Abstract: The present invention provides a gene derived from a thermophilic Bacillus, comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No.2 and encoding a thermostable diaphorase comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No.1, a recombinant vector possessing the gene, a transformant with the recombinant vector and a process for producing the thermostable diaphorase by using the transformant.

Abstract: The present invention provides, as a noval and safe vascularization inhibitor having an excellent effect, a vascularization inhibitor which is characterized by containing, as the effective ingredient, 3-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate or adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate which is expressed by the following general formula: ##STR1## (where, x represents a phosphate or hydroxide group) or a pharmaceutically allowable salt thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing a growth promoting factor for Bifidobacterium species from lactose which comprises contacting lactose with resting cells of a lactose-utilizing yeast strain having activity to rearrange lactose to galacto-oligosaccharides.

Abstract: A process for producing diadenosine tetraphosphate or derivatives thereof in very high yields with little formation of undesired by-products is disclosed. The process comprises reacting adenosine-5'-triphosphate or a derivative thereof with an amino acid under the catalytic action of an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase in the presence of an enzyme that converts adenosine-5'-diphosphate to adenosine-5'-triphosphate. The formation of by-products can be substantially completely inhibited if the last-mentioned enzyme is used in combination with an enzyme that converts adenosine-5'-monophosphate to adenosine-5'-diphosphate.