Abstract: A method of amplifying a desired gene in a chromosome of a coryneform bacterium, which comprises forming an artificial transposon in which a drug resistance gene and the desired gene are inserted into an insertion sequence of the coryneform bacterium, and introducing said artificial transposon into the coryneform bacterium. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a desired gene can be amplified in a chromosome in coryneform bacteria which are used in the industrial production of amino acids or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (1) a transglutaminase (hereinafter referred to as TG) isolated from a Bacilli such as those of Bacillus subtilis, (2) a fraction having transglutaminase activity, and (3) a method for producing a protein, a non-proteinaceous amino acid polymer, a peptide or derivatives thereof having a crosslinked structure, by crosslinking the glutamine and lysine residues in the same with the TG or the fraction having TG activity to thereby form intermolecular or intramolecular, crosslinked .epsilon.-(.gamma.-Glu)-Lys bonds. The present invention also relates to (4) a DNA coding for a TG derived from a Bacilli such as Bacillus subtilis, (5) a vector comprising said DNA coding for the TG, (6) a cell transformed with the vector, and (7) a method for producing a Bacillus-derived transglutaminase by incubating the transformant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine and/or L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine diketopiperazine comprising contacting and reacting a culture, cell or a cell-treated product of a microorganism capable of hydrolyzing DKP into AP or capable of performing intramolecular condensation of AP into DKP with DKP and/or AP, in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A galactose transfer product is prepared by a process of allowing a microorganism capable of producing a galactose transfer product of the formula: (Gal).sub.n --R, wherein Gal represents a galactose residue, n represents an integer of 1 to 4 and R represents a galactose receptor to act on a combination of lactose or a galactose donor and a galactose receptor; and collecting the galactose transfer product produced.

Abstract: A process for producing L-serine by the combination of chemical synthesis and enzyme chemical synthesis is disclosed. In this process L-serine is biochemically produced from 2-oxo-axazolidine-4-carboxylic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing dideoxyinosine involving contacting as a substrate 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine with a microorganism which is capable of converting the substrate into 2',3'-dideoxyinosine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing ribavirin utilizing microorganisms and a method for producing ribose-1-phosphoric acid which is a precursor of ribavirin. The methods involve contacting certain microorganisms with orotidine, orotidic acid, or salts thereof, and inorganic phosphoric acid or a salt thereof (to produce ribose-1-phosphoric acid), and further with 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide or a salt thereof (to produce ribavirin) in an aqueous solvent.

Abstract: A biological process for producing a 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside from 2',3'-dideoxyuridine is disclosed. the 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside can be purified readily using a porous nonpolar resin adsorbent.

Abstract: A biological process for producing a 2',3'-dideoxyncleoside from 2',3'-dideoxyuridine is disclosed. The 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside can be purified readily using a porous nonpolar resin adsorbent.

Abstract: A process for producing L-phenylalanine, which comprises reacting cinnamic acid and an ammonia generator in an aqueous medium in the presence of an enzyme or enzymes from a microorganism belonging to the genus Geotrichum, Moniliella, Syncephalastrum, Endomyces, Aspergillus, Saccharomycopis, Eurotium, Glomerella, Pellicularia or Conatobotyrum, wherein the enzyme or enzymes are capable of producing L-phenylalanine from cinnamic acid and an ammonia generator, and collecting L-phenylalanine from the aqueous medium, is disclosed along with both new and old microorganisms that can be used in the practice of the invention.

Abstract: A process for the production of L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester of L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine by contacting an appropriate microorganism or enzyme-containing fraction of said microorganism with L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine methyl ester or L-phenylalanine in an aqueous medium so that L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester or L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine is produced.

Abstract: A process for producing L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine alkyl or aryl esters wherein L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine which is esterified with an alkyl group having at least two carbon atoms, an aryl group or an aralkyl group, are contacted in an aqueous medium with particular microorganisms or enzyme fractions from these microorganisms and the condensed product crystallizes out due to insolubility in the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A method for producing L-carnitine which involves contacting crotonbetaine or a non-toxic, soluble salt of this compound with a microorganism or an enzyme fraction of this microorganism which is capable of converting crotonbetaine or its salts into L-carnitine. The conversion is conducted in an aqueous medium under conditions suitable for production of L-carnitine.

Abstract: D-.alpha.-amino acids are produced by contacting a 5-substituted hydantoin with an effective amount of an enzyme capable of converting the 5-substituted hydantoin to the D-.alpha.-amino acid produced by a microorganism in an aqueous medium at a pH in the range of 4 to 9, the microorganism being capable of utilizing the D-isomer of the 5-substituted hydantoin as the sole nitrogen source, but substantially incapable of utilizing the L-isomer of the 5-substituted hydantoin as the nitrogen source and the substituent of the 5-position being such that upon reaction with the enzyme, an optically active D-.alpha.-amino acid isomer is produced; and recovering the D-.alpha.-amino acid which accumulates in the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A method for producing 4-formyl-2-amino-butyric acid(FABA), which comprises: culturing a mutant capable of producing FABA and belonging to the genus Brevibacterium or Corynebacterium in a culture medium until a substantial amount of FABA has accumulated in the culture medium, and recovering the accumulated FABA from the culture medium.

Abstract: L-amino acids are produced by fermenting a hydantoin compound with Flavobacterium aminogenes or its enzymes.