Abstract: Genetic markers associated with intellectual disability as well as compositions, methods and kits for screening for genetic markers of intellectual disability, diagnosing intellectual disability and identifying individuals with a predisposition for offspring suffering from intellectual disability are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to enzymes having xylanase, mannanase and/or glucanase activity, e.g., catalyzing hydrolysis of internal ?-1,4-xylosidic linkages or endo-?-1,4-glucanase linkages; and/or degrading a linear polysaccharide beta-1,4-xylan into xylose. Thus, the invention provides methods and processes for breaking down hemicellulose, which is a major component of the cell wall of plants, including methods and processes for hydrolyzing hemicelluloses in any plant or wood or wood product, wood waste, paper pulp, paper product or paper waste or byproduct. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides methods and compositions for increasing terpenoid production, such as sesquiterpenoids, such as farnesene, in plant cells.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide Humulus lupulus-derived monoterpene glycosyltransferase and a method for producing a monoterpene glycoside by means of this enzyme. The present invention provides Humulus lupulus-derived monoterpene glycosyltransferase and a method for producing a monoterpene glycoside by means of this enzyme. The present invention provides a transformant transformed with a gene for Humulus lupulus-derived monoterpene glycosyltransferase and a method for producing such a transformant.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of expressing at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence in a cell, the method comprising introducing at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence into a cell by infecting said cell with a recombinant negative-strand RNA virus vector comprising said at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence, wherein the recombinant negative-strand RNA virus vector includes a viral genome coding for a mutated P protein, which leads to a loss of the viral genome replication ability without a loss of the viral transcription ability, and wherein said at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence encodes a cellular reprogramming or programming factor or a therapeutic protein. In addition, the present invention provides a cell or a population of cells prepared in vitro by said method as well as a pharmaceutical composition comprising said cell or population of cells.

Abstract: Methods for increasing C18 to C20 elongation conversion efficiency and/or ?4 desaturation conversion efficiency in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid [“LC-PUFA”]-producing recombinant oleaginous microbial host cells are provided herein, based on over-expression of acyl-CoA:lysophospholipid acyltransferases [“LPLATs”] (e.g., Ale1, LPAAT, LPCAT). Production host cells and oils produced by the methods of the invention are also claimed.

Abstract: Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for modulating or altering recombination inside or outside of a cell using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and/or nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.

Abstract: Provided is a method for efficiently producing from a ketone compound an optically active amino compound useful as an intermediate of a drug, an agricultural chemical, or the like. Provided are: a polypeptide having aminotransferase activity that is increased in stereoselectivity, heat resistance, and resistance to amine compounds compared to the wild type enzyme by means of modifying an aminotransferase derived from Pseudomonas fluorescens; a gene encoding the polypeptide; and a transformant that expresses the gene at a high level.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition that includes a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin A and/or a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin B. Each mutant toxin includes a glucosyltransferase domain having at least one mutation and a cysteine protease domain having at least one mutation, relative to the corresponding wild-type C. difficile toxin. The mutant toxins may further include at least one amino acid that is chemically crosslinked. In another aspect, the invention relates to antibodies or binding fragments thereof that binds to said immunogenic compositions. In further aspects, the invention relates to isolated nucleotide sequences that encode any of the foregoing, and methods of use of any of the foregoing compositions.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from cannabis has been isolated and characterized and encode polypeptides having aromatic prenyltransferase activity. 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 invention provides a method for producing steviol glycosides. The invention provides a transformant having introduced therein the steviol glucosyltransferase and a method for producing steviol glycosides using the transformant.

Abstract: Provided herein are fungi, such as Aspergillus niger, having a dolichyl-P-Man:Man(5)GlcNAc(2)-PP-dolichyl mannosyltransferase (Alg3) gene genetic inactivation, increased expression of a loss of aflR expression A (Lae), or both. In some examples, such mutants have several phenotypes, including an increased production of citric acid relative to the parental strain. Methods of using the disclosed fungi to make citric acid are also provided, as are compositions and kits including the disclosed fungi.

Abstract: This invention discloses the development of a novel platform for recombinant production of bioactive glycoproteins and cancer specific vaccines in plants. Plants and plant cell cultures have been humanized with respect to human mucin-type protein O-glycosylation. A panel of plant cell factories for production of recombinant glycoproteins with designed human O-glycosylation, including an improved cancer vaccine candidate, has been developed. The platform provides basis for i) production of an essentially unlimited array of O-glycosylated human glycoprotein therapeutics, such as human interferon ?2B and podoplanin, and ii) for further engineering of additional cancer specific O-glycans on glycoproteins of therapeutical value. Currently, mammalian cells are required for human O-glycosylation, but plants offer a unique cell platform for engineering O-glycosylation since they do not perform human type O-glycosylation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a product selected from a protein, a fragment of the protein, a derived sequence and a homologous sequence of the protein, the protein including or being constituted by the 28 kDa glutathione S-transferase protein from a schistosome selected from Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma bovis represented respectively by the sequences SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 3 for the use thereof in the treatment of an inflammatory autoimmune disease generating a response of type Th1 and/or Th17.

Abstract: The invention herein disclosed is related to epitopes useful in methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing coeliac disease. Therapeutic compositions which comprise at least one epitope are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microorganism producing L-methionine precursor, O-acetylhomoserine, and a method of producing L-methionine precursor using the microorganism.

Abstract: This invention relates to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides in accordance with the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts.

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: A method of using vaults as carrier molecules to deliver one or more than one substance to an organism, or to a specific tissue or to specific cells, or to an environmental medium. A vault-like particle. A method of preventing damage by one or more than one substance to an organism, to a specific tissue, to specific cells, or to an environmental medium, by sequestering the one or more than one substance within a vault-like particle. A method of delivering one or more than one substance or a sensor to an organism, to a specific tissue, to specific cells, or to an environmental medium. According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of making vault-like particles, and making vault-like particles comprising one or more than one substance, or one or more than one sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of gene sequences encoding chimerical membrane glycosyltransferases presenting an optimized glycosylation activity in cells transformed with the sequences, the gene sequences corresponding to the fusion: of a first nucleic acid coding for a C-terminal minimal fragment of the catalytic domain (CD) of the native full length glycosyltransferase, to a second nucleic acid coding for a transmembrane peptide comprising in its N-terminal region a cytoplasmic tail (CT) region located upstream from a transmembrane domain (TMD), itself located upstream of a stem region (SR), provided that at least one of these CT, TMD, SR peptides being different from the primary structure of the naturally occurring peptide counterparts present in the native glycosyltransferase from which is derived the CD fragment with optimal glycosyltransferase activity as defined above.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the isolation, purification, and characterization of a diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), and genes encoding DGAT2, from algae. DGAT2 can incorporate very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids into triacylglycerol more efficiently than DGAT1. The disclosure concerns methods of regulating seed oil content, fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid composition using the DGAT2 gene and to tissues and plants transformed with the gene. The disclosure also relates to transgenic plants, plant tissues and plant seeds having a genome containing an introduced DNA sequence of the disclosure, and a method of producing such plants and plant seeds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified Bacillus licheniformis host cell, wherein one or more naturally occurring chromosomal chloramphenicol acetyl transferase encoding gene(s), cat, has been inactivated. The inactivation of the chromosomal cat gene(s) allows the use of chloramphenicol as an efficient selective agent in methods for DNA introduction into the modified cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence that is at least ?90%, ?92%, ?94%, ?96%, ?97%, ?98%, ?99% or 100%, preferably ?97%, particularly preferably ?98%, very particularly preferably ?99%, and extremely preferably 0%, identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein SEQ ID NO:2, at position 553, or at a corresponding position of the amino acid sequence, has a proteinogenic amino acid other than L-tyrosine, to a microorganism comprising the nucleotide sequence and also to a process for producing fine chemicals using this microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention refers to methods for selectively recognizing a base pair in a DNA sequence by a polypeptide, to modified polypeptides which specifically recognize one or more base pairs in a DNA sequence and, to DNA which is modified so that it can be specifically recognized by a polypeptide and to uses of the polypeptide and DNA in specific DNA targeting as well as to methods of modulating expression of target genes in a cell.

Abstract: Aliphatic polyester productivity is improved for production of aliphatic polyester using a recombinant microorganism. A recombinant microorganism prepared by introducing a gene encoding a protein having activity of converting lactic acid to lactic-acid CoA and a gene encoding a protein having activity of synthesizing polyhydroxyalkanoate using hydroxyacyl CoA as a substrate into a host microorganism is cultured and then aliphatic polyester is recovered from the medium.

Abstract: This disclosure describes genetically modified photosynthetic microorganisms, e.g., Cyanobacteria, that contain one or more exogenous genes encoding a phospholipase and/or thioesterase, which are capable of producing an increased amount of lipids and/or fatty acids. This disclosure also describes genetically modified photosynthetic microorganisms that contain one or more exogenous genes encoding a diacyglycerol acyltransferase, a phosphatidate phosphatase, and/or an acetyl-CoA carboxylase, which are capable of producing increased amounts of fatty acids and/or synthesizing triglycerides, as well as photosynthetic microorganism comprising mutations or deletions in a glycogen biosynthesis or storage pathway, which accumulate a reduced amount of glycogen under reduced nitrogen conditions as compared to a wild type photosynthetic microorganism.

Abstract: High molecular weight heparosan polymers are described, as are methods of producing and using the high molecular weight heparosan polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases and polynucleotides encoding the same. The present invention provides non-naturally occurring polynucleotides encoding a protein having at least 85% homology to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, as well as an expression vector and transformant comprising such polynucleotides. The present invention also provides a method for producing food using the transformant, and food produced by the method.

Abstract: Methods for producing biliverdin in a microorganism, methods for producing biliverdin from a non-animal source, cells for producing biliverdin and methods for producing cells for producing biliverdin are disclosed.

Abstract: Mutant delta-9 elongases having the ability to convert linoleic acid [18:2, LA] to eicosadienoic acid [20:2, EDA] and/or ?-linolenic [18:3, ALA] to eicosatrienoic acid [20:3, ETrA] are disclosed herein. Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding mutant delta-9 elongases, along with a method of making long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [“PUFAs”] using these mutant delta-9 elongases in oleaginous yeast are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for site-specific modification of proteins by incorporation of an aldehyde tag. Enzymatic modification at a sulfatase motif of the aldehyde tag through action of a formylglycine generating enzyme (FGE) generates a formylglycine (FGly) residue. The aldehyde moiety of FGly residue can be exploited as a chemical handle for site-specific attachment of a moiety of interest to a polypeptide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered transaminase polypeptides for the production of amines, polynucleotides encoding the engineered transaminases, host cells capable of expressing the engineered transaminases, and methods of using the engineered transaminases to prepare compounds useful in the production of active pharmaceutical agents. The present disclosure provides engineered polypeptides having transaminase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, methods of the making the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides for the biocatalytic conversion of ketone substrates to amine products. The present enzymes have been engineered to have one or more residue differences as compared to the amino acid sequence of the naturally occurring transaminase of Vibrio fluvialis. In particular, the transaminases of the present disclosure have been engineered for efficient formation of chiral tryptamine derivatives from its corresponding prochiral ketone substrates.

Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences are provided encoding a thermostable cellulase and directing its increased expression are provided, and the use of the thermostable cellulase in hydraulic fracturing methods and the treatment of flowback fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel nucleic acid sequences, designated herein as 7p, 8k, 7E, 9G, 8Q and 203, in a host cell which effect protein production. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding 7p, 8k, 7E, 9G, 8Q and 203, which are presented in FIG. 1, and are SEQ ID NOS.: 1-6, respectively. The present invention also provides host cells further comprising a nucleic acid encoding a desired heterologous protein such as an enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to host cells that produce compounds that are characterized as benzylisoquinolines, as well as select precursors and intermediates thereof. The host cells comprise one, two or more heterologous coding sequences wherein each of the heterologous coding sequences encodes an enzyme involved in the metabolic pathway of a benzylisoquinoline, or its precursors or intermediates from a starting compound. The invention also relates to methods of producing the benzylisoquinoline, as well as select precursors and intermediates thereof by culturing the host cells under culture conditions that promote expression of the enzymes that produce the benzylisoquinoline or precursors or intermediates thereof.

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 relates to the enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharides, particularly, sialylated oligosaccharides comprising the carbohydrate moeities of the gangliosides GM3, GD3, and GT3.

Abstract: A polypeptide conferring an acid-tolerant property on a yeast cell, a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide, a yeast cell including an increased amount of the polypeptide, a method of producing a product by using the yeast cell, and a method of producing an acid-tolerant yeast cell are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions disclosed herein relate to detecting, analyzing, isolating and inhibiting methyltransferases, methyltransferase substrates, S-adenosyl-methionine-binding proteins and RNA, including for the treatment of disease.

Abstract: A process for production of poly (? 1,3 glucan) from a renewable feedstock, for applications in fibers, films, and pulps. The effect of addition of tetraborate in increasing the yield of the desired end products, poly (? 1,3 glucan) and fructose, and decreasing formation of the undesired by-product leucrose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a novel restriction/modification system in Caldicellulosiruptor bescii. The discovered restriction enzyme is a HaeIII-like restriction enzyme that possesses a thermophilic activity profile. The restriction/modification system also includes a methyltransferase, M.CbeI, that methylates at least one cytosine residue in the CbeI recognition sequence to m4C. Thus, the invention provides, in various aspects, isolated CbeI or M.CbeI polypeptides, or biologically active fragments thereof; isolated polynucleotides that encode the CbeI or M.CbeI polypeptides or biologically active fragments thereof, including expression vectors that include such polynucleotide sequences; methods of digesting DNA using a CbeI polypeptide; methods of treating a DNA molecule using a M.CbeI polypeptide; and methods of transforming a Caldicellulosiruptor cell.

Abstract: The biosynthesis of fungal bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane indole alkaloids with a wide spectrum of biological activities have attracted increasing interest. Their intriguing mode of assembly has long been proposed to feature a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, a presumed intramolecular Diels-Alderase, a variant number of prenyltransferases, and a series of oxidases responsible for the diverse tailoring modifications of their cyclodipeptide-based structural core. Until recently, the details of these biosynthetic pathways have remained largely unknown due to lack of information on the fungal derived biosynthetic gene clusters. Herein, we report a comparative analysis of four natural product metabolic systems of a select group of bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane indole alkaloids including (+)/(?)-notoamide, paraherquamide and malbrancheamide, in which we propose an enzyme for each step in the biosynthetic pathway based on deep annotation and on-going biochemical studies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant C. difficile toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB) and binary toxin A (CDTa) proteins comprising specifically defined mutations relative to the native toxin sequence that substantially reduce or eliminate toxicity. The invention also relates to vaccines and immunogenic compositions comprising these recombinant toxins, as well as combinations of these toxins with binary toxin B (CDTb), which are capable of providing protection against C. difficile infection and/or the effects thereof. The invention also relates to methods of inducing an immune response to C. difficile comprising administering the vaccines and immunogenic compositions described herein to a patient. The invention also encompasses methods of expressing recombinant C. difficile toxin A and toxin B and CDTa mutants and CDTb in recombinant expression systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides acyltransferases useful for synthesizing therapeutically important statin compound

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polypeptides having transaminase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments herein relate to recombinant proteins with at least one protease recognition sequence that can be inactivated by a cognate protease and methods of preparing such proteins. In some embodiments, recombinant phosphoglucose isomerase (Pgi) proteins are provided. In other embodiments, recombinant phosphotransacetylase (Pta) proteins are provided. In yet other embodiments, recombinant transketolase A (TktA) proteins are provided.

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: Recombinant DNA techniques are used to produce oleaginous recombinant cells that produce triglyceride oils having desired fatty acid profiles and regiospecific or stereospecific profiles. Genes manipulated include those encoding stearoyl-ACP desturase, delta 12 fatty acid desaturase, acyl-ACP thioesterase, ketoacyl-ACP synthase, and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase. The oil produced can have enhanced oxidative or thermal stability, or can be useful as a frying oil, shortening, roll-in shortening, tempering fat, cocoa butter replacement, as a lubricant, or as a feedstock for various chemical processes. The fatty acid profile can be enriched in midchain profiles or the oil can be enriched in triglycerides of the saturated-unsaturated-saturated type.

Abstract: The invention provides active and passive immunization methods for preventing and treating Clostridium difficile infection, which involve percutaneous administration of C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin, C. difficile toxoids, or combinations thereof. Also provided by the invention are C. difficile toxoids, C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin, and methods of identifying subjects that produce C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin.