Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of microbiology and microbial genetics. More specifically, the invention relates to novel bacteria strains and processes employing these strains for the fermentative production of amino acids such as threonine.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides having a lignocellulolytic activity, e.g., a glycosyl hydrolase, a cellulase, an endoglucanase, a cellobiohydrolase, a beta-glucosidase, a xylanase, a mannanse, a xylosidase (e.g., a ?-xylosidase), an arabinofuranosidase, and/or a glucose oxidase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides that can enzymatically process (hydrolyze) sugarcane bagasse, i.e., for sugarcane bagasse degradation, or for biomass processing, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one embodiment, the invention provides thermostable and thermotolerant forms of polypeptides of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically engineered microbial strains, in particular genetically engineered yeast strains, that produce at least 0.5 mg per g CDW of a sphingoid base according to Formula I or a salt or ester thereof. The present invention provides a method to obtain genetically engineered microbial strains producing at least 0.5 mg per g CDW of a sphingoid base according to Formula I or a salt or ester thereof.

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: The present invention provides stable compositions comprising a perhydrolase enzyme, a hydrogen peroxide source, and an ester substrate that efficiently generate aqueous peracid solutions. The generated peracid solutions are suitable for decontaminating and/or sanitizing a wide range of materials and equipment contaminated with pathogens or toxic chemicals. In one preferred embodiment, the stable composition comprises an acyl transferase enzyme, sodium percarbonate, and propylene glycol diacetate, and is stable for 30 days or longer. Upon addition to water, the composition is activated and generates an aqueous solution with a high ratio of peracetic acid to acetic acid.

Abstract: Succinic acid is produced by allowing a bacterium modified to enhance fumarate reductase activity or cell preparation thereof to react with an organic raw material in a reaction solution containing one of a carbonate ion, a bicarbonate ion, and carbon dioxide gas to generate succinic acid. More preferably, succinic acid is produced by allowing a bacterium modified to enhance activities of fumarate reductase and pyruvate carboxylase and decrease lactate dehydrogenase activity or cell preparation thereof to react with an organic raw material in a reaction solution containing one of a carbonate ion, a bicarbonate ion, and carbon dioxide gas to generate succinic acid. Succinic acid is obtained by collecting the produced succinic acid.

Abstract: Biocompatible materials that have the ability to release nitric oxide (NO) in situ at the surface-blood interface when in contact with blood. The materials which may be polymers (e.g., polyurethane, poly(vinyl chloride), silicone rubbers), metals, such as stainless steel, carbon, and the like are provided with biocatalysts or biomimetic catalysts on their surface that have nitrite, nitrate, and/or nitrosothiol-reducing capability. Illustratively, the catalysts are adsorbed or immobilized at the surface of the material. The catalysts can act on endogenous nitrite, nitrate, or nitrosothiols within the blood creating a local increase in the NO levels at the surface of the material. An illustrative enzymatic biocatalyst is mammalian xanthine oxidase. In another illustrative embodiment, a biomimetic catalyst is a copper (Cu(II)-ligand complex, e.g. dibenzo[e,k]-2,3,8,9-tetraphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclododeca-1,3,7,9-tetraene. In some cases, lipophilic salts of nitrite/nitrate (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids encoding flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes, flavonoid-regulating transcription factors and a flavonoid-specific membrane transporter in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of flavonoid biosynthesis in plants. The present invention also relates to constructs and vectors including such nucleic acids, and related polypeptides. More particularly, the protein involved in flavonoid biosynthesis is selected from the group consisting of: MADS box factor, WRKY box factor, MYC factor, TT1, HLH factor, MYB factor, FMT, UG3E, GST, OMT, RT, CYTb5, laccase, and ABC transporter proteins, and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.

Abstract: An isolated R. microporus laccase, a nucleic acid encoding the laccase, and a method of preparing it in a cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to the nucleotide and amino acid sequences, and to the activity and use, of the luciferases LuAL, Lu164, Lu16, Lu39, Lu45, Lu52 and Lu22.

Abstract: It is a subject of this invention to isolate a gene group of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of vitamin E of Para rubber tree, and to determine the base sequence of each gene. According to this invention, genes encoding enzymes involved in the vitamin E biosynthesis were isolated from Para rubber tree and the base sequences of these genes were determined. Since vitamin E is an antioxidant existing in nature, it is expected that transformation of a plant by using the genes obtained in the invention would result in an increase in the vitamin E content of the plant and, in its turn, contribute to the prevention of rubber from aging.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences mediating male fertility in plants are described, with DNA molecule and amino acid sequences set forth. Promoter sequences and their essential regions are also identified. The nucleotide sequences are useful in mediating male fertility in plants. In one such method, the homozygous recessive condition of male sterility causing alleles is maintained after crossing with a second plant, where the second plant contains a restoring transgene construct having a nucleotide sequence which reverses the homozygous condition. The restoring sequence is linked with a hemizygous sequence encoding a product inhibiting formation or function of male gametes. The maintainer plant produces only viable male gametes which do not contain the restoring transgene construct. Increase of the maintainer plant is also provided by self-fertilization, and selection for seed or plants which contain the construct.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences mediating male fertility in plants are described, with DNA molecule and amino acid sequences set forth. Promoter sequences and their essential regions are also identified. The nucleotide sequences are useful in mediating male fertility in plants. In one such method, the homozygous recessive condition of male sterility causing alleles is maintained after crossing with a second plant, where the second plant contains a restoring transgene construct having a nucleotide sequence which reverses the homozygous condition. The restoring sequence is linked with a hemizygous sequence encoding a product inhibiting formation or function of male gametes. The maintainer plant produces only viable male gametes which do not contain the restoring transgene construct. Increase of the maintainer plant is also provided by self-fertilization, and selection for seed or plants which contain the construct.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for bioremediation of toxic metals.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed directed at levetiracetam derivatives, immunogens, signal generating moieties, antibodies that bind levetiracetam and immunoassays for detection of levetiracetam.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-9 elongases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these delta-9 elongases in plants.

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. Preferably the co-factor is tetrahydrobiopterin.

Abstract: A method for the determination of 1,5-anhydroglucitol, characterized by using any one of the following proteins (a) to (c): (a) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having the deletion, substitution and/or addition of one or several amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which has a sorbose dehydrogenase activity; and (c) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence homology to the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which has a sorbose dehydrogenase activity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for conferring nematicidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions including a coding sequence for nematicidal polypeptides are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also include transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated nematicidal nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules including nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4, 5, 8, 9, 13, 14, 47, 48, or 49, the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 45, or 46, as well as variants and fragments thereof.

Abstract: In Cu-containing nitrite reductase from Alcaligenes faecalis S-6 the axial methionine ligand of the type 1 site was replaced (M150G) to make the copper atom accessible to external ligands that might affect the enzyme's catalytic activity. The type-1 site optical spectrum of M150G (A460/A600=0.71) differs significantly from that of the native nitrite reductase (A460/A600=1.3). The reduction potential of the type-1 site of nitrite reductase M150G (EM=312?5 mV versus hydrogen) is higher than that of the native enzyme (EM=213?5 mV). M150G has a lower catalytic activity (kcat=133?6 s?1) than the wild-type nitrite reductase (kcat=416?10?s 1). The binding of external ligands to M150G restores spectral properties, reduction potential (EM<225 mV), and catalytic activity (kcat=374?28 s?1). Also the M150H (A460/A600=7.7, EM=104?5 mV, kcat=0.099?0.006 s?1) and M150T (A460/A600=0.085, EM=340?5 mV, kcat=126?2 s?1) variants were characterized to compare their properties with those of M150G.

Abstract: The use of an enzyme as a research tool for acne, by identifying a compound for the treatment of acne and/or any disorder associated with cutaneous hyperseborrhoea.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing xylitol with high-yield and high-productivity by using a xylitol dehydrogenase-deficient mutant of xylitol producing microorganism. This goal is achieved through modification of the metabolic pathway of the xylitol producing microorganism, preferably a natural xylose-assimilating yeasts and fungi, by disrupting or inactivating the expression of desired genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase polypeptides and the polynucleotides that encode them. The invention also provides related host cells and methods.

Abstract: The invention provides laccases, polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention relates to the enzymatic production of nootkatone by way of the conversion of valencene using proteins having a laccase activity, e.g., a novel laccase of the invention. In one aspect, the invention provides methods of depolymerizing lignin, e.g., in a pulp or paper manufacturing process, using a polypeptide of the invention. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for oxidizing products that can be mediators of laccase-catalyzed oxidation reactions, e.g., 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT), 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yloxy (TEMPO), dimethoxyphenol, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is related to isolated polynucleotides encoding a delta-8 desaturase, delta-8 desaturases encoded by the isolated polynucleotides, expression vectors containing the isolated polynucleotides, host cells containing the expression vectors and methods for producing delta-8 desaturases and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered 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, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds. The engineered ketoreductase polypeptides are optimized for catalyzing the conversion of N,N-dimethyl-3-keto-3-(2-thienyl)-1-ketopropanamine to (S)—N,N-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl)-1-propanamine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enzyme composition and a method for treating coal using the enzyme composition. The enzyme composition includes at least one enzyme, coenzyme and ammonium acetate, wherein the enzyme can be laccase-isozyme, pyruvate dehydrogenase, dihydrolipoyl transacetylase, and dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase, and the coenzyme can be CoA, CoA-SH, thiamine pyrophosphate, lipoic acid, flavin adenine dinucleotide, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. In addition, the method of the present invention includes treating the coal with the enzyme composition for more than 72 hours.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing isopentenyl pyrophosphate are provided. A first method comprises introducing into a host microorganism a plurality of heterologous nucleic acid sequences, each coding for a different enzyme in the mevalonate pathway for producing isopentenyl pyrophosphate. A related method comprises introducing into a host microorganism an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway and at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence, each sequence coding for an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway necessary for converting the intermediate into isopentenyl pyrophosphate. The invention also provides nucleic acid sequences, enzymes, expression vectors, and transformed host cells for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the construction and engineering of cells, more particularly microorganisms for producing PUFAs with four or more double bonds from non-fatty acid substrates through heterologous expression of an oxygen requiring pathway. The invention especially involves improvement of the PUFA content in the host organism through fermentation optimization, e.g. decreasing the temperature and/or designing an optimal medium, or through improving the flux towards fatty acids by metabolic engineering, e.g. through over-expression of fatty acid synthases, over-expression of other enzymes involved in biosynthesis of the precursors for PUFAs, or codon optimization of the heterologous genes, or expression of heterologous enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of the precursor for PUFAs.

Abstract: A method of detection of an analyte in which (i) a protein comprising a moiety capable of binding the analyte and a fluorescent label is contacted with a medium suspected of containing the analyte; (ii) the analyte, if present, binds to the moiety; (iii) the protein is subjected to incident radiation to excite the protein and induce intrinsic emission therefrom; whereby the intrinsic emission from the protein is converted through Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) into emission from the fluorescent label and the amount of said FRET is affected by the binding of the analyte to the moiety; and, (iv) the emission from the fluorescent label is measured; whereby the level of emission from the fluorescent label is indicative of the presence of the analyte, and wherein the protein undergoes no substantial conformational charge during the method. A kit for carrying out the method of the invention and a protein are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the extraction and purification of lipoxygenase from plant matter, including soy beans. A process for purifying lipoxygenase from plant matter is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is generally provides recombinant microorganisms comprising engineered metabolic pathways capable of producing C3-C5 alcohols under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The invention further provides ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes which have been mutated or modified to increase their NADH-dependent activity or to switch the cofactor preference from NADPH to NADH and are expressed in the modified microorganisms. In addition, the invention provides isobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes expressed in modified microorganisms. Also provided are methods of producing beneficial metabolites under aerobic and anaerobic conditions by contacting a suitable substrate with the modified microorganisms of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel laccase enzymes obtainable from the strains of the genus Thielavia or from the strains of the genus Chaetomium. The invention relates also to nucleic acid sequences encoding the enzymes, recombinant hosts into which the nucleic acid sequences have been introduced and to methods for the production of the enzymes in recombinant hosts. The enzymes of the invention are suitable for several applications, for example for treating denim and for strain removal.

Abstract: A skin dressing, particularly a wound dressing, comprises oxidoreductase enzyme and, optionally, peroxidase enzyme, wherein the enzyme(s) are present in hydrated condition, e.g. being present in one or more hydrated hydrogels. The dressing is used by being located on the skin of a human or animal e.g. over a wound. The oxidoreductase enzyme catalyses a reaction that produces hydrogen peroxide from an appropriate substrate, the substrate either being naturally present in body fluids and/or being supplied separately and/or being incorporated into the dressing. The currently preferred oxidoreductase enzyme is glucose oxidase. The catalyses reaction of ?-D-glucose substrate to give hydrogen peroxide and gluconic acid. A mixture of oxidoreductase enzyme can undergo reaction (optionally catalysed by the peroxidase enzyme) to produce a variety of species including reactive oxygen intermediates that have antimicrobial properties and that can therefore assist in promoting wound healing.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.

Abstract: The invention describes novel pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of virus infections and cancer. The pharmaceutical compositions include mutant oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) that have either enhanced cell permeability, reduced oxidative potential, improved antiviral activity, improved enzymatic activity, or absent enzymatic activity. The pharmaceutical compositions have improved drug properties and retain or have enhanced antiviral activity relative to their native forms. The pharmaceutical compositions further include chemically modified oligoadenylate synthetases, such chemical modifications being designed to increase serum stability and reduce immunogenicity in vivo. Such chemical modifications further increase drug stability and manufacturability in vitro. Compositions composed of more than ninety novel modifications are described. Also described are antibodies to polypeptides of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biocatalytic asymmetric reduction for the preparation of 2-amino-[5-(1-hydroxy-2-hydroxy or halogen-ethyl)]-pyrazine derivatives of the formula wherein R is lower alkylcarbonyl or an amino protecting group and R1 is hydroxy or halogen. The compounds are key intermediates in the manufacture of a glucokinase activator.

Abstract: A heat-resistant bilirubin oxidase mutant is disclosed. The bilirubin oxidase mutant is obtained by deletion, replacement, addition or insertion of at least one amino acid residue of a wild type amino sequence of SEQ. ID. No. 1 of a bilirubin oxidase derived from an imperfect filamentous fungus, Myrothecium verrucaria. A biocathode including a thermo stable bilirubin oxidase mutant immobilized thereon, and its use in a biofuel cell is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel bacterial strains and constructs as well as methods for production of L-amino acids, including but not limited to L-threonine. Such novel bacterial strains may be characterized by, for instance, Escherichia coli strains in which an aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (asd) gene is operably associated with at least one non-native promoter, non-native ribosome binding site, or both.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel subtilase variants exhibiting improvements relative to the parent subtilase in one or more properties including: wash performance, thermal stability, storage stability or catalytic activity. The variants of the invention are suitable for use in e.g., cleaning or detergent compositions, such as laundry detergent compositions and dish wash compositions, including automatic dish wash compositions.

Abstract: Single-dose enzyme tablets for direct sale to consumers are provided for boosting the performance of automatic laundry and dish washing operations using conventional detergents. The tablets provide a wash performance that is better than or at least equal to the wash performance of the detergents alone even when the time and or temperature of the wash cycle is decreased. The tablets may be provided in kits and the enzymes are selected to treat a variety of fabric stains as well as to provide fabric care benefits.

Abstract: The present invention features a non-human animal in which is deficient in the expression of endogenous 17? Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases Type 7 and use of the same in screening methods for agents that prevent or treat anencephaly. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing and treating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant ?8 desaturase genes, which have the ability to convert eicosadienoic acid [20:2 ?-6, EDA] to dihomo-?-linolenic acid [20:3, DGLA] and/or eicosatrienoic acid [20:3 ?-3, ETrA] to eicosatetraenoic acid [20:3 ?-3, ETA]. Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding ?8 desaturase along with methods of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these mutant ?8 desaturases in plants and oleaginous yeast are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determination of the foam stability of a fermented malt beverage, wherein the concentration of yeast thioredoxin (MT) in the fermented malt beverage or a fermenting material solution of the fermented malt beverage is used as an index having a negative correlation with the foam stability of the fermented malt beverage, and the concentration of protein Z (MZ) in the fermented malt beverage or a pre-fermentation or fermenting material solution of the fermented malt beverage is used as an index having a positive correlation with the foam stability of the fermented malt beverage, to determine the foam stability of the fermented malt beverage. According to the determination method of the invention, it is possible to determine the foam stability from the concentration of prescribed proteins in the fermented malt beverage or pre-fermentation or fermenting material solution thereof without directly measuring the head retention of the fermented malt beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates to the nucleotide and amino acid sequences and to the activity and use of the secreted MLuc7 luciferase.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel variants of cytochrome P450 oxygenases. These variants have an improved ability to use peroxide as an oxygen donor as compared to the corresponding wild-type enzyme. These variants also have an improved thermostability as compared to the cytochrome P450 BM-3 F87A mutant. Preferred variants include cytochrome P450 BM-3 heme domain mutants having I58V, F87A, H100R, F107L, A135S, M145A/V, N239H, S274T, L324I, I366V, K434E, E442K, and/or V446I amino acid substitutions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reproducible system for the production of stable, genetically transformed maize cells, and to methods of selecting cells that have been transformed. One method of selection disclosed employs the Streptomyces bar gene introduced by microprojectile bombardment into embryogenic maize cells which were grown in suspension cultures, followed by exposure to the herbicide bialaphos. The methods of achieving stable transformation disclosed herein include tissue culture methods and media, methods for the bombardment of recipient cells with the desired transforming DNA, and methods of growing fertile plants from the transformed cells. This invention also relates to the transformed cells and seeds and to the fertile plants grown from the transformed cells and to their pollen.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the identification, isolation and uses of mammalian Monoamine Oxidase C (MAO-C), also known as renalase.

Abstract: To provide a lecithinized superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD) composition useful as a drug material and a process for its production. The PC-SOD composition contains a PC-SOD obtained by substituting at least amino group in a specific SOD with a lecithin moiety represented by the following formula (I), wherein the PC-SOD contains a PC-SOD (A) having an m number of amino groups substituted with the lecithin moieties (wherein m is an integer of from 1 to 4 and averages from 1.5 to 2.4 as a main component and the PC-SOD (A) consists of a PC-SOD (a1) wherein m=1, a PC-SOD (a2) wherein m=2, a PC-SOD (a3) wherein m=3 and a PC-SOD (a4) wherein m=4.