Abstract: A mutant nitrile hydratase that is derived from Pseudonocardia thermophila and has an ? subunit and a ? subunit, wherein a specific amino acid residue has been substituted for the amino acid residue in at least one position selected from the group consisting of the 40th and 43rd residues from the N terminal of the ? subunit, and the 205th, 206th, and 215th residues from the N terminal of the ? subunit.

Abstract: A mutant nitrile hydratase that is derived from Pseudonocardia thermophila and has an ? subunit and a ? subunit, wherein a specific amino acid residue has been substituted for the amino acid residue in at least one position selected from the group consisting of the 40th and 43rd residues from the N terminal of the ? subunit, and the 205th, 206th, and 215th residues from the N terminal of the ? subunit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Escherichia coli producing 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose (DOI), which, from a sucrose non-PTS gene group, has at least a sucrose hydrolase (CscA)-encoding gene and which is provided with a DOI production system or has an enhanced DOI production system. The Escherichia coli preferably further includes a system to enhance sugar uptake capacity. There is also disclosed a method of producing DOI from a plant-derived raw material containing sucrose by using the Escherichia coli.

Abstract: Hydroxycarboxylic acids are produced by using a microorganism that is improved in ability to produce nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by deleting, mutating or substituting nadR gene in the microorganism or introducing a gene encoding nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase.

Abstract: A nitrile hydratase variant of the present invention comprises substitution of at least one amino acid with another amino acid to improve two or more properties of nitrile hydratase by substitution of one amino acid.

Abstract: A nitrile hydratase variant of the present invention comprises substitution of at least one amino acid with another amino acid to improve two or more properties of nitrile hydratase by substitution of one amino acid.

Abstract: Hydroxycarboxylic acids are produced by using a microorganism that is improved in ability to regenerate oxidized-type nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by being provided with an enhanced NADH dehydrogenase function by introducing a gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase into a microorganism.

Abstract: A method for producing D-lactic acid in high yield, and to provide a method for producing D-lactic acid with high selectivity, in which optical purity is high and a by-product organic acid is small. In one aspect, a microorganism, wherein activity of pyruvate formate-lyase (pfl) is inactivated or decreased, and further activity of Escherichia coli-derived NADH-dependent D-lactate dehydrogenase (ldhA) is enhanced, is cultured to efficiently produce D-lactic acid. With regard to a method for enhancing ldhA activity, by linking, on a genome, a gene encoding ldhA with a promoter of a gene which controls expression of a protein involved in a glycolytic pathway, a nucleic acid biosynthesis pathway or an amino acid biosynthesis pathway, suitable results are obtained compared to the method for enhancing expression of the gene using an expression vector.

Abstract: Hydroxycarboxylic acids are produced by using a microorganism that is improved in ability to produce nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by deleting, mutating or substituting nadR gene in the microorganism or introducing a gene encoding nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase.

Abstract: A nitrile hydratase variant of the present invention comprises substitution of at least one amino acid with another amino acid to improve two or more properties of nitrile hydratase by substitution of one amino acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Escherichia coli producing 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose (DOI), which, from a sucrose non-PTS gene group, has at least a sucrose hydrolase (CscA)-encoding gene and which is provided with a DOI production system or has an enhanced DOI production system. The Escherichia coli preferably further includes a system to enhance sugar uptake capacity. There is also disclosed a method of producing DOI from a plant-derived raw material containing sucrose by using the Escherichia coli.

Abstract: Hydroxycarboxylic acids are produced by using a microorganism that is improved in ability to regenerate oxidized-type nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by being provided with an enhanced NADH dehydrogenase function by introducing a gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase into a microorganism.

Abstract: Hydroxycarboxylic acids are produced by using a microorganism that is improved in ability to produce nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by deleting, mutating or substituting nadR gene in the microorganism or introducing a gene encoding nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase.

Abstract: A method for producing D-lactic acid in high yield, and to provide a method for producing D-lactic acid with high selectivity, in which optical purity is high and a by-product organic acid is small. In one aspect, a microorganism, wherein activity of pyruvate formate-lyase (pfl) is inactivated or decreased, and further activity of Escherichia coli-derived NADH-dependent D-lactate dehydrogenase (ldhA) is enhanced, is cultured to efficiently produce D-lactic acid. With regard to a method for enhancing ldhA activity, by linking, on a genome, a gene encoding ldhA with a promoter of a gene which controls expression of a protein involved in a glycolytic pathway, a nucleic acid biosynthesis pathway or an amino acid biosynthesis pathway, suitable results are obtained compared to the method for enhancing expression of the gene using an expression vector.

Abstract: A method for producing phytase using a Candida boidinii transformant, by which phytase is secreted to liquid medium without substantially increasing the number of the transformant cells is disclosed. In this method, cells of a Candida boidinii transformant which is transformed with a recombinant vector comprising a promoter inducible with methanol and a gene located downstream of said promoter and operably linked to said promoter, which gene encodes a polypeptide having phytase activity, are cultured in a liquid culture medium containing phosphoric acid or a phosphate compound in an amount effective of restricting proliferation of said cells of Candida boidinii transformant such that the amount of said cells of Candida boidinii transformant is not substantially increased, while adding methanol to the culture medium, so as to make said cells secrete said phytase.

Abstract: A novel phytase is disclosed. The phytase consists essentially of a single type of subunits, and can hydrolyze a phytate to myo-inositol. A gene encoding the phytase, which is originated from Schwanniomyces occidentalis is also disclosed.