Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide enzymes that have high endoglucanase activity and yet exhibit high activity even under alkaline conditions, and genes encoding the same. The enzyme according to the invention has the following properties: a) exhibiting endoglucanase activity; and b) capable of completely removing fuzz from regenerated cellulose fabrics at a concentration of 1 mg of the protein/L or below. The enzyme of the invention having endoglucanase activity is a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11; a modified protein thereof exhibiting endoglucanase activity; or a homologue of the protein or the modified protein.

Abstract: There is provided an endoglucanase enzyme, which is useful for reducing fuzz of regenerated cellulose-containing fabrics, improving the touch and appearance, color clarification, localized variation in color, reducing stiffness and using it as components of a detergent, as well as deinking waste paper and improving freeness of paper pulp. A cDNA coding for the endoglucanase enzyme NCE5 was cloned and its DNA sequence and amino acid sequence derived from it were determined.

Abstract: In a check valve of the present invention, when a pressure action direction of a fluid on a valve body is assumed to be X, a spring receiving surface that abuts with a seat surface that is at one end in an axial direction of the helical compression spring is made to incline with respect to a surface perpendicular to the pressure action direction X. Accordingly, an urging force of the helical compression spring on the valve body acts obliquely with respect to the pressure action direction X. Thus the valve body is pressed to a side wall surface when the valve is opened, and vibration of the valve body is inhibited. Accordingly, it is possible to embody the invention with an extremely simple structure in which the spring receiving surface is inclined with respect to the surface perpendicular to the pressure action direction X.

Abstract: A transmission member that transmits urging force of a helical spring to a valve body is disposed between the valve body and the helical spring. The transmission member changes a direction of an urging force transmitted to the valve body such that the urging force is oblique to a pressure action direction X. Accordingly, when a check valve is in an open state, the valve body is pressed against a side wall and thus vibration of the valve body is inhibited. Further, when the check valve is in a closed state, an angle ? formed by the direction of the urging force transmitted to the valve body and the pressure action direction X is set to be between 8 degrees and 45 degrees. Accordingly, it is possible to simultaneously realize a fluid path opening/closing function and a valve body vibration inhibition function.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing substance PF1022 derivatives, in particular PF1022-220 and PF1022-260, by a direct fermentation method, and a transformant to be used for this method. According to the present invention, there is provided a transformant producing substance PF1022 derivatives, which can be obtained by introducing a gene involved in a biosynthetic pathway from chorismic acid to p-aminophenylpyruvic acid into a phenylalanine auxotrophic host induced from an organism that produces a substance PF1022. According to the present invention, there is also provided a process of producing substance PF1022 derivatives, comprising steps of culturing the abovementioned transformant and collecting the substance PF1022 derivatives.

Abstract: A transmission member that transmits urging force of a helical spring to a valve body is disposed between the valve body and the helical spring. The transmission member changes a direction of an urging force transmitted to the valve body such that the urging force is oblique to a pressure action direction X. Accordingly, when a check valve is in an open state, the valve body is pressed against a side wall and thus vibration of the valve body is inhibited. Further, when the check valve is in a closed state, an angle &thgr; formed by the direction of the urging force transmitted to the valve body and the pressure action direction X is set to be between 8 degrees and 45 degrees. Accordingly, it is possible to simultaneously realize a fluid path opening/closing function and a valve body vibration inhibition function.

Abstract: In a check valve of the present invention, when a pressure action direction of a fluid on a valve body is assumed to be X, a spring receiving surface that abuts with a seat surface that is at one end in an axial direction of the helical compression spring is made to incline with respect to a surface perpendicular to the pressure action direction X. Accordingly, an urging force of the helical compression spring on the valve body acts obliquely with respect to the pressure action direction X. Thus the valve body is pressed to a side wall surface when the valve is opened, and vibration of the valve body is inhibited. Accordingly, it is possible to embody the invention with an extremely simple structure in which the spring receiving surface is inclined with respect to the surface perpendicular to the pressure action direction X.

Abstract: A novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase and its gene are disclosed. A polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 or No. 3 is an enzyme having &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity and high transferase activity, and is capable of efficiently producing fructooligosaccharides.

Abstract: A novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene and a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase encoded by the gene, a process for isolating a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene using the novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene, and a novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase obtained by this isolation process are disclosed. A novel mold fungus having no &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity suitable for the production of &bgr;-fructofuranosidase, and a system for producing a recombinant &bgr;-fructofuranosidase using the novel mold fungus as a host is disclosed. Further, a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase variant which selectively and efficiently produces a specific fructooligosaccharide such as 1-kestose from sucrose is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene and a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase encoded by the gene, a process for isolating a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene using the novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase gene, and a novel &bgr;-fructofuranosidase obtained by this isolation process are disclosed. A novel mold fungus having no &bgr;-fructofuranosidase activity suitable for the production of &bgr;-fructofuranosidase, and a system for producing a recombinant &bgr;-fructofuranosidase using the novel mold fungus as a host is disclosed. Further, a &bgr;-fructofuranosidase variant which selectively and efficiently produces a specific fructooligosaccharide such as 1-kestose from sucrose is disclosed.

Abstract: A host vector system comprising Rhizopus species such as Rhizopus niveus (IFO4810) and a plasmid derived from Phycomycetes such as Mucor, Phycomyces and Absidia wherein the plasmid is contained in a chromosome and/or cytoplasm of the Rhizopus species. The host vector system is suitable for the extracellular production of proteins and enzymes. A process for preparing the host vector system is also provided.