Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a novel purified polypeptide having laccase activity and the nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide. The disclosed polypeptide works at moderately high temperatures from below 20° C. to about 70° C., both acidic and alkaline pH conditions, high salt concentrations and in the presence of organo solvents. The high stability of the enzyme enables its wide applications under even extreme conditions. The invention also provides methods of producing the laccase enzyme.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme including the capability of reducing 5-((4S)-2-oxo-4-phenyl(1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl))-1-(4-fluorophenyl)pentane-1,5-dione to (4S)-3-[(5S)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize the intermediate (4S)-3-[(5S)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one in a process for making Ezetimibe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the novel Rhizobium sp. GIN611 KCTC11708BP or to cell extracts thereof, to a novel oxidoreductase which exhibits a glycolytic activity, to a gene encoding the oxidoreductase, to a recombinant strain comprising recombinant vector proteins or to an expression vector encoding recombinant proteins, and to a method for the glycolysis of natural products using same as a biocatalyst. The present invention also relates to a method for producing aglycones from a variety of natural products using same. The novel oxidoreductase separated from the novel microorganism of the present invention does not belong to a glucosidase group but belongs to an oxidoreductase group, and has a glycolytic activity for natural products. The novel oxidoreductase oxidizes the sugar in the aglycones of natural products, thereby producing a variety of aglycones.

Abstract: The present invention provides fungal proteases and improved fungal strains that are deficient in protease production.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a cancer cell. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transduction domains derived from cupredoxins. The cargo compound may be a nucleic acid and specifically a DNA, RNA or anti-sense. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer and diagnosing cancer.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid encoding an FX protein having a serine at position 79, a lysine at position 90, a leucine at position 136, an arginine at position 211, a serine at position 289, and a combination thereof is provided. Cells having a gene encoding a modified FX protein are provided, wherein the cells exhibit a reduced ability to fucosylate a glycoprotein at a first temperature, but exhibit the ability to fucosylate the glycoprotein at a second temperature. Methods and compositions for making glycoproteins with reduced fucosylation are provided.

Abstract: The present invention regards a method for providing a diagnosis for small cell lung carcinoma and for typical carcinoid tumor by using a panel of protein biomarkers which are differentially expressed and a method for screening compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel Bacillus pumilus bilirubin oxidase, to the method for preparing same and also to the use thereof in particular for assaying bilirubin and for using enzymatic biofuel cells.

Abstract: A biodegradable material, capable of carrying a bioactive agent, comprising a polymer matrix and an enzyme capable of degrading the polymer matrix to enable the release of the bioactive agent.

Abstract: Yeast comprising at least one gene encoding vanillyl alcohol oxidase, the sequence of which is the sequence SEQ ID No. 1 or any sequence at least 70%, preferably 80%, very preferably 90% homologous to the sequence SEQ ID No. 1, and methods for producing coniferyl alcohol, ferulic acid and vanillin.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide enzymes associated with equol synthesis, genes coding such enzymes, and a process for producing equol and its intermediates using the enzymes and genes. The present invention provides a dihydrodaidzein synthesizing enzyme, tetrahydrodaidzein synthesizing enzyme, equol synthesizing enzyme, and genes coding these enzymes. The present invention also provides a process for synthesizing dihydrodaidzein, tetrahydrodaidzein, and/or equol using these enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biomarker and a method for determining an oxidative stress level in a biological sample, which employs co-factor-dependent oxidative stress parameters, as well as a kit adapted for carrying out such a method. In one aspect the co-factor is tetrahydrobiopterin.

Abstract: The present invention provides new transcription termination signal sequences, especially a polynucleotide comprising at least two consecutive transcription termination signals, characterized in that said consecutive transcription termination signals comprise at least a first and a second transcription termination signal that are at most 1000 nucleotides apart, and at least one of the termination signal has or encodes a RNA hairpin structure.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a reducing agent effective for color development of meat and uses therefor. The present invention provides a reducing agent containing a heme reductase derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus. Preferably, crushed bacterial cells of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus natto, Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bacillus mycoides are used.

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: Yeast cells with a reduced general control response to amino acid starvation were found to have increased tolerance to butanol in the growth medium. The reduced response was engineered by genetic modification of a gene involved in the response, a GCN gene, to eliminate activity of the encoded protein. Yeast strains with an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway and a genetic modification in a gene involved in the general control response to amino acid starvation, which have increased butanol tolerance, are useful for production of butanol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a recombinant bilirubin oxidase, including a step wherein a bilirubin oxidase gene derived from imperfect filamentous fungus Myrothecium verrucaria is introduced to Escherichia coli and expression thereof is allowed. Also disclosed is a recombinant bilirubin oxidase obtained by this production method. This recombinant bilirubin oxidase has an enzymatic activity higher than that of a natural bilirubin oxidase derived from the imperfect filamentous fungus Myrothecium verrucaria.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods wherein unique and advantageous combinations of gene mutations are used to direct carbon flow from sugars to a single product. The techniques of the subject invention can be used to obtain products from native pathways as well as from recombinant pathways. In preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides new materials and methods for the efficient production of acetate and pyruvic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for producing a polyol oxidase in micoroorganisms, and the use of polyol oxidases in cleaning compositions. The invention includes cleaning compositions that contain combinations of two or more POx oxidases, and cleaning compositions that contain combinations of two or more POx oxidases and a perhydrolase. In particular, the invention provides methods for expressing polyol oxidases in bacterial hosts for use in detergent applications for cleaning, bleaching and disinfecting.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the grain filling of a plant, wherein said method comprises overexpressing in said plant a wheat NADH-dependent glutamate synthase, in order to increase the grain weight and/or the grain protein content.

Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising a 1,4-butanediol (BDO), 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine pathway comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine and further optimized for expression of BDO. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine.

Abstract: The invention relates to [NiFe]-hydrogenases having an improved resistance to dioxygen, said [NiFe]-hydrogenases may be obtained by:—providing an initial polynucleotide comprising a sequence encoding a large subunit of a [NiFe]-hydrogenase, said large subunit comprising the following peptide motifs: •L1: RGXE, wherein X=L, I, F, V or M•L2: [R/K]X1C[G/R]X2C, wherein Xi is any amino acid residue, X2=L, V, I or M; L1 and L2 being separated by 16 any amino acid residues; •L3: X1X2X3X4X5X6X7X8X9X10X11X12[D/S/E], wherein X1=D, S, N or E, X2=H, D, S, N or L, X5=H, S, A, Q or W, X6=F, T, Y or G, X9=L, F, M or Y, the other Xn being any amino acid residue; •L4: D[P/I/S]CX1X2CX3X4[H/R], wherein X2=A, S, V, G or T, X1, X3 and X4 are any amino acid residue • and optionally comprising a motif LO: R[I/V/A]EG[H/D/A].—modifying said initial polynucleotide in order to substitute at least one of the residues X2 of motif L2 and Z or X4 of motif L3 and Z or X9 of motif L3 of said large subunit by a methionine.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated laccase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding them. Also provided are mediators for laccase reactions. Also provided herein are methods for using laccases to oxidize lignins and other phenolic and aromatic compounds, such as for bio-bleaching and decolorization of wood pulp under high temperature and pH conditions to facilitate a substantial reduction in use of bleaching chemicals, as well as for treatment of fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising a 1,4-butanediol (BDO), 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine pathway comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine and further optimized for expression of BDO. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine.

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 present disclosure provides ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, method of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chirally pure compounds, and the chirally pure compounds prepared therewith.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to luciferase derived from Malaysian Luciola firefly, the luciferase having a maximum luminescent wavelength of 580 nm at pH 8, or the luciferase indicating 23.3 times or more of luminescent intensity in comparison to that of Rhodamine 6G.

Abstract: The invention relates to cells, nucleic acids, and enzymes, the use thereof for producing sophorolipids, and methods for producing sophorolipids.

Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising a 1,4-butanediol (BDO), 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine pathway comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine and further optimized for expression of BDO. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine.

Abstract: A highly active allene oxide synthase that can be used in the production of a plant growth regulating agent (KODA) is provided.

Abstract: A novel D-serine quantification method that can overcome various disadvantages of a conventional D-serine quantification method; a novel enzyme that can be used in the D-serine quantification method; a gene encoding the enzyme; and the like. Specifically, a novel D-serine dehydratase including (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence homologous to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and having a D-serine dehydratase activity; and a D-serine quantification method including the steps of reacting a sample with the enzyme, quantifying ammonia or pyruvic acid produced by the reaction, and calculating the amount of D-serine in the sample based on a value produced by the quantification.

Abstract: A highly active L-isoleucine dioxygenase from Bacillus thuringiensis is provided. A method for manufacturing (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine or a salt thereof by reacting L-isoleucine in an aqueous solvent in the presence of L-isoleucine dioxygenase and isolating (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine is also provided.

Abstract: A highly active L-isoleucine dioxygenase from Bacillus thuringiensis is provided. A method for manufacturing (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine or a salt thereof by reacting L-isoleucine in an aqueous solvent in the presence of L-isoleucine dioxygenase and isolating (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine is also provided.

Abstract: A DNA encoding a glucose dehydrogenase enzyme having high substrate specificity, can be produced at a low cost, is not affected by oxygen dissolved in a measurement sample and, in particular, has superior thermal stability is described. Cells transformed with the DNA encoding the glucose dehydrogenase enzyme may be used to produce the glucose dehydrogenase by culturing the transformants to produce glucose dehydrogenase as an expression product of the DNA, and collecting the product.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides having peroxygenase activity and compositions comprising such polypeptides, their encoding polynucleotides, expression vectors and recombinant host cells comprising such polynucleotides or vectors, methods of producing the polypeptides, as well as methods of application and uses thereof, including a process for enzymatic, regioselective oxygenation of N-heterocycles of the general formula (I) to the corresponding N-oxides of the formula (II), by converting N-heterocycles of the formula (I) with a peroxidase polypeptide in the presence of at least one oxidizing agent in a one-stage reaction process.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding cytochrome P450 variants are provided. The cytochrome P450 variants of have a higher alkane-oxidation capability, alkene-oxidation capability, and/or a higher organic-solvent resistance than the corresponding wild-type or parent cytochrome P450 enzyme. A preferred wild-type cytochrome P450 is cytochrome P450 BM-3. Preferred cytochrome P450 variants include those having an improved capability to hydroxylate alkanes and epoxidate alkenes comprising less than 8 carbons, and have amino acid substitutions corresponding to V78A, H236Q, and E252G of cytochrome P450 BM-3. Preferred cytochrome P450 variants also include those having an improved hydroxylation activity in solutions comprising co-solvents such as DMSO and THF, and have amino acid substitutions corresponding to T235A, R471A, E494K, and S1024E of cytochrome P450 BM-3.

Abstract: Healthcare costs are a significant worldwide, with many patients being denied medications because of their high prices. One approach to addressing this problem involves the biosynthesis of chiral drug intermediates, an environmentally friendly solution that can be used to generate pharmaceuticals at much lower costs than conventional techniques. In this context, embodiments of the invention comprise methods and materials designed to allow microorganisms to biosynthesize the nonnatural amino acid L-homoalanine. As is known in the art, L-homoalanine is a chiral precursor of a variety of pharmaceutically valuable compounds including the anticonvulsant medications levetiracetam (sold under the trade name Keppra®) and brivaracetam, as well as ethambutol, a bacteriostatic antimycobacterial drug used to treat tuberculosis. Consequently, embodiments of the invention can be used in low cost, environmentally friendly processes to generate these and other valuable compounds.

Abstract: Water-forming NADH oxidase derived from Streptococcus mutans should be further improved in terms of stability for practical use in industrial production. An object of the present invention is to provide an enzyme that is obtained through modification of a water-forming NADH oxidase, which is useful as an NAD+ regeneration system for stereoselective oxidation catalyzed by an oxidoreductase, by protein engineering techniques so that the enzyme can withstand long-term use without exhibiting a reduction of its activity for the regeneration of NAD+, that is, an enzyme having improved stability, and to provide a method for efficiently producing a useful substance such as an optically active alcohol or amino acid. The present invention relates to an enzyme modification method that can improve the stability of water-forming NADH oxidase derived from Streptococcus mutans by appropriately introducing mutation.

Abstract: Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for modulating or altering recombination inside or outside of a cell using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and/or nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.

Abstract: Cytochrome P450 CYP153A6 from Myobacterium sp. strain HXN1500 was engineered using in-vivo directed evolution to hydroxylate small-chain alkanes regioselectively. Mutant CYP153A6-BMO1 selectively hydroxylates butane and pentane at the terminal carbon to form 1-butanol and 1-pentanol, respectively, at rates greater than wild-type CYP153A6 enzymes. This biocatalyst is highly active for small-chain alkane substrates and the regioselectivity is retained in whole-cell biotransformations.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enzymatic method for the enantioselective reduction of organic keto compounds to the corresponding chiral hydroxy compounds, an alcohol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus minor and a method for the enantioselective production of (S)-hydroxy compounds from a racemate.

Abstract: The invention relates to the polynucleotide sequence of a nontypeable stain of Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and uses thereof. The invention also relates to NTHi genes which are upregulated during or in response to NTHi infection of the middle ear and/or the nasopharynx.

Abstract: Isolated proteins which are at least partially encoded by polynucleotide sequences encoding novel desaturases are provided together with a composition which includes these isolated proteins. A transgenic plant, a transgenic alga, or a transgenic seed transformed by the polynucleotides encoding proteins which are at least partially encoded by novel desaturases are also provided. The invention also includes a process for making a very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid in a transformed cell, a transgenic alga, or a transgenic plant expressing the isolated protein or proteins which are at least partially encoded by the polynucleotide sequences encoding novel ?5, ?6, or ?12 desaturases.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to non-naturally occurring monooxygenase polypeptides useful for preparing prazole compounds, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides.

Abstract: There are disclosed a culture media and culture supplements for cultivating microorganisms, including Listeria spp and methods for culturing microorganisms including Listeria spp. There are also disclosed methods for detecting the presence of microorganisms including Listeria spp in samples.

Abstract: A DNA fragment containing a gene which encodes a specific gene regulatory region alone or the gene regulatory region together with a signal peptide; a recombinant vector containing the DNA fragment; a transformant containing the recombinant vector; and a method of producing a recombinant protein by using the transformant. According to the invention, it is possible to produce a protein in a large amount at a high efficiency regardless of the kind of the recombinant protein.

Abstract: A method is provided for purifying protein having steps of loading a sample containing proteins into a column containing an ion exchanger in a first direction to allow the ion exchanger to absorb proteins; and passing a salt solution through the column in a second direction opposite to the first direction to elute a target protein from the ion exchanger. The method is proven as capable of improving homogeneity of eluted target protein without combining minute and complicated techniques for protein purification. Therefore, the method is convenient, efficient and economic for purifying proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to the stimulation of the synthesis and of the activity of an isoform of lysyl oxidase, and more particularly of the LOXL (lysyl oxidase-like) isoform. The invention relates notably to a method of identifying an active principle which stimulates the formation of elastic fibers. The aim of the invention is mainly to provide such a method of identification so as to provide compositions which enable stimulating the formation of elastic fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ?17 desaturases, which have the ability to convert ?-6 fatty acids into their ?-3 counterparts (i.e., conversion of arachidonic acid [20:4, ARA] to eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5, EPA]). Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding ?17 desaturases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these ?17 desaturases in oleaginous yeast are disclosed.