Abstract: Conversion in vitro of X-Gly to X-alpha-hydroxy-Gly or X-NH2 (X being a peptide or any other compound having a carbonyl group capable of forming a covalent bond with glycine) is accomplished enzymatically in the presence of keto acids, or salts or esters thereof, to provide a good yield without the necessity of catalase or similar enzymatic reaction enhancers. Peptidylglycine ?-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) is a preferred enzyme for catalyzing the conversion. Alternatively, peptidylglycine ?-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) is utilized to convert X-Gly to X-alpha-hydroxy-Gly which may be recovered, or optionally may be simultaneously or sequentially converted to an amide by either a Lewis base or action of the enzyme peptidyl ?-hydroxyglycine ?-amidating lyase (PAL). Both PHM and PAL are functional domains of PAM.

Abstract: Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.

Abstract: Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.

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 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 attenuate expression of the sfmACDFH-fimZ cluster and/or the fimZ gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving efficiency of a fermentative production of an L-amino acid.

Abstract: Monatin and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R monatin and S,R monatin, as well as salts thereof, are produced using polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways. These polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways are also useful in the production of R-2-hydroxy-2-(indoly-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, an intermediate that is formed in certain monatin synthesis pathways, including some biosynthetic pathways.

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: The invention relates to identification of mutations and genetic targets for enhanced L-tyrosine production, and bacterial strains capable of L-tyrosine production.

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 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: This invention relates to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides in accordance with the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an industrially advantageous method for producing an amino acid derivative. Provided is a method for producing an amino acid derivative including contacting a microorganism and/or an enzyme with a hydroxyimino acid represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted predetermined hydrocarbon group; R2 represents a C1 to C3 alkyl group or a hydrogen atom; and n is 0 or 1, to produce an amino acid derivative represented by the following general formula (III): wherein R1 and n have the same meanings as those of R1 and n in the general formula (I), wherein the microorganism and/or the enzyme is capable of catalyzing the reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods designed to increase value output of a fermentation reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a business method of increasing value output of a fermentation plant. 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. Further provided by the present invention is a method of performing fermentation, a modified fermentative microorganism and a genetic vehicle for modifying such microorganism.

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: An L-amino acid is produced by culturing a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, which has an L-amino acid-producing ability and inherently has a native activity of a glucose dehydrogenase that uses pyrroloquinoline quinone as a coenzyme, but has been modified so that the activity of the glucose dehydrogenase is reduced, in a medium, and collecting the L-amino acid from the medium.

Abstract: A method for producing an L-amino acid, such as L-histidine, L-threonine, L-lysine, L-glutamic acid, and L-tryptophan, using bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia which has increased expression of genes, such as those of the xylABFGHR locus, which encode the xylose utilization enzymes, is disclosed. The method includes cultivating the L-amino acid producing bacterium in a culture medium containing xylose, and collecting the L-amino acid from the culture medium.

Abstract: A method for producing an L-amino acid is described using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, wherein the bacterium contains a protein which is able to confer resistance to growth inhibition by L-cysteine.

Abstract: An isolated mutant of coryneform bacteria comprising a gene encodes a polypeptide having 2-methylcitrate dehydratase activity, where the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence in which one of the proteinogenic amino acids except L-proline is present at position 272 or a corresponding or comparable position. In addition, an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 2-methylcitrate dehydratase enzymic activity, which comprises at position 272 of the amino acid sequence or a corresponding or comparable position a proteinogenic amino acid except L-proline is described. A method for producing a recombinant coryneform bacterium and L-amino acids. A recombinant microorganism, L-Lysine-containing feed additive, and L-Tryptophan-containing feed additive is also described.

Abstract: To provide ACE inhibitory peptides which can effectively inhibit ACE by a small amount of ingestion and have no fear of causing side effects and which can be orally ingested easily during daily life by persons having high blood pressure, and compositions comprising the peptides. The peptides represented by the following structural formulae (1) to (9), and salts thereof are provided.

Abstract: An L-amino acid can be produced by culturing a bacterium which belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family, and has an enhanced ability to use a fatty acid. The bacterium is capable of producing the L-amino acid in a culture medium containing a fatty acid or a hydrolysate of an oil-and-fat as a carbon source, thereby producing and accumulating the L-amino acid in a culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformed microorganism producing an L-amino acid using sucrose as a main carbon source, and a method for producing an L-amino acid using the same.

Abstract: A method for producing lower alkyl ester of ?-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine by cultivating a recombinant Escherichia coli bacterium that has the ability to produce and accumulate an aromatic L-amino acid according in a culture medium to produce and accumulate L-phenylalanine in the medium and synthesizing lower alkyl ester of ?-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine from the aspartic acid or its derivative and the obtained L-phenylalanine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing L-amino acids by fermenting recombinant microorganisms of the Enterobacteriaceae family, characterized in that a) the desired L-amino acid-producing microorganisms, in which the yjcG-ORF, or nucleotide sequences or alleles encoding the gene product, is/are enhanced, in particular overexpressed, is cultured in a medium under conditions under which the desired L-amino acid is accumulated in the medium or in the cells, and b) the desired L-amino acid is isolated, with, where appropriate, constituents of the fermentation broth, and/or the biomass remaining in its/their entirety or in portions (from ?0 to 100%) in the isolated product or being removed completely.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide DNA encoding novel NADH oxidase from a microorganism belonging to the genus Brevibacterium having excellent pH stability and thermostability. The present invention relates to DNA encoding NADH oxidase from a microorganism belonging to the genus Brevibacterium that is the following (a) or (b): (a) NADH oxidase comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18; or (b) NADH oxidase comprising an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 by deletion, substitution, or addition of 1 or more amino acid(s) and having NADH oxidase activity.

Abstract: The invention provides for isomerase (e.g., racemase) and epimerase polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. Also provided are methods of using such isomerase (e.g., racemase) and epimerase nucleic acids and polypeptides.

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 the genus Escherichia or Pantoea, which has been modified to attenuate expression of the kefB gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a process for producing an amino acid which comprises adding crystals of the amino acid having an average particle size of 1 to 120 ?m to a medium so that the concentration of the crystals of the amino acid becomes 0.5 g/l or more, culturing a microorganism having the ability to produce the amino acid in the medium, allowing crystals of the amino acid to form and accumulate in the medium, and recovering the crystals of the amino acid from the culture; and a process for producing an amino acid which comprises adding crystals of the amino acid to a medium so that the total surface area of the crystals of the amino acid in the medium becomes 0.02 m2/l, culturing a microorganism having the ability to produce the amino acid in the medium, allowing crystals of the amino acid to form and accumulate in the medium, and recovering the crystals of the amino acid from the culture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing the production of equilibrium reactions are described. In some embodiments, a method comprises removing enzymes from a reaction mixture once equilibrium is achieved, selectively re-adding enzymes and reactants for driving the product-forming reaction to product, and optionally recycling stabilized intermediates, by-products and/or co-products back into the reaction mixture. In some embodiments, a method comprises purifying the desired product from a reaction mixture and selectively recycling one or more components of the reaction mixture, such as original reactants, intermediates, co-products or by-products back into the reaction mixture as desired to improve titer. Systems for implementing the methods are also provided. In some embodiments the methods and systems are implemented for increasing the production of monatin and monatin derivatives, produced in multi-step equilibrium pathways.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods useful for, inter alia, production of commercial biologic products such as amino acids. More specifically, the present invention relates to genetically modified strains of microorganisms and the use thereof for the production of commercial products. The present invention also provides, inter alia, novel isolated DNA, nucleic acid, vectors and reduced genome bacteria.

Abstract: According to the process for producing amino acid or salt thereof in the present invention, in the adsorption step, an amino acid-containing aqueous solution is fed into a pressure tight column so that a free amino acid is adsorbed on a carbonate-type anion exchange resin packed in the pressure tight column. Subsequently, in the elution step, eluent liquid containing a hydrogen carbonate ion and/or a carbonate ion is injected into the pressure tight column in a pressurized state to elute the amino acid adsorbed on the anion exchange resin and simultaneously to regenarate the anion exchange resin into the carbonate-type. In the case of purifying an acidic amino acid, an aqueous ammonium carbonate solution is employed as the eluent liquid. In the case of purifying a neutral amino acid, an aqueous carbonic acid solution, an aqueous hydrogen carbonate solution, an aqueous ammonium hydrogen carbonate solution or an aqueous ammonium carbonate solution is employed as the eluent liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing different products comprising a target substance, particularly amino acids or vitamins, wherein the target substance is produced by fermentation.

Abstract: A microorganism is provided which has an ability to produce an L-amino acid such as L-lysine, L-tryptophan, L-phenylalanine, L-valine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine and L-serine, and has been modified to increase the activity of pyruvate synthase or pyruvate:NADP+ oxidoreductase. This microorganism is cultured in a medium containing ethanol or an aliphatic acid as the carbon source to produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in the medium or cells, and the L-amino acid is collected from the medium or the cells.

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 attenuate expression of the ybiV gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an aromatic L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly a bacterium belonging to genus Escherichia or Pantoea, which has been modified to attenuate expression of the ydiN gene, the ydiB gene, or both.

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 invention relates to coryneform bacteria which, instead of the singular copy of an open reading frame (ORF), gene or allele naturally present at the particular desired site (locus), have at least two copies of the open reading frame (ORF), gene or allele in question, preferably in tandem arrangement, and optionally at least a third copy of the open reading frame (ORF), gene or allele in question at a further gene site, and processes for the preparation of chemical compounds by fermentation of these bacteria.

Abstract: Novel enzymes and novel enzymatic pathways for the pyruvate-based synthesis of shikimate or at least one intermediate thereto or derivative thereof, nucleic acids encoding the enzymes, cells transformed therewith, and kits containing said enzymes, cells, or nucleic acid. A KDPGal aldolase is used to perform condensation of pyruvate with D-erythrose 4-phosphate to form 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP); a 3-dehydroquinate synthase is used to convert the DAHP to 3-dehydroquinate (DHQ); DHQ dehydratase can then convert DHQ to the key shikimate intermediate, 3-dehydroshikimate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a ?-amino acid comprising a step of synthesizing a ?-amino acid from an ?-amino acid in the presence of an amino acid aminomutase. In this method, a ?-amino acid is precipitated as a solid in the reaction solution.

Abstract: An L-amino acid is produced by culturing a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, which is able to produce the L-amino acid, and is modified so that the activity of ribonuclease G is decreased in a medium containing glycerol as the carbon source, and collecting the L-amino acid from the culture.

Abstract: A bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, which has an ability to produce an amino acid such as L-cysteine and has been modified to have specific mutation in the yeas gene, is cultured in a medium, and the L-amino acid is collected from the medium.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an L-amino acid by culturing a microorganism belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family and having the ability to produce an L-amino acid, in a medium to produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in the medium. The microorganism has been modified by introduction of a DNA fragment which includes a pho regulon promoter and a structural gene encoding an L-amino acid biosynthetic enzyme, which is ligated downstream of the promoter so that the gene is expressed by the promoter, and so that the activity of the L-amino acid biosynthetic enzyme is increased by the expression of the gene by the promoter. In this way, the L-amino acid that is produced in the medium can be collected. Furthermore, the phosphorus concentration in the medium is such that the expression of the gene by the promoter is induced.

Abstract: The invention relates to coryneform bacteria which have, in addition to at least one copy, present at the natural site (locus), of an open reading frame (ORF), gene or allele which codes for the synthesis of a protein or an RNA, in each case a second, optionally third or fourth copy of this open reading frame (ORF), gene or allele at in each case a second, optionally third or fourth site in a form integrated into the chromosome and processes for the preparation of chemical compounds by fermentation of these bacteria.

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 the genus Escherichia or Pantoea, which has been modified to attenuate expression of the aldH gene.

Abstract: Methods of detecting interactions of a putative ligand with a selectively labeled target molecule, methods of screening for compounds which bind to a selectively labeled target molecule, methods for calculating the dissociation constant of a ligand that binds to a selectively labeled target molecule, and methods to determine the specific amino acids of a target molecule affected by the binding of a ligand, as well as compounds identified by these screening methods, are provided.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.

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 present invention describes the production of L-tyrosine by culturing in a medium an Escherichia bacterium which has L-tyrosine-producing ability and which carries a mutant prephenate dehydrogenase which is desensitized to feedback inhibition by L-tyrosine, producing and accumulating L-tyrosine in the medium or in the bacterial cells, and collecting L-tyrosine from the medium or the bacterial cells.

Abstract: A method for producing lower alkyl ester of ?-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine by cultivating a recombinant Escherichia coli bacterium that has the ability to produce and accumulate an aromatic L-amino acid according in a culture medium to produce and accumulate L-phenylalanine in the medium and synthesizing lower alkyl ester of ?-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine from the aspartic acid or its derivative and the obtained L-phenylalanine.

Abstract: An enteric bacterial strain was engineered to over-produce L-tyrosine using a one-step method. The pheA-tyrA chromosomal region of the bacterial genome was replaced with an engineered chromosomal segment, resulting in inactivation of the pheA coding region and strong expression of the tyrA coding region, resulting in high levels of L-tyrosine production.