Abstract: Antibiotics RK-1061s having a novel chemical structure and a method of production thereof. They have a structural formula represented by general formula(I) wherein A represents R1 or R1CH(OR2)CH2. R2 represents 3-methylglutaric acid residue and R3 represents a sulfate group or a hydrogen atom. The process comprises culturing a ray fungus belonging to the genus Streptomyces and isolating RK-1061s from the culture. Streptomyces sp. SN-1061Ms (FERM BP-5800) is capable of stably producing RK-1061 at a high productivity.

Abstract: Dihydronaphthalene compounds have excellent 17&agr;-hydroxylase/C17-20-lyase inhibiting activity, thromboxan A2 synthesis inhibiting activity, and aromatase inhibiting activity and are thereby are useful as preventive and/or therapeutic agents for various male sex hormone- and female sex hormone-dependent diseases such as prostate cancer, prostatomegaly, masculinization, breast cancer, mastopathy, uterine cancer, endometriosis, and ovarian cancer, as well as myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and bronchial asthma.

Abstract: Antibiotics RK-1061s having a novel chemical structure and a method of production thereof.

Abstract: Antibiotics RK-1061s having a novel chemical structure and a method of production thereof. They have a structural formula represented by general formula(I) wherein A represents R1 or R1CH(OR2)CH2. R2 represents 3-methylglutaric acid residue and R3 represents a sulfate group or a hydrogen atom. The process comprises culturing a ray fungus belonging to the genus Streptomyces and isolating RK-1061s from the culture. Streptomyces sp. SN-1061Ms (FERM BP-5800) is capable of stably producing RK-1061 at a high productivity.

Abstract: Dihydronaphthalene compounds have excellent 17&agr;-hydroxylase/C17-20-lyase inhibiting activity, thromboxan A2 synthesis inhibiting activity, and aromatase inhibiting activity and are thereby are useful as preventive and/or therapeutic agents for various male sex hormone- and female sex hormone-dependent diseases such as prostate cancer, prostatomegaly, masculinization, breast cancer, mastopathy, uterine cancer, endometriosis, and ovarian cancer, as well as myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and bronchial asthma.

Abstract: The present invention provides new benzofuranone derivatives and a method for producing the derivatives useful for a therapeutic agent for preventing and/or treating hormone dependent diseases.The present invention is a new benzofuranone derivative represented by a particular general formula (I). ##STR1## In the production, a particular benzofuranone compound and a particular benzaldehyde are reacted.

Abstract: The present invention provides new tetralone or benzopyranone derivatives and a method for producing the derivatives useful for a therapeutic agent for preventing and/or treating hormone dependent diseases. The present invention is a new tetralone or benzopyranone derivative represented by a particular general formula (I). ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent hydrogen, a hydroxy group, an alkyloxy group or an aralkyloxy group, respectively, R.sub.3 -R.sub.7 represent hydrogen, a hydroxy group or a straight or branched alkyl, alkyloxy or aralkyloxy group having 1-6 carbon atoms, a halogen, an amino group or an alkylene dioxy group joined at R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6, or R.sub.6 and R.sub.7, respectively, and A represents a methylene or oxygen.In the production, a particular tetralone or benzopyranone compound and a particular benzaldehyde compound are reacted.

Abstract: The invention relates to an examination method of hormone-dependent tissue, more particularly to a method for examining hormone-dependent tumors by culturing a tumor tissue in (a) a control culture medium, (b) a culture medium containing a hormone synthetase substrate, and (c) a culture medium containing a hormone synthetase substrate and a hormone synthetase inhibitor, and determining the relative growth ratios of tumor cells of (b) to (a), and (c) to (a) for diagnosing a tumor as being hormone dependent.This invention provides a method for the simultaneous and easy determination of hormone dependent tumors and the presence of hormone synthetic enzymes. Further, this invention provides a new classification system for tumors and means for indicating medical treatment for a cancer patient.

Abstract: Prolyl endopeptidase inhibiting compounds SNA-115 and SNA-115T are provided having molecular formulas of C.sub.113 H.sub.142 N.sub.26 O.sub.27 and C.sub.113 H.sub.144 N.sub.26 O.sub.28 respectively. SNA-115T has the following structural formula:Arg Tyr Asp Trp Trp Pro Tyr Gly Asp Leu Phe Gly Gly His Thr Phe Ile Ser ProProcesses are also provided for the production of SNA-11 by culturing the SNA productive microorganism and production of SNA-115T by degradation of SNA-115 with trypsin. Both SNA-115 and SNA-115T exhibit prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory properties.

Abstract: A physiologically active compound HS-1 having the following chemical structure is disclosed. This compound is prepared by culturing Chromobacterium violaceum, adding tryptophan and diethyldithiocarbamate (diethyldithiocarbamic acid) to the culture broth for reacting with the cells for producing HS-1 in the cells, and collecting the compound from the culture broth. This novel compound possesses antitumor and antimicrobial activity, and is effective as an antitumor agent or an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A remedy for endometriosis comprising, as an active ingredient, 14.alpha.-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,6,17-trione or an ester derivative thereof, can effectively treat endometriosis by the strong aromatase-inhibitory activity without giving serious side effects.

Abstract: Novel 7.beta.-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione derivatives are disclosed.The group of these compounds has possibility of being utilized as an intermediate for the synthesis of progesterone derivatives having ovulation-inhibiting activity. These compounds themselves have also cell differentiation activity for M1 cells.

Abstract: A process for the preparation in high yield of 14.alpha.-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,6,17-trione which has an aromatase inhibition activity and is useful as an antitumor agent, in which the 6.beta.-hydroxyl group of 6.beta., 14.alpha.-dihydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione is selectively oxidized with the aid of visible light energy.

Abstract: Novel androst-4-ene-3,17-dione derivatives are disclosed. The group of these compounds has biological activities, in particular, the inhibiting activity on human placenta-derived estrogen-synthesizing enzyme. Therefore these compounds are expected to be utilized in the field of medical care, particularly as anticancer drugs.

Abstract: Novel 7.beta.-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione derivatives are disclosed.The group of these compounds has possibility of being utilized as an intermediate for the synthesis of progesterone derivatives having ovulation-inhibiting activity. These compounds themselves have also cell differentiation activity for M1 cells.

Abstract: Novel androst-4-ene-3,17-dione derivatives are disclosed. The group of these compounds has biological activities, in particular, the inhibiting activity on human placenta-derived estrogen-synthesizing enzyme. Therefore these compounds are expected to be utilized in the field of medical care, particularly as anticancer drugs.

Abstract: The invention is a method for obtaining a chimeric plasmid which can serve as a vector for inserting one or more foreign or native genes into Corynebacterium and a second species of bacteria. The plasmid is the ligation product of plasmid DNA from Corynebacterium as well as plasmid DNA from a non-Corynebacterium species of bacteria. Also disclosed is a method for forming protoplasts from Corynebacterium organisms and transforming the protoplasts with vectors, e.g., the chimeric plasmids of the invention.