Abstract: Variant xanthan gums are provided which include a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating pentamer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:2:1, and a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating tetramer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:1:1. The D-glucose moieties are linked in a beta-[1,4] configuration. The inner D-mannose moieties are linked in an alpha-[1,3] configuration, generally to alternate glucose moieties. The D-glucuronic acid moieties are linked in a beta-[1,2] configuration to the inner mannose moieties. The outer mannose moieties are linked to the glucuronic acid moieties in a beta-[1,4] configuration. Processes for preparing the polysaccharide polymers are also provided.

Abstract: Variant xanthan gums are provided which include a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating pentamer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:2:1, and a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating tetramer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:1:1. The D-glucose moieties are linked in a beta-[1,4] configuration. The inner D-mannose moieties are linked in an alpha-[1,3] configuration, generally to alternate glucose moieties. The D-glucuronic acid moieties are linked in a beta-[1,2] configuration to the inner mannose moieties. The outer mannose moieties are linked to the glucuronic acid moieties in a beta-[1,4] configuration. Processes for preparing the polysaccharide polymers are also provided.

Abstract: At least two substantially purified tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are disclosed which are glycoproteins that are active against TNF. The isolation of 3O kDa and 40 KDa TNF inhibitor from urine is disclosed. The deglycosylated form of the 3O kDa TNF inhibitor and 40 kDa TNF inhibitor are described as being active against TNF. The 40 kDa TNF inhibitor is active against both TNF alpha a TNF beta. The amino acid sequence of the 30 kDa TNF inhibitor and the 40 kDa TNF inhibitor are disclosed. Methods for isolating the TNF inhibitors from human U937 cell medium and producing the proteins by recombinant-DNA methods are also described.

Abstract: A recombinant-DNA mediated method for the synthesis of sugar nucleotides is disclosed. This method utilizes portable DNA sequences capable of directing the microbial synthesis of various enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of sugar nucleotides, including UDP-glucose, UDP-glucuronic acid and GDP-mannose. The sugar moieties of these sugar nucleotides may subsequently be incorporated into industrially-useful polysaccharides such as xanthan gum. It has been found that vectors containing the portable DNA sequences described herein are capable both of causing sugar nucleotide production in microorganisms previously incapable of such synthesis and of causing increased sugar nucleotide production in organisms capable of synthesizing small quantities of these compounds. In particular, plasmids pAS7, pAS9 and pTS13 are disclosed. These plasmids are capable of directing sugar nucleotide synthesis in various hosts, including Xanthomonas sp. such as X. campestris and other organisms such as E.

Abstract: Methods for the recombinant-DNA mediated production of xanthan gum and gum variants structurally related to xanthan are disclosed. The methods in part involve the synthesis of these polysaccharides in anaerobic and/or denitrifying hosts.In particular, plasmids pX209 and pRK290-H366 are disclosed which contain the genes, isolated from X. campestris, encoding Transferase I, Transferases II, Transferase III, Transferase IV, Transferase V, Ketalase, Acetylase and Polymerase. These plasmids have been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection under Accession Nos. 67051 and 67049, respectively.

Abstract: Variant xanthan gums are provided which include a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating pentamer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:2:1, and a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating tetramer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:1:1. The D-glucose moieties are linked in a beta- 1,4! configuration. The inner D-mannose moieties are linked in an alpha- 1,3! configuration, generally to alternate glucose moieties. The D-glucuronic acid moieties are linked in a beta- 1,2! configuration to the inner mannose moieties. The outer mannose moieties are linked to the glucuronic acid moieties in a beta- 1,4! configuration. Processes for preparing the polysaccharide polymers are also provided.

Abstract: A polysaccharide polymer is disclosed which is a better viscosifier of water than xanthan gum. The polysaccharide polymer and its non-acetylated form, are comprised of glucose and mannose moieties in a ratio of about 2:1. The invention also discloses Xanthomonas mutants which produce the polysaccharide polymer but which do not produce xanthan gum. Methods of preparing the polysaccharide polymers and of their use are also described.

Abstract: A polysaccharide polymer is disclosed which is a better viscosifier of water than xanthan gum. The polysaccharide polymer and its non-acetylated form, are comprised of glucose and mannose moieties in a ratio of about 2:1. The invention also discloses Xanthomonas mutants which produce the polysaccharide polymer but which do not produce xanthan gum. Methods of preparing the polysaccharide polymers and of their use are also described.

Abstract: A polysaccharide polymer is disclosed which is a better viscosifier of water than xanthan gum. The polysaccharide polymer and its non-acetylated form, are comprised of glucose and mannose moieties in a ratio of about 2:1. The invention also discloses Xanthomonas mutants which produce the polysaccharide polymer but which do not produce xanthan gum. Methods of preparing the polysaccharide polymers and of their use are also described.