Abstract: Purified immunocytes were analyzed for expression frequencies, and the NKIR gene expressed specifically in natural killer (NK) cells was successfully identified. The NKIR gene encodes a receptor. Agonists and antagonists for the receptor can be identified by using the receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene useful in a process to increase the microbial production of carotenoids. The carotenoids astaxanthin is distributed in a wide variety of organisms such as animals, algae and microorganisms. It has a strong antioxidation property against reactive oxygen species. Astaxanthin is used as a coloring reagent, especially in the industry of farmed fish, such as salmon, because astaxanthin imparts distinctive orange-red coloration to the animals and contributes to consumer appeal in the marketplace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene useful in a process to increase the microbial production of carotenoids. The carotenoids astaxanthin is distributed in a wide variety of organisms such as animals, algae and microorganisms. It has a strong antioxidation property against reactive oxygen species. Astaxanthin is used as a coloring reagent, especially in the industry of farmed fish, such as salmon, because astaxanthin imparts distinctive orange-red coloration to the animals and contributes to consumer appeal in the marketplace.

Abstract: Purified immunocytes were analyzed for expression frequencies, and the NKIR gene expressed specifically in natural killer (NK) cells was successfully identified. The NKIR gene encodes a receptor. Agonists and antagonists for the receptor can be identified by using the receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene useful in a process to increase the microbial production of carotenoids. The carotenoids astaxanthin is distributed in a wide variety of organisms such as animals, algae and microorganisms. It has a strong antioxidation property against reactive oxygen species. Astaxanthin is used as a coloring reagent, especially in the industry of farmed fish, such as salmon, because astaxanthin imparts distinctive orange-red coloration to the animals and contributes to consumer appeal in the marketplace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene useful in a process to increase the microbial production of carotenoids. The carotenoids astaxanthin is distributed in a wide variety of organisms such as animals, algae and microorganisms. It has a strong antioxidation property against reactive oxygen species. Astaxanthin is used as a coloring reagent, especially in the industry of farmed fish, such as salmon, because astaxanthin imparts distinctive orange-red coloration to the animals and contributes to consumer appeal in the marketplace.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to genetic materials useful for the preparation of astaxanthin from beta-carotene, such as polypeptides having astaxanthin synthase activity, DNA fragments coding for astaxanthin synthase, recombinant organisms and the like. Those novel genetic materials may be derived from Phaffia rhodozyma. The present invention also provides a process for the production of astaxanthin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing canthaxanthin and echinenone which comprises cultivating a recombinant microorganism which is expressing a ?-casotene ketolase gene and belonging to the genus Xanthophyllomyces (Phaffia) in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions, and isolating the resulted carotenoids from the cells of said recombinant microorganism or from the cultured broth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing zeaxanthin and ?-cryptoxanthin which comprises cultivating a recombinant microorganism which is expressing a ?-carotene hydroxylase gene and belonging to the genus Xanthophyllomyces (Phaffia) in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions, and isolating the resulted carotenoids from the cells of said recombinant microorganism or from the cultured broth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated DNA sequence encoding an enzyme (e.g., farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase) in the pathway from isopentenyl pyrophosphate to farnesyl pyrophosphate. Vectors and plasmids including such DNA are also set forth. The invention also includes host cells transformed by such DNAs, or vectors or plasmids containing such DNAs. A process for the production of astaxanthin and/or farnesyl pyrophosphate using such transformed host cells is also provided.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a carotenoid, which process includes cultivating a recombinant organism having a gene for one or more active oxygen species-quenching factor(s) that is substantially disrupted with a disruption cassette specific to the gene, and recovering carotenoids from the culture.

Abstract: A process for producing carotenoids, which involves cultivating a microorganism obtained by treating a parent microorganism that produces carotenoids under conditions that induce a reduction in alternative oxidase activity and selecting a microorganism with enhanced carotenoid productivity, a method for obtaining the microorganism with enhanced carotenoid productivity, and the microorganism itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated DNA sequence encoding an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway or the pathway from isopentenyl pyrophosphate to farnesyl pyrophosphate. Vectors and plasmids including such DNA are also set forth. The invention also includes host cells transformed by such DNAs, or vectors or plasmids containing such DNAs. A process for the production of isoprenoids and carotenoids using such transformed host cells is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated DNA sequence encoding an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway or the pathway from isopentenyl pyrophosphate to farnesyl pyrophosphate. Vectors and plasmids including such DNA are also set forth. The invention also includes host cells transformed by such DNAs, or vectors or plasmids containing such DNAs. A process for the production of isoprenoids and carotenoids using such transformed host cells is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to genetic materials useful for the preparation of astaxanthin from beta-carotene, such as polypeptides having astaxanthin synthase activity, DNA fragments coding for astaxanthin synthase, recombinant organisms and the like. Those novel genetic materials may be derived from Phaffia rhodozyma. The present invention also provides a process for the production of astaxanthin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated DNA sequence encoding an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway or the pathway from isopentenyl pyrophosphate to farnesyl pyrophosphate. Vectors and plasmids including such DNA are also set forth. The invention also includes host cells transformed by such DNAs, or vectors or plasmids containing such DNAs. A process for the production of isoprenoids and carotenoids using such transformed host cells is also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing carotenoids, which involves cultivating a microorganism obtained by treating a parent microorganism that produces carotenoids under conditions that induce a reduction in alternative oxidase activity and selecting a microorganism with enhanced carotenoid productivity, a method for obtaining the microorganism with enhanced carotenoid productivity, and the microorganism itself.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a carotenoid, which process includes cultivating a recombinant organism having a gene for one or more active oxygen species-quenching factor(s) that is substantially disrupted with a disruption cassette specific to the gene, and recovering carotenoids from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to genetic materials useful for the preparation of astaxanthin from beta-carotene, such as polypeptides having astaxanthin synthase activity, DNA fragments coding for astaxanthin synthase, recombinant organisms and the like. Those novel genetic materials may be derived from Phaffia rhodozyma. The present invention also provides a process for the production of astaxanthin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated DNA sequence encoding an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway or the pathway from isopentenyl pyrophosphate to farnesyl pyrophosphate (i.e., HMG-CoA synthase, HMG-CoA reductase, mevalonate kinase, mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase, and FPP synthase). Vectors and plasmids including such DNA, are also set forth. The invention also includes host cells transformed by such DNAs, or vectors or plasmids containing such DNAs. A process for the production of isoprenoids and carotenoids using such transformed host cells is also provided.