Abstract: The present invention relates to improved variants of soluble pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent glucose dehydrogenases (s-GDH) comprising an amino acid insertion between positions 428 and 429 as corresponding to the amino acid sequence known from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, to genes encoding such variant s-GDH, to proteins of such s-GDH variants with improved substrate specificity for glucose, and to different applications of these s-GDH variants, particularly for determining concentrations of sugars, especially of glucose in a sample.

Abstract: The invention concerns recombinant proteinase K. Furthermore a method for producing recombinant proteinase K is disclosed, which is characterized in that a) a host cell is transformed with a recombinant nucleic acid which codes for the zymogenic precursor of proteinase K, b) the host cell is cultured in such a manner that the zymogenic precursor of proteinase K is formed in the form of inclusion bodies in the host cell, c) the inclusion bodies are isolated and natured under conditions which result in the formation of the protease part of the zymogenic precursor in its natural conformation, d) the natured proteinase K is activated and purified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants which are enzymaticaily inactive but have coenzyme-binding properties. Further, the present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding these oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants, expression vectors containing such DNA sequences and the use of these oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants which are enzymatically inactive but have coenzyme-binding properties. Further, the present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding these oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants, expression vectors containing such DNA sequences and the use of these oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved variants of soluble pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent glucose dehydrogenases (s-GDH), to genes encoding mutated s-GDH, to mutant proteins of s-GDH with improved substrate specificity for glucose, and to different applications of these s-GDH variants, particularly for determining concentrations of sugar, especially of glucose in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved variants of soluble pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent glucose dehydrogenases (s-GDH), to genes encoding mutated s-GDH, to mutant proteins of s-GDH with improved substrate specificity for glucose, and to different applications of these s-GDH variants, particularly for determining concentrations of sugar, especially of glucose in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants which are enzymatically inactive but have coenzyme-binding properties. Further, the present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding these oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants, expression vectors containing such DNA sequences and the use of these oxidoreductase apoenzyme variants in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutated genes encoding variants of an Erwinia-type creatinase (EC 3.5.3.3, alternative name: creatine amidinohydrolase), to the creatinase variants encoded by these genes, and to different applications of these variants of creatinase, particularly to their use for determining the creatinine and/or creatine concentration in a sample.

Abstract: A quick, simple, and efficient in vitro method for generating a random chimeric or mutated gene or genes in a circular polynucleotide molecule. The method is based on hybridization of random DNA fragments to a closed, circular DNA template, elongation of the fragments by a DNA polymerase, and ligation of the fragments to each other by a DNA ligase resulting in a recombined, closed circular DNA molecule which functions as a new template in a next cycle of chimerization. The degree of recombination can be controlled by the number of cycle repetitions, the amount of different templates and fragments, and the ratio of the latter. This procedure is referred to as polymerase chain chimerization (PCC). The PCC method is useful for generating new, improved bio-molecules.

Abstract: A conjugate of a tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (tns-AP) and dextran which can be obtained by reacting unglycosylated tns-AP with activated dextran by incubation in aqueous solution, stopping the reaction and isolating the conjugate from the solution. The conjugate obtained in this manner is suitable as a standard for the determination of alkaline phosphatase.

Abstract: The heterologous expression of the reverse transcriptase from the Avian Myeloblastosis Virus (AMV-RT) in prokaryotic cells and in particular Escherichia coli (E. coli) is described in the present invention. The invention also includes certain measures to simplify the purification of the heterodimeric AMV-RT.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of an antifusogenic peptide by producing a fusion peptide of a length of about 14 to 70 amino acids in a prokaryotic host cell, comprising the steps, under such conditions that inclusion bodies of said fusion peptide are formed, of: (a) expressing in said host cell a nucleic acid encoding said fusion peptide consisting of a first peptide which is an antifusogenic peptide of a length of about 10 to 50 amino acids and a second peptide of a length of about 4 to 30 amino acids, said first peptide being N-terminally linked to said second peptide; (b) cultivating said host cell to produce said inclusion bodies; and (c) recovering said antifusogenic peptide from said inclusion bodies, wherein said recovered antifusogenic peptide consists of said fusion peptide or a peptide comprising the antifusogenic peptide of about 10 to 50 amino acids and which is a fragment cleaved from said fusion peptide. Inclusion bodies of the peptides are disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing an antifusogenic peptide by producing a fusion peptide of from about 14 amino acids up to 70 amino acids in a prokaryotic host cell under conditions in which inclusion bodies are formed. The antifusogenic peptide recovered from the inclusion bodies is a fragment cleaved from the fusion peptide which comprises an antifusogenic peptide.

Abstract: It was found that a fragment of native Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase (TaqWT) lacking 288 N-terminal amino acids (Taq?288) possesses an increased thermostability over TaqWT, Taq?279, and Taq?289. The present invention therefore provides Taq?288, recombinant expression vectors encoding the same or derivatives thereof, as well as purification protocols for Taq?288. The invention also encompasses kits containing Taq?288 as well as the use of Taq?288 and kits containing Taq?288. In addition, the invention encompasses methods for the sequencing a nucleic acid template and methods for amplifying a target nucleic acid.

Abstract: A conjugate of a tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (tns-AP) and dextran which can be obtained by reacting unglycosylated tns-AP with activated dextran by incubation in aqueous solution, stopping the reaction and isolating the conjugate from the solution. The conjugate obtained in this manner is suitable as a standard for the determination of alkaline phosphatase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved variants of soluble pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent glucose dehydrogenases (s-GDH), to genes encoding mutated s-GDH, to mutant proteins of s-GDH with improved substrate specificity for glucose, and to different applications of these s-GDH variants, particularly for determining concentrations of sugar, especially of glucose in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutated genes encoding variants of an Erwinia-type creatinase (EC 3.5.3.3, alternative name: creatine amidinohydrolase), to the creatinase variants encoded by these genes, and to different applications of these variants of creatinase, particularly to their use for determining the creatinine and/or creatine concentration in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved variants of soluble pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent glucose dehydrogenases (s-GDH), to genes encoding mutated s-GDH, to mutant proteins of s-GDH with improved substrate specificity for glucose, and to different applications of these s-GDH variants, particularly for determining concentrations of sugar, especially of glucose in a sample.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of an antifusogenic peptide by producing a fusion peptide of a length of about 14 to 70 amino acids in a prokaryotic host cell, comprising the steps, under such conditions that inclusion bodies of said fusion peptide are formed, of: (a) expressing in said host cell a nucleic acid encoding said fusion peptide consisting of a first peptide which is an antifusogenic peptide of a length of about 10 to 50 amino acids and a second peptide of a length of about 4 to 30 amino acids, said first peptide being N-terminally linked to said second peptide; (b) cultivating said host cell to produce said inclusion bodies; and (c) recovering said antifusogenic peptide from said inclusion bodies, wherein said recovered antifusogenic peptide consists of said fusion peptide or a peptide comprising the antifusogenic peptide of about 10 to 50 amino acids and which is a fragment cleaved from said fusion peptide. Inclusion bodies of the peptides are disclosed.

Abstract: The heterologous expression of the reverse transcriptase from the Avian Myeloblastosis Virus (AMV-RT) in prokaryotic cells and in particular Escherichia coli (E. coli) is described in the present invention. The invention also includes certain measures to simplify the purification of the heterodimeric AMV-RT.