Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotides and polypeptides encoding an isolated amyloid inhibitor protein (APIP) and compositions thereof. The polypeptides of the subject invention can be used to inhibit the catabolism or sequential cleavage of amyloid beta precursor protein (APP) by sequential cleavage of APP by beta secretase and gamma secretase.

Abstract: An isolated protein, for use in treatment of wounds, is characterized in that it is secreted by the organism Lucilia sericata and it exhibits proteolytic activity against FITC-casein at a pH of 8.0 to 8.5. The protein exhibits proteolytic activity against Tosyl-Gly-Pro-Arg-AMC but not against Suc-Ala-Ala-Phe-AMC, and its proteolytic activity against FITC-casein and Tosyl-Gly-Pro-Arg-AMC is inhibited by the serine proteinase inhibitors PMSF and AMPSF. The protein is also bound by immobilized aminobenzamidine.

Abstract: This invention provides prokaryotic glycosyltransferases, including a bifunctional sialyltransferase that has both an ?2,3- and an ?2,8-activity. A ?1,4-GalNAc transferase and a ?1,3-galactosyltransferase are also provided by the invention, as are other glycosyltransferases and enzymes involved in synthesis of lipooligosaccharide (LOS). The glycosyltransferases can be obtained from, for example, Campylobacter species, including C. jejuni. In additional embodiments, the invention provides nucleic acids that encode the glycosyltransferases, as well as expression vectors and host cells for expressing the glycosyltransferases.

Abstract: Methods for screening for altered focal proliferation states in non-pregnant patients, which include detecting levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) are described. Methods for identifying agents that alter the protease activity of PAPP-A, and pharmaceutical compositions and medical devices that include such agents are also described.

Abstract: Genes isolated from Methylomonas sp. 16a have been determined to play a role in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. Specifically, crtN2 gene has the ability to produce omega-aldehyde functional groups on carotenogenic substrates, while the ald gene produced omega carboxyl functional groups. These genes will be useful for production of high levels of functionalized carotenoid compounds, especially those produced in microorganisms which metabolize single carbon substrates.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of four genes involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated acids (i.e., “elongases”) and to uses thereof. Two of these genes are also involved in the elongation of monounsaturated fatty acids. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of DGLA or 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), EPA, adrenic acid, ?6-docosapentaenoic acid or ?3-docosapentaenoic acid which may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The invention concerns plasmin variants. Polynucleotides the disclosed plasmin variants are provided. Additionally, methods of using the plasmin polynucleotides and polynucleotides are provided herein.

Abstract: A high growth methanotrophic bacterial strain capable of growth on a C1 carbon substrate has been isolated and characterized. The strain has the unique ability to utilize both methane and methanol as a sole carbon source and has been demonstrated to possess a functional Embden-Meyerhof carbon flux pathway. The possession of this pathway conveys an energetic advantage to the strain, making it particularly suitable as a production platform for the production of biomass from a C1 carbon source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having carboxypeptidase 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 the polypeptides. The present invention further relates to methods of obtaining protein hydrolysates useful as flavor improving agents.

Abstract: The invention provides a human cysteine proteases and polynucleotides which encode those proteases. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists, as well as methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with aberrant expression of cysteine proteases.

Abstract: This invention provides prokaryotic glycosyltransferases, including a bifunctional sialyltransferase that has both an ?2,3- and an ?2,8-activity. A ?1,4-GalNAc transferase and a ?1,3-galactosyltransferase are also provided by the invention, as are other glycosyltransferases and enzymes involved in synthesis of lipooligosaccharide (LOS). The glycosyltransferases can be obtained from, for example, Campylobacter species, including C. jejuni. In additional embodiments, the invention provides nucleic acids that encode the glycosyltransferases, as well as expression vectors and host cells for expressing the glycosyltransferases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutated expandase enzyme having higher activity on penicillin G and produces 7-aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA). In certain embodiments, the mutated expandase enzyme has one or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of methionine 73, glycine 79, valine 275, leucine 277, cysteine 281, glycine 300, asparagine 304, isoleucine 305, threonine 91, alanine 106, cysteine 155, tyrosine 184, methionine 188 and histidine 244, provided that the amino acid substitution at the residue position of asparagine 304 is not N304L and the amino acid substitution at the residue position of cysteine 155 is C155Y.

Abstract: This invention provides prokaryotic glycosyltransferases, including a bifunctional sialyltransferase that has both an ?2,3- and an ?2,8-activity. A ?1,4-GalNAc transferase and a ?1,3-galactosyltransferase are also provided by the invention, as are other glycosyltransferases and enzymes involved in synthesis of lipooligosaccharide (LOS). The glycosyltransferases can be obtained from, for example, Campylobacter species, including C. jejuni. In additional embodiments, the invention provides nucleic acids that encode the glycosyltransferases, as well as expression vectors and host cells for expressing the glycosyltransferases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel aspartokinase derived from a Coryneform bacterium; a DNA encoding the enzyme; a recombinant DNA containing the above DNA; a Coryneform bacterium having the above recombinant DNA or a Coryneform bacterium having the DNA on its chromosome; and a process for producing L-lysine by culturing the above microorganism. Construction has been successfully made of a DNA encoding an aspartokinase freed from concerted feedback inhibition by L-lysine and L-threonine derived from a Corynebacterium and has a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence wherein the amino acid residue at position 311 is an amino acid other than Thr in the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 18.

Abstract: The present invention relates PI3K crystals, polypeptide muteins, polypeptide fragments, antibodies thereto, nucleic acids coding for these polypeptides, methods of modifying PI3K? activity, and methods of modulating PI3K? activity. These include polypeptides and methods thereof, relating to, e.g., phospholipid binding, lipid kinase activity, modulating Ras activity in activating the PI3K?, binding of PI3K? to cell membranes, and modulating protein—protein interactions with PI3K?.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated peptide that comprises the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or a sequence which has at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO:1, and which has the same substrate specificity as SEQ ID NO:1. Preferred peptides include peptides having the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3, 5, and 7. The isolated peptide is useful as a dipeptidyl aminopeptidase.

Abstract: A method for screening of modulators of calcineurin is provided, which uses the interaction between calcineurin and superoxide dismutase. Modulators of calcineurin are potential candidates for drugs, e.g. for immunosuppressive drugs. The forming of a complex comprising calcineurin and superoxide dismutase is monitorable in the presence of potential activators or inhibitors of calcineurin. Complex formation is performed within the cell by the use of appropriate expression vectors or in vitro using isolated proteins. Preferably, complex formation is monitored by fluorescence detection, especially by laser fluctuation correlation spectroscopy.

Abstract: The invention relates to heparinase III and mutants thereof. Modified forms of heparinase III having reduced enzymatic activity which are useful for a variety of purposes, including sequencing of heparin-like glycosaminoglycans (HLGAGs), removing active heparan sulfate from a solution, inhibition of angiogenesis, etc. have been discovered according to the invention. The invention in other aspects relates to methods of treating cancer and inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or metastasis using heparinase III, or products produced by enzymatic cleavage by heparinase III of HLGAGs.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides, dipeptidylpeptidases, active analogs, active fragments, or active modifications thereof, having amidolytic activity for cleavage of a peptide bond between the second and third amino acids from the N-terminal end of a target polypeptide, wherein the target polypeptide has an aliphatic or an aromatic residue as a substituent on the ?-carbon atom of the second amino acid from the N-terminal end of the peptide. Isolated nucleic acids encoding dipeptidylpeptidases are also provided, as are methods of reducing growth of a bacterium by inhibiting a dipeptidylpeptidase.

Abstract: This invention provides prokaryotic glycosyltransferases, including a bifunctional sialyltransferase that has both an &agr;2,3- and an &agr;2,8-activity. A &bgr;1,4-GalNAc transferase and a &bgr;1,3-galactosyltransferase are also provided by the invention, as are other glycosyltransferases and enzymes involved in synthesis of lipooligosaccharide (LOS). The glycosyltransferases can be obtained from, for example, Campylobacter species, including C. jejuni. In additional embodiments, the invention provides nucleic acids that encode the glycosyltransferases, as well as expression vectors and host cells for expressing the glycosyltransferases.