Abstract: By using a bioluminescence, a method for detection of a monovalent cation is provided and the method is a high sensitive and simple method. According to the present invention, an amino acid sequence of symplectin and a base sequence encoding the protein are provided. Symplectin is a photoprotein derived from Symplectoteuthis oualaniensis (okinawan squid). By using the photoprotein of the present invention, a monovalant cation can be detected by luminescence in the presence of a chromophore.

Abstract: Thermostable omega-transaminases, particularly thermostable omega-transaminases which have a high reaction rate and which are tolerant to high concentrations of donor amine, can be used to enrich enantiomerically a mixture of chiral amines or to synthesize stereoselectively one of a pair of chiral amines in which the amino group is bound to a non-terminal, chirally substituted, carbon atom.

Abstract: The invention provides modification to the polynucleotide coding sequence for Pichia angusta NAD (P)H: nitrate reductase [YNaR1; GenBank accession number Z49110], which has Enzyme Commission number 1.7.1.2 (formerly EC 1.6.6.2), yielding the polynucleotide coding sequence for simplified eukaryotic nitrate reductase (S-NaR1). The invention also provides a method for recombinant expression of said polynucleotide code in the cells of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris to produce the polypeptide for S-NaR1, which binds the host-produced molybdenum-molybdopterin cofactor and intracellularly forms catalytically active, nitrate-reducing enzyme as small and stable multimeric proteins. The invention also provides a method for rapid and high-yielding purification of S-NaR1 by utilizing the hexa-histidine sequence at the carboxyl-terminus of said polypeptide for immobilized metal affinity chromatography.

Abstract: Compositions for accurately assaying a glycated protein by: 1) avoiding effects of globulin and ascorbic acid components, 2) siabilizing proteases and at least enzymes acting on glycated amino acids; 3) accurately assaying albumin; and 4) assaying glycated albumin while avoiding the effects of glycated hemoglobin, and an assay method are provided. Thus, the contents of a glycated protein and glycated albumin can be more accurately determined.

Abstract: Thermostable omega-transaminases, particularly thermostable omega-transaminases which have a high reaction rate and which are tolerant to high concentrations of donor amine, can be used to enrich enantiomerically a mixture of chiral amines or to synthesize stereoselectively one of a pair of chiral amines in which the amino group is bound to a non-terminal, chirally substituted, carbon atom.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid sequence encoding enantioselective amides with an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention also relates to a process for fermentation, comprising a batch and a feed phase, of a microorganism in a fermentation medium, wherein the microorganism expresses a nucleic acid according to the invention and wherein between 0.5 and 50 mg of Zn2+/ml of fermentation medium is fed during the fermentation. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of enatiomerically enriched carboxylic acid and/or an enatiomerically enriched carboxylic acid amide, in which a mixture of corresponding D- and L-carboxylic acid amides is contacted with a expression product according to the invention in the presence of 0.01 mM–100 mM Zn2+, whereby one of the enantiomers of the carboxylic acid amide is enatiomerically hydrolysed to from corresponding enatiomerically enriched carboxylic acid, while the other enantiomer of the carboxylic acid amide remains unchanged.

Abstract: A protein having been modified by addition, deletion, insertion or substitution of at least one amino acid in an amino acid sequence constituting a protein having a sarcosine oxidase activity and still having the sarcosine oxidase activity, characterized by having an improved stability in the state of a liquid compared with the unmodified one and/or having a lowered action on L-proline compared with the unmodified one. A sarcosine oxidase having at least one of the following characteristics, i.e., an action on L-proline being 0.7% or less based on sarcosine and a Km value to L-proline being 150 mM or more, when measured at 37° C. and pH 8.0; a process for producing sarcosine oxidase having an excellent substrate specificity which comprises culturing a microorganism capable of producing sarcosine oxidase and collecting the sarcosine oxidase from the culture medium; and a reagent for measuring creatinine which contains the sarcosine oxidase.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant microorganisms which, in comparison to the starting organism, have a higher concentration or activity of a D-amino acid oxidase, of an L-amino acid dehydrogenase, of an NADH cosubstrate regenerating enzyme and, if necessary, of a catalase. The invention also includes methods for preparing L-amino acids from D-amino acids using of these microorganisms.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a series of genes are identified in Group B Streptococcus, the products of which may be located on the outer surface of the organism. The genes, or functional fragments thereof, may be useful in the preparation of therapeutics, e.g. vaccines for the immunization of a patient against microbial infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutants and alleles of the coryneform bacterium mqo gene which encodes malate quinone oxidoreductases which contain any amino acid apart from L-serine at position 111, or a comparable position, in the amino acid sequence, and to processes for fermentatively preparing amino acids, preferably L-lysine, L-tryptophan and L-proline, using bacteria which comprise these alleles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding nitric oxide synthases. The isolated nucleic acid molecules and their encoded protein or polypeptides are useful in methods for attaching a nitrogen group to a target moiety of a compound and for synthesizing a nitrogen-modified compound in a transgenic host cell. The present invention also relates to expression systems and host cells containing the nucleic acids of the present invention, as well as a method of recombinantly producing the nitric oxide synthases of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the deracemisation or chiral inversion of chiral amines by enzymatic treatment. The method employs a stereoselective enzymatic conversion and either a non-selective or partially selective chemical or enzymatic conversion, simultaneously or sequentially. The invention also provides a method for selecting a suitable enzyme, particularly a suitable amine oxidase, and for the generation of novel enzymes suitable for use in the deracemisation method.

Abstract: Methods for chemically transforming compounds using a mutated enzyme are provided, and more particularly a method for the production of an amino acid from a target 2-ketoacid, the production of an amine from a target ketone and the production of an alcohol from a target ketone. The methods comprise creating a mutated enzyme that catalyzes the reductive amination or transamination of the target 2-ketoacid or ketone or the reduction of the ketone and providing the mutated enzyme in a reaction mixture comprising the target 2-ketoacid or ketone under conditions sufficient to permit the formation of the desired amino acid, amine or alcohol to thereby produce the amino acid, amine or alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for the prophylaxis and treatment of parasitic infections in animals and birds. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method for the prophylaxis and treatment of Plasmodium infection in mammals and the prophylaxis and treatment of disease conditions caused or exacerbated by Plasmodium. Even more particularly, the present invention is directed to a method for the prophylaxis and treatment of malaria including ameliorating the clinical effects of malaria and agents useful for same.

Abstract: Thermostable omega-transaminases, particularly thermostable omega-transaminases which have a high reaction rate and which are tolerant to high concentrations of donor amine, can be used to enrich enantiomerically a mixture of chiral amines or to synthesize stereoselectively one of a pair of chiral amines in which the amino group is bound to a non-terminal, chirally substituted, carbon atom.

Abstract: A biosensor method and apparatus for detecting and measuring nitrate. The biosensor is based on the fluorescence properties of a receptor molecule fragment. The biosensor apparatus contains the active-site fragment of the receptor molecule for detecting nitrate. Both the biosensor method and apparatus provide reversible and sensitive detection of nitrate in the form of a versatile method and device.

Abstract: It is intended to provide means of efficiently, economically and conveniently dyeing fibers or hair, bleaching pulp or fibers, removing phenol compounds from liquid wastes, degrading endocrine disruptors, producing phenolic resins, producing artificial lacquer coatings, improving wood qualities, etc. A culture of a strain belonging to the genus Flammulina; a culture originating in the above strain which is obtained by culturing the strain at a pH value exceeding 7 and has a phenol oxidase-like activity; a process for producing the culture; a dyeing method which comprises contacting a subject to be dyed with a dye in the presence of the above culture; and a dyeing composition containing the above culture.

Abstract: A modified sarcosine oxidase having a lowered activity for N-ethylglycine. Such a modified oxidase may have the following physicochemical properties: (a) action: hydrolyzes 1 mol of sarcosine to produce 1 mol of glycine and 1 mol of formaldehyde; (b) substrate specificity: reactivity for N-ethylglycine is 70% or less compared with that of an unmodified protein; (c) optimal pH: around 8.0; (d) stable pH range: between 6.5 and 11.0; (e) optimal temperature: 55° C.; (f) thermostability: 55° C. or less; and (g) molecular weight: approximately 43,000 (SDS-PAGE). Genes, vectors and host cells encoding or expressing modified sarcosine oxidases. The modified sarcosine oxidases of the present invention can be used as reagents for measuring creatinine or creatine. The reagents containing the modified sarcosine oxidases used therein are hardly affected by N-ethylglycine, enabling more precise measurement than ever before.

Abstract: Genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), tyrosine ammonia lyase (TAL) and phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) have been introduced into a host organism for the production of Para-hydroxycinnamic acid (PHCA). The introduction of these genes results in the redirection of carbon flow in the host, optimizing the flow of carbon from glucose to PHCA. The intermediates, tyrosine and cinnamic acid are also produced.

Abstract: Genes isolated from Methylomonas sp. 16a have been determined to play a role in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. Specifically, crtN2 gene has the ability to produce omega-aldehyde functional groups on carotenogenic substrates, while the ald gene produced omega carboxyl functional groups. These genes will be useful for production of high levels of functionalized carotenoid compounds, especially those produced in microorganisms which metabolize single carbon substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel fructosyl amino acid oxidase that is excellent in thermal stability. Moreover, the present invention provides a fructosyl amino acid oxidase gene encoding the novel fructosyl amino acid oxidase, a recombinant DNA in which the gene is inserted into a vector DNA, a transformant or transductant containing this gene, and a process for producing the novel fructosyl amino acid oxidase, which comprises culturing the transformant or transductant in a medium and collecting the novel fructosyl amino acid oxidase from the culture product.

Abstract: Utilizing a what embryo cell-free protein synthesis system, there are provided a process for the production of selenomethionine-labeled protein, characterized in that, methionine in a wheat embryo extract for a cell-free protein synthesis obtained by a complete removal of endosperm contaminated is changed to selenomethionine and a cell-free protein synthesis is carried out using a reaction solution composition for protein synthesis containing selenomethionine instead of methionine under a batch condition or a dialysis condition and also the said protein produced as such. There are further provided a process for the production of heavy hydrogen-labeled protein using the same means and also the said protein produced as such.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of nucleic acid fragments from Methylamons sp. that encode enzymes involved in denitrification. The enzymes arc useful in denitrification reactions and for the identification of other denitrifying bacteria. In addition, this invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all or a substantial portion of the present genes in sense or antisense orientation, wherein the expression of the chimeric genes results in production of altered levels of the present gene products in the recombinant host.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human guanosine monophosphate reductase (HGMPR) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HGMPR. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HGMPR and a method for producing HGMPR. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding HGMPR, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HGMPR. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HGMPR for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HGMPR. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding HGMPR.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel method for the preparation of a 2-keto carboxylic acid from carbon dioxide by an enzymatic addition reaction with an aldehyde compound. Carbon dioxide, which can be in the form of carbonate ions, is reacted with an aldehyde compound such as acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde under mild reaction conditions in the presence of a decarboxylase to give a 2-keto carboxylic acid such as pyruvic and a 2-ketobutyric acid by a reverse reaction to the enzymatic decarboxylation reaction. The scope of the invention involves contribution to a solution of the environmental problem of global warming due to carbon dioxide as a greenhouse effect gas in the aerospace.

Abstract: Regulation of expression of programmed cell death, including senescence, in plants is achieved by integration of a gene or gene fragment encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase, senescence-induced elF-5A or both into the plant genome in antisense orientation. Plant genes encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase and senescence-induced elF-5A are identified and the nucleotide sequences of each, alone and in combination are used to modify senescence in transgenic plants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to uricase modified with polyethylene glycol and to methods of treating different illnesses characterized by increased circulating uric acid levels, including but not limited to, hyperuricemia and tumor lysis syndrome.

Abstract: Transgenic microbial strains are provided which contain the genes required for PHA formation integrated on the chromosome. The strains are advantageous in PHA production processes, because (1) no plasmids need to be maintained, generally obviating the required use of antibiotics or other stabilizing pressures, and (2) no plasmid loss occurs, thereby stabilizing the number of gene copies per cell throughout the fermentation process, resulting in homogeneous PHA product formation throughout the production process. Genes are integrated using standard techniques, preferably transposon mutagenesis. In a preferred embodiment wherein mutiple genes are incorporated, these are incorporated as an operon. Sequences are used to stabilize mRNA, to induce expression as a function of culture conditions (such as phosphate concentration), temperature, and stress, and to aid in selection, through the incorporation of selection markers such as markers conferring antibiotic resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable lyophilized PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase composition comprising a PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase together with (i) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, ?-ketoglutaric acid, malic acid, ?-ketogluconic acid, ?-cyclodextrin and their salts and (ii) an albumin.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a delta-6 desaturase or sphingolipid desaturase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the delta-6 desaturase or sphingolipid desaturase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the delta-6 desaturase or sphingolipid desaturase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Regulation of expression of programmed cell death, including senescence, in plants is achieved by integration of a gene or gene fragment encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase, senescence-induced elF-5A or both into the plant genome in antisense orientation. Plant genes encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase and senescence-induced elF-5A are identified and the nucleotide sequences of each, alone and in combination are used to modify senescence in transgenic plants.

Abstract: A new aldehyde dehydrogenase having the physico-chemical properties: molecular weight:150,000±6,000 or 230,000±9,000; substrate specificity active on aldehyde compounds; cofactors:pyrroloquinoline quinone and heme c; optimum pH: 7.0-8.5; and inhibitors: Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, monoiodoacetate and EDTA, is derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Gluconobacter. Said aldehyde dehydrogenase can be produced by cultivating a microorganism of the genus Gluconobacter which is capable of producing an aldehyde dehydrogenase having the above properties, in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions, disrupting the cells of the microorganism and isolating and purifying the aldehyde dehydrogenase from the cell-free extract of the disrupted cells of the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for economically producing N-acetylneuraminic acid without using expensive materials such as pyruvic acid and phosphoenolpyruvic acid. The process comprises: allowing (i) a culture of a microorganism having N-acetylneuraminic acid aldolase activity or N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase activity, or a treated matter of the culture, (ii) a culture of a microorganism capable of producing pyruvic acid or a treated matter of the culture, or a culture of a microorganism capable of producing phosphoenolpyruvic acid or a treated matter of the culture, (iii) N-acetylmannosamine, and (iv) an energy source which is necessary for the formation of pyruvic acid or phosphoenolpyruvic acid to be present in an aqueous medium to form and accumulate N-acetylneuraminic acid in the aqueous medium; and recovering N-acetylneuraminic acid from the aqueous medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a tetrahydrofolate metabolism enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the tetrahydrofolate metabolism enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the tetrahydrofolate metabolism enzyme in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A 7,916 base pair nucleic acid fragment from Bacillus megaterium is disclosed. The fragment encodes five proteins, PhaP, PhaQ, PhaR, PhaB, 09 and PhaC, shown or inferred to be involved in the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoate materials.

Abstract: The present invention discloses arginine deiminase that is genetically modified for more efficient manufacturing and processing. The present invention discloses recombinant DNA molecules and vectors and other therapeutic and pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention also discloses methods for preparing modified arginine deiminase as well as methods of treating cancer and other disease states using modified arginine deiminase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new NOS variants or mutants which contain structural alterations in the site of Akt dependent phosphorylation. The altered NOS proteins or peptides, especially the human eNOS proteins or peptides, Akt proteins or polypeptides and their encoding nucleic acid molecules are useful as gene therapy agents for the treatment of diseases including post angioplasty restenosis, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, diabetes and diseases with defective angiogenesis. NOS proteins and peptides are also useful in methods of screening for agents which modulate NOS activity.

Abstract: A protein, which is an aminoketone asymmetric reductase, having an effect of producing d-pseudoephedrine by acting on l-2-methylaminopropiophenone, and having the following physiochemical properties:

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: Polynucleotides and the corresponding polypeptides of cloned mammalian polyamine oxidase (PAO) (including various isoforms and truncated forms) are provided. Also provided are antibodies to cloned mammalian PAO, and vectors and host cells containing cloned PAO, and methods for their use.

Abstract: A material includes a surface and a reactive agent that is located at the surface of the material, covalently attached to a backbone of the material, and/or located within the material. The reactive agent has nitrite reductase activity, nitrate reductase activity, and/or nitrosothiol reductase activity. The reactive agent also converts at least one of nitrites, nitrates and nitrosothiols to nitric oxide when in contact with blood. A reproducible nitrosothiol sensor is also disclosed.

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: Provided are an isolated gene capable of participating in the production of L-homoglutamic acid, and a production system of L-homoglutamic acid by using this gene. The gene is derived from the genome of Flavobacterium lutescens.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a plant enzyme that catalyzes steps in the biosynthesis of lysine, threonine, methionine, cysteine and isoleucine from aspartate, the enzyme a member selected from the group consisting of: dihydrodipicolinate reductase, diaminopimelate epimerase, threonine synthase, threonine deaminase and S-adenosylmethionine synthetase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the enzyme in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: By using a bioluminescence, a method for detection of a monovalent cation is provided and the method is a high sensitive and simple method. According to the present invention, an amino acid sequence of symplectin and a base sequence encoding the protein are provided. Symplectin is a photoprotein derived from Symplectoteuthis oualaniensis (okinawan squid). By using the photoprotein of the present invention, a monovalant cation can be detected by luminescence in the presence of a chromophore.

Abstract: A new cytosine deaminase gene and protein from Candida kefyr are provided. This protein has increased ability to convert the 5-fluorocytosine prodrug to its toxic form when compared against the E. coli enzyme.

Abstract: A highly conserved active site helix present within the P-450 superfamily of proteins is found also in monoamine oxidase (MAO) B, a major enzyme that catalyzes deamination of neuro- and vaso-active amines in the nervous system of mammals. Mutation within the conserved region of the MAO B enzyme directly reduces MAO B's activity and alters its pH profile, which allows for indirect regulation of the cellular neurotransmitters and vasoamines.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the discovery of molecules that target an essential step of bacterial DNA replication—the sealing of DNA strands by NAD+-dependent DNA ligase. Specific structural components of NAD+-dependent DNA ligase that are important for the reaction of DNA ligase with NAD+ and that comprise a putative binding site for the NMN component of NAD+ were identified. The invention also includes recombinant DNA ligase enzymes that are defective in their reaction with NAD+, but active in the ligation of pre-adenylated DNA nicks. An underlying principle of this invention is the use of NAD+-reactive and NAD+-defective ligases to identify molecules that specifically bind to the NAD+-binding site of DNA ligase and thereby interfere with the reaction of DNA ligase with NAD+.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel lysyl oxidase genes, termed EER-7. The invention relates to the protein and nucleic acids encoding the protein. The invention further relates to an assay system to identify compounds that selectively modulate EER-7 protein activity by interaction with estrogen receptors.

Abstract: A naturally occurring or recombinant protein, especially a mutein of porcine urate oxidase (uricase), that is essentially free of large aggregates can be rendered substantially non-immunogenic by conjugation with a sufficiently small number of strands of polymer such that the bioactivity of the protein is essentially retained in the conjugate. Such conjugates are unusually well suited for treatment of chronic conditions because they are less likely to induce the formation of antibodies and/or accelerated clearance than are similar conjugates prepared from protein preparations containing traces of large aggregates.