Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae which has L-cysteine-producing ability and has been modified to decrease the activity of the protein encoded by the yhaM gene. This bacterium is cultured in a medium, and L-cysteine, L-cystine, their derivatives, or a mixture thereof is collected from the medium.

Abstract: A plurality of primer sets are designed based on a region where conservation at the amino acid level is observed among various microorganisms for known gene sequences corresponding to a gene coding for an enzyme of the L-amino acid biosynthetic pathway derived from Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes, preferably an enzyme that functions at a higher temperature compared with that of Corynebacterium glutamicum. PCR is performed by using the primers and chromosomal DNA of Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes as a template. The primers with which an amplification fragment has been obtained are used as primers for screening to select a clone containing a target DNA fragment from a plasmid library of chromosomal DNA of Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes.

Abstract: A plurality of primer sets are designed based on a region where conservation at the amino acid level is observed among various microorganisms for known gene sequences corresponding to a gene coding for an enzyme of the L-amino acid biosynthetic pathway derived from Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes, preferably an enzyme that functions at a higher temperature compared with that of Corynebacterium glutamicum. PCR is performed by using the primers and chromosomal DNA of Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes as a template. The primers with which an amplification fragment has been obtained are used as primers for screening to select a clone containing a target DNA fragment from a plasmid library of chromosomal DNA of Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for penetrating a skin active agent to the human body via the skin by the use of an ultrasound applying apparatus which applies ultrasound to the human body via the skin, comprising: (1) composition comprising: (a) safe and effective amount of the skin active agent; (b) a viscosifying agent that provides the composition a viscosity of from about 1,000 mPas to about 1,000,000 mPas; (c) from about 0.1% to about 30% of a water-soluble humectant; and (d) an aqueous carrier; wherein the composition is substantially free of surfactants; and (2) the ultrasound applying apparatus comprising: (e) an application element for applying to the skin ultrasound at a frequency of from about 3 MHz to about 10 MHz and an intensity of from about 0.1 W/cm2 to about 2 W/cm2; and (f) a control element for controlling application conditions of the application element.

Abstract: A plurality of primer sets are designed based on a region where conservation at the amino acid level is observed among various microorganisms for known gene sequences corresponding to a gene coding for an enzyme of the L-amino acid biosynthetic pathway derived from Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes, preferably an enzyme that functions at a higher temperature compared with that of Corynebacterium glutamicum. PCR is performed by using the primers and chromosomal DNA of Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes as a template. The primers with which an amplification fragment has been obtained are used as primers for screening to select a clone containing a target DNA fragment from a plasmid library of chromosomal DNA of Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes.

Abstract: A plurality of primer sets are designed based on a region where conservation at the amino acid level is observed among various microorganisms for known gene sequences corresponding to a gene coding for an enzyme of the L-amino acid biosynthetic pathway derived from Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes, preferably an enzyme that functions at a higher temperature compared with that of Corynebacterium glutamicum. PCR is performed by using the primers and chromosomal DNA of Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes as a template. The primers with which an amplification fragment has been obtained are used as primers for screening to select a clone containing a target DNA fragment from a plasmid library of chromosomal DNA of Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes.

Abstract: A plurality of primer sets are designed based on a region where conservation at the amino acid level is observed among various microorganisms for known gene sequences corresponding to a gene coding for an enzyme of the L-amino acid biosynthetic pathway derived from Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes, preferably an enzyme that functions at a higher temperature compared with that of Corynebacterium glutamicum. PCR is performed by using the primers and chromosomal DNA of Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes as a template. The primers with which an amplification fragment has been obtained are used as primers for screening to select a clone containing a target DNA fragment from a plasmid library of chromosomal DNA of Corynebacterium thermoaminogenes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a skin care composition comprising: (1) a safe and effective amount of a skin lightening agent; (2) a viscosifying agent that provides a viscosity of from about 1,000 mPas to about 1,000,000 mPas comprising: (a) a carboxylic acid/carboxylate copolymer; and (b) a cellulose derivative polymer; (3) from about 0.1% to about 30% of a humectant selected from the group consisting of butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, and mixtures thereof; and (4) an aqueous carrier; wherein the composition is substantially free of surfactants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for penetrating a skin active agent to the human body via the skin by the use of an ultrasound applying apparatus which applies ultrasound to the human body via the skin, comprising: (1) composition comprising: (a) safe and effective amount of the skin active agent; (b) a viscosifying agent that provides the composition a viscosity of from about 1,000 mPas to about 1,000,000 mPas; (c) from about 0.1% to about 30% of a water-soluble humectant; and (d) an aqueous carrier; wherein the composition is substantially free of surfactants; and (2) the ultrasound applying apparatus comprising: (e) an application element for applying to the skin ultrasound at a frequency of from about 3 MHz to about 10 MHz and an intensity of from about 0.1 W/cm2 to about 2 W/cm2; and (f) a control element for controlling application conditions of the application element.