Abstract: It has been newly found out that ascochlorin, which is a publicly known fat-soluble antibiotic, and its homologues serve as a ligand of retinoid X receptor and react in vivo with the amino group of serum protein to form Schiff bases without showing any side effect of retinoid. Ascochlorin and its homologues are usable in treating and/or preventing a disease or condition which can be relieved by the retinoid X receptor ligand-dependent gene transcriptional regulation (for example, diseases caused by the expression of insulin resistance, hypertension, cerebrovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disease, Ca metabolic disorder, complication of diabetes, arteriosclerosis, etc.). Moreover, they can inhibit denaturation and/or necrosis of pancreatic Langerhans islet &bgr;-cells and, therefore, are usable in making these cells to sustain the insulin productivity.

Abstract: Vector plasmids are constructed to provide sites for insertion of a structural gene in phase with three reading frames downstream from the promoter of alkaline phosphatase gene of Escherichia coli.

Abstract: Ascochlorin derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a hydroxyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a pyridyl group, an amino group, a dialkylamino group, a phenoxyalkyl group which may have a substituent in the nucleus, or a phenyl group which may have a substituent in the nucleus; and n is an integer of 0 to 5, a process for preparing the same and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same are disclosed.The derivatives are useful to treat diabetes, improve lipid metabolism and control tumors.

Abstract: Ascochlorin derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a hydroxyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a pyridyl group, an amino group, a dialkylamino group, a phenoxyalkyl group which may have a substituent in the nucleus, or a phenyl group which may have a substituent in the nucleus; and n is an integer of 0 to 5, a process for preparing the same and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same are disclosed.The derivatives are useful to treat diabetes, improve lipid metabolism and control tumors.

Abstract: The antibacterial compound S551-II (Reductiomycin) is produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces.S551-II-A is prepared by sublimation of the compound S551-II.

Abstract: New tunicamine derivatives are provided which exhibit antiviral activity against some virus, particularly Newcastle disease virus, and inhibitory activity against coccidiosis and which are also of particular value as intermediates for the preparation of a variety of useful antibacterial, antitumor and antiviral compounds. They have a structure of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents hydrogen or a fatty acid residue of the formula (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH(CH.sub.2).sub.n CH.dbd.CHCO-- where n represents an integer of 8 to 11 inclusive. They are prepared either by fermentation methods or by acid hydrolysis of the known antibiotic tunicamycin.

Abstract: The antibacterial compound S551-II (Reductiomycin) is produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces.S551-II-A is prepared by sublimation of the compound S551-II.