Abstract: This invention provides: DNA encoding cellulase enzymes from intestinal symbiotic protists of the insects of Reticulitermes speratus, Hodotermopsis sjostedti, Neotermes koshunensis, Mastotermes darwiniensis, and Cryptocercidae, comprising the nucleotide sequences as shown in SEQ ID NOS:1 to 140; an expression system for the DNA; and a method for producing the cellulase enzymes using the expression system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polypeptide shown in the following in (A), and a protein dimer neoculin comprising the polypeptide Neoculin Acidic Subunit (NAS) and the polypeptide Neoculin Basic Subunit (NBS) and having a taste-modifying activity: (A) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO.2 in the sequence listing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polypeptide shown below in (A) or (B), a protein dimer neoculin comprising the polypeptide Neoculin Acidic Subunit (NAS) and the polypeptide Neoculin Basic Subunit (NBS) and having a taste-modifying activity: (A) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO.2 in the sequence listing; (B) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence with the substitution, deletion, insertion, addition or inversion of one or several amino acids in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO. 2 in the sequence listing, which polypeptide can form the neoculin dimer having a taste-modifying activity together with the polypeptide NBS.

Abstract: This invention provides a cellulase enzyme derived from intestinal symbiotic protists of insects selected from the group consisting of Reticulitermes speratus, Hodotermopsis sjostedti, Neotermes koshunensis, Mastotermes darwiniensis, and Cryptocercidae and comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of the nucleotide sequences as shown in SEQ ID NOS:1 to 140 and nucleotide sequences having 90% or higher identity therewith, a mixture of two or more said enzymes, a processed matter of said enzyme or mixture, DNA encoding said enzyme and an expression system thereof, and a method for producing said enzyme.

Abstract: It is intended to provide koji mold-origin phospholipase A2 and a DNA encoding it. Namely, phospholipase A2 comprising the following protein (a) or (b): (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; and (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence derived from an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 by a partial modification and serving as phospholipase A2.

Abstract: It is intended to provide koji mold-origin phospholipase A2 and a DNA encoding it. Namely, phospholipase A2 comprising the following protein (a) or (b): (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; and (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence derived from an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 by a partial modification and serving as phospholipase A2.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to find a substance with a better taste-modifying function and determine the structure of the taste-modifying substance, as well as to elucidate the structure thereof at a gene level and determine the primary structure of the substance and obtain the gene encoding the substance. Additionally, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel taste-modifying composition characteristically containing the taste-modifying substance. Specifically, the invention provides the polypeptide shown below in (A) or (B), a protein dimer neoculin comprising the polypeptide NAS and the polypeptide NBS and having a taste-modifying activity: (A) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO.2 in the sequence listing; (B) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence with the substitution, deletion, insertion, addition or inversion of one or several amino acids in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO.

Abstract: Glutaminase is purified from an Aspergillus oryzae, its partial amino acid sequence is determined, a partial sequence of glutaminase gene is obtained by PCR based on the obtained information, and DNA fragments containing glutaminase gene from Aspergillus oryzae genomic library and cDNA library, and Aspergillus nidulans genomic library by hybridization using the partial sequence as a probe.

Abstract: It is intended to provide koji mold-origin phospholipase A2 and a DNA encoding it. Namely, phospholipase A2 comprising the following protein (a) or (b): (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; and (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence derived from an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 by a partial modification and serving as phospholipase A2.

Abstract: Glutaminase is purified from an Aspergillus oryzae, its partial amino acid sequence is determined, a partial sequence of glutaminase gene is obtained by PCR based on the obtained information, and DNA fragments containing glutaminase gene from Aspergillus oryzae genomic library and cDNA library, and Aspergillus nidulans genomic library by hybridization using the partial sequence as a probe.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide Koji mold aminopeptidases capable of efficiently hydrolyzing persistent peptides and also genes encoding the aminopeptidases. The present invention provides Aspergillus nidulans aminopeptidase and nucleic acid molecules encoding it. In particular, the present invention provides a protein having an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 519 in SEQ ID NO: 2, or a protein containing the substitution, deletion, insertion, addition or inversion of one or more amino acids in said sequence, and which protein has an activity of catalyzing the reaction for releasing an amino acid at an N-terminal of a peptide, and nucleic acid molecules encoding them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of expressing a gene by inserting the genome into a host organism using genetic engineering techniques. The present invention further relates to a novel promoter, a recombinant vector containing the promoter and a target gene, a transformant containing the recombinant vector, and a method of producing a useful gene product or useful substance using the transformant.

Abstract: Glutaminase is purified from an Aspergillus oryzae, its partial amino acid sequence is determined, a partial sequence of glutaminase gene is obtained by PCR based on the obtained information, and DNA fragments containing glutaminase gene from Aspergillus oryzae genomic library and cDNA library, and Aspergillus nidulans genomic library hybridization using the partial sequence as a probe.

Abstract: Glutaminase is purified from an Aspergillus oryzae, its partial amino acid sequence is determined, a partial sequence of glutaminase gene is obtained by PCR based on the obtained information, and DNA fragments containing glutaminase gene from Aspergillus oryzae genomic library and cDNA library, and Aspergillus nidulans genomic library by hybridization using the partial sequence as a probe.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide Koji mold aminopeptidases capable of efficiently hydrolyzing persistent peptides and also genes encoding the aminopeptidases. The present invention provides Aspergillus nidulans aminopeptidase and nucleic acid molecules encoding it. In particular, the present invention provides a protein having an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 519 in SEQ ID NO: 2, or a protein containing the substitution, deletion, insertion, addition or inversion of one or more amino acids in said sequence, and which protein has an activity of catalyzing the reaction for releasing an amino acid at an N-terminal of a peptide, and nucleic acid molecules encoding them.

Abstract: Glutaminase is purified from an Aspergillus oryzae, its partial amino acid sequence is determined, a partial sequence of glutaminase gene is obtained by PCR based on the obtained information, and DNA fragments containing glutaminase gene from Aspergillus oryzae genomic library and cDNA library, and Aspergillus nidulans genomic library by hybridization using the partial sequence as a probe.