Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms and processes for the efficient preparation of L-methionine. In particular, the present invention relates to processes in which the amount of serine available for the metabolism of the microorganism is increased.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the increased production of biotin and the biotin precursor dethiobiotin using a bacterium that produces a lysine-utilizing DAPA aminotransferase. The method involves the use of a bacterium that is either grown in the presence of lysine or deregulated for lysine biosynthesis.

Abstract: The present invention features improved methods for the enhanced production of pantoate and pantothenate utilizing microorganisms having modified pantothenate biosynthetic enzyme activities and having modified methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTF) biosynthetic enzyme activities. In particular, the invention features methods for enhancing production of desired products by increasing levels of a key intermediate, ketopantoate, by increasing enzymes or substrates that contribute directly or indirectly to its synthesis. Recombinant microorganisms and conditions for culturing same are also are featured. Also featured are compositions produced by such microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention features improved methods for the enhanced production of pantoate and pantothenate utilizing microorganisms having modified pantothenate biosynthetic enzyme activities and having modified methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTF) biosynthetic enzyme activities. In particular, the invention features methods for enhancing production of desired products by increasing levels of a key intermediate, ketopantoate, by increasing enzymes or substrates that contribute directly or indirectly to its synthesis. Recombinant microorganisms and conditions for culturing same are also featured. Also featured are compositions produced by such microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention features methods of producing B6 vitamers that involve culturing an organism overexpressing an enzyme that catalyzes a step in the biosynthesis of a B6 vitamer under conditions such that a B6 vitamer is produced. The present invention further features methods of producing B6 vitamers that involve culturing recombinant microorganisms having increased activity of at least one B6 vitamer biosynthetic enzyme, e.g., YaaD or YaaE, or a homologue thereof, or Epd, PdxA, PdxJ, PdxF, PdxB, PdxH, and/or Dxs, or a homologue thereof.

Abstract: The present invention features methods of producing panto-compounds (e.g., pantothenate) using microorganisms in which the pantothenate biosynthetic pathway and/or the isoleucine-valine biosynthetic pathway and/or the coenzymeA biosynthetic pathway has been manipulated. Methods featuring ketopantoate reductase overexpressing microorganisms as well as aspartate ?-decarboxylase overexpressing microorganisms are provided. Methods of producing panto-compounds in a precursor-independent manner and in high yield are described. Recombinant microorganisms, vectors, isolated nucleic acid molecules, genes and gene products useful in practicing the above methodologies are also provided. The present invention also features a previously unidentified microbial pantothenate kinase gene, coaX, as well as methods of producing panto-compounds utilizing microorganisms having modified pantothenate kinase activity. Recombinant microorganisms, vectors, isolated coaX nucleic acid molecules and purified CoaX proteins are featured.

Abstract: A Bacillus cell contains a mutation in the epr gene resulting in inhibition of the production by the cell of the proteolytically active epr gene product; the cell may further contain mutations in the genes encoding proteolytically active residual protease I (RP-I) and proteolytically active residual protease II (RP-II) (mpr).

Abstract: A Bacillus cell contains a mutation in the epr gene resulting in inhibition of the production by the cell of the proteolytically active epr gene product; the cell may further contain mutations in the genes encoding proteolytically active residual protease I (RP-I) and proteolytically active residual protease II (RP-II).

Abstract: A Bacillus cell contains a mutation in the epr gene resulting in inhibition of the production by the cell of the proteolytically active epr gene product; the cell may further contain mutations in the genes encoding proteolytically active residual protease I (bpr) and proteolytically active residual protease II (RP-II).

Abstract: A Bacillus cell containing a mutation in the residual protease III (rp-III) gene resulting in the inhibition of the production by the cell of proteolytically active RP-III.

Abstract: Engineered DNA encoding a pre-protein which comprises a Streptomyces chitinase signal sequence and a desired mature protein. Preferably, the signal sequence is from the S. plicatus endochitinase gene. The engineered DNA is included in a host organism causing the host to produce and secrete the mature protein. Where the mature protein is a chitinase, the invention is used in methods of controlling chitinase-sensitive pests.

Abstract: A vector for high-level expression of a heterologous gene in Bacillus, including a DNA sequence which encodes all or part of the structural gene and contains the promoter and ribosome binding site of a Bacillus coagulans amylase gene; within or immediately downstream of the structural gene is a site for insertion of heterologous DNA; when inserted, the heterologous DNA is in the same translational reading frame as the amylase gene; the heterologous DNA thus is under control of the B. coagulans amylase gene regulatory elements and expressed at high levels. A signal-encoding sequence may be inserted independent of, or along with, the heterologous DNA leading to authentic secretion of the heterologous protein.

Abstract: A bacterial cell transformed with a gene encoding a desired product and with an enhancing DNA sequence capable of enhancing the production of the desired product in the bacterial cell, the enhancing DNA sequence being further characterized in that it is capable of enhancing the production of an endogenous protease in a Gram-positive bacterial cell.

Abstract: Cloning vectors are disclosed to obtain secretion of a desired protein from a host Streptomyces when a structural gene coding for the protein is inserted into the vector. The vector has: (1) regulatory DNA that includes a promoter sequence effective to start transcription in the host Streptomyces and DNA that encodes a ribosome-binding site; (2) a DNA sequence that codes for a signal sequence that occurs naturally in a Streptomyces strain or that derives from such a DNA sequence; and (3) at least one engineered restriction endonuclease recognition site positioned for the insertion of a structural gene, the DNA that encodes a signal sequence and attached structural gene being transcribed and translated together under the control of the regulatory DNA. Expression vectors are disclosed which include a structural gene coding for a desired protein so positioned. Streptomyces cells containing the vector and methods of using them to produce the desired protein are disclosed.