Abstract: The present invention provides a method for searching for or identifying a useful gene logically, systematically, and efficiently in an extremely short time without largely relying on searcher's knowledge, experience, or the like and even without sequentially conducting gene disruption experiments as in conventional techniques of searching for a useful gene. The present invention also provides an apparatus for the method. Virtual gene clusters each comprising two or more genes are individually scored by summing the respective pieces of differential expression information (obtained using, for example, microarrays) of genomic genes on a per-cluster basis. On the basis of the obtained scores of the virtual gene clusters, a gene cluster containing a useful gene and the useful gene contained in the cluster are searched for.

Abstract: Disclosed are: transcription regulatory factors capable of regulating the transcription or expression of genes for mannanases or cellulases, as mentioned below; and others. Specifically disclosed is a protein selected from the following proteins (a), (b) and (c): (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence produced by deleting, substituting or adding one or several amino acid residues (e.g., 1 to 5 amino acid residues) in the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which is capable of regulating the transcription of genes for mannanases or cellulases; and (c) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having a 70% or higher sequence identity to the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which is capable of regulating the transcription of genes for mannanases or cellulases, or a partial fragment of the protein. Also specifically disclosed are a gene encoding the protein, and others.

Abstract: To improve the activity of a Koji mold protease in a solid or liquid culture medium in the production of foods (e.g., a seasoning), pharmaceuticals (e.g., a digestive agent), protease for use in a detergent and the like. Disclosed are a recombinant vector having capability of increasing the secretion of the Koji mold protease, a Koji mold which is transformed with the vector and has an increased expression of a gene for a protease or an increase secretion of the same, a method for the production of a protease by using the transformed Koji mold, and the like.

Abstract: It is intended to provide koji mold-origin phospholipase A2 and a DNA encoding it. Namely, phospholipase A2 comprising the following protein (a) or (b): (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; and (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence derived from an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 by a partial modification and serving as phospholipase A2.

Abstract: It is intended to provide koji mold-origin phospholipase A2 and a DNA encoding it. Namely, phospholipase A2 comprising the following protein (a) or (b): (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; and (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence derived from an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 by a partial modification and serving as phospholipase A2.

Abstract: To improve the activity of a Koji mold protease in a solid or liquid culture medium in the production of foods (e.g., a seasoning), pharmaceuticals (e.g., a digestive agent), protease for use in a detergent and the like. Disclosed are a recombinant vector having capability of increasing the secretion of the Koji mold protease, a Koji mold which is transformed with the vector and has an increased expression of a gene for a protease or an increase secretion of the same, a method for the production of a protease by using the transformed Koji mold, and the like.

Abstract: A method of easily and efficiently detecting any structural change in a target sugar chain that can be present as a first or a second sugar chain depending on the structural change. In the method, the target sugar chain is mixed with a first to an nth lectin that can bind to the first and second sugar chains and the ratio between the amounts of the first and second lectins as bound to the target sugar chain is used as an index for detecting the presence or absence of a structural change in the target sugar chain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting the expression of a koji mold gene, and a DNA for specifically assaying the fermentation conditions for a koji mold. Specifically, the DNA for specifically assaying the fermentation conditions for a koji mold of the present invention may be characterized in that the DNA can be expressed in a koji mold when the koji mold is cultured under at least one culture condition selected from the group consisting of nutrient-rich culture, nutrient-deficient culture, solid culture, early germination culture, alkaline culture, high temperature culture and low temperature culture conditions.

Abstract: Lysyl oxidase derived from filamentous fungi and a DNA encoding thereof are provided. Lysyl oxidase including a protein described in of the following (a) or (b): (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2; or (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence obtained by modifying a part of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, and functioning as lysyl oxidase.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to isolate a gene encoding novel exo-, or endo-?-1,3-glucanase, to obtain a microorganism having an enhanced expression of said gene and to degrade ?-1,3-glucan to its low molecular weight form by means of said enzymes. The present invention relates to a gene or DNA encoding novel enzymes having ?-1,3-glucanase activity (exo-, or endo-?-1,3-glucanase), a recombinant expression vector comprising them, a microorganism having the recombinant expression vector, the novel enzymes having ?-1,3-glucanase activity, and a method for the production of said enzymes.

Abstract: A DNA fragment prepared by inserting a translation termination codon into 5? upstream side of the active site of a lethal gene, a transformant selection marker which uses the same, and a vector into which the marker is inserted. Since this lethal gene is used as a gene marker, complete extinction of transformants having no exogenous gene can be achieved, and a transformant selection marker capable of effecting stable amplification of a vector containing an exogenous gene in a host can be obtained. In addition, a vector which can effect accurate and efficient gene analyses by DNA microarray and the like is obtained.

Abstract: A completely novel glutaminase is provided: (a) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2, or (b) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 by deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acids, and possessing glutaminase activity. This protein is a novel glutaminase possessing excellent thermostability and the like.

Abstract: It is intended to provide koji mold-origin phospholipase A2 and a DNA encoding it. Namely, phospholipase A2 comprising the following protein (a) or (b): (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; and (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence derived from an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 by a partial modification and serving as phospholipase A2.

Abstract: The present invention provides DNA encoding novel pyroglutamyl peptidase derived from Aspergillus oryzae, pyroglutamyl peptidase which is produced by using the DNA, and a method for producing a protein lysate with a good flavor at a high hydrolysis rate.

Abstract: A method of degrading a plastic in the presence of a biosurfactant; a method of degrading a plastic by contacting the plastic with a microorganism; a process for producing a useful substance from a plastic which comprises degrading the plastic by contacting the plastic with a microorganism and further converting the components of the thus degraded plastic with the use of a microorganism; a method of degrading a plastic by contacting the plastic with a microorganism in the coexistence of a biosurfactant and/or a plastic-degrading enzyme and thus degrading the plastic under the action of the microorganism; a transformant microorganism having been recombined with at least one DNA selected from among a DNA containing a gene encoding a surface active substance, a DNA containing a gene encoding a plastic-degrading enzyme and a DNA containing a gene encoding a useful substance; novel genes as described above; and proteins encoded thereby.

Abstract: In order to achieve an object of providing a nucleic acid library and a protein library capable of supplying plural species of proteins correlated with the nucleic acid coding therefor at once, and analyzing immediately after the supply the plural species of protein in parallel, the present invention provides a nucleic acid library comprising not less than two species of library units present in a state in which they are separated from one another, wherein each library unit comprises a nucleic acid that can express not less than one species of protein in an in vitro transcription/translation system or an in vitro translation system, and a first protein trapper that is set contiguously to the nucleic acid, each library unit is set on the surface of a solid support, and the nucleic acid contained in each library unit is immobilized on the surface of the solid support where each library unit is set, and a protein library obtainable by subjecting at once not less than two species of library units possessed by the

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to isolate a gene encoding novel exo-, or endo-?-1,3-glucanase, to obtain a microorganism having an enhanced expression of said gene and to degrade ?-1,3-glucan to its low molecular weight form by means of said enzymes. The present invention relates to a gene or DNA encoding novel enzymes having ?-1,3-glucanase activity (exo-, or endo-?-1,3-glucanase), a recombinant expression vector comprising them, a microorganism having the recombinant expression vector, the novel enzymes having ?-1,3-glucanase activity, and a method for the production of said enzymes.

Abstract: This invention provides a transcription factor that has functions of regulating the expression of a sulfur-assimilatory gene of koji mold during culture, and a gene encoding the same. This invention also relates to a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 3, and a gene encoding the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 or comprising the nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: Lysyl oxidase derived from filamentous fungi and a DNA encoding thereof are provided. Lysyl oxidase including a protein described in of the following (a) or (b): (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2; or (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence obtained by modifying a part of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, and functioning as lysyl oxidase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a labeled complex, a process for producing same and a process for utilizing same. The objects are to enable more than thousands or tens of thousands of orders of various micro particles to be discriminated as polymolecule markings in combinatorial chemistry with high sensitivity, high accuracy, consistentency, clarity, and also to satisfy each of: improvement of capture capability of targets, improvement of discrimination sensitivity, and increase of the number that can be discriminated at the same time.