Abstract: There are provided a polynucleotide sequence coding for an amino acid sequence capable of preferentially producing (S)-4-bromo-3-hydroxy-butanoate by asymmetrically reducing 4-bromo-3-oxobutanoate, A DNA construct having a promoter in operative linkage with the polynucleotide sequence, a recombinant vector containing the polynucleotide sequences a transformant, a recombinant vector and the like.

Abstract: There are provided a method for producing a 4-cyano-3-oxobutanoate by reacting a 4-halo-3-oxobutanoate with an alkaline metal cyanide in methanol, a process for producing 4-cyano-3-hydroxybutanoate therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino alcohol dehydrogenases which catalyze a reaction to produce keto alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, keto acids from corresponding amino alcohols, amines, and amino acids in the presence of NAD+, and a reaction to produce amino alcohols, amines, amino acids from corresponding keto alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, and keto acids in the presence of NADH and ammonium ions. Also provided is a method for producing the enzymes and uses of the enzyme. The enzymes of the present invention can be obtained from microorganisms belonging to the genera Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, Burkholdenia, or Arthrobacter.

Abstract: A purified amino alcohol dehydrogenase which reductively converts a keto alcohol into an amino alcohol and oxidatively converts an amino alcohol into a keto alcohol is disclosed. The enzyme is NAD(H) dependent, has a molecular weight of 100,000 Da when determined by gel filtration, has a optimum temperature of about 30° C. in reductive amination, an optimum pH of 10.0 in an oxidative deamination and of 7.0 in a reductive amination and can be isolated from Steptomyces virginiae.