Abstract: Disclosed are: transcription regulatory factors capable of regulating the transcription or expression of genes for mannanases or cellulases, as mentioned below; and others. Specifically disclosed is a protein selected from the following proteins (a), (b) and (c): (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence produced by deleting, substituting or adding one or several amino acid residues (e.g., 1 to 5 amino acid residues) in the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which is capable of regulating the transcription of genes for mannanases or cellulases; and (c) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having a 70% or higher sequence identity to the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which is capable of regulating the transcription of genes for mannanases or cellulases, or a partial fragment of the protein. Also specifically disclosed are a gene encoding the protein, and others.

Abstract: Disclosed are: transcription regulatory factors capable of regulating the transcription or expression of genes for mannanases or cellulases, as mentioned below; and others. Specifically disclosed is a protein selected from the following proteins (a), (b) and (c): (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence produced by deleting, substituting or adding one or several amino acid residues (e.g., 1 to 5 amino acid residues) in the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which is capable of regulating the transcription of genes for mannanases or cellulases; and (c) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having a 70% or higher sequence identity to the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which is capable of regulating the transcription of genes for mannanases or cellulases, or a partial fragment of the protein. Also specifically disclosed are a gene encoding the protein, and others.

Abstract: The objective is to provide a method for rapidly, and highly accurately performing genetic detection of the cyclopiazonic acid-producing ability in a strain belonging to genus Aspergillus, etc. as well as a transformant (strain), etc. that does not produce cyclopiazonic acid or a precursor thereof, cycloacetoacetyl L-tryptophan (CAT). A polynucleotide encodes the following polypeptides: (1) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2; (2) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence with one or several amino acids deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2 and having a polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthetase activity; or (3) a polypeptide having 90% or more homology (identity) as an overall average with the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2 and having a polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthetase activity.

Abstract: In order to efficiently delete a large chromosomal region with a length of from several tens to hundreds kb such as a cluster of biosynthesis genes encoding a toxic substance such as Aflatoxin, the present invention provides a method for the deletion of a large chromosomal region comprising transforming a transformant having an increased frequency of homologous recombination due to suppression of a Ku gene, which is a mitosporic filamentous fungus belonging to Trichocomaceae with a vector for the deletion of a chromosomal region, which comprises a pair of homologous region arms having a nucleotide sequence that is homologous with a fragment at either end of said chromosomal region, and deleting the chromosomal region by means of homologous recombination between the resulting transformant and said vector.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a transformant which will not produce a toxic substance such as Aflatoxin even after being manipulated with genetic engineering by efficiently deleting a large chromosomal region with a length of from several tens to hundreds kb such as a cluster of biosynthesis genes encoding the toxic substances such as Aflatoxin. The present invention is related to a method for the production of a strain having a deleted region in chromosome using a transformant having an increased frequency of homologous recombination due to suppression of a Ku gene, which is a mitosporic filamentous fungus belonging to Trichocomaceae, comprising transforming said transformant so as to include a homologous region in both ends of a chromosomal region to be deleted, and deleting the chromosomal region by means of homologous recombination based on said homologous region.

Abstract: A completely novel glutaminase is provided: (a) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2, or (b) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 by deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acids, and possessing glutaminase activity. This protein is a novel glutaminase possessing excellent thermostability and the like.

Abstract: Based on a principle that is different to that of a conventional enzymatic method, the present invention provides a novel method for assaying a glycated protein by a simple procedure, within a short period of time, and with high accuracy, and a reagent kit for assaying used in the method. The method for assaying a glycated protein in a sample is realized by treating a glycated protein-containing sample with protease to liberate a glycated peptide, preferably an ?-glycated peptide, particularly preferably an ?-glycated dipeptide, from a glycated protein, allowing an oxidase to react with the liberated glycated peptide, and determining the produced hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Provided are a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 and having prolidase activities, a prolidase gene coding for the protein, a prolidase gene comprising the nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, recombinant DNA having the gene inserted into vector DNA, and a transformant or transductant comprising the recombinant DNA, and a method for producing prolidase using the transformant or transductant. The present invention can improve the prolidase through protein engineering. The present invention can be also used for improving microorganisms used in the production of enzymes for food processing and fermented foods.

Abstract: Glutaminase which comprises (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or (b) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or plurality of amino acids relative to the amino acid sequence (a), and has glutaminase activity. A glutaminase gene which encodes (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or (b) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or a plurality of amino acids relative to the amino acid sequence (a), and has glutaminase activity. The present invention enables glutaminase to be produced efficiently and thus greatly contributes to the relevant industries.

Abstract: There are disclosed a protein having an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, or a protein having a glutaminase activity in which one or more amino acids is/are deleted from, substituted by, inserted to or added to the amino acid sequence of the above protein; a gene containing DNA encoding the above protein or a gene which hybridizes with the a complementary sequence of DNA of the above gene under a stringent condition and encodes a protein having a glutaminase activity; a recombinant DNA containing the above gene; a transformant or a transductant containing the above recombinant DNA; and a process for producing glutaminase which comprises culturing the above transformant or the above transductant and collecting glutaminase from a culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermostable creatine amidinohydrolase having the following physicochemical properties: (a) hydrolyzing 1 mol of creatine to give 1 mol of sarcosine and 1 mol of urea; (b) having a substrate specificity to creatine; (c) having an optimum pH of 7.0 to 8.0; (d) having a stable pH range of 4.0 to 11.0; (e) having the optimum temperature of around 45° C.; (f) being thermostable at 53° C.; (g) having a molecular weight of 92,000 Da (as determined by gel filtration), and to a process for producing the thermostable creatine aimdinohydrolase.

Abstract: A completely novel glutaminase is provided: (a) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2, or (b) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 by deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acids, and possessing glutaminase activity. This protein is a novel glutaminase possessing excellent thermostability and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a koji mold having increased protease activity and peptidase activity relative to a parent strain, a method of breeding the koji mold, and a method of manufacturing a flavor enhancer using the koji mold. More specifically, the present invention provides (1) a koji mold having increased protease activity and peptidase activity relative to a parent strain obtained by transformation using a protease gene and a peptidase gene, (2) a method of breeding the above koji mold which comprises transforming a parent strain of koji mold using a protease gene and a peptidase gene, and then selecting a transformant having higher protease activity and peptidase activity relative to a parent strain, and (3) a method of manufacturing a flavor enhancer which comprises allowing a culture product of the above koji mold to act on a protein.

Abstract: Provided are a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 and having prolidase activities, a prolidase gene coding for the protein, a prolidase gene comprising the nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, recombinant DNA having the gene inserted into vector DNA, and a transformant or transductant comprising the recombinant DNA, and a method for producing prolidase using the transformant or transductant.

Abstract: There are disclosed a protein having an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, or a protein having a glutaminase activity in which one or more amino acids is/are deleted from, substituted by, inserted to or added to the amino acid sequence of the above protein; a gene containing DNA encoding the above protein or a gene which hybridizes with the a complementary sequence of DNA of the above gene under a stringent condition and encodes a protein having a glutaminase activity; a recombinant DNA containing the above gene; a transformant or a transductant containing the above recombinant DNA; and a process for producing glutaminase which comprises culturing the above transformant or the above transductant and collecting glutaminase from a culture medium.

Abstract: There are disclosed a protein having an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid numbers 1 to 684 or 49 to 684 shown in SEQ ID NO:2, or a protein having a glutaminase activity in which one or more amino acids is/are deleted from, substituted by, inserted to or added to the amino acid sequence of the above protein; a gene containing DNA encoding the above protein or a gene encoding a protein which hybridizes with the DNA of the above gene under a stringent condition and has a glutaminase activity; a recombinant DNA containing the above gene; a transformant or a transductant containing the above recombinant DNA; and a process for producing glutaminase which comprises culturing the above transformant or the above transductant and collecting glutaminase from a culture medium.

Abstract: Glutaminase which comprises (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or (b) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or plurality of amino acids relative to the amino acid sequence (a), and has glutaminase activity. A glutaminase gene which encodes (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or (b) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or a plurality of amino acids relative to the amino acid sequence (a), and has glutaminase activity. The present invention enables glutaminase to be produced efficiently and thus greatly contributes to the relevant industries.

Abstract: There are disclosed a protein having an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid numbers 1 to 684 or 49 to 684 shown in SEQ ID NO:2, or a protein having a glutaminase activity in which one or more amino acids is/are deleted from, substituted by, inserted to or added to the amino acid sequence of the above protein; a gene containing DNA encoding the above protein or a gene encoding a protein which hybridizes with the DNA of the above gene under a stringent condition and has a glutaminase activity; a recombinant DNA containing the above gene; a transformant or a transductant containing the above recombinant DNA; and a process for producing glutaminase which comprises culturing the above transformant or the above transductant and collecting glutaminase from a culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a koji mold having increased protease activity and peptidase activity relative to a parent strain, a method of breeding the koji mold, and a method of manufacturing a flavor enhancer using the koji mold.

Abstract: This invention relates to sarcosine oxidase having the following physico-chemical properties: (a) action: oxidatively hydrolyzing 1 mole sarcosine to give 1 mole glycine, 1 mole formaldehyde, and 1 mole hydrogen peroxide; (b) substrate specificity: specific for sarcosine; (c) optimum pH: 7.0-8.0; (d) stable pH range: 7.0-9.5; (e) suitable temperature range for action: 50° C.; (f) thermostability: 55° C. or less; and (g) molecular weight: 44,000 daltons (when estimated roughly from the amino acid sequence of the wild-type), and to a process for producing the sarcosine oxidase, comprising the steps of culturing a microorganism having an ability to produce the sarcosine oxidase and collecting the sarcosine oxidase from the culture are provided.