Abstract: The invention describes a process for preparing acetone starting from acetyl-coenzyme A comprising process steps A. enzymatic conversion of acetyl-CoA into acetoacetyl-CoA B. enzymatic conversion of acetoacetyl-CoA into acetoacetate and CoA and C. decarboxylation of acetoacetate to acetone and CO2, which is characterized in that the coenzyme A is not transferred in process step B to an acceptor molecule. In addition, process step B is surprisingly catalyzed by enzymes of the classes of acyl-CoA thioesterase, acyl-CoA synthetase or acyl-CoA thiokinase. A completely novel metabolic pathway is concerned, because the enzymatic hydrolysis of acetoacetyl-CoA without simultaneous transfer of CoA to a receptor molecule has never previously been described for any microbial enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant microorganisms in which polynucleotides which code for lysine decarboxylase are enhanced and, using which, cadaverine (1,5-diaminopentane) is produced fermentatively, with the carbon source used preferably being renewable raw materials such as, for example, glucose, sucrose, molasses and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the preparation of novel nitrile hydratases. These latter are preferably obtained from nonculturable organisms by means of a PCR-based screening, in metagenome DNA libraries, using special degenerate primers.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for preparing acetone starting from acetyl-coenzyme A comprising process steps A. enzymatic conversion of acetyl-CoA into acetoacetyl-CoA B. enzymatic conversion of acetoacetyl-CoA into acetoacetate and CoA and C. decarboxylation of acetoacetate to acetone and CO2, which is characterized in that the coenzyme A is not transferred in process step B to an acceptor molecule. In addition, process step B is surprisingly catalysed by enzymes of the classes of acyl-CoA thioesterase, acyl-CoA synthetase or acyl-CoA thiokinase. A completely novel metabolic pathway is concerned, because the enzymatic hydrolysis of acetoacetyl-CoA without simultaneous transfer of CoA to a receptor molecule has never previously been described for any microbial enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Rhodococcus polynucleotide cluster which contains nucleotide sequences which encode polypeptides having the activity of a nitrile hydratase, of an auxiliary protein P15K which activates this enzyme and of a cobalt transporter, to transformed microorganisms in which the nucleotide sequences encoding these proteins are present in increased quantity, and to the use of the transformed microorganisms for preparing amides from nitriles.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the preparation of novel nitrile hydratases. These latter are preferably obtained from nonculturable organisms by means of a PCR-based screening, in metagenome DNA libraries, using special degenerate primers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processes of racemization and deprotection of special N-protected amino acids in the acylase/racemase system for the total conversion of special N-protected racemic amino acids into optically pure amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel system for expressing nitrile hydratase. In this system, the nitrile hydratases, which are composed of subunits, are formed such that the respective subunits are located on different plasmids and are expressed simultaneously in E. coli.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Rhodococcus polynucleotide cluster which contains nucleotide sequences which encode polypeptides having the activity of a nitrile hydratase, of an auxiliary protein P15K which activates this enzyme and of a cobalt transporter, to transformed microorganisms in which the nucleotide sequences encoding these proteins are present in increased quantity, and to the use of the transformed microorganisms for preparing amides from nitriles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Rhodococcus polynucleotide cluster which contains nucleotide sequences which encode polypeptides having the activity of a nitrile hydratase, of an auxiliary protein P15K which activates this enzyme and of a cobalt transporter, to transformed microorganisms in which the nucleotide sequences encoding these proteins are present in increased quantity, and to the use of the transformed microorganisms for preparing amides from nitriles.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel amidases which can be isolated from thermophilic bacteria, in particular from thermophilic Actinomycetes, e.g. Pseudonocardia thermophila, in which the resultant amidases not only have a high temperature stability, but are also distinguished by the enantioselective reaction of a broad substrate spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processes of racemization and deprotection of special N-protected amino acids in the acylase/racemase system for the total conversion of special N-protected racemic amino acids into optically pure amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processes of racemization and deprotection of special N-protected amino acids in the acylase/racemase system for the total conversion of special N-protected racemic amino acids into optically pure amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amidase enzyme, nucleic acids encoding the amidase, as well as methods of employing the nucleic acids and/or amidase to produce, for example, enantiomericallyenriched compounds such as D-amino acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Rhodococcus polynucleotide cluster which contains nucleotide sequences which encode polypeptides having the activity of a nitrile hydratase, of an auxiliary protein P15K which activates this enzyme and of a cobalt transporter, to transformed microorganisms in which the nucleotide sequences encoding these proteins are present in increased quantity, and to the use of the transformed microorganisms for preparing amides from nitriles.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of the N-acetyl amino acid racemase from Amycolatopsis orientalis subspecies lurida for the racemiszation of N-carbamoyl amino acids. This use permits the 100% preparation of optically pure amino acids starting from racemic hydantoins in an enzymatic overall process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processes of racemization and deprotection of special N-protected amino acids in the acylase/racemase system for the total conversion of special N-protected racemic amino acids into optically pure amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processes of racemization and deprotection of special N-protected amino acids in the acylase/racemase system for the total conversion of special N-protected racemic amino acids into optically pure amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amidase enzyme, nucleic acids encoding the amidase, as well as methods of employing the nucleic acids and/or amidase to produce, for example, enantiomericallyenriched compounds such as D-amino acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of the N-acetyl amino acid racemase from Amycolatopsis orientalis subspecies lurida for the racemiszation of N-carbamoyl amino acids. This use permits the 100% preparation of optically pure amino acids starting from racemic hydantoins in an enzymatic overall process.