Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 10% arachidonic acid (ARA, an ?-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid) in the total oil fraction are described. These strains comprise various chimeric genes expressing heterologous desaturases, elongases and acyltransferases, and optionally comprise various native desaturase and acyltransferase knockouts to enable synthesis and high accumulation of ARA. Production host cells are claimed, as are methods for producing ARA within said host cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions adapted for pharmaceutical administration comprising at least one superoxide dismutase and at least one prolamine based peptide fragment.

Abstract: The composition of the present invention, combining multicopper oxidase enzyme, oxidizable substrate, and iron, exhibits a rate of oxygen scavenging that is in excess of that predicted from the rule of mixtures applied to the combination of enzyme/substrate and iron/substrate compositions that are known in the art.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a modified (poly)peptide, said method comprising the step of modifying in an organic solvent a crown ether-bound (poly)peptide at one or more carboxylic groups by esterification or thioesterification and/or at the amino group of the N-terminal amino acid by amidation or alkylation. Furthermore provided are (poly)peptides and antibodies obtainable with the method of the invention as well as medical uses thereof.

Abstract: Recombinant organisms are provided comprising genes encoding cob(II)alamin reductase, cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase, glycerol dehydratase and 1,3-propanediol oxidoreductase activities useful for the production of 1,3-propanediol from a variety of carbon substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved fermentation processes, including for use in an ethanol production process. The improved fermentation processes include applying at least one fatty acid oxidizing enzyme (especially a lipoxygenase) in a fermentation process. The improved fermentation process may also involve the addition of various additional enzymes and growth stimulators for the fermenting microorganisms, including vitamins and mineral.

Abstract: Protoporphyrinogen oxidase having an activity of imparting acifluorfen resistance and gene thereof are provided. Cyanobacterium protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene is identified by introducing a protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene of Arabidopsis into cyanobacterium, disrupting a cyanobacterium gene with a transposon, selecting a mutant strain in which protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene is disrupted, identifying the disrupted protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene, and isolating the disrupted protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene. This procedure is effective as a gene isolation technique when a protein derived from other organism species that is homologous to a known protein (e.g., protoporphyrinogen oxidase from cyanobacterium) can not be found in a gene database of the other species.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids, or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), from substrates which cannot be used as a source of carbon and/or energy for microbial growth or PHA synthesis and which have microbial and environmental toxicity. According to one embodiment of the invention, a process for the production of PHA is provided wherein an enzyme such as methane monooxygenase is used to convert volatile organic compounds into PHA through the use of microorganisms that are unable to use volatile organic compounds as a source of carbon for growth or PHA production.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for assaying oxygenase activity the method comprising monitoring oxygenase activity of Mina53.

Abstract: A device, system and method for producing glycosylated proteins in plant culture, particularly proteins having a high mannose glycosylation, while targeting such proteins with an ER signal and/or by-passing the Golgi. The invention further relates to vectors and methods for expression and production of enzymatically active high mannose lysosomal enzymes using transgenic plant root, particularly carrot cells. More particularly, the invention relates to host cells, particularly transgenic suspended carrot cells, vectors and methods for high yield expression and production of biologically active high mannose Glucocerebrosidase (GCD). The invention further provides for compositions and methods for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a NADH-dependent oxidoreductase obtained from yeasts, for example, of the genus Pichia, more particularly from Pichia capsulata. The oxidoreductace used in an enzymatic process for enantioselective reduction of organic ketocompounds to the corresponding (S)-hydroxy compounds and in an enzymnatic process for an antioselective preparation of (S)-hydroxy compounds in a two phase system using the isolated, recombinantly overexpressed oxidoreductacse from Pichia capsulata.

Abstract: Soyasapogenol B is biosynthesized via two steps of hydroxylation reaction of its precursor ?-amyrin. However, the gene of the hydroxylase concerned in this reaction has not been revealed. Therefore, it was impossible to apply a genetic engineering technique on the hydroxylase. The present inventors reveals that a sequence which corresponds to a soybean-derived cytochrome P-450 gene CYP93E1 encodes an enzyme protein that carries out hydroxylation of the 24-position of an oleanane type triterpene, and also provides a method for applying said gene making use of a genetic engineering technique.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing L-fuculose and L-fucose which is suitable as an industrial method. L-Fuculose is synthesized from L-fucitol in the presence of a microorganism-derived protein having a dehydrogenase activity which results in production of L-fuculose from L-fucitol. The reaction system preferably contains NADH oxidase. L-Fuculose thus synthesized is then converted into L-fucose.

Abstract: A process comprising the steps of continuously adding a catalase enzyme to a process stream, wherein the process stream comprises an amine oxide surfactant and hydrogen peroxide; and mixing the process stream and catalase enzyme.

Abstract: A method of generating a protein with an improved functional property, the method comprising: (a) identifying at least one Target amino acid Residue in a first protein, wherein said Target amino acid Residue is associated with said functional property; (b) comparing at least one homologous second protein from the same or a different phylogenetic branch as the first protein with the first protein and identifying at least one Variant amino acid Residue between the first protein and the second protein; (c) selecting at least one Candidate amino acid Residue from the Variant amino acid Residue identified in (b) on the basis of said Candidate amino acid Residue affecting said Target amino acid Residue with respect to said functional property; (d) forming at least one Candidate Mutant protein in silico or producing at least one Candidate Mutant protein in vitro in which said at least one Candidate amino acid Residue from the second protein substitutes a corresponding residue in the first protein; and (e) screeni

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combating disorders affecting the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system by allotopic expression of the cyanide-insensitive alternative oxidase (AOX) in human cells. The successful expression of AOX in human cells and in Drosophila has been shown to confer spectacular cyanide-resistance to mitochondrial substrate oxidation, alleviate oxidative stress, apoptosis susceptibility and metabolic acidosis. AOX is well tolerated when expressed ubiquitously in the whole organism. AOX expression is a valuable tool to limit the deleterious consequences of respiratory chain deficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tumor marker and a method capable of identifying the morbidity of colon cancer. A tumor marker including a protein identified from a colon cancer tissue. A method for identify the morbidity of colon cancer using the tumor marker. The method includes: measuring the level of the protein in a sample derived from a person of interest who should be examined to identify the morbidity of colon cancer; and comparing the measured level to the normal level of the protein, wherein a higher or lower measured level than the normal level is used as one indicator indicating that there is a high possibility that the person of interest has colon cancer.

Abstract: Provided are an Escherichia species microorganism and Corynebacterium species microorganism that are transformed with a foreign NADP dependent glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene and have the ability to produce L-lysine and a method of producing L-lysine using the microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fungal ?12 desaturases (responsible for conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid (18:2, LA)) and ?15 fatty acid desaturases (responsible for conversion of LA to ?-linolenic acid (18:3, ALA)). Amino acid motifs diagnostic of ?12 desaturases and ?15 desaturases are also provided. Methods of altering enzyme specificity towards ?12 desaturation or towards ?15 desaturation and/or increasing production of specific ?-3 and ?-6 fatty acids by over-expression of the fungal desaturases are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a P450 reductase lacking N-terminal amino acids, as well as a nucleic acid encoding the P450 reductase. When co-expressed with a cytochrome P450, the P450 reductase increases the activity and/or expression of the cytochrome P450 compared to the activity and/or expression of the cytochrome P450 when co-expressed with a wild type P450 reductase. The invention also provides the use of certain promoters to increase expression of cytochrome P450, P450 reductase and/or b5, as well as the use of protease-deficient strains of yeast in which to express the proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.

Abstract: Described herein are novel nucleic acids, proteins and methods that can be used to provide new catalysts with desirable traits for industrial processes. In particular, novel reductases isolated from the environment using PCR methods are described.

Abstract: The object is to provide a novel enzyme which enables to determine the glucose level more accurately, a bacterium capable of producing the enzyme, and use of the enzyme. Disclosed is a flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding glucose dehydrogenase having the following properties (1) to (3): (1) the enzyme has an activity of catalyzing a reaction for oxidizing a hydroxyl group in glucose in the presence of an electron acceptor to produce glucono-?-lactone; (2) the enzyme has a molecular weight of about 100 kDa as measured by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or about 400 kDa as measured by gel filtration chromatography; and (3) the enzyme is less reactive to maltose, D-fructose, D-mannose and D-galactose. Also disclosed is a microorganism Aspergillus oryzae which can produce the enzyme. Further disclosed are a glucose determination method, a reagent for the determination of glucose, and a kit for the determination of glucose, each utilizing the enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to luciferase having resistance to a surfactant and a method for measuring intracellular ATP which is characterized in that the luciferase having resistance to a surfactant is used in this method comprising the steps of: a first step wherein ATP is extracted from cells in a sample; a second step wherein light emission is produced by adding a luminescence reagent containing luciferase to the extracted ATP solution; and a third step wherein the light emission is measured.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that relate to the bioremediation of chlorinated ethenes, particularly the bioremediation of vinyl chloride by Dehalococcoides-like organisms. An isolated strain of bacteria, Dehalococcoides sp. strain VS, that metabolizes vinyl chloride is provided; the genetic sequence of the enzyme responsible for vinyl chloride dehalogenation; methods of assessing the capability of endogenous organisms at an environmental site to metabolize vinyl chloride; and a method of using the strains of the invention for bioremediation.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of ergosta-5,7-dienol and/or its biosynthetic intermediates and/or metabolites by culturing genetically modified organisms, and to the genetically modified organisms, in particular yeasts, themselves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a FabK (enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase) protein derived from a Thermotoga maritima strain. In the present invention, the active site and the three-dimensional crystal structure of the protein are determined, a novel inhibitor against the FabK protein is screened and/or designed using the three-dimensional crystal structure thereof, and thereby developing a novel active compound, namely active-controlling material with excellent antibiotic activities against strains having a resistance to previous antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new pharmaceutical uses of 4-azasteroid compounds, in particular of Finasteride/Dutasteride/Dutasteride and Dutasteride, particularly preferred of Finasteride/Dutasteride/Dutasteride, and its pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives, and combinations comprising said compounds. The invention also features generally the use of a modulator compound of neuroprotective conditions via beta subunits of shaker-type voltage-gated potassium channels and/or via members of solute carriers family 25, in particular Aralar (member 12) and adenine-nucleotide translocators 1 & 2 (member 4 & 5) and/or via a 4-nitrophenylphosphatase domain and non-neuronal SNAP25-like protein homolog 1 (NIPSNAP 1) as a neuroprotective medicament, particularly as a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of neurological diseases such as dementia, Parkinson, Alzheimer, schizophrenia or epilepsy.

Abstract: (Problems) The main object of the present invention is to provide a screening method for selecting a substance affecting a bond between thioredoxin and MIF. (Means for Solving Problems) The present invention provides a screening method for selecting a test substance which strengthens a bond between a polypeptide of a thioredoxin family and a macrophage migration inhibition factor, comprising: mixing a test substance with at least one binding substance selected from following (1) to (4), (1) the polypeptide belonging to the thioredoxin family, (2) a protein having an amino acid sequence of the polypeptide belonging to the thioredoxin family in which one or more amino acid is deleted, replaced or added, and having an equivalent activity to the polypeptide of the thioredoxin family, (3) a gene coding (1), (4) a gene coding (2); bonding the binding substance to the macrophage migration inhibition factor; and monitoring the bond state between the binding substance and the macrophage migration inhibition factor.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel cytochrome P450 monooxygenases from thermophilic bacteria, in particular the genus Thermus sp., to nucleotide sequences encoding them, to the recombinant production of these monooxygenases and to their use for the microbiological oxidation of organic compounds.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating plant development are provided. Polynucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences encoding cytokinin oxidase polypeptides are provided. The sequences can be used in a variety of methods including modulating root development, modulating floral development, modulating leaf and/or shoot development, modulating seed size and/or weight, modulating tolerance under abiotic stress, and modulating resistance to pathogens. Polynucleotides comprising CKX promoters are also provided. The promoters can be used to regulate expression of a sequence of interest. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.

Abstract: An engineered strain of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 5.6% docosahexaenoic acid acid (DHA, an w-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid) in the total oil fraction is described. This strain comprises various chimeric genes expressing heterologous desaturases, elongases and acyltransferases and optionally comprises various native desaturase and acyltransferase knockouts to enable synthesis and high accumulation of DHA. Production host cells are claimed, as are methods for producing DHA within said host cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the purification of non-immunoglobulin proteins comprising one or more immunoglobulin-like (Ig-like) domain.

Abstract: Polypeptides capable of catalyzing the reductive amination of a 2-ketoacid to its corresponding D-amino acid are provided. The polypeptides can be prepared by mutagenesis of, e.g., a diaminopimelate dehydrogenase. Also provided is a method of making a D-amino acid using a catalytically active polypeptide, wherein a 2-ketoacid is allowed to contact the polypeptide in the presence of a nicotinamide cofactor and ammonia or an ammonia source.

Abstract: A mutant protein having diaphorase activity is provided. A mutant protein includes an amino acid sequence obtained by deletion, replacement, addition, or insertion of at least one amino acid residue of a native-form amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. No. 1, wherein the mutant protein has diaphorase activity with an enzyme activity of 245 or more.

Abstract: Discovery and characterization of an apicomplexan Fab I gene and encoded enzyme and discovery of the triclosan as a lead compound, provide means to rationally design novel inhibitory compositions useful for prevention and treatment of apicomplexan related diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions for modulating the water-gas shift reaction (e.g., promoting the water-gas shift forward reaction) or in which the water-gas shift reaction has been modulated. The methods and compositions, therefore, also relate, in part, to increasing the oxidation rate of carbon monoxide (CO), for increasing the availability of CO (e.g., to the carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) enzyme complex), for removing and/or promoting the release of hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide (CO2), for regulating the redox potential of cells, for preventing free radical damage and/or promoting cell survivability, etc. The invention also relates, in part, to methods and compositions for modulating CODH activity, such as increasing CODH activity. Methods and compositions are also provided for modulating the PSII reaction (e.g., promoting the PSII forward reaction) or in which the PSII reaction has been modulated.

Abstract: The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2 (IDO2) and methods of use thereof are provided.

Abstract: A method of designing an anti-allergic agent, sleep controlling agent, anti-obestic agent and remedy for brain injury acting via the inhibition of biosynthesis of prostaglandin D2. Crystal of a complex of human origin hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase, glutathione, and a substrate analog or an inhibitor, etc are prepared and the three-dimensional structural coordinate of each atom in the complex is determined by X-ray crystal analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved variants of soluble pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent glucose dehydrogenases (s-GDH) comprising an amino acid insertion between positions 428 and 429 as corresponding to the amino acid sequence known from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, to genes encoding such variant s-GDH, to proteins of such s-GDH variants with improved substrate specificity for glucose, and to different applications of these s-GDH variants, particularly for determining concentrations of sugars, especially of glucose in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of vitamin C from L sorbosone using an aldehyde dehydrogenase which is isolated from Gluconobacter oxydans DSM 4025 (FERM BP-3812), said enzyme having the following physicochemical properties: (a) molecular weight of 150,000±6,000 Da or 230,000±9,000 Da (consisting of 2 or 3 homologous subunits, each subunit having a molecular weight of 75,000±3,000 Da); (b) substrate specificity as active on aldehyde compounds; (c) Cofactors are pyrroloquinoline quinone and heme c; (d) Optimum pH between 6.4 and 8.2 for vitamin C production from L-sorbosone; and (e) as inhibitors Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, monoiodoacetate and ethylendiamine tetraacetic acid. The process is performed in the presence of a suitable electron acceptor and the vitamin C isolated from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides plant isoflavonoid hydroxylase coding sequences. Also provided are constructs comprising these sequences, plants transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects of the invention, plants transformed with the nucleic acids are provided exhibiting improved pest and disease resistance. Plants provided by the invention may also exhibit improved nutritional qualities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

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 158V, F87A, H100R, F107L, A135S, M145A/V, N239H, S274T, L3241, I366V, K434E, E442K, and/or V446I amino acid substitutions.

Abstract: Cyclopentanone 1,2-monooxygenase (CPMO) from Comamonas (previously Pseudomonas) sp. strain NCIMB 9872 carries out the second step of a degradation pathway that allows the bacterium to use cyclopentanol as a sole carbon source for growth. In the present invention there is reported the localization of the CPMO-encoding gene (cpnB) on a 4.3-kb SphI fragment, the determination of its sequence. The 550-amino acid CPMO polypeptide (Mr, 62,111) encoded by the gene was found to have 36.5% identity with the sequence of cyclohexanone 1,2-monooxygenase (CHMO) of Acinetobacter sp. strain NCIMB 9871. The 62-kDa CPMO was expressed in E. coli as an IPTG-inducible protein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include polynucleotides that encode mutant Cnidarian luciferases that exhibit modulated properties as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferases, and the modulated properties include at least one of: modulated stability; enhanced light output; and modulated emission maximum. Embodiments of the present disclosure also include polypeptides or fragments thereof encoded by the polynucleotides, constructs including the polynucleotide, expression cassettes, cells, methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides, antibodies, transgenic cells and/or animals, kits, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel all-trans-RA inducible all-trans-RA metabolizing cytochrome P450, P450RAI-2, that is predominantly expressed in the brain, cerebellum in particular. Human P450RAI-2 show 42% amino acid identity to human P450RAI-1 and when transfected into COS-1 cells causes the rapid conversion of all-trans-RA into more polar metabolites including the inactive products 4-oxo-RA, 4-OH-RA and 18-OH-RA. P450RAI-2, as with P450RAI-1, is also inducible in certain cultured cell lines exposed to all-trans-RA. Methods for and uses of the new polynucleotide, polypeptide, fragments thereof and inhibitors thereof, include the treatment of dermatological disorders and cancer.