Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel glucose dehydrogenase, a method for producing the glucose dehydrogenase, and applications of the glucose dehydrogenase. An isolated flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase comprising a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence with 80% or more identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and having glucose dehydrogenase activity is provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) enzymes with increased KM for NADH and GPD enzymes with substantially the same affinity for NADH and NADPH and/or are feedback inhibited by glycerol-3-phosphate. Also provided herein are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a deletion or disruption in an endogenous gene encoding GPD. Also provided are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a butanol biosynthetic pathway. Further provided are methods of producing butanol comprising providing the recombinant microorganisms described herein and contacting the recombinant microorganism with at least one fermentable carbon substrate under conditions wherein butanol is produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of glucuronic and glucaric acid in cells through recombinant expression of myo-inositol 1-phosphate synthase, myo-inositol oxygenase and uronate dehydrogenase. Cloning and characterization of the gene encoding uronate dehydrogenase is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, kits and methods are disclosed for assaying cholesterol with a cholesterol oxidase mutant that has been modified at an amino acid residue involved in the active site. The cholesterol oxidase mutant has reduced oxidase activity while substantially maintaining its dehydrogenase activity.

Abstract: Described is a nucleic acid sequence isolated from Persicaria hydropiper and encoding a drimenol oxidase protein, expression vectors comprising such nucleic acid sequence, chimeric genes comprising such nucleic acid sequence, host cells or host organisms altered to harbour the drimenol oxidase nucleic acid sequence, and the drimenol oxidase protein itself. Methods for producing cinnamolide and/or drimendiol and/or enhanced levels of cinnamolide and/or drimendiol, in a cell or organism harbouring such nucleic acid sequence are provided. Transgenic organisms comprising the nucleic acid sequence or a chimeric gene of the invention are also provided. The present invention especially relates to transgenic plants with enhanced resistance to insects and enhanced insect antifeedant properties.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting the coenzyme dependency of enzymes of the medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (MDR) family. A further object of the present invention is to provide enzyme variants of the MDR family whose coenzyme dependency is converted by the conversion method and a method for enzymatically producing optically active alcohols using the enzymes. The present inventors developed a novel enzyme conversion method for converting the coenzyme dependency of enzymes of the MDR family, rationally designed enzyme variants that are altered by the enzyme conversion method to be able to use NADPH as a coenzyme from a useful enzyme of the MDR family that uses NADH as a coenzyme, and actually provide variants having such an ability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel hydrogenases isolated from novel hyperthermophilic strains belonging to Thermococcus spp., genes encoding the hydrogenases, and methods of producing hydrogen using strains having the genes. According to the hydrogen production methods of the invention, a large amount of hydrogen can be produced merely by culturing the strains in specific culture conditions. Thus, the methods of the invention have advantages in that they are more economic and efficient than existing hydrogen production methods and can produce hydrogen even at high temperature.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, kits and methods are disclosed for assaying glucose with a glucose oxidase mutant that has been modified at an amino acid residue involved in the active site. The glucose oxidase mutant has reduced oxidase activity while substantially maintaining its dehydrogenase activity.

Abstract: Highly productive D-lactic acid fermentation uses a transformant obtained by introducing into a host cell a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide according to any one of the following (A) to (C) in such a manner that the polypeptide is expressed, which polypeptide has a D-lactate dehydrogenase activity higher than those of conventional polypeptides: (A) a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 2; (B) a polypeptide having the same amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 2 except that one or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, inserted and/or added, which polypeptide has a D-lactate dehydrogenase activity; and (C) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence which has a sequence identity of not less than 80% to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 2, which polypeptide has a D-lactate dehydrogenase activity.

Abstract: Engineered mutant xylose reductases demonstrate higher preference to xylose than arabinose. Amino acid mutations were engineered in to native xylose reductase from Neurospora crassa. Mutant xylose reductases are useful in the production of xylitol and ethanol.

Abstract: The instant invention refers to a novel process for potentiating the production of substances with antifungal activity obtained from Ganoderma lucidum, using a technological device for the differential, qualitative and quantitative expression of proteins and other bioactive molecules, selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, triterpenoids, fatty acids and ganoderic acids. The compositions containing said substances showed antifungal activity and mycelium growth and fungi ascospore germination inhibiting activity, amongst them Mycosphaerella fijiensis, primary pathogenic agent causing black Sigatoka disease in banana and plantain crop fields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein having an activity to promote fatty acid chain elongation, a polynucleotide encoding the same, etc. The present invention provides, for example, a polynucleotide containing the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 4, a polynucleotide encoding a protein which consists of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, an expression vector and a transformant, each containing such a polynucleotide, a method for preparing lipids or fatty acids by using such a transformant, or a food or the like containing lipids or fatty acids prepared by such a method.

Abstract: There are provided a novel ribitol dehydrogenase, a residue determining double coenzyme specificity, and a method for preparing L-ribulose using the same, and more particularly, to a ribitol dehydrogenase producing rare sugars, nucleic acid molecules encoding the same, a vector including the nucleic acid molecules, a transformant including the vector, a mutant of the ribitol dehydrogenase, and a method for preparing L-ribulose using the ribitol dehydrogenase. The ribitol dehydrogenase having double coenzyme specificity, which is derived from Zymomonas mobilis, can effectively be used for preparing high-priced rare sugars and an investigation of coenzyme specificity determinants for the ribitol dehydrogenase is applied for all of dedydrogenases as a based technique.

Abstract: A method of treatment of a human or animal body surface infection, particularly a fungal infection, comprises applying an aqueous liquid to the infected body surface, e.g. nail region, followed by applying a dressing comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide. Also provided is a combination of the liquid and dressing for use in the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of designing and generating glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH) variants that have altered function as compared to a parent polypeptide. The present invention further provides nucleic acids encoding GlyDH polypeptide variants having altered function as compared to the parent polypeptide. Host cells comprising polynucleotides encoding GlyDH variants and methods of producing lactic acids are also provided in various aspects of the invention.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing a saccharide, by contacting the saccharide with an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzyme selected from a quinone redox cofactor-dependent ADH, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) redox cofactor-dependent ADH, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) redox cofactor-dependent ADH, and any combination thereof is described. An oxidized saccharide obtainable by the method and products, in particular food products and paper products, containing the oxidized saccharide, are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a genetic modification of moderately thermophilic Bacillus species that are facultative anaerobic and homolactic. The method includes introducing DNA cloned in a thermosensitive plasmid system containing a pSH71 replicon or a homologue thereof into cells of a moderately thermophilic Bacillus species that is facultative anaerobic and homolactic; culturing the cells on a selective medium at a permissive temperature to select transformed cells; culturing the transformed cells on a selective medium at a non-permissive temperature to select transformed cells capable of growing on the selective medium at the non-permissive temperature. The method can modify the Bacilli for R-lactic acid production, production of other organic acids than lactic acid, alcohol, enzymes, amino acids, and vitamins. The Bacillus species may be modified by replacing the S-lactate dehydrogenase gene by a DNA construct including a DNA sequence encoding R-lactate dehydrogenase.

Abstract: A glucose dehydrogenase, which is an enzyme that has 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 obtained by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Burkholderia. A glucose sensor utilizing the glucose dehydrogenase protein is described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to engineered ketoreductase polypeptides and uses thereof for the preparation of ? chloroalcohols from ? chloroketones. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase polypeptides and host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase polypeptides.

Abstract: Enzyme compositions including at least a) a cocktail of cellulases from Trichoderma reesei, and b) an enzymatic cocktail from Pycnoporus cinnabarinus including a cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) or c) a recombinant cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) from Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, preferably also including a Family 61 glycoside hydrolase. Also, methods for degrading a lignocellulosic biomass, for producing a fermentation product, for producing gluconic acid, xylonic acid and/or xylobionic acid, for enhancing the production of gluconic acid, xylonic acid and/or xylobionic acid or for increasing the yield of sugars from a lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: Described is a method for generating conjugated dienes through a biological process. More specifically, the application describes a method for producing conjugated dienes (for example butadiene, isoprene or dimethylbutadiene) from light alkenols via enzymatic dehydration, in particular by making use of an alkenol dehydratase.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses: [1] a DNA encoding the protein of any one of (i) a protein comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (ii) a protein comprising a sequence with one to ten amino acid deletions, substitutions, or additions in the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, and having fructosyl peptide oxidase activity; (iii) a protein comprising a sequence having 99% or higher homology to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, and having fructosyl peptide oxidase activity; and (iv) a protein having fructosyl peptide oxidase activity, which is encoded by an expression plasmid harbored by the strain deposited under Accession No. FERM BP-11026; [2] a DNA comprising the of SEQ ID NO: 2; and [3] a DNA that hybridizes under stringent conditions with a DNA comprising a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO: 2, where the DNA encodes a protein having fructosyl peptide oxidase activity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in some aspects, to cell-free methods and systems for large-scale conversion of methane to isobutanol, comprising combining, in a bioreactor at elevated pressure, methane, oxygen, and cell lysates containing methane monooxygenase, methanol dehydrogenase, and enzymes that catalyze the conversion of formaldehyde to isobutanol, to form a cell-free reaction mixture, and incubating under suitable conditions the cell-free reaction to convert methane to isobutanol.

Abstract: The invention relates to suitable candidate alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes for production of lower alkyl alcohols including isobutanol. The invention also relates to recombinant host cells that comprise such ADH enzymes and methods for producing lower alkyl alcohols in the same.

Abstract: An expression vector which is capable of overexpressing a protein of interest in a host cell, a host cell comprising the expression vector, and a method of producing a protein of interest are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell having an elevated expression or activity of an enzyme as compared with the parent cell from which it has been derived, said enzyme having lactoyl-CoA reductase activity. Furthermore, provided is a method of producing lactaldehyde and/or 1,2-propanediol, said method comprising culturing said host cell and/or utilizing said enzyme to produce said compound.

Abstract: Hydroxycarboxylic acids are produced by using a microorganism that is improved in ability to regenerate oxidized-type nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by being provided with an enhanced NADH dehydrogenase function by introducing a gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase into a microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mutants of PQQ s-GDH containing an amino acid substitution in position 428 of the protein sequence of the wild type PQQ s-GDH of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (SEQ.ID. NO:2). The invention also relates to the use of said PQQ s-GDH mutants for the development of glucose electrodes of interest in the assay of glucose, in particular of blood glucose in diabetic subjects, and for implementing biofuel cells that utilize glucose as fuel.

Abstract: The present invention provides Nannochloropsis consensus Kozak sequences for use in protein expression in eukaryotic cells, such as algal cells. The invention further provides expression constructs, expression cassettes, cloning or expression vectors and host eukaryotic cells, such as algal cells, and methods for expressing proteins of interest which take advantage of the consensus Kozak sequences as described herein.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel glucose dehydrogenase, a method for producing the glucose dehydrogenase, and applications of the glucose dehydrogenase. An isolated flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase comprising a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence with 80% or more identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and having glucose dehydrogenase activity is provided.

Abstract: Recombinant processes are provided whereby additional genes are introduced into E. coli which have been genetically engineered to produce PHA so that the improved strains produce PHA homopolymers and copolymers directly from diols. In preferred embodiments, PHAs containing 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers are produced directly from 1,4-butanediol; PHAs containing 5-hydroxyvalerate are produced from 1,5-pentanediol; PHAs containing 6-hydroxyhexanoate (6HH) are produced from 1,6-hexanediol; PHAs containing 3-hydroxypropionate are produced from 1,3-propanediol; PHAs containing 2-hydroxypropionate (lactate) are produced from 1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol); PHAs containing 2-hydroxyethanoate (glycolate) are produced from 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol). Genes encoding these same enzyme activities can be introduced or their expression amplified in wild type PHA producers to improve the production of PHA homopolymers and copolymers directly from diol and other alcohol feedstocks.

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: Embodiments of the invention include analyte-responsive compositions and electrochemical analyte sensors having a sensing layer that includes an analyte-responsive enzyme and a cationic polymer. Also provided are systems and methods of making the sensors and using the electrochemical analyte sensors in analyte monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 3-hydroxypropionate dehydrogenase 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 provides methods and compositions suitable for use in the conversion of xylose to xylitol and xylulose, including nucleic acid constructs, recombinant fungal host cells, and related materials.

Abstract: A glucose dehydrogenase, 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 obtained by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Burkholderia, particularly Burkholderia cepacia. The glucose dehydrogenase produced by the microorganism is collected from the medium and/or from the cells of the microorganism.

Abstract: A glucose dehydrogenase, 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 obtained by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Burkholderia, particularly Burkholderia cepacia. The glucose dehydrogenase produced by the microorganism is collected from the medium and/or from the cells of the microorganism.

Abstract: Networks of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) decorated with Au-coated Pd (Au/Pd) nanocubes are employed as electrochemical biosensors that exhibit excellent sensitivity (2.6 mA mM?1 cm?2) and a low estimated detection limit (2.3 nM) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 (S/N=3) in the amperometric sensing of hydrogen peroxide. Biofunctionalization of the Au/Pd nanocube-SWCNT biosensor is demonstrated with the selective immobilization of fluorescently labeled streptavidin on the nanocube surfaces via thiol linking. Similarly, glucose oxidase (GOx) is linked to the surface of the nanocubes for amperometric glucose sensing. The exhibited glucose detection limit of 1.3_M (S/N=3) and linear range spanning from 10 ?M to 50 mM substantially surpass other CNT-based biosensors.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps (a) contacting a hydrocarbon comprising a hydroxyl group with a biological agent having oxygen-dependent and cofactor-dependent carbohydrate oxidase activity in the presence of oxygen and carbohydrate oxidase cofactor, and (b) contacting the hydrocarbon produced in step a) with a biological agent having transaminase activity and a biological agent having cofactor-dependent amino acid dehydrogenase activity in the presence of amino acid dehydrogenase cofactor and the substrate amino acid of the amino acid dehydrogenase.

Abstract: Genetically engineered organisms for production of PHA copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers and the methods of making and using thereof have been developed. The copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers can be synthesized via biosynthesis by the action of a PHA polymerase in a living cell. By changing the genetic background of the cells, one can control specific metabolic pathways allowing control of the level of glycolic acid co-monomer in the PHA polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides members that produce on a large scale a coenzyme-linked glucose dehydrogenase which has excellent substrate-recognizing ability toward glucose while providing low action on maltose. The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding a soluble coenzyme-linked glucose dehydrogenase that catalyzes the oxidation of glucose in the presence of an electron acceptor and has an activity toward maltose of 5% or lower; a polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide; a recombinant vector carrying the polynucleotide; a transformed cell produced using the recombinant vector; a method for producing a polypeptide comprising culturing the transformed cell and collecting from the cultivated products a polypeptide that links to FAD to exert the glucose dehydration activity; a method for determination of glucose using the polypeptide; a reagent composition for determination of glucose; and a biosensor.

Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.

Abstract: Polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity are provided. Also disclosed are recombinant host cells comprising isobutanol biosynthetic pathways employing such polypeptides. Methods for producing isobutanol employing host cells comprising the polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for measuring cholesterol in low-density lipoprotein contained in a sample, which comprises reacting a sample with (i) a combination of cholesterol ester hydrolase and cholesterol oxidase or (ii) a combination of cholesterol ester hydrolase, an oxidized coenzyme and cholesterol dehydrogenase in the presence of: [a] a polyoxyethylene-polyoxyalkylene alkylaryl ether; [b] one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyethylene-polyoxyalkylene copolymer, a polyoxyethylene alkenyl ether, a polyoxyethylene branched alkyl ether, and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxyalkylene branched alkyl ether; [c] one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of a primary amine, a secondary amine, a tertiary amine, and a quaternary ammonium; and [d] a polyanion, and measuring a substance formed or consumed in the reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel 7?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mutants, to the sequences which encode these enzyme mutants, to processes for the preparation of the enzyme mutants and to their use in enzymatic reactions of cholic acid compounds, in particular in the preparation of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCS). The invention also relates to novel processes for the synthesis of UDCS using the enzyme mutants; and to the preparation of UDCS using recombinant, multiply-modified microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and means for the bioengineered fermentative production of solvents, in particular of butanol, acetone and ethanol, and of short-chained carboxylic acids such as acetic acid and butyric acid, in particular in host cells of the species Clostridium. The invention provides new methods and means for regulating the expression of the enzyme activities involved in acid production and or solvent production of the host cell.

Abstract: The invention in principle pertains to the field of recombinant manufacture of alkaloids and, in particular, cycloclavine. It provides polynucleotides for the gene cluster of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of cycloclavin as well as vectors and host cells comprising such polynucleotides. Also provided are polypeptides encoded by the said polynucleotides which can be applied in a method for the manufacture of cycloclavine also encompassed by the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions suitable for use in the conversion of xylose to xylitol and xylulose, including nucleic acid constructs, recombinant fungal host cells, and related materials.

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.

Abstract: This invention provides a description of novel polypeptides and nucleotide sequences having gluco-oligosaccharide oxidase (GOOX) activity. The polypeptides of the invention can be used for enzymatic processes that modify carbohydrates from wood fiber. These polypeptides can be used in the oxidation of C6 and C5 mono- and oligomeric sugars. These polypeptides can also be used for the oxidation of glucose, xylose, galactose, NAG, xylo-oligosaccharides, cello-oligosaccharides. The novel polypeptides of the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts.