Abstract: A reagent for the determination of an antibody against an esterase from pathogenic streptococci, which comprisesreagent 1: an esterase (a) from pathogenic streptococci,reagent 2: a protein (b) which is capable of binding to an antibody (d) against the esterase (a) and is bound to an insoluble carrier, andreagent 3: a reagent (c) for measuring an activity of the esterase (a),and a method for the determination of an antibody against an esterase from pathogenic streptococci. The reagent and method of the present invention are useful for diagnosis of various diseases caused by pathogenic streptococcal infections.

Abstract: Process for the production of a disaccharide-tripeptide and disaccharide-tetrapeptide which comprises applying an endo-N-acetylmuramidase from Streptomyces globisporus and a D-alanyl-meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid endopeptidase from Streptomyces nitrosporeus SK (FERM BP-216) or Streptomyces globisporus to hydrolyze cell walls of bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum and Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Said process can give the desired disaccharide-tripeptide and disaccharide-tetrapeptide having excellent pharmacological activities such as immunostimulant activity and potentiating activity of nonspecific resistance to bacterial infections in the form of a single compound (i.e. not mixture thereof) in a high yield.

Abstract: .delta.-substituted derivatives of valproic acid are provided for conjugation to antigenic compositions, particularly proteins and enzymes.The antigenic conjugates are employed for the production of antibodies, which find particular use in immunoassays for the determination of valproate.Also are disclosed a kit containing at least the conjugate and the antibody and determination method of valproate using the kit.

Abstract: Novel alkaline protease M.sub.3 which is distinguished from known alkaline proteases in the phisiochemical properties, particularly in terms of the strong alkaline optimum pH: 9-12.5; being not inhibited by FeSO.sub.4, diisopropyl fluorophosphate, ethylenediamine tetraacetate and iodoacetic acid; having glucosyltransferase inhibitory activity; and having the lowest molecular weight, and which can be produced by cultivating a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces, particularly Streptomyces globisporus B-1829 strain (ATCC 21553). The alkaline protease M.sub.3 is useful for prevention of dental caries.

Abstract: An enzyme being capable of lysing cells of dental caries-inducing microorganisms and a method for producing the same by cultivating a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces, especially wild type strains of Streptomyces diastatochromogenes, Streptomyces farinosus, Streptomyces globisporus and Streptomyces griseus var. H-402, compositions for preventing and treating dental caries containing the said enzyme and methods for preventing and treating dental caries.