Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of calcium-D-pantothenate from fermentation broths comprising eluting D-pantothenic acid from a strongly basic anion exchange resin with a weak organic acid and neutralising the eluate with a basic calcium salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of general formula (I) and acid addition salts thereof, where the various symbols have the meanings given in the description and claims, the production and use thereof as substrate for the detection of TAFIa, a fibrinolysis inhibiting enzyme. The detection occurs by using the absorption between 400 and 412 nm, arising as a result of the formation of 3-carboxy-4-nitrothiophenol from Ellman's reagent as a function of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide having a modified amino acid sequence of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (hereinafter abbreviated as GND) derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium, said modification being substitution of the amino acid residue(s) at the position(s) corresponding to the 158th and/or the 361st amino acid(s) of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, and having GND activity; DNA encoding the polypeptide; a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA; a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA; a microorganism carrying the DNA on the chromosome; and a process for producing a useful substance which comprises culturing the transformant or the microorganism in a medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated polypeptides with hydantoin recemase activity, that do not suffer from substrate inhibition. Such polypeptides arc for instance isolated polypeptides with at least 87% identity with SEQ ID: NO. 2 or SEQ ED: NO. 4. The invention also relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding these polypeptides. The invention also relates to processes for the racemisation of enantiomerically enriched hydantoin compounds and to processes for the preparation of enantiomarically enriched I)-or I-? amino acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel hydantoin racemase and a process for producing an optically active N-carbamylamino acid or an optically active amino acid using the hydantoin racemase. A novel hydantoin racemase isolated and purified from Bacillus sp. Strain KNK519HR; a gene encoding the hydantoin racemase; a recombinant plasmid having the gene introduced therein; a transformant having the hydantoin racemase gene introduced therein; and a process for producing an optically active N-carbamylamino acid or an optically active amino acid characterized in that a 5-substituted hydantoin compound is treated in the presence of hydantoinase and N-carbamylamino acid amidohydrolase as well as the hydantoin racemase.

Abstract: An optically active amino acid is useful as food or feed, agrochemicals, chemical products for industrial use, intermediates for synthesis of cosmetics or medicines and the like and is also important as optical resolving agents or chiral building blocks for use in organic synthesis. Thus, the object is to provide an industrially practical method for producing the optically active amino acid simply and at low cost.

Abstract: L-amino acids such as L-glutamic acid, L-glutamine, L-proline, L-arginine, L-leucine, and L-cysteine are produced by culturing in a medium a bacterium having an L-amino acid-producing ability and wherein the bacterium has been modified so that the phosphotransacetylase activity is enhanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutants and alleles of the opcA gene of coryneform bacteria, which encode variants of the OpcA subunit of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC: 1.1.1.49), and to processes for preparing amino acids, in particular L-lysine and L-tryptophan, by using bacteria which harbor said alleles.

Abstract: The gene encoding a 4-hydroxybutyryl-Co A transferase has been isolated from bacteria and integrated into the genome of bacteria also expressing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, to yield an improved production process for 4HB-containing polyhydroxyalkanoates using transgenic organisms, including both bacteria and plants. The new pathways provide means for producing 4HB containing PHAs from cheap carbon sources such as sugars and fatty acids, in high yields, which are stable. Useful strains are obtaining by screening strains having integrated into their genomes a gene encoding a 4HB-CoA transferase and/or PHA synthase, for polymer production. Processes for polymer production use recombinant systems that can utilize cheap substrates. Systems are provided which can utilize amino acid degradation pathways, ?-ketoglutarate, or succinate as substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of growing of microorganisms in cell culture media comprising soy components (e.g., soy molasses) as a carbon source. The present invention further provides novel cell culture media comprising soy components (e.g., soy molasses) as a carbon source. In certain embodiments, inventive cell culture media substantially lack a carbon source other than soy molasses (e.g., the media substantially lack glucose and glycerol). In certain embodiments, inventive cell culture media comprise soy components (e.g., soy molasses) as the sole carbon source.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polypeptides and polynucleotides useful as biotechnological tools, specifically identified in a coryneform bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum ssp. lactofermentum and methods of producing substances in organisms having enhanced or attenuated expression of these polypeptides and/or polynucleotides.

Abstract: The invention relates to an eukaryotic cell expressing nucleotide sequences encoding the ara A, ara B and ara D enzymes whereby the expression of these nucleotide sequences confers on the cell the ability to use L-arabinose and/or convert L-arabinose into L-ribulose, and/or xylulose 5-phosphate and/or into a desired fermentation product such as ethanol. Optionally, the eukaryotic cell is also able to convert xylose into ethanol.

Abstract: Described herein are inventions in the field of genetic engineering of plants, including combinations of nucleic acid molecules encoding pyruvate kinase subunits to improve agronomic, horticultural, and quality traits. This invention relates generally to the combination of nucleic acid sequences encoding pyruvate kinase proteins that are related to the presence of seed storage compounds in plants. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of these combinations of these sequences, their order and direction in the combination, and the regulatory elements used to control expression and transcript termination in these combinations in transgenic plants. In particular, the invention is directed to methods for manipulating seed storage compounds in plants and seeds. The invention further relates to methods of using these novel combinations of polypeptides to stimulate plant growth and/or root growth and/or to increase yield and/or composition of seed storage compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a class of peptide compounds for treating tumor pain, in particular bone cancer pain, for treating chemotherapy-induced pain and for treating nucleoside-induced pain.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fluorescent proteins and fluorescent protein variants, and more specifically to monomeric and dimeric forms of Anthozoan fluorescent proteins. In one aspect, the present invention provides variants of fluorescent proteins, where the variants have a reduced propensity to tetramerize, and form dimeric or monomeric structures. In a further aspect, the present invention provides variants of fluorescent proteins, the variants being characterized by more efficient maturation than corresponding fluorescent proteins from which they are derived. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such fluorescent proteins and fluorescent protein variants, including fluorescent protein monomers and dimers.

Abstract: A method is described for producing an L-amino acid or a nucleic acid by culturing a microorganism having an ability to produce the L-amino acid or nucleic acid in a liquid medium in a fermentation tank containing a stirring impeller, and optionally adding seed crystals to the medium as required to produce and accumulate crystals of the L-amino acid or nucleic acid in the medium, and collecting crystals of the L-amino acid or nucleic acid from the culture. The power density of the stirring impeller is controlled to be 2.4 kW/m3 or lower after either precipitation of the crystals or addition of the seed crystals.

Abstract: A microorganism belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, which has an L-amino acid-producing ability and has been modified so that the kdp system is enhanced, is cultured in a medium to produce and accumulate an L-amino acid in the medium or cells of the microorganism, and the L-amino acid is collected from the medium or cells to produce the L-amino acid.

Abstract: A process for making an amino acid by the steps of: (a) contacting a compound of formula I with a hydroformylation catalyst and synthesis gas to produce a mixture of aldehyde compounds comprising the formulas IIa, IIb and IIc; (b) reacting the mixture of aldehyde compounds from step (a) to produce a mixture of derivative compounds; (c) contacting the mixture of derivative compounds from step (b) with an enantioselective hydrolase enzyme in the presence of water to produce an L-amino acid having the formula IV; (d) isolating the amino acid having the formula IV in substantially pure form, wherein in formulas I, IIa, IIb, IIc, IIIa, IIIb, IIIc and IV, R is H, alkyl or aryl and R1 and R2 are the same or different alkyl groups and wherein R1 and R2 may be fused.

Abstract: The present invention claims an isolated polypeptide having L-amino-acid-N-acyl transferase enzymatic activity and a modified microorganism in which this enzyme is overexpressed. Substrates of said enzyme include mainly methionine and their derivatives or analogs. Overexpression in sulphur-containing amino acid producing microorganisms permits the production of large amounts of N-acylated sulphur-containing amino acids. The isolation of the N-acylated sulphur-containing amino acids from the fermentation medium is also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a useful substance by use of a microorganism that lacks in their chromosomal DNA all or part of a gene encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a gene encoding a protein having 80% or more, preferably 90% or more, more preferably 95% or more, even more preferably 97% or more, still more preferably 98% or more, and yet more preferably 99% or more homology with the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: An L-amino acid is produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae having an L-amino acid-producing ability and modified so that glycerol dehydrogenase and dihydroxyacetone kinase activities are increased, in a medium containing glycerol as a carbon source to produce and accumulate an L-amino acid in the medium or cells, and collecting the L-amino acid from the medium or the cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a selenium-enriched biomass containing live microorganisms selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus ferintoshensis, Lactobacillus buchneri/parabuchneri and combinations thereof, a method of preparation of the said selenium-enriched biomass, as well as food preparations, nutraceutical products and food supplements containing the said biomass. Moreover, new strains of lactobacilli are described that are able to concentrate selenium in very high amounts, and are therefore particularly useful for use in the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of reducing the amount of at least one polypeptide in a host cell by expressing a nucleotide sequence encoding for the polypeptide in the host cell wherein the nucleotide sequence uses codons that are rarely used according to the codon usage of the host organism. Furthermore, the present invention relates to nucleotide sequences encoding for a polypeptide with a codon usage that has been adjusted to use codons that are only rarely used according to the codon usage of the host organism. The present invention further relates to the use of such sequences and methods for producing fine chemicals such as amino acids, sugars, lipids, oils, carbohydrates, vitamins, cofactors etc.

Abstract: The invention provides improved rtTA and single chain rtTA variants and uses thereof for inducible expression of a nucleic acid of interest. Nucleic acid sequences comprising an improved rtTA and/or sc rtTA sequence according to the invention are also provided, as well as vectors, replicons and cells comprising such nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing optically active IHOG, which can in turn be used for the production of monatin. The present invention further relates to a method for producing optically active monatin, and aldolase used for these methods. As such, the present invention enables the synthesis of 4-(Indole-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutaric acid with high optical purity, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of optically active monatin, from indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (or oxaloacetic acid).

Abstract: A method of producing amino acid metal chelates includes producing an amino acid ligand by enzymatically hydrolyzing bacterial cells, and reacting the amino acid ligand with a metal cation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to host cells transformed with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a eukaryotic xylose isomerase obtainable from an anaerobic fungus. When expressed, the sequence encoding the xylose isomerase confers to the host cell the ability to convert xylose to xylulose which may be further metabolized by the host cell. Thus, the host cell is capable of growth on xylose as carbon source. The host cell preferably is a eukaryotic microorganism such as a yeast or a filamentous fungus. The invention further relates to processes for the production of fermentation products such as ethanol, in which a host cell of the invention uses xylose for growth and for the production of the fermentation product. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding eukaryotic xylose isomerases and xylulose kinases as obtainable from anaerobic fungi.

Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a method for producing an L-amino acid comprising reacting a keto acid with an amino acid dehydrogenase and an enzyme having coenzyme regenerating ability to convert to a L-amino acid, wherein a coenzyme is added in two or more portions in the reaction. The method of the present invention enables efficient production of an L-amino acid useful as a synthetic intermediate such as a pharmaceutical intermediate with high optical purity by an enzymatic reductive amination independent of the purity of the keto acid used as a substrate.

Abstract: A recombinant microorganism is produced by introducing a DNA encoding an enzyme which hydrolyzes an amido bond of L-amino acid amide, especially L-2-alkylcysteine amide, and L-amino acid is produced by using cells or cell processed product of the obtained microorganism.

Abstract: A method for producing (S)—N-protected-propargylglycine of the following formula (2), wherein the method comprises asymmetrically hydrolyzing an N-protected-propargylglycine ester of the following formula (1) by using an asymmetric hydrolysis enzyme or a cultured substance of a microorganism having an ability of producing this enzyme or a treated substance thereof. The hydrolysis enzyme is obtained from a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Thermomyces genus, Aspergillus genus, Rhizopus genus, Penicillium genus, Pseudomonas genus, Humicola genus, Burkholderia genus, Candida genus Bacillus genus and Streptomyces genus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amino acid-producing microorganism capable of simultaneously utilizing glycerol as a carbon source, a method for preparing the microorganism, and a method for producing amino acids using the microorganism. According to the present invention, amino acids can be efficiently produced using a byproduct of biodiesel production, glycerol, thereby substituting a cheaper material for the conventional fermentation materials such as glucose.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutants and alleles of the zwf gene of coryneform bacteria, which encode variants of the Zwf subunit of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC: 1.1.1.49), and to processes for preparing amino acids, in particular L-lysine and L-tryptophan, by using bacteria which harbor said alleles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of optically active amines, which can be used as intermediate products in a synthesis of for instance pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of increasing the amount of at least one polypeptide in the host cell by expressing a modified nucleotide sequence encoding for a polypeptide in a host cell with said modified nucleotide sequence being derived from a different non-modified nucleotide sequence encoding for a polypeptide of identical amino acid sequence such that the codon usage of the modified nucleotide sequence is adjusted to the codon usage of abundant proteins in the host cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microorganism which comprises a chromosomal DNA lacking a part or entire of the gene encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, or the gene encoding a protein having 80% or more homology with the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, and has the ability to produce a useful substance; a process for producing a useful substance using said strain; especially a process for producing a useful substance which is selected from the group consisting of proteins, peptides, amino acids, nucleic acids, vitamins, saccharides, organic acids, and lipids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly a bacterium belonging to genus Escherichia or Pantoea, which has been modified to have glycerol kinase in which feedback inhibition by fructose-1,6-bisphosphate is desensitized, thereby having enhanced ability to utilize glycerol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the fermentative production of amino acids, providing microorganisms, methods and processes useful therefor. Microorganisms of the invention are capable of converting glucose to amino acids other than L-isoleucine, L-leucine and L-valine with greater efficiency than the parent strain. The efficiency of conversion may be quantified by the formula: [(g amino acid produced/g dextrose consumed)*100]=% Yield and expressed as yield from dextrose. The invention provides microorganisms that are made auxotrophic or bradytrophic for the synthesis of one or more branched chain amino acids by mutagenesis and selected for their ability to produce higher percent yields of the desired amino acid than the parental strain. Preferred microorganisms are Corynebacterium, Brevibacterium or Escherichia coli producing L-lysine. Mutagenesis is performed by classical techniques or through rDNA methodology.

Abstract: A process for preparing L-amino acids employing coryneform bacteria in which the AmtR regulator has been attenuated is provided. Recombinant bacteria, polynucleotides and vectors corresponding to or having the attenuated AmtR regulator are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material and for producing a substance from a cellulosic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the microbial production of L-valine in which the dihydroxy acid-synthase (ilvD) activity and/or the ilvD gene expression is intensified in a microorganism. As an alternative or in combination with this, the acetohydroxy acid-synthase (ilvBN) activity and isomeroreductase (ilvC) activity and/or the ilvBNC gene expression are intensified in a microorganism. The process according to the invention preferably makes use of microorganisms in which the activity of at least one enzyme that is involved in a metabolic pathway that reduces the formation of L-valine is weakened or eliminated. Thus, for instance, the process according to the invention preferably makes use of microorganisms having a defect mutation in the threonine dehydratase (ilvA) gene and/or a defect mutation in one or more genes of the pantothenate synthesis.

Abstract: L-amino acids are produced by culturing a microorganism which has an ability to produce the L-amino acid, but has been modified so that expression of the ybjE gene has been enhanced. The L-amino acid is collected from the culture medium or from the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel thermostable N-acylamino acid racemase (NAAAR) isolated from Deinococcus radiodurans NCHU1003, the coding sequence and the preparation thereof. The present invention also discloses the process for preparing highly optically pure L-amino acids, such as L-homophenylalanine (L-HPA) and the derivatives thereof, from N-protected amino acid by using the novel NAAAR combined with L-N-carbamoylase.

Abstract: A process for producing high yields of enantioselective amino acids and chiral amines by reacting a keto acid or ketone and an amino acid donor in the presence of a transaminase biocatalyst to produce a keto acid by-product and an amino acid or amine product. Further reacting the keto acid by-product with a peroxide to increase the yield of additional amino acid or amine product.

Abstract: Disclosed are materials and methods for preparing optically active ?-amino acids of Formula 1, which bind to the alpha-2-delta (?2?) subunit of a calcium channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods designed to increase value output of a fermentation reaction that yields a first product, intended for commercialization, such as ethanol, and a fermentation residual used, for example, as animal feed. The methods involve using microorganisms in the fermentation process that have been modified so as to yield a residual having greater value that a residual produced in the process by a microorganism not so modified. In particular, the present invention contemplates using microorganisms in a fermentation process that have been modified to increase production of a nutrient, such as an essential amino acid, thereby reducing the need to supplement the nutrient in the animal's diet. The present invention also provides a modified fermentation residual of higher commercial value. Also provided in the present invention are complete animal feeds, nutritional supplements comprising the subject ferment residuals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for separating and obtaining a basic amino acid hydrochloride from a basic amino acid fermentation broth or an enzyme reaction solution which enzyme reaction is catalyzed by viable microbial cells which are able to produce a basic amino acid, each containing sulfate ions, wherein product yields and qualities are almost the same and are secured more easily, as compared with the conventional technique.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a dephosphorylation enzyme that regulates cardiomyocyte differentiation, dominant negative enzyme thereof, a gene encoding the enzyme protein and use thereof. A protein or the like consisting of any one of the following amino acid sequences (A) to (C) is used: (A) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; (B) an amino acid sequence wherein one or several amino acids except for cysteine at position 138 are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence has a dual specificity phosphatase activity; and (C) an amino acid sequence having at least 60% or more homology to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 and having cysteine at position 138, wherein a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence has a dual specificity phosphatase activity.

Abstract: An L-amino acid is produced by culturing a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family which has an L-amino acid-producing ability in a medium containing fatty acids as the carbon source, particularly fatty acids which have been subjected to emulsification or homogenization, to thereby produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in a culture medium; and collecting the L-amino acid from the culture medium.

Abstract: A microorganism which has an L-amino acid producing ability and has been modified so that succinate dehydrogenase activity and ?-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity are decreased is cultured in a medium to produce and accumulate an L-amino acid in the medium or cells of the microorganism, and the L-amino acid is collected from the medium or cells to produce the L-amino acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutants and alleles of the coryneform bacterium mqo gene which encodes malate quinone oxidoreductases which contain any amino acid apart from L-serine at position 111, or a comparable position, in the amino acid sequence, and to processes for fermentatively preparing amino acids, preferably L-lysine, L-tryptophan and L-proline, using bacteria which comprise these alleles.