Abstract: The invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating symptoms associated with lactose intolerance and for overall improvement in gastrointestinal health. Described herein are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for improving overall gastrointestinal health or for decreasing symptoms of lactose intolerance by administering to subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising a prebiotic, optionally in combination with effective amount of a probiotic microbe or microbes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating symptoms associated with lactose intolerance and for overall improvement in gastrointestinal health. Described herein are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for improving overall gastrointestinal health or for decreasing symptoms of lactose intolerance by administering to subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising a prebiotic, optionally in combination with effective amount of a probiotic microbe or microbes.

Abstract: Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, fragments and variants thereof are provided in the current invention. In addition, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells comprising the expression vectors. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further provided.

Abstract: Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, fragments and variants thereof are provided in the current invention. In addition, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells comprising the expression vectors. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further provided.

Abstract: Cell wall, cell surface and secreted protein nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, cell wall, cell surface and secreted fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-cell wall, cell surface and secreted antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further disclosed.

Abstract: Cell wall, cell surface and secreted protein nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, cell wall, cell surface and secreted fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-cell wall, cell surface and secreted antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further disclosed.

Abstract: Protease-like nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, protease-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-protease-like antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells into which the vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter nucleic acids and polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-carbohydrate utilization-related and anti-multidrug transporter antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid of the invention and cells into which the vector has been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which improve the adhesion of a bacteria to target substrates and/or improve the stress tolerance of a bacteria. Methods comprise exposing bacteria to adhesion adaptive conditions and thereby increasing the adhesion activity and/or stress tolerance of the bacteria. Further provided are bacteria having a modulated production of autoinducer-2. Compositions include recombinant bacteria expressing nucleic acid molecules involved in the pathway of autoinducer-2 production. Further provided are autoinducer-2-related fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, antibodies, and vectors. Methods of screening compounds or environmental conditions which will stimulate the production of autoinducer-2 and/or produce an adhesion adaptive response are further provided, as are various methods of use for the bacteria having increased adhesion and/or stress tolerance.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules, fragments and variants thereof having promoter activity are provided in the current invention. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells comprising the vectors. Methods for making and using the nucleic acid molecules of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: Stress-related nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, stress-related fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-stress-related antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, fragments and variants thereof are provided in the current invention. In addition, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells comprising the expression vectors. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further provided.

Abstract: Stress-related nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, stress-related fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-stress-related antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention is an isolated nucleic acid encoding a phage abortive defense protein, the isolated nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of: (a) isolated nucleic acid having the sequence or coding sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 (by “coding sequence” is meant nucleotides 373 to 1668 therein); (b) isolated nucleic acid encoding a phage abortive defense protein and which hybridizes to an nucleic acid having the sequence or coding sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or having a sequence at least 60, 70, 80, 90, 92 or 95 percent identical to the sequence or coding sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1; and (c) isolated nucleic acid encoding a phage abortive defense protein encoded by an isolated nucleic acid of (a) or (b) above, but differing in sequence therefrom due to the degeneracy of the genetic code (e.g., a nucleic acid encoding the protein given in SEQ ID NO: 2).

Abstract: Fructooligosaccharide (FOS)-related protein nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, FOS-related fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-FOS-related antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further disclosed.

Abstract: Cell wall, cell surface and secreted protein nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, cell wall, cell surface and secreted fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-cell wall, cell surface and secreted antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further disclosed.