Abstract: Recombinant collagenases with a stable specific activity and enzyme agents for cell and tissue dissociation such a recombinant are provided. The recombinant collagenase is derived from Grimontia hollisae-derived collagenase is characterized by having, from the N terminus to the C terminus, a collagenase catalytic domain, a linker region sequence, and a prepeptidase C terminal domain, which Grimontia hollisae-derived recombinant collagenase does not comprise at least the prepeptidase C terminal domain. The obtained recombinant collagenase has a high and stable specific activity.

Abstract: 1) A graft material for nerve regeneration characterizing by comprising collagen-based materials containing collagen having an orientation. 2) A method for producing a graft material for nerve regeneration comprising a step of immersing the collagen-based materials containing collagen having an orientation in a solution containing a collagen-binding site-containing growth factor comprising a receptor agonist peptide and a collagen-binding peptide and binding the collagen-binding site-containing growth factor to the collagen. 3) A kit for producing a graft material for nerve regeneration characterized by comprising collagen-based materials containing collagen having an orientation, and a collagen-binding site-containing growth factor comprising a receptor agonist peptide and a collagen-binding peptide.

Abstract: Recombinant collagenases with a stable specific activity and enzyme agents for cell and tissue dissociation such a recombinant are provided. The recombinant collagenase is derived from Grimontia hollisae-derived collagenase is characterized by having, from the N terminus to the C terminus, a collagenase catalytic domain, a linker region sequence, and a prepeptidase C terminal domain, which Grimontia hollisae-derived recombinant collagenase does not comprise at least the prepeptidase C terminal domain. The obtained recombinant collagenase has a high and stable specific activity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collagen powder and/or a collagen derivative powder, which are obtained by dispersing in a hydrophilic organic solvent a crude collagen precipitate which comprises 12 to 50% by mass of a collagen precipitate and/or a collagen derivative precipitate having an average particle size of 1 to 1,000 ?m, recovering solids and then drying the solids. By dispersing the crude collagen precipitate in the hydrophilic organic solvent, the resulting precipitates can be dehydrated, so that drying of the thus obtained solids can be done by air-drying. In addition, the resulting collagen powder and/or collagen derivative powder exhibit excellent solubility due to an increased specific surface area and also have excellent ease of handling with the average particle size being 8 to 1,000 ?m.

Abstract: Provided are methods of producing a novel collagen peptide composition, and a DPP-4 inhibitor and antihyperglycemics that comprise the above-mentioned collagen peptide composition. Ginger rhizome-derived enzymes are added to and break down a collagen and/or gelatin solution to generate peptide compositions comprising peptides represented by X-Hyp-Gly (wherein X represents an amino acid residue other than Gly, Hyp, and Pro). The thus obtained collagen peptide composition has a high DPP-4 inhibitory activity and an excellent antihyperglycemic effect.

Abstract: Provided is a unit which is capable of readily grinding and collecting a small amount of a sample which is difficult to be ground. The unit for grinding a sample comprises a club-shaped pestle and a mortar into which the pestle can be inserted, wherein the pestle comprises a roughened taper located at at least one end of its pestle body, wherein the mortar is a tube with an inverted frustoconical bottom, and the surface of the mortar where the taper of the pestle contacts the inverted frustoconical bottom when the pestle is inserted into the mortar is roughened, and wherein the angle of the taper with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the pestle is substantially equal to the angle of the inner wall of the inverted frustoconical bottom with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the mortar. The roughened taper and surface improve grinding efficiency.

Abstract: A DPP-4 inhibitor comprising a peptide represented by the formula (1): Xe-Pro/Ala/Hyp-Xa-Xb-Xc-Xd (SEQ ID NO: 16) (wherein Xe is an amino acid residue with an isoelectric point of 5.9 to 6.3; Pro/Ala/Hyp represents Pro, Ala, or Hyp; Xa is an amino acid residue other than Hyp, Pro, and Arg, or deletion; 5 Xb is Gly, Pro, or deletion; Xc is Pro, Ala, or deletion; and Xd is an amino acid residue or deletion) as an active component. The inhibitor can be expected to bring out an effect of lowering blood glucose levels by enhancing effects of incretins; and the inhibitor may be used as a therapeutic agent for diabetes and, in addition, can act on the immune system or the like to be thus used in 10 treatment for skin diseases or the like.

Abstract: Provided are methods of producing a novel collagen peptide composition, and a DPP-4 inhibitor and antihyperglycemics that comprise the above-mentioned collagen peptide composition. Ginger rhizome-derived enzymes are added to and break down a collagen and/or gelatin solution to generate peptide compositions comprising peptides represented by X-Hyp-Gly (wherein X represents an amino acid residue other than Gly, Hyp, and Pro). The thus obtained collagen peptide composition has a high DPP-4 inhibitory activity and an excellent antihyperglycemic effect.

Abstract: Provided is a collagen structure characterized by: comprising collagen fibers of 1 to 5 ?m in average diameter; and has a water content of 0 to 15 (w/w)% and a collagen density of 50 to 800 mg/cm3. After generating collagen fibers by neutralizing an acidic collagen solution, the resulting solution is subjected to filtration or the like to form crude collagen fibers having a collagen concentration of 12 to 50 (w/v)%. The thus obtained crude collagen fibers are molded into a prescribed shape and then dried, thereby the collagen structure can be produced. Since the collagen structure is produced using, as raw material, collagen fibers that are formed by association of collagen molecules, the collagen structure has excellent cell infiltration property. Further, since the collagen density of the collagen structure is equivalent to that of in vivo collagen tissue, the collagen structure exhibits excellent tissue regeneration capacity when filled into a defective part in vivo.

Abstract: A DPP-4 inhibitor comprising a peptide represented by the formula (1): Xe-Pro/Ala/Hyp-Xa-Xb-Xc-Xd (wherein Xe is an amino acid residue with an isoelectric point of 5.9 to 6.3; Pro/Ala/Hyp represents Pro, Ala, or Hyp; Xa is an amino acid residue other than Hyp, Pro, and Arg, or deletion; Xb is Gly, Pro, or deletion; Xc is Pro, Ala, or deletion; and Xd is an amino acid residue or deletion) as an active component. The inhibitor can be expected to bring out an effect of lowering blood glucose levels by enhancing effects of incretins; and the inhibitor may be used as a therapeutic agent for diabetes and, in addition, can act on the immune system or the like to be thus used in treatment for skin diseases or the like.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a Type I-Type IV collagen hybrid gel, which maintains characteristics of a Type IV collagen and is superior in gel strength. It is the Type I-Type IV collagen hybrid gel obtained by mixing 100 to 500 parts by mass of the Type I collagen having fibrosis ability, relative to 100 parts by mass of the Type IV collagen having gelling ability. A three-dimensional structure is formed, where a membrane-like substance by the Type IV collagen is formed onto a fibrous substance by the Type I collagen, so as to be able to provide cell culture environment approximate to a basement membrane of a living body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collagen powder and/or a collagen derivative powder, which are obtained by dispersing in a hydrophilic organic solvent a crude collagen precipitate which comprises 12 to 50% by mass of a collagen precipitate and/or a collagen derivative precipitate having an average particle size of 1 to 1,000 ?m, recovering solids and then drying the solids. By dispersing the crude collagen precipitate in the hydrophilic organic solvent, the resulting precipitates can be dehydrated, so that drying of the thus obtained solids can be done by air-drying. In addition, the resulting collagen powder and/or collagen derivative powder exhibit excellent solubility due to an increased specific surface area and also have excellent ease of handling with the average particle size being 8 to 1,000 ?m.

Abstract: Provided is a unit which is capable of readily grinding and collecting a small amount of a sample which is difficult to be ground. The unit for grinding a sample comprises a club-shaped pestle and a mortar into which the pestle can be inserted, wherein the pestle comprises a roughened taper located at at least one end of its pestle body, wherein the mortar is a tube with an inverted frustoconical bottom, and the surface of the mortar where the taper of the pestle contacts the inverted frustoconical bottom when the pestle is inserted into the mortar is roughened, and wherein the angle of the taper with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the pestle is substantially equal to the angle of the inner wall of the inverted frustoconical bottom with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the mortar. The roughened taper and surface improve grinding efficiency.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a Type I-Type IV collagen hybrid gel, which maintains characteristics of a Type IV collagen and is superior in gel strength. It is the Type I-Type IV collagen hybrid gel obtained by mixing 100 to 500 parts by mass of the Type I collagen having fibrosis ability, relative to 100 parts by mass of the Type IV collagen having gelling ability. A three-dimensional structure is formed, where a membrane-like substance by the Type IV collagen is formed onto a fibrous substance by the Type I collagen, so as to be able to provide cell culture environment approximate to a basement membrane of a living body.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a transparent collagen I type sheet and a human corneal endothelial cell culture layer provided on the sheet. An endothelial cell culture layer laminate usable in transplantation is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sample breaking-up instrument and a method thereof, in which a pressing member is pressed by a centrifugal force against a sample within a cylindrical body provided with a filter member to thereby break-up the sample safely and efficiently. Provided is an instrument for breaking-up a sample, comprising: a cylindrical body having a through hole opening in both ends thereof; a filter member installed in one end of the cylindrical body within the through hole; and a pressing member to be operatively inserted into the hole of the cylindrical body from the other end thereof so as to be slidable therethrough in a sealed manner, wherein a force is exerted on the pressing member so that the pressing member presses the sample placed between the pressing member and the filter member against the filter member and thereby the sample is forced to pass through the filter member and is thus broken-up.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a transparent collagen I type sheet and a human corneal endothelial cell culture layer provided on the sheet. An endothelial cell culture layer laminate usable in transplantation is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sample breaking-up instrument and a method thereof, in which a pressing member is pressed by a centrifugal force against a sample within a cylindrical body provided with a filter member to thereby break-up the sample safely and efficiently. Provided is an instrument for breaking-up a sample, comprising: a cylindrical body having a through hole opening in both ends thereof; a filter member installed in one end of said cylindrical body within said through hole; and a pressing member to be operatively inserted into said hole of said cylindrical body from the other end thereof so as to be slidable therethrough in a sealed manner, wherein a force is exerted on said pressing member so that said pressing member presses said sample placed between said pressing member and said filter member against said filter member and thereby said sample is forced to pass through said filter member and is thus broken-up.

Abstract: Cosmetics incorporating a cosmetic feed containing a dispersion of a collagen association product that is obtained by adjusting an aqueous solution of collagen having a specified isoelectric point to a pH near the isoelectric point.