Abstract: A gene encoding a protease derived from human serum and having an activity to convert single-chain hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) into active two-chain HGF and a method of producing the protease by the use of said gene are provided. A method of producing a precursor protein of said protease is also provided.

Abstract: A gene encoding a protease derived from human serum and having an activity to convert single-chain hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) into active two-chain HGF and a method of producing the protease by the use of said gene are provided. A method of producing a precursor protein of said protease is also provided.

Abstract: 6-Hydroxy nitrogen-containing 6-membered ring compounds of the following general formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents carboxy group, carbamoyl group, cyano group, formyl group, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 hydroxyalkyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxycarbonyl group, carboxyvinyl group, carboxymethyl group or oxime group, R.sup.2 represents hydrogen atom or carboxy group, and A represents carbon atom or nitrogen atom, can be prepared by reacting a nitrogen-containing 6-membered ring compounds of the following general formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and A are as defined in the general formula (II) above, with a microorganism or physico-chemically treated microorganism in an aqueous medium. Efficiency of the above reaction can be raised by conducting the reaction in the presence of phenazine methosulfate.

Abstract: A novel water-soluble enzyme protein being composed of three heterogeneous subunits and having nitrile hydratase activity was separated and purified from the bacterium of genus Rhizobium. The nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the protein was determined; using the transformant transformed with the expression vector having the nucleotide sequence, the protein was expressed; by reacting the transformant with a nitrile in a culture broth, the corresponding amide was produced.Via the use of a culture broth containing the transformant described above or the protein itself, a nitrile can be efficiently converted into the corresponding amide.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA fragments coding for human apolipoprotein E or human apolipoprotein E-like substances having physiological activities equivalent to those of said human apolipoprotein E, expression vectors suitable for production of such proteins, hosts for use in the production, and process for the production, as well as such proteins thereby produced.