Abstract: The invention relates to the field of medicine and microbiology, more specifically to means and methods for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens, in particular those showing or being prone to developing drug resistance. Provided is an admixture of (i) an inner membrane acting compound having membrane-permeating activity and/or lipid H binding activity; and (ii) one or more antimicrobial peptide(s) selected from the group consisting of RRLFRRIRWL-NH2 (GNP-6); GNNRPVYIPQPRPPHPRL (GNP-1); RIWVIWRR—NH2 (GNP-5); GIGKHVGKALKGLKGLLKGLGEC (GNP-7); and Xi X2IVQRIKKWLX3-NH2, wherein Xi is absent or K; X2 is R, K or A; and X3 is absent or R; wherein said one or more antimicrobial peptide(s) may comprise or consist of D- or L-amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides proteins/genes, which are essential for survival, and consequently, for virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae in vivo, and thus are ideal vaccine candidates for a vaccine preparation against pneumococcal infection. Further, also antibodies against said protein(s) are included in the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides proteins/genes, which are essential for survival, and consequently, for virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae in vivo, and thus are ideal vaccine candidates for a vaccine preparation against pneumococcal infection. Further, also antibodies against said protein(s) are included in the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of heterologous polypeptides in a recombinant host cell. More specifically, it relates to the production and secretion of peptides, such as biologically active peptides, that are modified by one or more lantibiotic-synthesizing enzymes. Provided is a nucleic acid construct encoding a polypeptide comprising 1) a non-lantibiotic export signal that is recognized by a non-lantibiotic export system; 2) a lantibiotic leader peptide that is recognized by at least a lantibiotic dehydratase such as LanB and, C-terminally of said export signal and said leader peptide, 3) a peptide of interest containing one or more serine or threonine residue(s) which can be posttranslationally dehydrated by said dehydratase.

Abstract: The present invention provides proteins/genes, which are essential for survival, and consequently, for virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae in vivo, and thus are ideal vaccine candidates for a vaccine preparation against pneumococcal infection. Further, also antibodies against said protein(s) are included in the invention.

Abstract: Methods for improving binding of a proteinaceous substance to cell-wall material of a Gram-positive bacterium are disclosed. The proteinaceous substance includes an AcmA cell-wall binding domain, homolog or functional derivative thereof. The method includes treating the cell-wall material with a solution capable of removing a cell-wall component such as a protein, lipoteichoic acid or carbohydrate from the cell-wall material and contacting the proteinaceous substance with the cell-wall material.

Abstract: The present invention provides proteins/genes, which are essential for survival, and consequently, for virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae in vivo, and thus are ideal vaccine candidates for a vaccine preparation against pneumococcal infection. Further, also antibodies against said protein(s) are included in the invention.

Abstract: Methods for improving binding of a proteinaceous substance to cell-wall material of a Gram-positive bacterium are disclosed. The proteinaceous substance includes an AcmA cell-wall binding domain, homolog or functional derivative thereof. The method includes treating the cell-wall material with a solution capable of removing a cell-wall component such as a protein, lipoteichoic acid or carbohydrate from the cell-wall material and contacting the proteinaceous substance with the cell-wall material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a promoter DNA sequence highly suited in an improved expression cloning method for isolation of DNA sequences comprising a DNA sequence encoding a protein of interest in a host cell and to the improved expression cloning method wherein use is made of this promoter. The isolated DNA sequences are useful in processes for producing a protein of interest.

Abstract: Methods for improving binding of a proteinaceous substance to cell-wall material of a Gram-positive bacterium are disclosed. The proteinaceous substance includes an AcmA cell-wall binding domain, homolog or functional derivative thereof. The method includes treating the cell-wall material with a solution capable of removing a cell-wall component such as a protein, lipoteichoic acid or carbohydrate from the cell-wall material and contacting the proteinaceous substance with the cell-wall material.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of heterologous polypeptides in a recombinant host cell. More specifically, it relates to the production and secretion of peptides, such as biologically active peptides, that are modified by one or more lantibiotic-synthesizing enzymes. Provided is a nucleic acid construct encoding a polypeptide comprising 1) a non-lantibiotic export signal that is recognized by a non-lantibiotic export system; 2) a lantibiotic leader peptide that is recognized by at least a lantibiotic dehydratase such as LanB and, C-terminally of said export signal and said leader peptide, 3) a peptide of interest containing one or more serine or threonine residue(s) which can be posttranslationally dehydrated by said dehydratase.

Abstract: Methods for improving binding of a proteinaceous substance to cell-wall material of a Gram-positive bacterium are disclosed. The proteinaceous substance includes an AcmA cell-wall binding domain, homolog or functional derivative thereof. The method includes treating the cell-wall material with a solution capable of removing a cell-wall component such as a protein, lipoteichoic acid or carbohydrate from the cell-wall material and contacting the proteinaceous substance with the cell-wall material.

Abstract: Methods for improving binding of a proteinaceous substance to cell-wall material of a Gram-positive bacterium are disclosed. The proteinaceous substance includes an AcmA cell-wall binding domain, homolog or functional derivative thereof. The method includes treating the cell-wall material with a solution capable of removing a cell-wall component such as a protein, lipoteichoic acid or carbohydrate from the cell-wall material and contacting the proteinaceous substance with the cell-wall material.

Abstract: A process for preparing alanine by culturing a genetically modified microorganism that produces alanine from glucose. The microorganism is one that has been modified to result in an overexpression of an endogenous alanine dehydrogenase gene, expression of a heterologous alanine dehydrogenase gene, or a combination of both. The source of alanine dehydrogenase may be Bacillus sphaericus. The modified microorganisms may be a homofermentative microorganism, such as a strain of L. lactis. The process can be used for in situ and stereoscopic preparation of alanine. The invention also relates to the microorganisms and the recombinant DNA molecules that can be used in the invention, as well as to alanine and alanine-containing products obtained according to the process of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for improving binding of a proteinaceous substance to cell-wall material of a Gram-positive bacterium are disclosed. The proteinaceous substance includes an AcmA cell-wall binding domain, homolog or functional derivative thereof. The method includes treating the cell-wall material with a solution capable of removing a cell-wall component such as a protein, lipoteichoic acid or carbohydrate from the cell-wall material and contacting the proteinaceous substance with the cell-wall material.

Abstract: The invention relates primarily to a number of lantibiotics similar to nisin A, which differ from nisin A by substitution, deletion or insertion of one or more amino acids, such as, in particular, the naturally occurring analogue of nisin A, termed nisin Z, which has the structure given above. Lantibiotics of this type are particularly suitable for preserving foodstuffs for humans and animals. This preservation takes place by the use of these lantibiotics themselves or of microorganisms producing these lantibiotics, in particular lactic acid bacteria, in the preparation or storage of foodstuffs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the controlled expression, in a lactic acid bacterium, of a DNA fragment containing one or more genes coding for a desired characteristic, wherein the DNA fragment is under the control of a promoter for a microbial gene which codes for an antimicrobial peptide, and the gene or genes are brought to expression on the DNA fragment by the addition of a suitable inducing factor for the transcription activation. The promoter is preferably the nisA promoter from Lactococcus lactis. The inducer is preferably acceptable for food products, and more preferentially is nisin or derivatives thereof. The invention also relates to a method for the production of proteins or RNA, as well as to a method for the preparation of dairy products using the expression system according to the invention. The invention finally relates to lactic acid bacteria and expression vectors for use in the method according to the invention.