Abstract: Described herein are microorganisms that produce methionine and related products from endogenous genes in a transsulfuration pathway, as well as from exogenous genes providing a direct sulfhydrylation pathway. Novel genes that are useful for methionine and SAMe production are disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are microorganisms that produce methionine and related products from endogenous genes in a transsulfuration pathway, as well as from exogenous genes providing a direct sulfhydrylation pathway. Novel genes that are useful for methionine and SAMe production are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple industrial process for producing an L- or D-optically active ?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt, which is a useful pharmaceutical intermediate, from readily available, inexpensive raw materials. In a process for producing an L- or D-optically active ?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt, a racemic N-carbamoyl-?-methylcysteine derivative or its salt is D-selectively cyclized with hydantoinase to produce a D-5-methyl-5-thiomethylhydantoin derivative or its salt and an N-carbamoyl-?-methyl-L-cysteine derivative or its salt, which are then subjected to deprotection of the amino group and the sulfur atom, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing L-methionine, comprising: i) culturing an L-methionine precursor-producing microorganism strain in a fermentation solution, so that the L-methionine precursor accumulates in the solution; and ii) mixing a converting enzyme and methylmercaptan or its salts with at least a portion of the solution to convert the accumulated L-methionine precursor into L-methionine, as well as to microorganism strains used in each step.

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: A method of producing methionine, derivatives or precursors thereof includes culturing a modified microorganism in a culture medium comprising a source of carbon and a source of sulfur; and recovering methionine from the culture medium, wherein said modified microorganism has an increased expression of cysE gene encoding serine acetyltransferase, metH gene encoding methionine synthase and metF gene encoding 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase compared to expression of the cysE, metH and metF genes in an unmodified microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a microorganism for the production of methionine, wherein said microorganism is modified to enhance the transhydrogenase activity of PntAB. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the activity of the transhydrogenase UdhA is attenuated in said microorganisms. The invention also related to a method for producing methionine by fermentation.

Abstract: A novel technique for improving the production by bacteria of amino acids that contain sulfur has been developed, and thereby a sulfur-containing amino acid-producing bacterium, and a method for producing a compound such as a sulfur-containing amino acid are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterium which has an ability to produce a useful metabolite derived from acetyl-coenzyme A, such as L-glutamic acid, L-glutamine, L-proline, L-arginine, L-leucine, L-cysteine, succinate, and polyhydroxybutyrate, wherein said bacterium is modified so that activities of D-xylulose-5-phosphate phosphoketolase and/or fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase are enhanced. The present invention also provides a method for producing the useful metabolite using the bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microorganism producing L-methionine precursor, O-acetylhomoserine, and a method of producing L-methionine precursor using the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing methionine, comprising a first step of reacting 2-amino-3-buten-1-ol with methanethiol, and a second step of oxidizing 2-amino-4-methylthio-1-butanol obtained in the first step. The present invention also relates to a process for producing 2-amino-4-methylthio-1-butanol, comprising a step of reacting 2-amino-3-buten-1-ol with methanethiol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for producing a sulfur-containing ?-amino acid compound such as methionine. A process for producing a sulfur-containing ?-amino acid compound represented by the formula (2): wherein R1 represents hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms; comprising a step of reacting a sulfur-containing amino alcohol compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 is the same as defined above, with a microbial cell or a processed product of the microbial cell of a microorganism capable of converting the sulfur-containing amino alcohol compound into a corresponding sulfur-containing ?-amino acid compound.

Abstract: A method of preventing or inhibiting L-cystine crystallization using the compounds of formula I is disclosed. R1a—O-(-A-L-)m-A-O—R1b??I, wherein A, L, R1a, R1b, and m are as described herein. The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of conditions that are causally related to L-cystine crystallization, such as comprising (but not limited to) kidney stones.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for producing a sulfur-containing ?-amino acid compounds such as methionine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing 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 enhance the expression of the bssR gene, which encodes a regulator of biofilm through signal secretion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing L-methionine and organic acid comprising the following steps: Step 1) preparing a strain producing L-methionine precursor and producing L-methionine precursor by the fermentation of the strain; Step 2) producing L-methionine and organic acid by the enzyme reaction process with the L-methionine precursor as a substrate, and microorganism strains used in each step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterium which has an ability to produce a useful metabolite derived from acetyl-coenzyme A, such as L-glutamic acid, L-glutamine, L-proline, L-arginine, L-leucine, L-cysteine, succinate, and polyhydroxybutyrate, wherein said bacterium is modified so that activities of D-xylulose-5-phosphate phosphoketolase and/or fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase are enhanced. The present invention also provides a method for producing the useful metabolite using the bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of an aqueous glucose solution from maize or maize kernels. The invention also relates to a glucose solution obtainable by this process, and to its use for the production of organic compounds. The process according to the invention comprises: a) fractionating dry milling of maize kernels, where the maize kernels are separated into a maize-starch-comprising endosperm fraction and a high-oil germ fraction and, if appropriate, a bran fraction; b) enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification of the maize starch in an aqueous suspension of the endosperm fraction, which gives an aqueous glucose solution comprising maize gluten; and c) depletion of the maize gluten and, if appropriate, any bran present from the aqueous glucose solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell suitable for production of one or more fermentation product from a sugar composition comprising glucose, galactose, arabinose and xylose, wherein the cell comprises two to fifteen copies of one or more xylose isomerase gene or two to fifteen copies of one or more xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase, and two to ten copies of araA, araB and araD, genes, wherein these genes are integrated into the cell genome.

Abstract: A method of producing methionine, derivatives or precursors thereof comprising culturing a microorganism modified to enhance production of cysteine in a culture medium comprising a source of carbon and a source of sulfur and recovering methionine from the culture medium. A microorganism for fermentative production of methionine or its derivatives in which production of methionine or derivatives thereof, wherein the microorganism enhances production of cysteine.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated MR nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel MR proteins from Corynebacterium glutamicum are described which are involved in biosynthesis of a fine chemical, e.g., methionine biosynthesis. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing MR nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. The invention still further provides methods of producing methionine from microorganisms, e.g., C. glutamicum, which involve culturing recombinant microorganisms which overexpress or underexpress at least one MR molecule of the invention under conditions such that methionine is produced. Also featured are methods of producing a fine chemical, e.g., methionine, which involve culturing recombinant microorganisms having selected MR genes deleted or mutated under conditions such that the fine chemical, e.g., methionine, is produced.

Abstract: The present invention describes a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae which has L-cysteine-producing ability and has been modified to decrease the activity of a protein encoded by the d0191 gene. This bacterium is cultured in a medium, and L-cysteine, L-cystine, derivatives thereof, or a mixture thereof is collected from the medium.

Abstract: A novel beta-glucosidase and nucleic acids encoding the beta-glucosidase. Also disclosed are cells, compositions, and methods relating to using the beta-glucosidase to convert ligocellulosic material to fermentable sugars.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of cells which are capable of converting arabinose, comprising the following steps: a) Introducing into a host strain that cannot convert arabinose, the genes AraA, araB and araD, this cell is designated as constructed cell; b) Subjecting the constructed cell to adaptive evolution until a cell that converts arabinose is obtained, c) Optionally, subjecting the first arabinose converting cell to adaptive evolution to improve the arabinose conversion; the cell produced in step b) or c) is designated as first arabinose converting cell; d) Analysing the full genome or part of the genome of the first arabinose converting cell and that of the constructed cell; e) Identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's) in the first arabinose converting cell; and f) Using the information of the SNP's in rational design of a cell capable of converting arabinose; g) Construction of the cell capable of converting arabinose designed in step f).

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide having promoter activity, a variant of the promoter of the gap gene coding for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; and to a microorganism which produces and/or secretes a fine chemical, the microorganism including the isolated polynucleotide having promoter activity, which enables various genes to be overexpressed in comparison with the particular starting strain; and to a process for preparing fine chemicals using the microorganism.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a bacterium of Enterobacteriaceae family producing L-aspartic acid or an L-aspartic acid-derived metabolite modified to have aspartate dehydrogenase and a method for producing L-aspartic acid or an L-aspartic acid-derived metabolite, such as L-threonine, L-lysine, L-arginine, L-methionine and L-homoserine, using such bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a methionine preparation, for example for an animal feed additive. The invention also related to methods for increasing the solubility of a methionine preparation.

Abstract: A process for integrated utilization of the energy and material contents of hydrolysates and solids obtained in the enzymatic hydrolysis of renewable raw materials, in which the resulting hydrolysis solution is used as a carbon source in fermentations and the unhydrolysed solids are sent to biogas production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nulceotide sequences encoding enzymatically active cobalamin-methionine synthase and functional fragments thereof being modified in comparison to the respective wild-type enzyme such that said enzymes show reduced product inhibition by methionine. The present invention also relates to polypeptides being encoded by such nucleotide sequences and host cells comprising such nucleotide sequences. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for producing methionine in host organisms by making use of such nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: An L-amino acid can be produced by culturing an L-amino acid-producing bacterium which belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family and which has been modified so that the expression of a yggG gene is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the production of methionine by culturing a microorganism modified for enhancing the expression of genes involved in succinate dehydrogenase synthesis. The microorganisms were modified in a way that the methionine/carbon source yield is increased. The isolation of methionine from the fermentation medium is also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing methionine in Coryneform bacteria in which enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway are over-expressed. The present invention also relates to Coryneform bacteria for producing methionine in which at least two enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway are over-expressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of methionine using modified strains with attenuated transformation of threonine. This can be achieved by reducing threonine transformation into glycine, and/or by reducing its transformation to ?-ketobutyrate. The invention also concerns the modified strains with attenuated transformation of threonine.

Abstract: An L-cysteine-producing bacterium is provided, as well as a method for producing L-cysteine etc. using the bacterium by developing a novel technique for improving L-cysteine-producing ability of a bacterium. By culturing a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, which has L-cysteine-producing ability and is modified so that activity of a protein encoded by the yciW gene, for example, a protein defined by the following (A) or (B), is reduced, in a medium, and collecting L-cysteine, L-cystine, a derivative thereof, or a mixture thereof from the medium, these compounds are produced: (A) a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, (B) a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion, or addition of one or several amino acid residues, reduction of which activity in the bacterium results in improvement in the L-cysteine-producing ability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, which is able to produce L-cysteine and has been modified to increase the activity of the protein encoded by the dsbA gene. This bacterium is cultured in a medium, and L-cysteine, L-cystine, a derivative or precursor thereof or a mixture thereof can be collected from the medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microorganism which produces and/or secretes an organic-chemical compound, wherein the microorganism has increased expression, compared to the particular starting strain, of one or more protein subunits of the ABC transporter having the activity of a trehalose importer, said microorganism being capable of taking up trehalose from the medium; and to a method for the production of an organic-chemical compound, using the microorganism according to the invention, wherein accumulation of trehalose in the fermentation broth is reduced or avoided.

Abstract: A method for producing L-cysteine and the like is provided by developing a novel technique for improving bacterial L-cysteine-producing ability. The method includes the steps of culturing a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia which has L-cysteine-producing ability, and in which expression of a gene involved in sulfite reduction is enhanced, in a medium containing thiosulfate, and collecting L-cysteine, a related substance thereof, or a mixture thereof which accumulate in the medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of inducible promoters in the production of methionine by fermentation. The present invention concerns a method for the production of methionine, its precursors or derivatives in a fermentative process comprising the following steps: culturing a modified microorganism in an appropriate culture medium comprising a source of carbon, a source of sulphur and a source of nitrogen, and recovering methionine and/or its derivatives from the culture medium, wherein in said modified microorganism, the expression of at least one gene involved in methionine production is under the control, direct or indirect, of a heterologous inducible promoter. The invention also concerned the modified microorganism used in the method.

Abstract: L-Cysteine, L-cystine, a derivative or precursor thereof, or a mixture thereof is produced by culturing a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, which has L-cysteine-producing ability and has been modified so that the activity of a protein encoded by a tolC gene, for example, a protein defined in the following (a) or (b), is increased in a medium, and by collecting L-cysteine, L-cystine, a derivative or precursor thereof, or a mixture thereof from the medium: (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, (b) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, but wherein one or several amino acid residues are substituted, deleted, inserted or added, increase of which activity in the bacterium improves the ability of the bacterium to produce L-cysteine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing L-cysteine, L-cystine, a derivative or precursor thereof or a mixture thereof using a bacterium of Enterobacteriaceae family which has been modified to have enhanced expression of the genes involved in the process of sulphur assimilation.

Abstract: A method for producing an L-amino acid by culturing a coryneform bacterium having an L-amino acid-producing ability in a medium to produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in the medium or cells of the bacterium, and collecting the L-amino acid from the medium or cells, wherein said coryneform bacterium has been modified to enhance carbonic anhydrase activity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preparation method for bio-fuel materials and bio-chemicals comprising the following steps: preparing a medium comprising fermentation waste generated in an alcohol production process; inoculating a first microorganism into the medium; and culturing the medium wherein the first microorganism was inoculated. More specifically, the preparation method for bio-fuel materials and bio-chemicals comprises the following steps: fermenting hexoses from a mixture of pentoses and hexoses to produce an ethanol fermentation broth; separating and purifying the ethanol fermentation broth; preparing a medium comprising the fermentation waste produced in the separation and purification step; inoculating a first microorganism into the medium; and culturing the medium wherein the first microorganism was inoculated.

Abstract: A method for producing an L-amino acid which includes the steps of culturing a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae and having an L-amino acid producing ability in a medium to produce and accumulate an L-amino acid in the medium, and collecting the L-amino acid from the medium, wherein the bacterium has been modified so that an activity or activities of one or two or more enzymes of the arginine succinyltransferase pathway, such as arginine succinyltransferase, succinylarginine dihydrolase, succinylornithine aminotransferase, succinylglutamate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, and succinylglutamate desuccinylase, is/are decreased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences encoding enzymatically active cobalamin-methionine synthase and functional fragments thereof that are modified in comparison to the respective wild-type enzyme such that said enzymes show reduced product inhibition by methionine. The present invention also relates to polypeptides being encoded by such nucleotide sequences and host cells comprising such nucleotide sequences. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for producing methionine in host organisms by making use of such nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for racemizing an optically active ?-amino acid with a viable bacterial cell producing ?-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase or a processed product thereof. According to the present invention, racemic ?-amino acids of high quality can be manufactured inexpensively.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of cysteine or derivates thereof by culturing a microorganism having reduced activity of endogenous phosphoserine phosphatase and the activity of PhnC, PhnD, and PhnE is reduced, and enhanced activity of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and/or phosphoserine aminotransferase. The O-phosphoserine produced by such an organism can then be reacted with a sulfide in the presence of a sulfydrylase or a microorganism expressing a sulfhydrylase to produce cysteine or a derivative thereof. Microorganisms having these reduced and enhanced properties noted above are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of cysteine or derivates thereof by culturing a microorganism having reduced activity of endogenous phosphoserine phosphatase and enhanced activity of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and/or phosphoserine aminotransferase. The O-phosphoserine produced by such an organism can then be reacted with a sulfide in the presence of a sulfydrylase or a microorganism expressing a sulfhydrylase to produce cysteine or a derivative thereof. Microorganisms having the properties noted above are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of cysteine or derivates thereof by culturing a microorganism having reduced activity of endogenous phosphoserine phosphatase. The O-phosphoserine produced by such an organism can then be reacted with a sulfide in the presence of a sulfydrylase or a microorganism expressing a sulfhydrylase to produce cysteine or a derivative thereof. Microorganisms having the properties noted above are also provided herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the fermentative preparation of sulphur-containing amino acids chosen from the group of L-methionine, L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-homocysteine and L-homocystine, comprising the steps: a) provision of a microorganism of the family Enterobacteriaceae or of a microorganism of the family Corynebacteriaceae which has an increased thiosulphate sulphurtransferase activity compared with the particular starting strain; b) fermentation of the microorganism from a) in a medium which contains an inorganic source of sulphur chosen from the group of salt of dithiosulphuric acid or a mixture of a salt of dithiosulphuric acid and a salt of sulphuric acid, a fermentation broth being obtained, and c) concentration of the sulphur-containing amino acid in the fermentation broth from b).

Abstract: Disclosed is an O-phosphoserine sulfhydrylase (OPSS) mutant which has a Mycobacterium smegmatis-derived amino acid sequence corresponding to that of SEQ ID NO: 1 which is devoid of three to seven C-terminal amino acid residues. Also, a nucleic acid molecule encoding the OPSS mutant, an expression vector carrying the nucleic acid molecule, and a transformant transformed with the expression vector are disclosed. In addition, a method is provided for producing cysteine in which O-phospho-L-serine (OPS) is reacted with a sulfide in the presence of the OPSS mutant. The OPSS mutant has improved enzymatic activity and can be applied to the environmentally friendly production of L-cysteine through a simple enzymatic conversion reaction.