Abstract: The present inventors examined the inhibitory activity against HCV replicon of myriocin, fumonisin B1, and ceramide trafficking inhibitor HPA-12, which are compounds derived from microorganisms such as those of the genus Aureobasidium, and found that these compounds have the effect of inhibiting the replication of HCV replicon RNAs or inhibiting the expression of HCV proteins. The present inventors further performed serine palmitoyltransferase knockdown experiments using siRNAs, and results showed that HCV replicon activity and HCV protein expression were significantly inhibited in cells with suppressed LCB1 expression. Thus, sphingolipid biosynthesis was found to be involved in HCV infection. This showed that HCV infection can be treated or prevented by inhibiting enzyme activities involved in the process of sphingolipid biosynthesis by adding compounds or knocking down a gene.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode novel fatty acid desaturases and elongases from the organism Emiliana huxleyi. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing desaturase or elongase nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and methods for large-scale production of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), e.g. arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of one or more fermentation product from a sugar composition, comprising the following steps: a) fermentation of the sugar composition in the presence of a yeast belonging to the genera Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Candida, Pichia, Schizosaccharomyces, Hansenula, Kloeckera, Schwanniomyces or Yarrowia, and b) recovery of the fermentation product, wherein the yeast comprises the genes araA, araB and araD and the sugar composition comprises glucose, galactose and arabinose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marker for the prognosis of liver cancer; a composition for estimating the prognosis of liver cancer, which contains a substance for detecting a change in the expression level of the prognostic marker for liver cancer; a kit for estimating the prognosis of liver cancer, which contains the composition for estimating liver cancer prognosis; a method for estimating the prognosis of liver cancer using the marker for liver cancer prognosis; and a method for screening a therapeutic agent for liver cancer using the marker for the prognosis of liver cancer.

Abstract: Modified (iso)eugenol 4-O-methyltransferase enzymes having novel capacity for methylation of monolignols and reduction of lignin polymerization in plant cell wall are disclosed. Sequences encoding the modified enzymes are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel lysophospholipid acyltransferases. The object of the present invention is attained by the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 6 and the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 7 of the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing, treating and detecting leishmaniasis are disclosed. The compositions generally comprise fusion polypeptides comprising Leishmania antigens, in particular, SMT and NH antigens or immunogenic portions or variants thereof, as well as polynucleotides encoding such fusion polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, chimeric DNA polymerases containing heterologous domains having sequences derived from at least two DNA polymerases that have at least one distinct functional characteristics (e.g., elongation rate, processivity, error rate or fidelity, salt tolerance or resistance) and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention can combine desired functional characteristics (e.g., high processivity; high elongation rate; thermostability; resistance to salt, PCR additives (e.g., PCR enhancers) and other impurities; and high fidelity) of different DNA polymerases in a chimeric polymerase.

Abstract: A novel gene encoding P. pastoris orotate-phosphoribosyl transferase (URA5) is disclosed. Methods for producing and selecting yeast strains capable of stable genetic integration of heterologous sequences into the host genome are also provided.

Abstract: P-Selectin on platelets and endothelium binds cell surface chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycans, which are abundantly and stably expressed on the surface many cancer cells. Binding of the cancer cells through the CS moieties may be blocked to inhibit the interaction of cancer cells with platelets and endothelium. The present inventors disclose compositions and methods for the inhibition of cancer metastasis.

Abstract: A method for producing lacto-N-biose I and galacto-N-biose inexpensively and conveniently is provided. The method for producing lacto-N-biose I or galacto-N-biose, characterized in that the method comprises causing: (i) a combination of a carbohydrate raw material with an enzyme that catalyzes phosphorolysis of the carbohydrate raw material to give ?-glucose-1-phosphate; and (ii) a combination of an enzyme that converts ?-glucose-1-phosphate to UDP-glucose and an enzyme that converts UDP-galactose to galactose-1-phosphate with their cofactors, and/or a combination of an enzyme (UDP-Gly synthase) that converts ?-glucose-1-phosphate and UDP-galactose to UDP-glucose and ?-galactose-1-phosphate, respectively, with its cofactor(s) to act in the presence of N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine, phosphoric acid, lacto-N-biose phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.211), and UDP-glucose-4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.2).

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for generating components of protein biosynthetic machinery including orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases. Methods for identifying orthogonal pairs are also provided. These components can be used to incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins in vivo.

Abstract: This invention provides DNAs of a prenyltransferase derived from a hop (Humulus) plant. The invention also provides protein having the prenyltransferase activity of a hop plant and a method for producing and detecting a novel organism using a gene encoding such protein.

Abstract: A crystal comprising human isoglutaminyl cyclase having a characterised space group of P1211 and unit cell dimensions of +/?5% of a=126.51 ?, b=109.68 ?, c=159.53 ?, ?=90.0°, ?=104.9° and ?=90.0°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide of the complete chromosome of Bacillus licheniformis. The present invention also relates to isolated genes of the chromosome of Bacillus licheniformis which encode biologically active substances and to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the genes as well as methods for producing biologically active substances encoded by the genes and to methods of using the isolated genes of the complete chromosome of Bacillus licheniformis.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, thrombosis, and for decreasing or prevention of accumulation of cholesterol in a subject by modifying LCAT polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides enzyme catalysts for Diels-Alder reactions, including intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions, as well as protein scaffolds for making such enzyme catalysts. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making the enzyme catalysts, including by de novo computational design. The present invention thereby provides enzyme catalysts capable of catalyzing a desired Diels-Alder reaction, including with a specified or desired stereo-selectivity.

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

Abstract: The object is to provide a novel glycosyltransferase and the use thereof, the glycosyltransferase catalyzes transglucosylation of maltotriose units under conditions which can be employed for the processing of foods or the like. Provided is a maltotriosyl transferase which acts on polysaccharides and oligosaccharides having ?-1,4 glucoside bonds, and has activity for transferring maltotriose units to saccharides, the maltotriosyl transferase acting on maltotetraose as substrate to give a ratio between the maltoheptaose production rate and maltotriose production rate of 9:1 to 10:0 at any substrate concentration ranging from 0.67 to 70% (w/v).

Abstract: Compositions related to the quantitative trait locus 6 (QTL6) in maize and methods for their use are provided. The compositions are novel molecular marker loci genetically linked with QTL6 and which are associated with increased oil content and/or increased oleic acid content and/or an increased oleic acid/linoleic acid ratio of a plant. These novel markers are characterized by the presence of at least one polymorphism relative to the corresponding marker locus from the QTL6 region of non-high-oil, non-high-oleic acid maize plants. In some embodiments, the novel marker loci comprise coding sequence for a maize DGAT1-2 polypeptide or biologically active variant thereof. The marker loci of the invention, and suitable fragments thereof, are useful in methods for manipulating oil and/or oleic acid content and/or oleic acid/linoleic acid ratio of a plant, for marker-assisted selection of a plant, and for marker-assisted breeding of the high oil and/or high oleic acid trait.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.

Abstract: Transgenic soybean seed having increased total fatty acid content of at least 10% and altered fatty acid profiles when compared to the total fatty acid content of non-transgenic, null segregant soybean seed are described. DGAT genes from oleaginous organisms are used to achieve the increase in seed storage lipids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a use of non-cofactor compounds, represented by formulas (I) or (II) wherein R and Z are independently selected from H, D, C1-C12-alkyl, preferably C1-C4-alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl, phenyl or -LX, wherein X represents a functional group or a reporter group attached via a linker group L, and QH is selected from —SH, —SeH, —NHNH2 or —ONH2, for a targeted modification or derivatization of a biomolecule by covalent coupling to the biomolecule in the presence of a directing methyltransferase. Further development of the method of targeted modification and derivatization are the method for targeted labeling a biomolecule and method for detecting unmethylated target sites in a biomolecule comprising modification of the biomolecule according to the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides histone deacetylase class II nucleic acids and polypeptides, methods and reagents for their use, and related compounds including small molecule libraries containing class II histone deacetylase inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing yield related traits by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a BET1-like polypeptide. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding this BET1-like polypeptide, which plants have enhanced yield-related traits relative to corresponding wild type plants or other control plants. The invention also provides constructs useful in the methods of the invention. The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for improving various plant growth characteristics by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a CRT (Calreticulin). The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a Calreticulin, which plants have improved growth characteristics relative to corresponding wild type plants or other control plants.

Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus Hla polypeptides having various deletions, insertions, and/or mutations which are useful for immunisation are provided herein. Also provided herein are Hla heptamers which are non-haemolytic. Additionally, an effective Staphylococcus aureus vaccine may require several antigenic components, and so various combinations of S. aureus antigens, including Hla polypeptides having deletions, insertions, and/or mutations, are identified for use in immunisation. These polypeptides may optionally be used in combination with S. aureus saccharides.

Abstract: Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lipase 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 for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing L-valine and to a suitable microorganism. The inventive method is characterized by preferably enhancing the transaminase C activity of a coryneform bacterium, especially Corynebacterium glutamicum. The organisms so modified have a yield in L-valine which is 35.8% higher than that of non-modified organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified thiolase protein with an improved activity, a polynucleotide encoding the modified protein, an expression vector including the polynucleotide, and a transformant, to a composition for producing a biobutanol including the thiolase with an improved activity or a cell expressing the thiolase, and to a method of producing the biobutanol.

Abstract: Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.

Abstract: An emulsion is useful in allowing a wide variety of gene products to be expressed via eukaryotic in vitro expression. The emulsion comprises a silicone based surfactant, a hydrophobic phase and a hydrophilic phase; wherein the hydrophilic phase comprises a plurality of compartments containing a functional in vitro eukaryotic expression system.

Abstract: A composition having an agent adapted to affect a multimeric protein by binding to a binding site of the multimeric protein and thereby affecting an equilibrium of units, wherein the multimeric protein has an assembly having a plurality of said units, wherein each of the units has a first complementary surface and a second complementary surface and wherein the first complementary surface of one unit is associated with the second complementary surface of another unit, provided that the assembly is at least one of different quaternary isoforms on a condition that in the multimeric protein (1) a structure of each of the units determines a structure of the different quaternary isoforms, (2) the units are in the equilibrium and (3) the structure of the different quaternary isoforms influences a function of the multimeric protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, NPC1L1 from various species. Methods of using the NPC1L1 polypeptides and polynucleotide set forth herein, e.g., in screening assays, are also set forth.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated on the discovery that a polysaccharide transferase purified from barley seedlings can catalyze the formation of covalent bonds between different polysaccharides, including between xyloglucans and cellulose, and between xyloglucans and (1,3;1,4)-?-D-glucans. The present invention thus provides, among other things, an isolated or substantially purified polysaccharide transferase, wherein said polysaccharide transferase is capable of catalyzing the formation of a covalent bond between a donor polysaccharide and an acceptor polysaccharide; or a functionally active fragment or variant of said polysaccharide transferase.

Abstract: The invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a furofuran lignan 4-O-glucosyltransferase, and others. The polynucleotide in accordance with the present invention comprises a polynucleotide consisting of the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 5, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 6.

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: Compositions comprising truncated tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase polypeptides useful for regulating angiogenesis, as well as nucleic acids encoding such tRNA synthetase polypeptides are described. Methods of making and using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention claims an isolated polypeptide having L-amino-acid-N-acyl transferase enzymatic activity and a modified microorganism in which this enzyme is overexpressed. Substrates of said enzyme include mainly methionine and their derivatives or analogs. Overexpression in sulphur-containing amino acid producing microorganisms permits the production of large amounts of N-acylated sulphur-containing amino acids. The isolation of the N-acylated sulphur-containing amino acids from the fermentation medium is also claimed.

Abstract: Genetically modified microorganisms that produce itaconic acid at high yields and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ?-galactoside-?2,3-sialyltransferase and a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase. The present invention also provides a microorganism producing the sialyltransferase, as well as a method for producing the sialyltransferase using such a microorganism. 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-?2,3-sialyltransferase. The present invention further provides a method for preparing a sialylsugar chain, which uses the sialyltransferase of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides enhanced methods of producing soluble, active eukaryotic glycosyltransferases in prokaryotic microorganisms that have an oxidizing environment.

Abstract: A chondroitin polymerase having such properties that it transfers GlcUA and GalNAc alternately to a non-reduced terminal of a sugar chain from a GlcUA donor and a GalNAc donor, respectively, and the like; and a process for producing the chondroitin polymerase.

Abstract: A nucleic acid encoding an acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein that provides resistance to ALS inhibitors, e.g., sulphonylurea and imidazolinone compounds, is provided. The nucleic acid may be used as a selectable marker for expression of a protein of interest in host cells.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods of use thereof for labeling peptide and proteins in vitro or in vivo. The methods described herein employ lipoic acid ligase or mutants thereof, and lipoic acid analogs recognized by lipoic acid ligase and lipoic acid ligase mutants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel aminotransferase, DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant vector into which the DNA has been introduced, and a transformant into which the vector has been introduced. Further, the invention also relates to a method for producing an optically active amino compound utilizing the enzyme or transformant. The aminotransferase of the invention has an ability of efficiently converting a ketone compound, particularly a cyclic ketone compound to an optically active amino compound. According to the invention, a method for efficiently producing an optically active amino compound, particularly an optically active cyclic amino compound is provided.

Abstract: This specification generally relates to non-radioactive methods of non-radioactive real-time PCR using FRET dual-labeled primers.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the recombinant manufacture of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, it relates to acyltransferase polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding said acyltransferases as well as vectors, host cells, non-human transgenic organisms containing said polynucleotides. Moreover, the present invention contemplates methods for the manufacture of polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as oils obtained by such methods.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to lipase/acyltransferase enzymes identified in prokaryotes and eukaryotes are described. These enzymes can be used in such applications as lipid stain removal from fabrics and hard surfaces and chemical synthesis reactions.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbial organism having an isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol pathway includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol. The aforementioned organisms are cultured to produce isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol.