Abstract: Methods and compositions that can be used to make monatin from glucose, tryptophan, indole-3-lactic acid, indole-3-pyruvate, and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, are provided. Methods are also disclosed for producing the indole-3-pyruvate and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid intermediates. Compositions provided include nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, chemical structures, and cells. Methods include in vitro and in vivo processes, and the in vitro methods include chemical reactions.

Abstract: Monatin and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R monatin and S,R monatin, as well as salts thereof, are produced using polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways. These polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways are also useful in the production of R-2-hydroxy-2-(indoly-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, an intermediate that is formed in certain monatin synthesis pathways, including some biosynthetic pathways.

Abstract: Methods and compositions that can be used to make monatin or salt thereof from glucose, tryptophan, indole-3-lactic acid, indole-3-pyruvate, and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, are provided. Methods are also disclosed for producing the indole-3-pyruvate and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid intermediates. Compositions provided include nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, chemical structures, and cells. Methods include in vitro and in vivo processes, and the in vitro methods include chemical reactions.

Abstract: Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.

Abstract: Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.

Abstract: This invention relates to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides in accordance with the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts.

Abstract: Monatin and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R monatin and S,R monatin, as well as salts thereof, are produced using polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways. These polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways are also useful in the production of R-2-hydroxy-2-(indoly-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, an intermediate that is formed in certain monatin synthesis pathways, including some biosynthetic pathways.

Abstract: This invention relates to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides in accordance with the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the specific activity of myo-inositol oxygenase. The method includes incubating a mixture including myo-inositol oxygenase and a non-sulfur containing reductant under conditions effective to increase the specific activity of the myo-inositol oxygenase. Also disclosed are methods for producing D-glucuronic acid and glucurono-?-lactone comprising incubating a mixture including myo-inositol, myo-inositol oxygenase, and oxygen under conditions effective to form 5 grams D-glucuronic acid per liter of the mixture to 400 grams D-glucuronic acid per liter of the mixture. Glucurono-?-lactone can be produced from the D-glucuronic acid product. Also disclosed are organisms and nucleic acids suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: The invention provides for isomerase (e.g., racemase) and epimerase polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. Also provided are methods of using such isomerase (e.g., racemase) and epimerase nucleic acids and polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing the production of equilibrium reactions are described. In some embodiments, a method comprises removing enzymes from a reaction mixture once equilibrium is achieved, selectively re-adding enzymes and reactants for driving the product-forming reaction to product, and optionally recycling stabilized intermediates, by-products and/or co-products back into the reaction mixture. In some embodiments, a method comprises purifying the desired product from a reaction mixture and selectively recycling one or more components of the reaction mixture, such as original reactants, intermediates, co-products or by-products back into the reaction mixture as desired to improve titer. Systems for implementing the methods are also provided. In some embodiments the methods and systems are implemented for increasing the production of monatin and monatin derivatives, produced in multi-step equilibrium pathways.

Abstract: The invention provides for aminotransferase and oxidoreductase polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. Also provided are methods of using such aminotransferase and oxidoreductase nucleic acids and polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention relates to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides in accordance with the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts.

Abstract: Monatin and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R monatin and S,R monatin, as well as salts thereof, are produced using polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways. These polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways are also useful in the production of R-2-hydroxy-2-(indoly-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, an intermediate that is formed in certain monatin synthesis pathways, including some biosynthetic pathways.

Abstract: Methods and compositions that can be used to make monatin from glucose, tryptophan, indole-3-lactic acid, indole-3-pyruvate, and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, are provided. Methods are also disclosed for producing the indole-3-pyruvate and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid intermediates. Compositions provided include nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, chemical structures, and cells. Methods include in vitro and in vivo processes, and the in vitro methods include chemical reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel beverage compositions comprising monatin and methods for making such compositions. The present invention also relates to beverage compositions comprising specific monatin stereoisomers, specific blends of monatin stereoisomers, and/or monatin produced via a biosynthetic pathway in vivo (e.g., inside cells) or in vitro.

Abstract: Methods and compositions that can be used to make monatin from glucose, tryptophan, indole-3-lactic acid, indole-3-pyruvate, and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, are provided. Methods are also disclosed for producing the indole-3-pyruvate and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid intermediates. Compositions provided include nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, chemical structures, and cells. Methods include in vitro and in vivo processes, and the in vitro methods include chemical reactions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions that can be used to make monatin from glucose, tryptophan, indole-3-lactic acid, indole-3-pyruvate, and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, are provided. Methods are also disclosed for producing the indole-3-pyruvate and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid intermediates. Compositions provided include nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, chemical structures, and cells. Methods include in vitro and in vivo processes, and the in vitro methods include chemical reactions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the production of organic products such as glucuronic acid, ascorbic acid, and glucaric acid. Specifically, the invention provides cells, methods for culturing cells, isolated nucleic acid molecules, and methods and materials for producing various organic products such as glucuronic acid, ascorbic acid, and glucaric acid.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the production of organic products such as glucuronic acid, ascorbic acid, and glucaric acid. Specifically, the invention provides cells, methods for culturing cells, isolated nucleic acid molecules, and methods and materials for producing various organic products such as glucuronic acid, ascorbic acid, and glucaric acid.