Abstract: A process is described for the production of D-&agr;-amino acids by the stereospecific conversion of racemic mixtures of 5-substituted hydantoins using a microorganism transformed with a plasmid which expresses an enzymatic system which converts the hydantoins into the corresponding D-&agr;-amino acids without the requirement for inducers. Also described is a plasmid containing genes encoding the enzymatic system, and a microorganism transformed with the plasmid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new asporogenous strain of Bacillus subtilis which has been deposited at the Centraalbureau Voor Schimmelcultures under the number CBS 432.90. This strain, which shows a frequency of reversion to the formation of spores of less than about 10−8 and good plasmid stability, is suitable as a host in a host-vector system for the preparation of heterologous products of interest.

Abstract: DNA molecules that code for IL-1 antagonists with improved biological activity arc described. DNA molecules coding for improved IL-1 antagonists inserted into expression vectors and host cells transformed with the said vectors containing the DNA coding for improved IL-1 antagonists and a method for the production of improved IL-1 antagonists in essentially pure form are also described. Preparations that can be injected or can be administered by some other route, consisting of a pharmaceutical preparation of the said mutants, are particularly useful as drugs in the field of therapy.

Abstract: A new plasmid vector operable in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, comprising a synthetic promoter capable of directing with great efficiency the expression of the heterologous gene under its control is described. This vector which has a high stability in transformed strains is particularly useful for the production of heterologous proteins in Escherichia coli and/or Bacillus subtilis.