Abstract: The disclosure provides heme binding peptides and their use for treating disorders that can benefit from sequestering free heme.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to various nucleases and uses thereof, and in some cases, to the UPF0054 protein superfamily. Members of the UPF0054 protein superfamily, such as the E. coli protein YbeY, may possess RNase activity and may be involved in certain important cellular processes. Disruption of YbeY activity can lead to increased sensitivity to antibiotics. Accordingly, certain embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for screening target compounds for activity against UPF0054 superfamily proteins. In some embodiments, the screening method allows to target compositions to be determined that show selective activity against UPF0054 superfamily proteins. Other embodiments of the invention provide for nucleases capable of site-specific cleavage of nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention is a method for obtaining a chimeric plasmid which can serve as a vector for inserting one or more foreign or native genes into Corynebacterium and a second species of bacteria. The plasmid is the ligation product of plasmid DNA from Corynebacterium as well as plasmid DNA from a non-Corynebacterium species of bacteria. Also disclosed is a method for forming protoplasts from Corynebacterium organisms and transforming the protoplasts with vectors, e.g., the chimeric plasmids of the invention.