated is a novel enzyme capable of catalyzing certain steps involved in &bgr;-lactam biosynthesis. Further, the invention relates to a DNA construct encoding the novel enzyme, a recombinant vector or transformation vehicle comprising the DNA construct, and finally a cell comprising the DNA construct or recombinant vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the modulation of bacterial topoisomerase enzymes within bacterial cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to bacterial assays wherein the levels of bacterial topoisomerase enzymes or the levels of target sites within the enzymes are varied within bacterial test strains in order to screen for compounds that target, i.e., interact with the topoisomerase enzymes, causing DNA damage and hence, bacterial growth inhibition and/or cell death. The present methods and compositions are useful for the identification and characterization of novel therapeutic antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: A chimeric serine protease whose protease domain is composeD. of two domain halves (half-sides) with a &bgr;-folded sheet structure, wherein the first domain half corresponds to the first domain half of a first serine protease and the second domain half corresponds to the second domain half of a second serine protease, has improved properties and can be readily crystallized.

Abstract: The invention provides human protein phosphatase-related molecules (PPRM) and polynucleotides which identify and encode PPRM. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of PPRM.

Abstract: A DNA encoding at least part of a hyaluronan synthase of human origin, particularly encoding the whole or a part of an amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 4. A polypeptide of the hyaluronan synthase of human origin, which is encoded by the DNA, may have a substitution, deletion or insertion of one or more amino acid residues that does not substantially lower an activity of synthesizing hyaluronan. A polypeptide of the hyaluronan synthase of human origin or a part thereof encoded by the DNA is also provided.

Abstract: A highly active cellulase suitable for use in a removal of nap of cellulose-containing fibers, a process for reducing cellulose-containing fibers and a process for decoloring denim-dyed cellulose-containing fibers, and its gene are provided. A novel cellulase NCE4 isolated from Humicola insolens is a highly active cellulase, and can be used for various treatments of cellulose-containing fibers.

Abstract: A chimeric serine protease whose protease domain is composed of two domain halves (half-sides) with a .beta.-folded sheet structure, wherein the first domain half corresponds to the first domain half of a first serine protease and the second domain half corresponds to the second domain half of a second serine protease, has improved properties and can be readily crystallized.

Abstract: A fermentation process for producing succinic acid is provided comprising selecting a bacterial strain that does not produce succinic acid in high yield, disrupting the normal regulation of sugar metabolism of said bacterial strain, and combining the mutant bacterial strain and selected sugar in anaerobic conditions to facilitate production of succinic acid. Also provided is a method for changing low yield succinic acid producing bacteria to high yield succinic acid producing bacteria comprising selecting a bacterial strain having a phosphotransferase system and altering the phosphotransferase system so as to allow the bacterial strain to simultaneously metabolize different sugars.

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

Abstract: Novel HKID-1 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length HKID-1 proteins, the invention further provides isolated HKID-1 fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-HKID-1 antibodies. The invention also provides HKID-1 nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which an HKID-1 gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The acid .beta.-galactosidase cDNA of Portuguese Water (PW) dogs was isolated and sequenced. The entire encoding region of the gene consists of 2004 nucleotides coding a protein of 668 amino acids. Its encoding sequence indicates approximately 86.5% identity at the nucleotide level and about 81% identity at the amino acid level with the encoding region of the human acid .beta.-galactosidase gene. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a 24-amino acid putative signal sequence, 6 possible glycosylation sites, and 7 cysteine residues. A homozygous recessive mutation, causing G.sub.M1 -gangliosidosis in PW dogs, was identified at nucleotide G.sup.200 .fwdarw.A in exon 2 resulting in an Arg.sup.60 .fwdarw.His (mutation R60H) amino acid substitution. The mutation creates a new restriction enzyme site for PmlI. Genotyping 115 dog samples for this acid .beta.-galactosidase gene alteration readily distinguished affected homozygous recessive (n=5), heterozygous carriers (n=50), and normal homozygotes (n=60).

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of nucleic acid fragments from Pseudomonas sp. strain G-179 that encode periplasmic nitrate reductase and nitric oxide reductase enzymes. The enzymes are useful in denitrification reactions and for the identification of other denitrifying bacteria. In addition, this invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all or a substantial portion of a bacterial nitric oxide reductase or a bacterial periplasmic nitrate reductase enzymes, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein the expression of the chimeric genes results in production of altered levels of the nitric oxide reductase or periplasmic nitrate reductase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially pure C2GnT-M polypeptide or a functional fragment or derivative thereof, wherein C2GnT-M is characterized as a polypeptide having core 2, core 4 and I branching .beta.-1.fwdarw.6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase activities. The invention also provides a substantially pure C2GnT-M peptide, wherein the peptide is immunogenic. Also provided is a method of modifying an acceptor molecule by contacting the acceptor molecule with a substantially pure C2GnT-M polypeptide or a functional fragment under conditions that allow addition of core 2, core 4 or I GlcNAc linkages to the acceptor molecule, and an acceptor molecule produced by the method. Also provided is a substantially pure nucleic acid molecule having substantially the nucleic acid sequence designated SEQ ID NO: 1, or the complement thereof.

Abstract: The invention is based on the finding the furin belongs to a family of endoproteolytically active enzymes and relates to a process in the in vitro cleavage of a protein by treating the protein in the presence of a Ca.sup.2+ ions with furin, or an endoproteolytically active fragment, derivative or fusion protein of furin. The invention can be used for the (micro) biological production of a protein by culturing genetically engineered cells expressing a pro-form of the protein as well as furin and isolating the protein formed. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or adjuvants, as well as an endoproteolytically active amount of furin, or a fragment or derivative of furin having an endoproteolytic activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a complementary DNA for a rice chitinase having a lytic activity against moulds and a bacteria, a complementary DNA for a rice chitinase encoding a protein comprising an amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1 in SEQUENCE LISTING, a plasmid vector containing said complementary DNA and a transformant having said plasmid vector. The present invention enables realization of a possibility of developing a recombinant crop plant having an acquired resistance against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms by identifying a complementary DNA encoding a novel chitinase capable of lysing cell walls of both of moulds and bacteria and introducing the sequence thereof into a plant.