Abstract: Three enzymes degrading sulfated glucuronofucan; processes for producing these enzymes; activators for these enzymes; glucuronofucan sulfate and degradation products thereof; and a novel microorganism.

Abstract: A product obtained by heating at least one substance selected from the following (a), (b) and (c).

Abstract: A sulfated saccharide represented by the following formula [I] or a sulfated polysaccharide where the said sulfated saccharide is an essential component of the constituting sugar as well as a salt thereof.

Abstract: A smaller molecule obtainable by allowing a sulfated fucan-digesting enzyme which digests a novel sulfated polysaccharide derived from an alga belonging to Laminariales to act on a sulfated fucan, and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: Apoptosis inducers, anticancer drugs and carcinostatic drugs containing sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide(s) and/or degradation product(s) thereof, and a method for inducing apoptosis by using sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide(s) and/or degradation product(s) thereof as the active ingredient. A degrading enzyme which is useful in the production of the degradation products of sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharides.

Abstract: Sulfated fucogalactan or its salt useful as a reagent for sugar chain engineering or an HGF-production inducer; a degraded product or its salt obtained by treating the sulfated fucogalactan with a sulfated fucogalactan digesting enzyme; the sulfated fucogalactan digesting enzyme useful in sugar chain engineering; a process for producing the degraded product by treating sulfated fucogalactan or its salt with the above enzyme; and a process for producing the sulfated fucogalactan digesting enzyme.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose are represented by formula (I): 1

Abstract: Food or beverage where fucoidan which is derived from a fucoidan-containing substance is contained therein, added thereto and/or diluted therein. Food or beverage where fucoidan which is derived from a fucoidan-containing substance and where algins are reduced or eliminated, is contained therein. Apoptosis-inducing food or beverage where an effective amount of fucoidan having an apoptosis-inducing ability is contained therein.

Abstract: Remedies or preventives for diseases with a need for immunoregulation, diseases with a need for inhibition of inflammation, diseases with a need for regulation of tumor necrosis factor production, diseases with a need for regulation of fungal growth, diseases with a need for regulation of cell adhesion or disease with a deed for induction of heat-shock protein, which contain as the active ingredient at least one compound selected from among cyclopentenone derivatives represented by general formula [I], optically active isomers and salts thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group or an aromatic aliphatic group.

Abstract: A substance for inducing apoptosis represented by specific formulae. A pharmaceutical composition which can be used for an anticancer agent containing said substance.

Abstract: Therapeutic or preventive agents for diseases requiring apoptosis induction, cancerous diseases, diseases requiring the inhibition of active oxygen production, those requiring the inhibition of nitrogen monoxide production, those requiring the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, those requiring the inhibition of synovial cell proliferation, those requiring the induction of heat shock protein production or those requiring the inhibition of &agr;-glycosidase, which contain as the active ingredient compounds selected from among compounds represented by general formula (I), (wherein X and Y are each H or CH2OH, provided that when X is CH2OH, Y is H, while when X is H, Y is CH2OH), those represented by general formula (II), (wherein R is a residue obtained by freeing a compound having an SH group from the SH group) and salts of both; and foods, drinks, cosmetics and so on, containing compounds selected from among compounds of general formula (I), those of general formula (II) and salts of both

Abstract: A substance for inducing apoptosis represented by specific formulae. A pharmaceutical composition which can be used for an anticancer agent containing said substance.

Abstract: A product obtained by heating at least one substance selected from the following (a), (b) and (c). (a) uronic acid or uronic acid derivative; (b) a saccharide compound containing uronic acid or a saccharide compound containing uronic acid derivative; and (c) a substance containing a saccharide compound containing uronic acid or a substance containing a saccharide compound containing uronic acid derivative; and food, beverage or a pharmaceutical agent which is characterized in containing the above-mentioned heat-treated product.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (1): foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. This compound also shows, for example, an apoptosis-inducing activity, a carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes it useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: Food or beverage where fucoidan which is derived from a fucoidan-containing substance is contained therein, added thereto and/or diluted therein. Food or beverage where fucoidan which is derived from a fucoidan-containing substance and where algins are reduced or eliminated is contained therein. Apoptosis-inducing food or beverage where an effective amount of fucoidan having an apoptosis-inducing ability is contained therein.

Abstract: A novel endo-fucoidan-lyase and a novel microorganism, Fucoidanobacter marinus SI-0098 (FERM BP-5403) useful in the production of sugar compounds are disclosed Sugar compounds represented by the following general formula (1), wherein at least one of alcoholic hydroxyl group has been sulfated, or salts thereof: wherein Y represents hydrogen or a group represented by the following formula (2).

Abstract: 5-Membered ring compounds represented by general formula (I), optically active isomers thereof or salts of the same. These compounds have physiological activities including a carcinostatic effect. In said formula the bond shown by the dotted line in the 5-membered ring represents that this 5-membered ring may be either a cyclopentene ring having a double bond or a saturated cyclopentane ring, and when the 5-membered ring is a cyclopentene ring, X is OR1, Y is ═O and Z is H, and when it is a cyclopentane ring, X is ═O, Y is OR2 and Z is OR3, (wherein R1 is R4 or —(CO)—R5; R2 is H, —R6 or —(CO)—R7; and R3 is H, R8 or (CO)—R9 (wherein R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are the same or different and each represents an aliphatic, aromatic or aliphatic aromatic group, and R5, R7 and R9 may be each H), provided that the case where R2═R3═H is excluded); and W represents a residue obtained by eliminating SH from an SH-containing compound.

Abstract: Crystals of trans-4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one of an &agr;-type.

Abstract: An apoptosis inducing agent or an anticancer agent which is characterized in containing glycerolipid and/or glyceroglycolipid as effective component(s).

Abstract: A novel endo-fucoidan-lyase and a novel microorganism useful in the production of sugar compounds.