Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme determining amino acid sequences of an enzyme involved in pyrethrin biosynthesis and a base sequence of the gene thereof; constructing vectors bearing the gene and transformants; and extractable from plant bodies producing pyrethrin by applying such creative techniques to plant bodies with faster growth aiming to provide a method to efficiently produce pyrethrin; and the enzyme is a gene encoding a protein of the following (i) or (ii): (i) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in Sequence No. 1; or (ii) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence including one or more of a substitution, deletion, insertion, and/or addition of amino acid in the amino acid sequence shown in Sequence No. 1, in which the protein exhibits activity of pyrethrin biosynthetic enzyme.

Abstract: Novel glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase-like proteins (QPCTLs), which are isoenzymes of glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5), and to isolated nucleic acids coding for these isoenzymes, all of which are useful for the discovery of new therapeutic agents, for measuring cyclase activity, and for determining the inhibitory activity of compounds against these glutaminyl cyclase isoenzymes.

Abstract: A biosynthetic method for producing glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine is disclosed. Such a method includes the fermentation of a genetically modified microorganism to produce glucosamine and/or N-acetylglucosamine. Also disclosed are genetically modified microorganisms that are useful for producing glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. In addition, methods of recovering N-acetylglucosamine that has been produced by a fermentation process, including methods that result in N-acetylglucosamine of high purity, are described. Also disclosed is a method to produce glucosamine from N-acetylglucosamine.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a novel aromatic prenyltransferase, Orf2 from Streptomyces sp. strain CL190, involved in naphterpin biosynthesis has been identified and the structure thereof elucidated. This prenyltransferase catalyzes the formation of a C—C bond between a prenyl group and a compound containing an aromatic nucleus, and also displays C—O bond formation activity. Numerous crystallographic structures of the prenyltransferase have been solved and refined, e.g., (1) prenyltransferase complexed with a buffer molecule (TAPS), (2) prenyltransferase as a binary complex with geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and Mg2+, and prenyltransferase as ternary complexes with a non-hydrolyzable substrate analogue, geranyl S-thiolodiphosphate (GSPP) and either (3) 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,6-DHN), or (4) flaviolin (i.e., 2,5,7-trihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, which is the oxidized product of 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene (THN)). These structures have been solved and refined to 1.5 ?, 2.25 ?, 1.95 ? and 2.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for increasing lignin content in plants by expression of a cinnamoyl CoA reductase 2 (CCR2) coding sequence in the plant. Also provided are methods for reducing lignin content in a plant by down-regulation of CCR2 expression in the plant. Nucleic acid molecules for modulation of CCR2 expression and transgenic plants the same are also provided. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved biofuel feedstock and as highly digestible forage crops. Methods for processing plant tissue and for producing biofuels by utilizing such plants are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making restriction endonucleases with reduced star activity by one or more targeted mutations to a catalytic site within the restriction endonuclease. Examples of modifications to restriction endonucleases with significant sequence identity with KpnI are provided and reduced star activity demonstrated.

Abstract: The invention relates to Salmonella typhi Ty21a comprising core-linked Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 O-specific polysaccharide (O-Ps) and DNA encoding O antigen biosynthesis, said DNA selected from the group consisting of: a) the DNA sequence set out in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2 and species homologs thereof; b) DNA encoding Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 polypeptides encoded by any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, and species homologs thereof; and c) DNA encoding a O antigen biosynthesis gene product that hybridizes under moderately stringent conditions to the DNA of (a) or (b); and related sequences, compositions of matter, vaccines, methods of using, and methods of making.

Abstract: This disclosure provides novel reversibly terminated ribonucleotides which can be used as a reagent for DNA sequencing reactions. Methods of sequencing nucleic acids using the disclosed nucleotides are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to thermostable Y-family polymerases, in particular several novel Y-family polymerases and chimeras made therefrom, as well as methods of identifying other Y-family polymerases, methods of generating other chimeric Y-family polymerases, methods of amplifying ancient or damaged DNA, and methods of incorporating fluorescent or modified nucleotides into a DNA molecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to orthogonal pairs of tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that can incorporate the unnatural amino acid sulfotyrosine into proteins produced in eubacterial host cells such as E. coli. The invention provides, for example but not limited to, novel orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides encoding the novel synthetase molecules, methods for identifying and making the novel synthetases, methods for producing proteins containing the unnatural amino acid sulfotyrosine and translation systems.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing components of protein biosynthetic machinery that include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases, which incorporate redox active amino acids into proteins are provided. Methods for identifying these orthogonal pairs are also provided along with methods of producing proteins with redox active amino acids using these orthogonal pairs.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for producing translational components that expand the number of genetically encoded amino acids in eukaryotic cells. The components include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases and unnatural amino acids. Proteins and methods of producing proteins with unnatural amino acids in eukaryotic cells are also provided.

Abstract: L-cysteine is produced by culturing an Escherichia bacterium having L-cysteine producing ability and containing a gene encoding an O-acetylserine sulphydrylase B or MalY regulatory protein that is modified so that cysteine desulfhydrase activity is reduced or eliminated. The bacterium is cultured in a medium to produce and cause accumulation of L-cysteine in the medium, and collecting L-cysteine from the medium.

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 eIF-5A or both into the plant genome in antisense orientation. Plant genes encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase and senescence-induced eIF-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 provides novel lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase genes. A nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 36 or 37 or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a neutral metalloprotease from actinomycetes which selectively cleaves a pro-structure part of a microbial protransglutaminase and a gene encoding said neutral metalloprotease. An active microbial transglutaminase having the pro-structure part cleaved can be obtained by culturing a microorganism into which a gene encoding the neutral metalloprotease from actinomycetes according to the present invention has been introduced, where by producing the neutral metalloprotease from actinomycetes, and reacting it on a microbial protransglutaminase.

Abstract: The present invention provides transglutaminases with improved heat resistance. Specifically, the present invention provides mutant transglutaminase proteins with improved heat resistance as obtained by introducing appropriate mutations into transglutaminases, which results in the incorporation of a disulfide bond.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant-type acetyltransferase Mpr1: which comprises an amino acid sequence of a yeast wild-type Mpr1 represented by SEQ ID NO:1, wherein at least one amino acid at positions 63 to 65 and 117 of the amino acid sequence is substituted and said mutant-type acetyltransferase Mpr1 exhibits a higher antioxidant capacity than the wild-type Mpr1. The mutant-type acetyltransferase Mpr1 of the present invention exhibits a higher resistance to oxidative stress compared to the wild-type Mpr1. The present invention further provides a gene encoding the mutant-type Mpr1, a vector comprising the gene and a yeast transformed with the gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant RmlA enzymes possessing an increased purine/pyrimidine bias in nucleotide triphosphate substrate specificity as compared to a corresponding non-mutated RmlA enzyme. Such enzymes expand the types of substrates that can be used in enzymatic glycorandomization methods thereby increasing diversity of chemical libraries.

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

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for optimizing glycan processing in organisms (and in particular, plants) so that a glycoprotein having complex type bi-antennary glycans and thus containing galactose residues on both arms and which are devoid of (or reduce in) xylose and fucose can be obtained. The invention is further directed to said glycoprotein obtained and host system comprising said protein.

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

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of screening placental proteins responsible for pathophysiology of preeclampsia, and a marker for early diagnosis and prediction of preeclampsia. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of screening placental proteins responsible for pathophysiology of preeclampsia by 2D E-proteomics analysis, comprising: isolating placental proteins from a placental tissue; separating the isolated proteins two-dimensionally through 2D electrophoresis; and comparing and analyzing the separated proteins based on scanned gel images and differences in the images between normal placental proteins and preeclamptic placental proteins, wherein the comparison and analysis of the placental proteins based on the scanned gel images and differences in the images are accomplished by selecting proteins with differences of 140% or more between two placentas.

Abstract: The cloning and broad characterization of a lyso-phosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAT2) from Tropaeolum majus is described. The TmLPAT2 enables the production of plants, seeds and cells with enhanced oil and/or fatty acid content.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to mutations in the DGAT1 gene that produce an advantageous milk, tissue and/or growth rate profile in animals carrying the mutations. The present invention is also directed to methods of identifying animals carrying the mutations in order to facilitate the selection of animals with altered milk, tissue and/or growth rate traits.

Abstract: A method for producing a plant with increased yield as compared to a corresponding wild type plant whereby the method comprises at least the following step: increasing or generating in a plant or a part thereof one or more activities selected from the group consisting of 17.6 kDa class I heat shock protein, 26.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a dipeptide from starting materials that are available at low costs through a route industrially advantageous and simple. Dipeptides are produced from amino acid esters and amino acids by using a culture of a microbe having an ability to produce a dipeptide from an amino acid ester and an amino acid, microbial cells separated from the culture, or treated microbial cell product.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modifying glycans (e.g., glycans expressed on the surface of live cells or cell particles) are provided herein.

Abstract: Protein structural determination using NMR techniques is improved through use of proteins in which one or more amino acids in the peptidic sequence are isotopically enriched in the sidechain with 2H and are isotopically enriched on the backbone with 13C, 15N, 2H or any combination thereof. This invention provides amino acids isotopically enriched as above, which can be used to synthesize isotopically labeled proteins and peptides for protein structural determinations by NMR, and methods for their synthesis. Other embodiments of the invention include peptidic molecules, media for peptidic molecule expression, methods of making isotopically labeled peptidic molecules and methods of determining structural information of a peptidic molecule.

Abstract: A bioengineered synthesis scheme for the production of quinic acid from a carbon source is provided. Methods of producing quinic acid from a carbon source based on the synthesis scheme as well as conversion of quinic acid to hydroquinone are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to materials and methods for exploiting glycosyltransferase reversibility for nucleotide diphosphate (NDP) sugar synthesis. The present invention provides engineered glycosyltransferase enzymes characterized by improved reaction reversibility and expanded sugar donor specificity as compared to corresponding non-mutated glycosyltransferase enzymes. Such reagents provide advantageous routes to NDP sugars for subsequent use in a variety of biomedical applications, including enzymatic and chemoenzymatic glycorandomization.

Abstract: The invention provides crystalline O-methyltransferases and isolated non-native O-methyltransferases as well as sets of their structural coordinates. Also provided are methods of predicting the activity or substrate specificity of putative O-methyltransferases, methods of identifying potential substrates of O-methyltransferases, and methods of identifying potential inhibitors of methyltransferases.

Abstract: A mutated bacterial cell producing at least one heterologous polypeptide of interest, wherein said cell has a reduced expression-level of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 70% identical to the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, when compared with an otherwise isogenic but non-mutated cell; methods for producing said mutated cell; and methods for producing a polypeptide of interest using said mutated cell. SEQ ID NO: 2 represents a putative metalloprotease.

Abstract: Provided herein are a composition for measuring 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose (3,6-L-AHG) transferase activity by reduction of NADP to NADPH, and a method of measuring 3,6-L-AHG transferase activity using the same. The composition and method are useful for determining 3,6-L-AHG in a material containing 3,6-L-AHG such as algae biomass and industrial applications.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for identifying transgenic seed that contain a transgene of interest, but lack a marker gene. Use of an identification sequence that results in a detectable phenotype increases the efficiency of screening for seed and plants in which transgene sequences not linked to a gene of interest have segregated from the sequence encoding a gene of interest.

Abstract: Monatin and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R monatin and S,R monatin, as well as salts thereof, are produced using polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways. These polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways are also useful in the production of R-2-hydroxy-2-(indoly-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, an intermediate that is formed in certain monatin synthesis pathways, including some biosynthetic pathways.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on our discovery of compositions and methods that can be used to systemically deplete arginine and thereby treat arginine-dependent cancers. Our studies indicate that administering a composition that depletes arginine directly to the patient's small intestine will provide effective treatment for arginine-dependent cancers. Moreover, the methods can be carried out in such a way that various sources of arginine are restricted and side effects are minimized. For example, to deplete arginine, one can not only administer an arginine-depleting enzyme directly to the intestinal lumen but can also inhibit endogenous production of arginine, reduce arginine production by intestinal bacteria and limit arginine intake. To minimize side effects, one can inhibit protein breakdown, which may occur as a compensatory mechanism, provide systemic NO from a nitric oxide donor, provide a pressor peptide, and/or provide prostacycline or an analog thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant bacterial PRPP synthetase which is resistant to feedback by purine nucleotides, and a method for producing L-histidine using the bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family wherein the L-amino acid productivity of said bacterium is enhanced by use of the PRPP synthetase which is resistant to feedback by purine nucleotides, coded by the mutant prsA gene.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, systems and methods for reducing and/or preventing photodamage of one or more reactants in illuminated analytical reactions by one or more of incorporating photodamage mitigating agents within the reaction mixture and/or interrogating different observation regions of the reaction mixture for a period that is less than a photodamage threshold period.

Abstract: A process for the production of ortho-aminophenolic analogs of chloramphenicol using a biocatalyst consisting of pure enzymes, partially purified enzymes, cell lysate, intact cells, or a metal reaction linked with a subsequent enzymatic reaction. The biocatalyst is an enzyme system that makes use of a nitroreductase enzyme that initially reduces the nitroarene to the hydroxylaminoarene and a mutase enzyme that converts the hydroxylaminoarene to an ortho-aminophenol. The biocatalyst can also consist of a coupled, two-step metal and enzyme reaction in which the metal, such as zinc, catalyzes the transformation of the nitroarene to the hydroxylaminoarene and the mutase then catalyzes the transformation of hydroxylaminoarene to the corresponding ortho-aminophenol.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing components of protein biosynthetic machinery that include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases, which incorporate keto amino acids into proteins are provided. Methods for identifying these orthogonal pairs are also provided along with methods of producing proteins with keto amino acids using these orthogonal pairs.

Abstract: The invention relates to the polynucleotide sequence of a nontypeable stain of Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and uses thereof. The invention also relates to NTHi genes which are upregulated during or in response to NTHi infection of the middle ear and/or the nasopharynx.

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence of a DNA involved in the biosynthesis of herboxidiene was determined. Utilizing this DNA, herboxidiene and analogues thereof can be efficiently produced.

Abstract: This application relates to the functional identification and characterization of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a triterpene synthase, in particular botryococcene synthase. Also described are host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules of this invention, proteins encoded by the nucleic acid molecules and methods for using the nucleic acid molecules, transformed hosts and encoded proteins to produce high levels of triterpene hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for producing a chondroitin sugar chain comprises reacting a glucuronic acid donor, an N-acetyl galactosamine donor, a sugar receptor and a bacterial cell enzyme which synthesizes chondroitin in the presence of a surfactant. The surfactant is selected from polyoxyethylene octadecyl amine, n-decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, sodium cholate, n-octyl-?-D-thioglucopyranoside, n-nonyl-?-D-thiomaltopyranoside, sucrose monocholate, sucrose monocaprate, and sucrose monolaurate. The chondroitin sugar chain has all the following properties: a weight average molecular weight: 50,000 or more when measured by gel filtration chromatography; it is completely degraded to disaccharides with chondroitinase ABC; and when the sugar chain is decomposed with chondroitinase ABC and the decomposed products are subjected to a disaccharide analysis, substantially all of them correspond to an unsaturated disaccharide unit of chondroitin.

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: A polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence in which one or more amino acids are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequence of a glutamine synthetase 2 derived from a microorganism belonging to a coryneform bacterium, wherein the coryneform bacterium producing the polypeptide has L-glutamine productivity, a DNA encoding the polypeptide, a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA, a microorganism comprising the DNA or the recombinant DNA, and a process for producing L-glutamine using the microorganism are provided.

Abstract: Described are detergent compositions comprising at least one lipase enzyme selected from SriII, ScoIIA, ScoIIB, CefII, and variants, thereof. The compositions are useful for removing oily stains from fabric.