Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production of pyrrolnitrin in a host via recombinant expression of the polypeptides needed to biologically synthesize pyrrolnitrin. Genes isolated from P. fluorescens, P. pyrrocinia, B. cepacia, and M. fulvus that encode polypeptides necessary to produce pyrrolnitrin are provided, along with methods for identifying and isolating genes needed to recombinantly biosynthesize pyrrolnitrin from any organism capable of producing pyrrolnitrin. The isolated genes may be transformed and expressed in a desired host organisms to produce pyrrolnitrin according to the invention for a variety of purposes, including protecting the host from a pathogen, developing the host as a biocontrol agent, and producing large, uniform amounts of pyrrolnitrin.

Abstract: Strains of Pseudomonas have been genetically engineered to have enhanced biocontrol properties. The strains of the invention are particularly effective against plant pathogenic fungi such as species of Rhizoctonia and Pythium, because the strains produce enhanced amounts of antifungal metabolites such as pyrrolnitrin that are active against these fungal pathogens. Both the genetically modified biocontrol strains and the antifungal metabolites can be used as active agents for biocontrol compositions.

Abstract: A compound having the structure: ##STR1## wherein (a) n is from 1 to about 3;(b) X is selected from the group consisting of O, S, SO, or SO.sub.2 ; (c) Y is independently hydrogen or straight, branched or cyclic alkyl having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, or the Y's are bonded together to form an alkanyl ring having from about 3 to about 7 atoms;(d) Z is hydrogen or straight, branched or cyclic alkyl having from 3 to about 10 atoms other than hydrogen;(e) R.sub.1 is hydrogen or straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, aryl or C(.dbd.NH)--NHR.sub.4 ; and(f) R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4, are independently hydrogen, straight, branched or cyclic alkyl having from one to 10 carbon atoms, or aryl; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 can be bonded together to form a ring having 5 or 6 atoms.pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of treating inflammation or pain using such compounds.