Abstract: The invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a bifunctional sialytransferase and a poly-sialytransferase and methods to use the fusion proteins for production of poly-sialylated end products, e.g. oligosaccharides and glycoproteins.

Abstract: Described is a method for the production of 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid by enzyme-catalyzed covalent bond formation between the carbon atom of the oxo group of acetone and the methyl group of a compound which provides an activated acetyl group. Also described are recombinant organisms which produce 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid, and related compositions and methods.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated cellulose synthase nucleic acids and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering cellulose synthase levels in plants. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, and transgenic plants comprising said nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided is a microorganism that can display, on the cell surface, any molecules other than a molecule comprising amino acids, more specifically, a microorganism that displays biotin on a cell surface. The microorganism is capable of co-expressing a biotinylating enzyme and an acceptor peptide having a sequence recognized by the biotinylating enzyme, wherein the acceptor peptide is expressed on the cell surface, so that lysine of the acceptor peptide is biotinylated to display biotin on the cell surface. Also provided is a method for displaying an intended molecule, including not only a molecule comprising amino acids but also any molecules, on a cell surface of a microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having glucoamylase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence of the Coactivator Associated arginine (R) Methyltransferase protein, CARM1. A method is described for the use CARM1 to regulate gene expression in vivo. CARM1 has also been used to methylate arginine residues of histones, synthetic peptides, and other proteins. A method to use CARM1 to screen for drugs that inhibit its methyltransferase activity is also described, as is a method to screen for drugs that modulate CARM1's interactions with other proteins.

Abstract: It has surprisingly been discovered that it is possible to use enzymes in deep eutectic solvents (DES). DES's are mixtures of a nitrogen salt or a metal salt and a strong hydrogen bond donor that can be mixed in proportions that form a eutectic point.

Abstract: [Problem] Providing a methodology for improving a yield of 2R,4R-Monatin. [Means for solving the Problem] A method for producing 2S,4R-Monatin or a salt thereof, comprising contacting 4R-IHOG with an L-aminotransferase in the presence of an L-amino acid to form the 2S,4R-Monatin; a method for producing 2R,4R-Monatin or a salt thereof, comprising isomerizing the 2S,4R-Monatin to form the 2R,4R-Monatin; and the like. These production methods may further comprise condensing indole-3-pyruvate and pyruvate to form the 4R-IHOG, and oxidizing a tryptophan to form the indole-3-pyruvate.

Abstract: The teachings provided herein are generally directed to a method of converting lignin-derived compounds to valuable aromatic chemicals using an enzymatic, bioconversion process. The teachings provide a selection of (i) host cells that are tolerant to the toxic compounds present in lignin fractions; (ii) polypeptides that can be used as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions to the aromatic chemical products; (iii) polynucleotides that can be used to transform the host cells to express the selection of polypeptides as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions; and (iv) the transformants that express the enzymes.

Abstract: The teachings provided herein are generally directed to a method of converting lignin-derived compounds to valuable aromatic chemicals using an enzymatic, bioconversion process. The teachings provide a selection of (i) host cells that are tolerant to the toxic compounds present in lignin fractions; (ii) polypeptides that can be used as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions to the aromatic chemical products; (iii) polynucleotides that can be used to transform the host cells to express the selection of polypeptides as enzymes in the bioconversion of the lignin fractions; and (iv) the transformants that express the enzymes.

Abstract: The use of compounds is described which are capable of functionally blocking at least one of the genes chosen from the group composed of EphA1, EphA2, EphA8, EphB2, CSF1R, VEGFR2, RAMP2, RAMP3, CLRN1, MAPK4, PIK3C2A, PIK3CG, GSK3alpha, GSK3beta, IRAK3, DAPK1, JAK1, PIM1, TRB3, BTG1, LATS1, LIMK2, MYLK, PAK1, PAK2, CDC2, BTK, PNRC2, NCOA4, NR2C1, TPR, RBBP8, TRPC7, FXYD1, ERN1, PRSS16, RPS3, CCL23 and SERPINE1, for the manufacture of a medicament destined to diminish the resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs in the therapeutic treatment of epithelial tumor pathologies. Also described is a method for the determination of the drug resistance in tumor cells, as well as a method for the identification of tumor stem cells.

Abstract: The invention describes specific sialylated structures present on human stem cells and cell populations derived thereof. The invention is especially directed to methods to control the status of stem cells by observing changes in sialylation of the cells; and control of potential contaminations of biological materials; and reagents and methods used in connection with the cells in order to avoid alterations of the cell glycosylation by contaminating materials. The invention is further directed to novel stem cells, the glycosylation of which has been specifically altered.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to methods and materials for producing simvastatin and related compounds such as huvastatin. In particular, the disclosure teaches that variants of the LovD acyltransferase polypeptide can be engineered to exhibit properties that facilitate their use in the production of simvastatin and/or huvastatin. The materials and processes disclosed herein are designed so that fermentation facilities currently producing lovastatin can be converted to producing simvastatin and related compounds with minimal modifications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cells producing at least one polypeptide of interest and expressing one or more recombinant nuclease encoding gene(s) thereby producing the nuclease(s), and methods for producing a polypeptide of interest essentially free from contaminating DNA, said method comprising the steps of: (a) cultivating a cell that produces at least one polypeptide of interest and expresses one or more recombinant nuclease encoding gene(s) thereby producing the nuclease(s); and (b) isolating the polypeptide of interest.

Abstract: Specified restriction endonucleases have been characterized for the first time by their amino acid and DNA sequences. These sequences and those with at least 90% identity thereto have been used as probes in sequence similarity analyses to identify sequence matches in a sequence database that corresponds to novel restriction endonucleases or isoschizomers. The sequence similarity analyses includes selecting a positive sequence match from any sequence producing an expectation value of less than or equal to e-02.

Abstract: The N-acetyl-D-galactosamine transferase protein of the present invention is characterized by transferring N-acetyl-D-galactosamine to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine with ?1,3 linkage, and it preferably has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4. The canceration assay according to the present invention uses a nucleic acid for measurement which hybridizes under stringent conditions to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3 or a nucleotide sequence complementary to at least one of them.

Abstract: The present invention provides cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms, such as Bacillus species having enhanced expression of a protein of interest, wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been inactivated, and preferably wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been deleted from the Bacillus chromosome. In some further embodiments, one or more indigenous chromosomal regions have been deleted from a corresponding wild-type Bacillus host chromosome.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel protein having neuraminidase activity and/or ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase activity and a nucleic acid encoding the protein. The present invention further provides a vector containing a nucleic acid encoding the protein, a host cell transformed with the vector, together with a method for producing a recombinant ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase. The present invention also provides an antibody specifically recognizing the protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a fermentation product from ligno-cellulosic material, comprising the following steps: a) optionally pre-treatment b) optionally washing; c) enzymatic hydrolysis; d) fermentation; and e) optionally recovery of a fermentation product; wherein in step c) an enzyme composition is used that has a temperature optimum of 55 degrees C. or more, the hydrolysis time is 40 hours or more and the temperature is 50 degrees C. or more.

Abstract: The invention features a method for determining methyl transferase activity of a polypeptide and screening for modulators of methyl transferase activity. The invention further provides a method or pharmaceutical composition for prevention or treating of colorectal cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma using the modulator.

Abstract: Novel proteins are provided herein, including proteins capable of catalyzing the acetylation of glyphosate and other structurally related proteins. Also provided are novel polynucleotides capable of encoding these proteins, compositions that include one or more of these novel proteins and/or polynucleotides, recombinant cells and transgenic plants comprising these novel compounds, diversification methods involving the novel compounds, and methods of using the compounds. Some of the novel methods and compounds provided herein can be used to render an organism, such as a plant, resistant to glyphosate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing renewable chemicals through the manufacture of novel triglyceride oils followed by chemical modification of the oils. Methods such as transesterification, hydrogenation, hydrocracking, deoxygenation, isomerization, interesterification, hydroxylation, hydrolysis and saponification are disclosed. Novel oils containing fatty acid chain lengths of C8, C10, C12 or C14 are also disclosed and are useful as feedstocks in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating diseases, particularly cancer, associated with differential expression of cancer-associated targets (CAT) in disease cells compared to healthy cells are provided. Also provided are antagonists and agonists of CAT, and methods for screening agents that modulate CAT level or activity in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: A method of designing a multi-zinc-finger polypeptide predicted to bind to a sequence of interest that has at least three subsites includes the steps of: a) providing a nucleotide sequence of interest having first, second, and third consecutive subsites, wherein each of the first and third subsites are adjacent to the second subsite; b) identifying first and second adjacent zinc finger polypeptide sequences previously shown to bind to the first and second subsites in the context of a multi-zinc finger polypeptide; c) identifying a third zinc finger polypeptide previously shown to bind to a third subsite adjacent to the second subsite when present in the context of a multi-zinc finger polypeptide adjacent to the second zinc finger polypeptide; and d) combining the first, second, and third zinc finger polypeptide sequences in linear order, thereby designing a multi-zinc finger polypeptide predicted to bind to the sequence of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders. The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated DGAT2 family member nucleic acid molecules, which encode diacylglycerol acyltransferase family members. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing DGAT2 family member nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a DGAT2 family member gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated DGAT2 family member proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-DGAT2 family member antibodies. Methods of use of the provided DGAT2 family member compositions for screening, diagnostic and therapeutic methods in connection with obesity disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits, and methods for synthesizing polyadenylic acid using polynucleotide phosphorylase, adenosine diphosphate, a buffering agent, and a divalent metal cation. In certain embodiments, the adenosine diphosphate is present at a concentration between about 5.0 mM and about 100 mM, and the buffering agent has a pH around 8.0. In some embodiments, the prepared polyadenylic acid compositions are free of detectable nucleic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of poly- and oligosaccharides and their nutritional effects. In particular, it relates to the application of ?-glucanotransferases in methods for preparing dietary fibers, including prebiotic oligosaccharides, and to novel oligosaccharides obtainable thereby. Provided is a method for producing a mixture of gluco-oligosaccharides having one or more consecutive (?1?6) glucosidic linkages and one or more consecutive (?1?4) glucosidic linkages, comprising contacting a poly- and/or oligosaccharide substrate comprising at least two (?1?4) linked D-glucose units with an ?-glucanotransferase capable of cleaving (?1?4) glucosidic linkages and making new (?1?4) and (?1?6) glucosidic linkages. Also provided are (isolated) gluco-oligosaccharides obtainable thereby, and their application in nutritional and cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing enzymes and single cell oil. The process comprises that microorganisms capable of producing both single cell oil and enzymes are cultivated under conditions suitable for single cell oil production and enzyme production in a single cell oil production process. A microorganism culture comprising single cell oil and enzymes is obtained and at least part of the microorganism culture, of the supernatant and/or microorganism cells separated from the microorganism culture, of protein fraction enriched from the supernatant, and/or of protein fraction obtained from the cells is used as an enzyme preparation or as a source of enzymes. Single cell oil is recovered from the microorganism cells and used as biofuel, component of biofuel or as a starting material for biofuel production. Enzymes produced according to the process are used in the same or in another industrial process.

Abstract: The invention is related to processing enzyme comprising an N-terminally attached tag derived from highly basic proteins from thermophilic bacteria. The processing enzymes are useful for modifying proteins. They can be produced in high yields and can be effectively separated from the modified protein after use.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for acetolactate synthase, acetolactate synthase regulatory regions, ?-tubulin promoter, a promoter from a Thraustochytriales polyketide synthase (PKS) system, and fatty acid desaturase promoter, each from a Thraustochytriales microorganism. Also disclosed are recombinant vectors useful for transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms, as well as a method of transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be used for the expression of foreign nucleic acids in a Thraustochytriales microorganism as well as for the deletion, mutation, or inactivation of genes in Thraustochytriales microorganisms.

Abstract: An EPSP synthase (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) with high glyphosate resistance and a nucleotide sequence encoding the synthase are disclosed. The gene encoding the EPSP synthase has low homology with the reported EPSP synthase. A transgenic plant obtained by the expression of the gene in plant has an increased resistance to glyphosate after experimental confirmation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the screening, preparation and characterization of (R)-selective ?-transaminases, to transaminases obtained thereby and their uses in various transamination processes.

Abstract: The present invention is a biomarker of chemotherapeutic drug-resistant cancer stem cells and a method of inhibiting the growth of drug-resistant cancer stem cells. In one embodiment the cancer stem cells are testicular cancer germ cells. In another embodiment the present invention is a method of overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment where the combination of low dose decitabine and administration of a chemotherapeutic drug to which cancer cells were resistant results in successful cancer treatment.

Abstract: A sialyltransferase having the following physico-chemical properties: (1) Activity: transfers sialic acid from a sialic acid donor selectively to a 3-hydroxyl group of a galactose residue contained in lactosylceramide as a sialic acid acceptor to produce ganglioside GM3; (2) Optimal Reaction pH: 6.0 to 7.0; and (3) Inhibition and Activation: the activity increases at least 1.5 times with 10 mM of Mn2+ as compared with the case in the absence thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human gene ZNFN3A1 whose expression is markedly elevated in a great majority of HCCs compared to corresponding non-cancerous liver tissues. The gene encodes a protein having a zinc finger domain as well as a SET domain and has been found to form a regulatory complex with RNA helicase and RNA polymerase.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing recombinant glycoproteins with high sialic acid content. More specifically, for UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase/ManNAc kinase (GNE/MNK) enzyme where point mutation was induced by substituting arginine at position 263 by leucine only or by further substituting arginine at position 266 by glutamine, epimerase activity is constantly maintained, and overexpressed cells thereof experience an increase in intracellular cytidine monophosphate (CMP)-sialic acid content, irrespective of CMP-sialic acid concentration.

Abstract: A novel activating enzyme for ubiquitin, Uba6, is provided. Compositions and methods for inhibiting ubiquitin via the Uba6 pathway are provided. Methods of identifying novel inhibitors of ubiquitination are also provided. Novel RNAi molecules are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous sphingan solution, in particular PHB-deficient sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing an O-glycosylated soluble therapeutic protein in a prokaryotic microorganism by co-expressing the therapeutic protein and a heterologous glycosyltransferase that transfers a sugar moiety to an amino acid acceptor on the therapeutic protein.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from Cannabis sativa (cannabis, hemp, marijuana) have been isolated and characterized, and encode polypeptides having aromatic prenyltransferase activity. Specifically, the enzyme, CsPT1, is a geranylpyrophosphate olivetolate geranyltransferase, active in the cannabinoid biosynthesis step of prenylation of olivetolic acid to form cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Expression or over-expression of the nucleic acids alters levels of cannabinoid compounds. The polypeptides may be used in vivo or in vitro to produce cannabinoid compounds.

Abstract: The promoter of a soybean lipid transfer protein LTP4 and fragments thereof and their use in promoting the expression of one or more heterologous nucleic acid fragments in plants are described.

Abstract: A process of enzymatic degumming edible oils, comprising treating edible oil with a lipid acyltransferase so as to transfer an acyl group from a major part of the phospholipid to one or more acyl acceptors, wherein the acyl acceptor may be any compound comprising a hydroxyl group. In one embodiment preferably the acyl acceptor is water and in another embodiment preferably the acyl acceptor is one or more sterols and/or stanols. When the acyl acceptor is a stanol and/or sterol, one or more sterol esters and/or stanol esters are produced.

Abstract: Disclosed are hybrid genes of glucanase and dextransucrase, recombinant vectors comprising said hybrid genes, microorganisms which are transformed with said recombinant vectors, hybrid enzymes which are expressed from said hybrid genes, and processes for preparing isomalto-oligosaccharides or dextran using said microorganisms or enzymes. Expensive isomalto-oligosaccharides and low molecular weight dextran for clinical use can be produced simply and effectively from cheap substrate-sucrose, using a single bacterial strain or enzyme.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sugar donating reagent comprising a sugar donor compound other than a sugar nucleotide and an enzyme capable of catalyzing a glycosyl transfer reaction using a sugar donor compound other than a sugar nucleotide. The present invention provides the following: a sugar donating reagent containing a compound of formula (A): wherein R1 is independently selected from hydrogen, or C1-6 alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl, and C2-6 alkynyl in which each of the groups is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more groups selected from OH, F, Cl, Br, I, CN, NO2, and SO2, n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, m is 0 or 1, and X represents a monosaccharide bound via a ? bond on its anomeric carbon; a glycosyltransferase capable of catalyzing a glycosyl transfer reaction using the sugar donor; and a glycosyltransferase gene comprising DNA encoding the glycosyltransferase.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide capable of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon. The invention also relates to the encoded polypeptide, a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule, a recombinant non-human organism comprising the nucleic acid molecule, and to methods of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon or an intermediate of biofuel using the nucleic acid molecule, polypeptide or recombinant organism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a human-type glycoprotein having reduced glycosylation by genetically manipulating an enzyme involved in glycosylation using a Hansenula polymorpha system. In detail, the present invention relates to a process for producing a human-type glycoprotein by identifying a dolichyl-phosphate-mannose dependent ¥á-1,3-mannosyltransferase gene from H. polymorpha, constructing a H. polymorpha mutant strain producing a glycoprotein exhibiting reduced glycosylation by disrupting the identified gene, and subjecting the mutant strain to various genetic manipulations for the synthesis of human-type glycan.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extremely useful and novel ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase having an optimum reaction pH in a neutral to alkaline range, and a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase. The present invention further provides a vector carrying a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase, and a host cell transformed with the vector, as well as a method for producing a recombinant ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing aromatic amino acids according to one aspect of the present invention includes processes of: (a) of preparing a thermostable a Thermus thermophilus aspartate aminotransferase by culturing an E. coli BL21(DE3) cell transformed with a vector comprising a gene encoding the Thermus thermophilus aspartate aminotransferase; (b) contacting the thermostable Thermus thermophilus aspartate aminotransferase of (a) with an amino donor and an amino acceptor at a temperature range of 50-80° C. to obtain an aromatic amino acid; (c) precipitating the aromatic amino acid of (b); and (d) recovering the thermostable Thermus thermophilus aspartate aminotransferase.

Abstract: A rose is produced in which an introduced gene is only present in a part of the cells thereof, such as cells of the L1 layer of flower petals, but is not present in germ cells such as pollen cells or ovule cells. Since the introduced gene is not propagated to other roses even when this rose is crossed with other roses, the possibility of dispersal of the introduced gene can be completely negated.

Abstract: A mutant prenyl diphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing prenyl diphosphates, shorter than those synthesized by the original enzyme, by modifying the amino acid sequence in and upstream of the aspartic acid-rich domain DDXX (XX)D (X denotes any amino acid, and XX in the parentheses may not be present) present in region II of the prenyl diphosphate synthase.