Abstract: L-Glutamine is produced by culturing a coryneform bacterium which has L-glutamine producing ability and has been modified so that its intracellular glutamine synthetase activity should be enhanced, preferably which has been further modified so that its intracellular glutamate dehydrogenase activity should be enhanced, in a medium to produce and accumulate L-glutamine in the medium and collecting the L-glutamine.

Abstract: Novel DNA probe sequences for detection, by polymerase chain reaction, of human hepatitis B virus surface antigen mutant 145 (Glycine to Arginine) from serum samples. As a direct application, these specific DNA probes are immobilized on solid glass supports (gene chip) for detection of human hepatitis B virus surface antigen mutant 145 (Glycine to Arginine) by fluorescence.

Abstract: A method for producing L-glutamic acid by fermentation, which comprises culturing a microorganism having L-glutamic acid-producing ability in a medium having pH of 5.0 or less, wherein a total content of an organic acid that inhibits growth of the microorganism at the pH is one at which the growth of the microorganism is not inhibited; and a method for producing L-glutamic acid by fermentation, which comprises culturing a microorganism having L-glutamic acid-producing ability at a first pH at which growth of the microorganism is not inhibited by an organic acid in a medium, and then culturing the microorganism at a second pH that is suitable for L-glutamic acid production by the microorganism and is lower than the first pH.

Abstract: A method for producing L-glutamic acid by fermentation, which comprises culturing a microorganism having L-glutamic acid-producing ability at a first pH that is suitable for growth of the microorganism, and then culturing the microorganism at a second pH that is suitable for L-glutamic acid production by the microorganism and is lower than the first pH.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to construct multi-component biomolecule or cellular arrays suitable for use in SPR imaging studies of large molecule, cellular/molecular, and cell/cell interactions. The success of the procedure hinges on the use of a reversible protecting group to modify reversibly &ohgr;-functionalized alkanethiols self-assembled on metal substrates.

Abstract: Proteins expressed from within the prion protein genes of all animals and humans, “prionins”, against which reagents can be prepared for accurate pre-symptomatic diagnosis, for detecting latent TSE, for detecting TSE contamination of food, blood and blood products and for therapeutic treatment of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cows, Scrapie disease in sheep and Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome in humans, are revealed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human vesicle binding protein (MVBP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode MVBP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. In addition, the invention provides methods for producing MVBP and for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of MVBP.

Abstract: L-Glutamic acid is produced by culturing a coryneform bacterium having L-glutamic acid producing ability, in which trehalose synthesis ability is decreased or deleted by, for example, disrupting a gene coding for trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, a gene coding for maltooligosyltrehalose synthase, or both of these genes to produce and accumulate L-glutamic acid in the medium, and collecting the L-glutamic acid from the medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of L-glutamic acid by fermentation of coryneform bacteria, in which bacteria in which the nucleotide sequence which codes for D-alanine racemase (alr gene) is attenuated are employed, wherein the following steps are carried out:

Abstract: The invention provides a novel prostate cell-surface antigen, designated Prostate Stem Cell Antigen (PSCA), which is widely over-expressed across all stages of prostate cancer, including high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to polynucleotides that contain poLynucleotide sequences coding for the genes sucC and sucD, selected from the group

Abstract: The invention relates to a genetically modified coryneform bacterium, the cma gene of which is amplified, and an isolated polynucleotide which codes for cyclopropane-mycolic acid synthase from coryneform bacteria, and also a method for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids with amplification of the cma gene in the bacteria and the use of the polynucleotide as a primer or hydridization probe.

Abstract: A method of treating a hyperproliferative disorder in a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering to said subject, in combination, a treatment effective amount of: (a) a ceramide-generating retinoid such as fenretinide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (b) at least one (and in certain embodiments at least two) ceramide degredation inhibitor, such as compounds selected from the group consisting of (i) glucosylceramide synthesis inhibitors and/or 1-acylceramide synthesis inhibitors, (ii) sphingosine-1-phosphate synthesis inhibitors, and (iii) protein kinase C inhibitors. A preferred glucosyl ceramide synthesis inhibitor is 1-phenyl-2-palmitoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol. A preferred sphingosine-1-phosphate synthesis inhibitor is D-erythro-N,N-dimethylsphingosine. A preferred protein kinase C inhibitor is L-threo-dihydrosphingosine.

Abstract: Genes each encoding a novel transcriptional regulator having a bromodomain have been successfully isolated from a human testis cDNA library using primers prepared based on an EST sequence found using the bromodomain sequence of the transcriptional regulator. These genes are structurally analogous to each other.

Abstract: A microorganism is utilized to fermentatively produce useful substances such as amino acids by cultivating the microorganism in a medium to allow a fermentative product to be produced and accumulated in the medium, and collecting the fermentative product, wherein the microorganism to be used is modified by introduction of at least one of a gene coding for a heat shock protein and a gene coding for a &sgr; factor which specifically functions for the heat shock protein gene to enhance expression amount of the heat shock protein in cells, whereby the microorganism is allowed to have added resistance to stress which would otherwise restrain growth of the microorganism and/or production of the fermentative product.

Abstract: A method for producing L-glutamic acid which comprises culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Klebsiella, Erwinia or Pantoea and having an ability to produce L-glutamic acid in a culture medium, and collecting produced L-glutamic acid from the culture medium. The microbial strain used is preferably a strain which decreases in or is deficient in an activity of an enzyme catalyzing a reaction branching from a pathway for L-glutamic acid biosynthesis and producing a compound other than L-glutamic acid, or a strain which increase in an activity of an enzyme catalyzing a reaction for L-glutamic acid biosynthesis.

Abstract: L-Glutamic acid is produced by culturing in a liquid culture medium a microorganism belonging to the genus Enterobacter or Serratia. Further, the microorganism having an ability to produce L-glutamic acid, which increases in an activity of enzyme catalyzing a reaction for L-glutamic acid biosynthesis, or which decreases in or is deficient in an activity of an enzyme catalyzing a reaction branching from a pathway for L-glutamic acid biosynthesis and producing a compound other than L-glutamic acid, and collecting produced L-glutamic acid from the culture medium.

Abstract: A process for the fermentative production of L-amino acids using bacteria, wherein L-proline is added to the fermentation broth as an osmoprotective substance in order to suppress the effects on the cells of the hyperosmotic stress.

Abstract: L-Glutamic acid is produced by culturing in a liquid culture medium a microorganism belonging to the genus Enterobacter or Serratia and having an ability to produce L-glutamic acid, which increases in an activity of enzyme catalyzing a reaction for L-glutamic acid biosynthesis, or which decreases in or is deficient in an activity of an enzyme catalyzing a reaction branching from a pathway for L-glutamic acid biosynthesis and producing a compound other than L-glutamic acid, and collecting produced L-glutamic acid from the culture medium.

Abstract: The invention is provides compositions and methods for monitoring subcellular compartments such as organelles by energy transfer techniques that do not require specific intermolecular affinity binding events between energy transfer donor and energy transfer acceptor molecules. Provided are methods for assaying cellular membrane potential, including mitochondrial membrane potential, by energy transfer methodologies including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Diagnostic and drug screening assays are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing &ggr;-polyglutamic acid (&ggr;-PGA) from high-viscous culture broth, more particularly, to an economical and efficient process for preparing &ggr;-polyglutamic acid from high-viscous culture broth with easy removal of microorganisms and a subsequent concentrating process employing a filtration membrane. The present invention provides the process for preparing &ggr;-polyglutamic acid from high-viscous culture broth which comprises the steps of: culturing &ggr;-polyglutamic acid-producing microorganism for 15-30 hours under condition of pH 5.0-7.5 and 30-40° C. to obtain high-viscous culture broth with a concentration of 20-30 g/L; removing microorganism from the high-viscous culture broth thus obtained by adjusting pH to 2-4 or 7-9 and centrifuging at 3,000-9,000 rpm for 10-50 minutes; and, obtaining &ggr;-polyglutamic acid by concentrating the culture broth employing filter and precipitating &ggr;-polyglutamic acid by addition of alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the determination of the presence and amount of DNA in a sample. The method is based on the use of a nucleic acid template dependent enzyme in combination with a random primer to generate an enzymatic product which incorporates a binding species and a detectable species covalently linked.

Abstract: Thermostable transaminase and aminotransferase enzymes derived from various ammonife and aquifex organisms are disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and other industries.

Abstract: A method for producing L-glutamic acid which comprises culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Klebsiella, Erwinia or Pantoea and having an ability to produce L-glutamic acid in a culture medium, and collecting produced L-glutamic acid from the culture medium. The microbial strain used is preferably a strain which decreases in or is deficient in an activity of an enzyme catalyzing a reaction branching from a pathway for L-glutamic acid biosynthesis and producing a compound other than L-glutamic acid, or a strain which increase in an activity of an enzyme catalyzing a reaction for L-glutamic acid biosynthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an L-amino acid which comprises culturing in a nutrient medium a microorganism which is capable of producing the L-amino acid and which can not grow in a synthetic medium containing said L-amino acid as the sole nitrogen source in an amount of 5 mg/ml or below, allowing the L-amino acid to accumulate in the culture, and recovering the L-amino acid from the culture.

Abstract: 2-Aminopropane is used as the amine donor in the stereoselective synthesis of a chiral amine from a ketone with a transaminase. In a typical embodiment, (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane is prepared by bringing methoxyacetone into contact with a transaminase in the presence of 2-aminopropane as an amine donor until a substantial amount of methoxyacetone is converted to (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane and 2-aminopropane is converted to acetone. In a second embodiment, L-alanine is prepared by bringing pyruvic acid into contact with a transaminase in the presence of 2-aminopropane as an amine donor.

Abstract: An isolated mutant microorganism which belongs to the genus Escherichia, which exhibits valine sensitivity which is indicated by failure to grow in an M9 minimum growth medium containing 50 mg/liter of valine, and which has amplified citrate synthase activity and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity and which has L-glutamic acid-productivity.

Abstract: A method of producing glutamic acid by culturing an amino acid auxotroph of a biologically pure strain of Bacillus methanolicus which exhibits sustained growth at 50.degree. C. using methanol as a carbon and energy source and requiring vitamin B.sub.12 and biotin is provided.

Abstract: A method of producing glutamic acid by culturing a biologically pure wild type Bacillus methanolicus which exhibits sustained growth at 50.degree. C. using methanol as a carbon and energy source and requiring vitamin B.sub.12 and biotin is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing acylated amino esters and a process for preparing optically active amino esters from racemic amino esters with a carboxylic ester as acylating agent, whose acid component has a halogen, nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom neighboring the carbonyl carbon atom, in the presence of a hydrolase selected from the group of amidase, protease, esterase and lipase, and subsequent separation of the enantioselectively acylated amino ester from the non-acylated other enantiomer of the amino ester.

Abstract: Disclosed are coryneform L-glutamic acid-producing bacteria deficient in .alpha.-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, a method of producing L-glutamic acid by using the bacteria, a gene coding for an enzyme having .alpha.-KGDH activity originating from coryneform L-glutamic acid-producing bacteria, recombinant DNA containing the gene, coryneform bacteria harboring the recombinant DNA, and a method of producing L-lysine by using bacteria harboring the recombinant DNA and having L-lysine productivity.

Abstract: The regioselective and chemoselective hydrolysis of an .alpha.-ester group of an amino acid diester using pig liver esterase enzyme (PLE) is disclosed. The amino acid diesters may be either N-protected or unprotected and the diester groups may be the same or different. In particular, the preparation of a number of .gamma.-ester glutamates and .beta.-ester aspartates are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an L-amino acid which comprises culturing in a nutrient medium a microorganism which is capable of producing the L-amino acid and which can not grow in a synthetic medium containing said L-amino acid as the sole nitrogen source in an amount of 5 mg/ml or below, allowing the L-amino acid to accumulate in the culture, and recovering the L-amino acid from the culture.

Abstract: A fermentative process for producing L-glutamic acid efficiently and at low cost is disclosed. Also disclosed are microorganisms having improved ability to produce L-glutamic acid. These microorganisms belong to the genus Escherichia, have resistance to an aspartic acid antimetabolite, and are deficient in .alpha.-ketoglutaric acid dehydrogenase activity. The process comprises cultivating one of these microorganisms in a liquid medium, accumulating L-glutamic acid in the culture medium, and collecting L-glutamic acid. In particular, E. coli AF13199 (FERM BP-5807).

Abstract: A phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene, which has mutation such as mutation to replace 625th glutamic acid from the N-terminus of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase with lysine, mutation to replace 438th arginine from the N-terminus with cysteine and the like, is introduced into Escherichia coli or coryneform bacteria, so as to produce a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase which is not substantially inhibited by aspartic acid, thereby amino acid is efficiently produced.

Abstract: A method for producing L-glutamic acid, comprising inoculating a microorganism having an ability to produce L-glutamic acid, in a liquid medium containing a carbon source and a nitrogen source, conducting continuous L-glutamic acid fermentation in which both a carbon source and a nutrient having an effect of promoting bacterial growth are fed so as to make the microorganism grow, and then collecting L-glutamic acid produced and accumulated in a culture broth.

Abstract: A mutant strain having an ability to produce L-glutamic acid in the absence of any biotin action-suppressing agent in a medium containing an excessive amount of biotin is obtained by giving temperature sensitivity with respect to a biotin action-suppressing agent to a coryneform L-glutamic acid-producing bacterium. This strain is cultivated in a liquid medium to produce and accumulate L-glutamic acid in the medium. A mutant strain having an ability to produce L-lysine and L-glutamic acid in the absence of any biotin action-suppressing agent in a medium containing an excessive amount of biotin is obtained by giving temperature sensitivity with respect to a biotin action-suppressing agent and giving L-lysine productivity to a coryneform L-glutamic acid-producing bacterium. This strain is cultivated in a liquid medium to simultaneously produce and accumulate L-lysine and L-glutamic acid in the medium.

Abstract: A method of producing a target substance by microbial fermentation, where the natural ability of the microorganism to produce NADPH from NADH is increased. The present method is useful for producing a wide variety of materials, such as amino acids, antibiotics, vitamins, growth factors and other physiologically active substances. The microorganism is modified to increase production of NADPH from NADH in order to increase the amount of an active substance in the culture medium. The modification of the microorganism results in the increased production of the amount of nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase expressed by the microorganism. Further, the increase in the production of NADPH from NADH is increased by increasing the number of copies of a gene encoding a nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase enzyme. The copies of the gene are so produced to a number effective to increase the amount of the enzyme expressed by the microorganism, thereby increasing the enzyme activity of the microorganism.

Abstract: An aminopeptidase is provided which efficiently decomposes a low-molecular-weight peptide containing glutamic acid or aspartic acid in its sequence. A method of hydrolyzing a peptide or protein by use of the aminopeptidase is also provided. Aminopeptidase GX is derived from germinated soybean cotyledons and releases glutamic acid or aspartic acid from a peptide or protein containing glutamic acid or aspartic acid at the N-terminal end and is used to hydrolyse peptides or proteins.

Abstract: A method for determining three-dimensional structural information of a protein which involves producing the protein in a form substantially labeled with .sup.13 C of .sup.15 N or both substantially labeled with .sup.15 N and .sup.13 C and partially labeled with .sup.2 H and subjecting the protein to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis. The isotopically labeled protein is produced by a method which involves producing a substantially labeled microbial protein hydrolysate, subjecting the protein hydrolysate to cation exchange chromatography to produce a partially purified labeled amino acid mixture, subjecting the partially purified labeled amino acid mixture to anion exchange chromatography to produce a purified labeled amino mixture and supplementing the purified labeled amino acid mixture with isotopically labeled cysteine and optionally with isotopically labeled glutamine and asparagine.

Abstract: The regioselective and chemoselective hydrolysis of an .alpha.-ester group of an amino acid diester using pig liver esterase enzyme (PLE) is disclosed. The amino acid diesters may be either N-protected or unprotected and the diester groups may be the same or different. In particular, the preparation of a number of .gamma.-ester glutamates and .beta.-ester aspartates are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the fermentative production of an amino acid which comprises the use of phosphorous limited or phosphorous/carbon double limited growth conditions during the fermentative production.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of detecting and/or quantifying .epsilon.(.gamma.-glutamyl)lysine isodipeptide by catalytically releasing lysine, then measuring free lysine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for production of natural and unnatural D-amino acids. In particular, the present invention relates to a fermentation method for the production of D-amino acids using recombinant host cells.Specifically, the invention relates to a method for producing a D-amino acid in a cell, comprising:(a) incorporating into the cell a D-aminotransferase gene and a L-aminodeaminase gene;(b) culturing the cell in a cell culture medium; and(c) isolating the D-amino acid from the cell culture medium.The invention also relates to a method for producing D-phenylalanine in a cell, comprising:(a) incorporating into the cell a D-aminotransferase gene, a L-aminodeaminase gene and means for increasing production of phenylpyruvate;(b) culturing the cell in a cell culture medium; and(c) isolating the D-phenylalanine from the cell culture medium.The invention also relates to the preparation of recombinant cells for use in the production of enantiomerically pure D-amino acids.

Abstract: DSM 9771 is a mutant of DSM 7330 which was obtained under selective pressure. Its enzymatic activity is higher by a factor of 2.3 than that of its parent organism. In the presence of an inducer, this activity may be farther increased by a factor of 2.7. The reaction catalyzed by this microorganism or enzymes therefrom is the enantioselective conversion of a D-5-monosubstituted hydantoin or an L-5-monosubstituted hydantoin or a D-N-carbamoyl amino acid or an L-N-carbamoyl amino acid to a corresponding L-.alpha.-amino acid.

Abstract: Culturing an L-amino acid producing microorganism belonging to the genus Brevibacterium or Corynebacterium and having a resistance to a peptide containing glutamic acid or aspartic acid gives L-amino acids in high yield.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing an optically active .gamma.-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid advantageously on an industrial scale. The present invention provides a process for producing an optically active .gamma.-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid, which comprises allowing biocatalyst I, an amino group donor, pyruvic acid and glyoxylic acid to coexist in an aqueous medium to form the optically active .gamma.-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid in the aqueous medium, and collecting the formed optically active .gamma.-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid therefrom, said biocatalyst I having activity of forming the optically active .gamma.-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid from pyruvic acid and glyoxylic acid in the presence of an amino group donor. The present invention also provides a process for producing an optically active .gamma.

Abstract: A nutrient medium comprising amino acids and other substrates used by mammalian or insect cells in protein synthesis that are either double-labeled with .sup.2 H and .sup.13 C or triple-labeled with .sup.2 H, .sup.13 C and .sup.15 N is disclosed. The invention is also directed to a method for producing the nutrient medium.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical unit dosage form comprising an amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## is provided wherein R.sup.1 is a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20)alkyl group, a (C.sub.6 -C.sub.12)aryl group, or a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18)cycloalkyl group and R.sup.2 is H or a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.19)alkyl group, a (C.sub.6 -C.sub.12)aryl group, a (C.sub.7 -C.sub.13)arylalkoxy group, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyoxy group, a (C.sub.3 -C.sub.18)cycloalkyl group, a ##STR2## group, or a --CH(R.sup.3)NH.sub.2 group wherein R.sup.3 is a side chain of a natural amino acid, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said amount is effective to increase the concentration of glutathione in tissue.

Abstract: An aminopeptidase is provided which efficiently decomposes a low-molecular-weight peptide containing glutamic acid or aspartic acid in its sequence. A method of hydrolyzing a peptide or protein by use of the aminopeptidase is also provided. Aminopeptidase GX is derived from germinated soybean cotyledons and releases glutamic acid or aspartic acid from a peptide or protein containing glutamic acid or aspartic acid at the N-terminal end and is used to hydrolyse peptides or proteins.