Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing oxygenated terpenoids. Polynucleotides, derivative enzymes, and host cells for use in such methods are also provided.

Abstract: Genetically engineered hosts and methods for their production and use in synthesizing hydrocarbons are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition for producing tagatose, comprising fructose-6-phosphate-4-epimerase, and a method of producing tagatose using the same.

Abstract: Methods for biosynthesising hydrocarbons from a gaseous substrate in non-naturally occurring acetogens as well as non-naturally occurring acetogens for production of hydrocarbons are provided.

Abstract: A polypeptide includes, in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a similar sequence, at least one specific amino acid substitution on at least one of the 14th, 37th, 209th, 293rd, and 319th amino acid residues from the N-terminal of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. A polynucleotide, an expression cassette, a vector, and a transformant include a base sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide. A method of producing the polypeptide and a method of producing 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition for producing tagatose comprising a protein having fructose-4-epimerase activity and a method for producing tagatose using the same.

Abstract: Provided are a composition for producing tagatose, comprising fructose-4-epimerase, and a method of producing tagatose using the same.

Abstract: A method for producing an L-amino acid such as L-lysine is provided. An L-amino acid is produced by culturing a bacterium having an L-amino acid-producing ability, which has been modified so that the activity of a carotenoid biosynthesis enzyme is increased, in a medium, and collecting the L-amino acid from the medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the direct application of beneficial or probiotic bacteria to the vaginal niche for maintenance of a healthy vaginal microbiota and to help restore an unbalanced vaginal microbiota. The application is based on the use of selected Lactobacillus strains as anti-pathogenic agents, in particular L. pentosus and/or L. plantarum, against common vaginal pathogens, whereby produced acids such as lactic acid are important antimicrobial factors.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to engineered enone reductase polypeptides having improved properties, polynucleotides encoding the engineered polypeptides, related vectors, host cells, and methods for making the engineered enone reductase polypeptides. The disclosure also provides methods of using the engineered enone reductase polypeptides for chemical transformations.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, proteins, nucleic acids, cells, vectors, compounds, reagents, and systems for the preparation of kavalactones, flavokavains, and kavalactone and flavokavain biosynthetic intermediates using enzymes expressed in heterologous host cells, such as microorganisms or plants, or using in vitro enzymatic reactions. This invention also provides for the expression of the enzymes by recombinant cell lines and vectors. Furthermore, the enzymes can be components of constructs such as fusion proteins. The kavalactones produced can be utilized to treat anxiety disorder, insomnia, and other psychological and neurological disorders. The flavokavains produced can be utilized to treat various cancers including colon, bladder, and breast cancers.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an efficient method for expressing a protein of interest as an active soluble recombinant protein in a transformant. The present invention provides a method for producing an enzyme having improved activity per recombinant as compared with a reference form, comprising the steps of: (1) preparing recombinants each expressing a mutant having an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of the reference form by the substitution of one or more cysteine residues by other amino acid residues; (2) selecting a plurality of mutants that exhibit 50% or more activity per recombinant relative to 100% activity of the reference form; and (3) expressing a mutant in which corresponding amino acid residues are substituted at two or more positions among the respective positions of the substituted amino acid residues of the mutants selected in step (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to new methylglyoxal reductase (MGR) enzymes which are useful for efficiently converting methylglyoxal into hydroxyacetone. The invention more particularly relates to a method for efficiently converting methylglyoxal into hydroxyacetone using said enzymes, to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol using a microorganism overexpressing said enzymes, and to said microorganism.

Abstract: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry has been used for detecting binding events and measuring binding selectivities between chemicals and receptors. XRF may also be used for estimating the therapeutic index of a chemical. For estimating the binding selectivities of a chemical versus chemical analogs, for measuring post translational modification of proteins, and for drug manufacturing.

Abstract: Provided are a hexuronate C4-epimerase variant with improved activity in converting D-fructose by D-tagatose of hexuronate C4-epimerase and a method for production of D-tagatose using them.

Abstract: Methods and compositions related to the use of a protein with kynureninase activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified kynureninase capable of degrading kynurenine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with kynurenine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new lactaldehyde reductase (LAR) enzymes useful for the production of 1,2-propanediol and to microorganisms overexpressing said enzymes. The invention also relates to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol by converting lactaldehyde into 1,2-propanediol with said enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to ketoreductases and the use thereof. The ketoreductases of the invention are particularly useful for enzymatically catalyzing the reduction of ketones to chiral secondary alcohols.

Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant, carboxydotrophic Clostridium bacterium that expresses one or more of pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (EC 1.2.7.1), acetolactate synthase (EC 2.2.1.6), and acetolactate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.5). The invention further provides a method of producing a fermentation product by fermenting the recombinant bacterium in the presence of a gaseous substrate comprising CO to produce one or more of ethanol, butanol, isopropanol, isobutanol, higher alcohols, butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, succinate, isoprenoids, fatty acids, biopolymers, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing flavone glycoside dihydrochalcones, having the following steps: (a) providing a transgenic microorganism containing (i) a first nucleic acid portion (A) containing a gene which codes for a bacterial chalcone isomerase and (ii) a second nucleic acid portion (B) containing a gene which codes for a bacterial enoate reductase, (b) adding one or more flavone glycosides to the transgenic microorganism under conditions which allow the simultaneous isomerization and reduction of the flavone glycoside into the flavone glycoside dihydrochalcone, and optionally (d) isolating and purifying the final product, wherein the nucleic acid portion (A) (1) is a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO:1, in which the nucleic acid portion (A?) according to SEQ ID NO:3 has been cut out, or (2) is an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:2, in which the amino acid portion (A?) according to SEQ ID NO:4 has been cut out.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to engineered enone reductase polypeptides having improved properties, polynucleotides encoding the engineered polypeptides, related vectors, host cells, and methods for making the engineered enone reductase polypeptides. The disclosure also provides methods of using the engineered enone reductase polypeptides for chemical transformations.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to engineered enone reductase polypeptides having improved properties, polynucleotides encoding the engineered polypeptides, related vectors, host cells, and methods for making the engineered enone reductase polypeptides. The disclosure also provides methods of using the engineered enone reductase polypeptides for chemical transformations.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring the treatment of invasive aspergillosis (IA) are described. The methods can include detecting the presence of one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath of subjects suspected of having IA.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for producing ?-phellandrene hydrocarbons from cyanobacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for epimerization of a non-phosphorylated hexose, comprising sugar epimerases derived from thermophiles, and a method for preparing a non-phosphorylated hexose epimer using the composition. The sugar epimerases derived from thermophiles according to the present invention can effectively catalyze an epimerization reaction of a non-phosphorylated hexose and can easily produce an epimer form of the non-phosphorylated hexose, in particular a rare sugar hexose, and thus can be usefully utilized in the pharmaceutical and food industry.

Abstract: Carboxydotrophic acetogenic microorganisms do not produce MEK and/or 2-butanol. They lack the biosynthesis pathways to make these products. In addition, they produce the intermediate (R,R)-2,3-butanediol whereas the production of MEK and 2-butanol requires production of the intermediate (R,S)-2,3-butanediol. Nonetheless, the production of MEK and/or 2-butanol can be accomplished using recombinant microorganisms adapted to express or overexpress key enzymes in the MEK and/or 2-butanol biosynthesis pathways. Such microorganisms, such as the carboxydotrophic acetogen Clostridium autoethanogenum, can ferment substrates comprising CO. The overall scheme involves the production of 2-butanol from (R,S)-2,3-butanediol and the conversion of (R)-acetoin to (S)-2,3-butanediol. These steps are involved in the production of both MEK and 2-butanol. Such fermentation methods offer a means of using carbon monoxide from industrial processes which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and pollute the environment.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel terpenoid derivative that exhibits anti-inflammatory action and a cytoprotective action by activating the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

Abstract: At least one isolated microorganism and a fermentation method to convert hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, and/or carbon monoxide gas to a lower alkyl alcohol and/or carboxylic acid and to produce at least 2% by volume of the lower alkyl alcohol or carboxylic acid in an aqueous-based medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bioengineering approaches for producing biofuel and, in particular, to the use of a C1 metabolizing microorganism reactor system for converting C1 substrates, such as methane or methanol, into biomass and subsequently into biofuels, bioplastics, or the like.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbial organism has cyclohexanone pathways that include at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a cyclohexanone pathway enzyme. A pathway includes a 2-ketocyclohexane-1-carboxyl-CoA hydrolase (acting on C—C bond), a 2-ketocyclohexane-1-carboxylate decarboxylase and an enzyme selected from a 2-ketocyclohexane-1-carboxyl-CoA hydrolase (acting on thioester), a 2-ketocyclohexane-1-carboxyl-CoA transferase, and a 2-ketocyclohexane-1-carboxyl-CoA synthetase.

Abstract: This invention relates to mutant enzymes with enhanced properties and processes for oxidation of organic compound substrates using such enzymes.

Abstract: A method comprising a series of selective extraction techniques for the parallel production of biodiesel and isolation of several valuable co-products including an alkenone hydrocarbon mixture of the kerosene/jet fuel range (primarily C10-, C12-, and C17-hydrocarbons) and fucoxanthin, a high-valued carotenoid, from the marine alkenone-producing microalgae Isochrysis.

Abstract: Provided are a novel compound, preparing method thereof, and use thereof as inhibitor of histone demethylase. The compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 has activity which inhibits histone demethylase and thus is capable of specifically and effectively inhibit activity of histone demethylase.

Abstract: The present invention provides fungal xylanase and/or xylosidase enzymes suitable for use in saccharification reactions. The present invention provides xylanase and xylosidase enzymes suitable for use in saccharification reactions. The present application further provides genetically modified fungal organisms that produce xylanase(s) and/or xylosidase(s), as well as enzyme mixtures exhibiting enhanced hydrolysis of cellulosic material to fermentable sugars, enzyme mixtures produced by the genetically modified fungal organisms, and methods for producing fermentable sugars from cellulose using such enzyme mixtures. In some embodiments, the xylanase and xylosidase enzyme(s) are M. thermophila enzymes.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of hydrocarbons substituted with at least one group containing at least one oxygen atom, comprising the process steps A) reaction of a carbon source comprising at least one selected from CO2 and CO to give acetate and/or ethanol with a first microorganism, B) separating off of the acetate from the first microorganism, C) reaction of the acetate to give a hydrocarbon substituted with at least one group containing at least one oxygen atom with a second microorganism and optionally D) purification of the hydrocarbon substituted with at least one group containing at least one oxygen atom.

Abstract: The invention provides processes and methods for utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising hydrogen (H2) and CO2. In particular, the invention allows for the conversion of at least a portion of the CO2 in the gaseous substrate to one or more products, such as ethanol, acetate, and/or 2,3-butanediol.

Abstract: The present invention provides Clostridium acetobutylicum and an application thereof. A preservation number of the Clostridium acetobutylicum provided in the invention is CGMCC No. 5234. The Clostridium acetobutylicum provided in the present invention can be used for cogeneration of acetone, butanol, ethanol, and 3-hydroxy butanone through fermentation, so as to improve the economic benefit of butanol fermentation. NAD+ coupling and regeneration can be implemented by adding metabolism or growth regulating substances, so as to improve the product yield, and at the same time, the yield of cogeneration products can be flexibly adjusted, so as to cater for the market demand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a carotenoid, which comprises culturing a carotenoid-producing bacterium in an amino acid-supplemented medium, and collecting the carotenoid from the resulting cultured product, wherein the amino acid is at least one selected, from the group consisting of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, asparagine, alanine, glycine, serine, threonine, arginine, tyrosine, proline, phenylalanine and leucine, and salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of processing lignocellulosic material to obtain hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose and other high-value products. Also provided are hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose, and other high-value products.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for preparing acetone starting from acetyl-coenzyme A comprising process steps A. enzymatic conversion of acetyl-CoA into acetoacetyl-CoA B. enzymatic conversion of acetoacetyl-CoA into acetoacetate and CoA and C. decarboxylation of acetoacetate to acetone and CO2, which is characterized in that the coenzyme A is not transferred in process step B to an acceptor molecule. In addition, process step B is surprisingly catalyzed by enzymes of the classes of acyl-CoA thioesterase, acyl-CoA synthetase or acyl-CoA thiokinase. A completely novel metabolic pathway is concerned, because the enzymatic hydrolysis of acetoacetyl-CoA without simultaneous transfer of CoA to a receptor molecule has never previously been described for any microbial enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel valencene synthase, to a nucleic acid encoding such valencene synthase, to a host cell comprising said encoding nucleic acid sequence and to a method for preparing valencene, comprising converting farnesyl diphosphate to valencene in the presence of a valencene synthase according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to GH61 polypeptide variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the production of a biochemical selected among acetol and 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol comprising culturing a microorganism modified for an improved production of the biochemical selected among acetol and 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol in an appropriate culture medium and recovery of the desired biochemical which may be further purified wherein the microorganism expresses a YqhD enzyme which catalytic efficiency toward NADPH is increased. The present invention also relates to a mutant YqhD enzyme comprising at least one amino acid residue in the protein sequence of the parent enzyme replaced by a different amino acid residue at the same position wherein the mutant enzyme has retained more than 50% of the YqhD activity of the parent enzyme and the catalytic efficiency toward NADPH of the mutant YqhD is increased as compared with the catalytic efficiency toward NADPH of the parent enzyme.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) with desired geometry, molecular mass, mechanical and/or physical-chemical properties from glycerol, an inexpensive carbon source and byproduct of the biodiesel industry. Microorganisms capable of converting carbon to PHA can be used to convert biodiesel-glycerol to poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) or other monomer or copolymer PHAs via fermentation. The microorganisms are cultured in a medium comprising glycerol as a primary carbon source and one or more low molecular mass organic acids as a secondary carbon source. Biomass can be harvested from the culture medium and crude PHA extracted and purified, thereby recovering purified PHA with the desired property. After PHA isolation, a nucleating agent can be added to improve certain physical-chemical properties of the PHA, e.g., crystallization temperature, to enhance performance of the PHA during injection molding.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to efficiently produce an optically active bicyclic compound. The optically active bicyclic compound is efficiently produced using an enzyme.

Abstract: Provided is a pesticidal Flavobacterium strain and bioactive compositions and metabolites derived therefrom as well as their methods of use for controlling pests.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to engineered enone reductase polypeptides having improved properties, polynucleotides encoding the engineered polypeptides, related vectors, host cells, and methods for making the engineered enone reductase polypeptides. The disclosure also provides methods of using the engineered enone reductase polypeptides for chemical transformations.

Abstract: The invention concerns a polypeptide which can be isolated from the Brassicaceae family and which has at least the activity of a hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL). The hydroxynitrile lyase of the invention is the first HNL from the Brassicaceae family. The plants (Arabidopsis) from which this enzyme or its gene is isolated is also described as non-cyanogenic. All HNL-containing plants described so far are cyanogenic plants and so it has until now been assumed that only cyanogenic plants contain hydroxynitrile lyases. Surprisingly, it transpires that a polypeptide (AtHNL) of the invention is (R)-selective. The amino acid sequence gives a theoretical molecular weight of 29.2 kDa for the AtHNL subunit. The calculated molecular mass of the protein of approximately 30 kDa can be confirmed by SDS gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of degrading or converting biomass material enriched with hemicellulosic material into fermentable sugars.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.