Abstract: The present invention provides highly phosphorylated lysosomal hydrolases, methods of modifying lysosomal hydrolases with the lysosomal targeting pathway enzymes GlcNAc-phosphotransferase and/or phosphodiester 60 -GlcNAcase.

Abstract: A reagent for amylase isozyme activity assay, which contains 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl 4-O-&bgr;-D-galactopyranosylmaltoside, an antibody inhibiting S-type amylase activity or P-type amylase activity, and an amylase activator, and methods for assaying amylase isozyme activity using the regent is provided. According to the present invention, amylase isozyme activity can be accurately and easily assayed using a low concentration activator and an antibody having S-type amylase or P-type amylase activity inhibitory action without using an adjuvant enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein disulfide isomerases which are encoded by a nucleic acid sequence which hybridizes with (i) the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or (ii) the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, under the following conditions: presoaking in 5×SSC and prehybridizing for 1 h at ˜40° C. in a solution of 5×SSC, 5×Denhardt's solution, 50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.8, and 50 &mgr;g of denatured sonicated calf thymus DNA, followed by hybridization in the same solution supplemented with 50 &mgr;Ci 32-P-dCTP labelled probe for 18 h at ˜40° C. followed by washing three times in 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 40° C. for 30 minutes; and fragments thereof. The present invention also relates to DNA sequences encoding the protein disulfide isomerases, compositions comprising said protein disulfide isomerases and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a xylanase originating from a Bacillus strain and particularly to Bacillus sp. strain 720/1 (LMG P-14798) and to xylanase obtained from derivatives and mutants of this strain. The xylanase of the invention is active over a wide range of acid and basic pH. This invention also relates to uses of the xylanases and enzyme compositions comprising the xylanases.

Abstract: Enzymes are stabilized with pre-superpolyamide or pre-fiber-forming polyamide oligomers having a polymer chain backbone containing only secondary amide linkages. The polyamide is combined with an enzyme such as in a liquid enzymatic composition or where the enzyme is in a non-fluid state such as a powder to improve stability and shelf-life of the enzyme. The polyamide oligomer is a condensation product of at least one dibasic acid and at least one diamine. The dibasic acid may be a saturated or unsaturated C3-C10 dicarboxylic acid, and the diamine may be 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane, 1,6-diaminohexane, 1,8-diaminooctane or 1,10-diaminodecane. Enzymes stabilized include proteases, xylanases, amylases, cellulases and lipases.

Abstract: Substantially pure glycosidases capable for cleaving selected glycosidic bonds have been described including glycosidases isolated from Xanthomonas and recombinant glycosidases. Substrate specificity of isolated enzymes have been identified for GlcNac&bgr;1-X, Gal&agr;1-3R, Gal&agr;1-6R, Gal&bgr;1-3R, Fuc&agr;1-2R, Fuc&agr;1-3R, Fuc&agr;1-4R, Man&agr;1-2R, Man&agr;1-3R, Man&agr;1-6R, Man&bgr;1-4R, Xyl&bgr;1-2R, Glc&bgr;1-4R, and Gal&bgr;1-4R providing improved capability for selectively cleaving a glycosidic linkage in a carbohydrate substrate and for forming modified carbohydrates.

Abstract: A natural flavor or fragrance can be easily and effectively produced by using a “unicellularized plant”, obtained by unicellularizing, without destroying, the cells of a plant usable as a starting material for a natural flavor or fragrance, as a material for the natural flavor or fragrance and further applying an enzymatic treatment or chemical treatment or continuously heating the same, to thereby remarkably shorten the aging period for producing the natural flavor or fragrance, or by homogenizing a plant usable as the starting material quickly after harvesting to thereby promote the aging.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA fragment encoding alkaline pullulanase exhibiting alkaline &agr;-amylase activity, alkaline &agr;-amylase possessing both an amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO:3 and a DNA fragment encoding the amylase, alkaline pullulanase possessing both an amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO:4 and a DNA fragment encoding the pullulanase, recombinant DNAs containing these DNA fragments, and transformed microorganisms harboring the recombinant DNAs. The technique of the present invention enables mass production of alkaline pullulanase exhibiting alkaline &agr;-amylase activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modifying animal feed, in particular animal feed containing plant material such as soybean, by adding to the animal feed at least one galactanase enzym, to a method for obtaining a DNA sequence encoding a galactanase enzyme or a portion thereof, and to isolated polynucleotide molecules encoding polypeptides having galactanase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme with galactanase activity, a DNA construct encoding the enzyme, a method of producing the enzyme, an enzyme composition comprising the enzyme, and the use of the enzyme and enzyme composition for a number of industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering a glycosidase or a peptidase from a culture solution from an unsolubilized state within said solution to a solubilized state within said solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel ppGpp synthetase and expression systems for improved production of proteins of interest in Gram-positive bacteria, involving use of the novel ppGpp synthetase.

Abstract: Novel alpha-amylase mutants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally occurring or recombinant alpha-amylases are disclosed. The mutant alpha-amylases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modifications of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally occurring or recombinant alpha-amylase to generate the substitution (replacement) or deletion of one or more oxidizable amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor alpha-amylase. Such mutant alpha-amylases have altered oxidative stability and/or altered pH performance profiles and/or altered thermal stability as compared to the precursor. Also disclosed are detergent and starch liquefaction compositions comprising the mutant amylases, as well as methods of using the mutant amylases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acids encoding vespid venom enzymes, or fragments thereof, recombinant vectors comprising such nucleic acids, and host cells containing the recombinant vectors. The invention is further directed to expression of such nucleic acids to produce recombinant vespid venom enzymes, or recombinant fragments, derivatives or analogs thereof. Such recombinant products are useful for diagnosis of allergy and for therapeutic treatment of allergy. In specific embodiments, the present invention provides nucleic acids encoding, and complete nucleotide and amino acids sequences for, vespid venom phospholipase, for example, Dolichovespula maculata phospholipase and Vespula vulgaris phospholipase, and vespid venom hyaluronidase, for example, Dolichovespula maculata hyaluronidase.

Abstract: Mutant glycosidase enzymes are formed in which the normal nucleophilic amino acid within the active site has been changed to a non-nucleophilic amino acid. These enzymes cannot hydrolyze disaccharide products, but which can still form them. Using this enzyme, oligosaccharides are synthesized by preparing a mixture of an &agr;-glycosyl fluoride and a glycoside acceptor molecule; enzymatically coupling the &agr;-glycosyl fluoride to the glycoside acceptor molecule to form a glycosyl glycoside product using the mutant glycosidase enzyme; and recovering the glycosyl glycoside product. Particular enzymes include a mutant form of Agrobacterium &bgr;-Glucosidase in which the normal glutamic acid residue at position 358 is replaced with an alanine residue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhibitor of an activation of &bgr;-glucan recognition protein in a body fluid of an insect comprising a sugar compound comprising plural member of sugar residues, at least one of which have a substituent at the 6-position, the sugar residues being bonded mainly through &bgr; 1→3 linkage with one another, a process for inhibiting the activation; an agent for treating the body fluid of an insect, a process for the treatment; a novel agent for measuring peptidoglycan simply and effectively, and a process for the measurement. The present invention is markedly effective in that a reagent, which are obtained form a body fluid of an insect, can easily be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a polypeptide, comprising: (a) cultivating a Bacillus host cell in a medium conducive for the production of the polypeptide, wherein the Bacillus cell comprises a nucleic acid construct comprising (i) a tandem promoter in which each promoter sequence of the tandem promoter is operably linked to a single copy of a nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide and alternatively also (ii) an mRNA processing/stabilizing sequence located downstream of the tandem promoter and upstream of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide; and (b) isolating the polypeptide from the cultivation medium.

Abstract: It is shown that a defect in the chitotriosidase gene is a risk factor with respect to susceptibility for infectious diseases with chitin-containing pathogens and the development of (rheumatoid) arthritis. The molecular basis of the relatively common chitotriosidase deficiency is a 24 bp duplication in the chitotriosidase gene. A convenient method allowing analysis of chitotriosidase genotype and subsequent determination of increased risk has been developed. Chitotriosidase is shown to be selectively secreted by macrophages upon specific activation and excreted by neutrophils by release of specific granules upon an appropriate stimulus. It has been shown that the measurement of plasma chitotriosidase activity can be successfully used for diagnosis of specific disorders and monitoring of efficacy of therapeutic interventions, at least in combination with information on the chitotriosidase genotype status of an individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermophilic alkaliphilic bacteria designated Thermopallium natronophilum and thermophilic alkaliphilic polypeptides obtainable therefrom. It also provides compositions, particularly detergent compositions comprising the polypeptides.

Abstract: Fabrics are laundered in detergent compositions containing a mixture of &agr;-amylase enzymes to remove malodorous materials.

Abstract: A method for preparing a crystalline cellulase enzyme is provided which comprises preparing an aqueous solution containing cellulase enzyme and adding to the aqueous solution a salt comprising an anion selected from the group consisting of sulfate, phosphate, formate, acetate, sorbate, chloride, bromide, fluoride or iodide, and a cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, ammonium, magnesium, potassium or calcium, wherein the aqueous solution is at a temperature between 10° C. and 60° C.

Abstract: Qualitative and quantitative methods of testing an agent for its potential at inhibiting glycosidase catalytic activity, the methods including the steps of interacting a glycosidase enzyme with a glycosidase substrate in a presence of the agent and qualitatively or quantitatively evaluating an effect of the agent on the catalytic activity of the glycosidase enzyme toward the glycosidase substrate. Preferably the glycosidase enzyme is a heparanase enzyme and the glycosidase substrate is, respectively, a heparanase substrate.

Abstract: According to the invention a method is provided for liquefying starch comprising the steps of adding a sodium composition to the starch prior to or simultaneously with liquefying the starch; adding &agr;-amylase to the treated starch; and reacting the treated starch for a time and at a temperature effective to liquefy the treated starch. Preferred sodium compositions comprise sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, sodium benzoate, sodium sulfate, sodium bisulfite, sodium ascorbate, sodium acetate, sodium nitrate, sodium tartrate, sodium tetraborate, sodium propionate, sodium citrate, sodium succinate, monosodium glutamate, trisodium citrate, sodium phosphate or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A purified xylanase derived from B. Pumilus PRL B12 is disclosed. This xylanase is efficient for use in the biobleaching of wood pulp, permitting a strong reduction in the quantity of chlorine used and AOX compounds produced in classical and ECF wood pulp bleaching sequences as well as the quantity of ozone used in TCF sequences. The gene coding for the xylanase was isolated and purified and used to construct an expression vector therefor. A recombinant host strain of B. licheniformis is also disclosed which is efficient for expressing heterologous enzymes, including the xylanase when transformed by the expression vector.

Abstract: The properties of dough or bread can be improved by the addition of a carbohydrate oxidase which can oxidize the reducing end of an oligosaccharide more efficiently than the corresponding monosaccharide, e.g., preferentially oxidizing maltodextrins or cellodextrins over glucose. A novel carbohydrate oxidase having the capability to oxidize maltodextrins and cellodextrins more efficiently than glucose may be obtained from a strain of Microdochium, particularly M. nivale. The amino acid sequence of the novel carbohydrate oxidase has very low homology (<20% identity) with known amino acid sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel thermostable trehalose-releasing enzyme, and its preparations and uses. The enzyme is obtainable from the culture of microorganisms such as Sulfolobus acidocaldarius (ATCC 33909 and ATCC 49426) and Sulfolobus solfataricus (ATCC 35091 and ATCC 35092), and capable of hydrolyzing at a temperature of over 55.degree. C. the linkage between a trehalose moiety and the remaining glycosyl moiety in a non-reducing saccharide having a trehalose structure as an end unit and having a degree of glucose polymerization of 3 or higher. Trehalose and compositions containing the same are extensively useful in food products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Samples of commercial cellulose having high crystallinity (>80%) and a degree of polymerization of approximately 1500 were pretreated enzymatically under various conditions with commercial endoglucanases, before the chemical conversion to substituted cellulose derivatives was carried out. The enzymatically pretreated cellulose samples exhibited a significantly higher substitution, up to 222% higher, in comparison with control samples which had been treated with buffer without enzyme. The increase in substitution during the chemical reaction could be observed in the presence of various amounts of alkali, but fell as the amounts of alkali decreased. At the same degree of substitution of the cellulose derivative, the use of cellulose pretreated with endoglucanase significantly reduced the amount of alkali required by 60%, as compared with the use of cellulose pretreated only with buffer.

Abstract: Compositions and processes useful for the treatment of macerated foodstuff waste products, particularly foodstuff waste solids macerated by a garbage disposal apparatus. The compositions comprise per gram:0-50%wt. bacteria complex;75-99.99%wt. of an enzyme mixture containing:at least 5.times.10.sup.3 CDU/gram protease enzymes;at least 1.2.times.10.sup.4 MWU/gram amylase enzymes;at least 1.times.10.sup.2 LU/gram lipase enzymes;at least 1.times.10.sup.3 CU/gram cellulase enzymes;0-50%wt. of a preservative constituent, preferably propylene glycol;0-50%wt. of one or more nonionic surfactants;0-10%wt. of one or more optional constituents, selected from: coloring agents, fragrancing compositions, odor neutralizing compositions, micronutrients, pH adjusting agents, thickening agents.

Abstract: An enzymatic hydrolysis of a glycosidic substrate containing at least one of the said precursors is performed with at least one enzyme chosen in accordance with the structure of the said precursor, to liberate the corresponding monoglycosides by cleavage at a glycoside bond, and, in a second stage, an enzymatic hydrolysis of the product of the first stage is performed with at least one enzyme other than or identical to that/those of the first stage and designed to liberate the aroma components and aromas by cleavage of the aglycone-carbohydrate linkage bond. A vegetable material derived from a fruit such as grape or an aromatic or flowering plant, as well as their derivatives and by-products, is chosen as a glycosidic substrate. Terepenols such as geraniol, linalol, nerol and the like, terpene polyols and alcohols such as phenyl ethyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol, or the like, are obtained, in particular, as aroma components or aromas.

Abstract: Novel .alpha.-amylase enzymes are disclosed in which one or more of residues corresponding to A210, H405 and T412 in Bacillus licheniformis are mutated. The disclosed .alpha.-amylase enzymes show altered or improved stability and/or activity profiles.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition and an agent that can be used for treatment of epidurally migrating herniated intervertebral disc are provided. The composition comprises a glycosaminoglycan degrading enzyme, preferably chondroitinase, more preferably chondroitinase ABC, in an amount effective to dissolve nucleus pulposus epidurally existing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide (hhp) which identifies and encodes a novel human hyaluronidase (HHP). The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding HHP. The invention also provides for the use of substantially purified HHP and its agonists in the commercial production of recombinant proteins and in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HHP. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to hhp in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HHP. The invention also describes diagnostic assays which utilize diagnostic compositions comprising the polynucleotide, fragments or the complement thereof, which hybridize with the genomic sequence or the transcript of hhp. The present invention also relates to anti-HHP antibodies which specifically bind to HHP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Desulfurococcus amylopullulanase preparations and their use in producing sweeteners and ethanol from starch.

Abstract: An endoglucanase obtainable from Dictyoglomus exhibiting optimum activity at a temperature above 85.degree. C. is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to Alkalophilic Bacillus sp. AC13 microorganisms and cultures, and mutants and variants thereof, and to enzymes obtainable from the microorganism.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolation of an Aspergillus gene encoding rhamnogalacturonase (RG-ase) and the construction of recombinant Aspergillus strains with overexpression of RG-ase. These strains can be used for the commercial production of RG-ase. RG-ase is an important enzyme in processes requiring the degradation and/or modification of pectin or modification of pectin-containing vegetable or plant cell wall material. RG-ase may be used in various applications, including the processing of fruits and vegetables, in the extraction of components from vegetable material or for improving the functionality of pectin or pectin-containing vegetable material, food material or plant cell wall material.

Abstract: This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing chondroitinase wherein a decrease in enzyme activity is very little even after long-term storage, and the pharmaceutical compositions are characterized in that they contain chondroitinase and a pharmaceutical carrier, and that an amount of reducing impurities per 1 g of said pharmaceutical carrier is 0.4 mL or less as a titer by a titration method with 0.01 N of ammonium ceric nitrate.

Abstract: A crystallizable, purified chondroitinase ABC having a molecular weight of about 100,000 dalton by the measurement of the SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the measurement by the gel permeation chromatography method, having alanine as the N-terminal amino acid and proline as the C-terminal amino acid is disclosed. A process for the purification of the crystallizable purified chondroitinase ABC comprising removing nucleic acid from an surfactant solution extract obtained from cells of chondroitinase ABC-producing microorganisms and chromatographically treating by concentration gradient elution using a weak cation exchange resin or a strong cation exchange resin is disclosed. A composition comprising a chondroitinase and serum albumin, gelatin, or a nonionic surfactant is used to treat disc displacement. The enzyme is isolate from Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6896.

Abstract: A process for expressing extracellular .beta.-glucosidase in a filamentous fungus by expressing a fungal DNA sequence encoding enhanced, deleted or altered .beta.-glucosidase in a recombinant host microorganism is disclosed. Recombinant fungal cellulase compositions containing enhanced, deleted or altered expression of .beta.-glucosidase is also disclosed.

Abstract: Glycosaminoglycans, including heparinases 1, 2 and 3 as well as chondroitinases AC and B from the Gram negative bacteria Flavobacterium heparinum, can be used either separately or in combination to manipulate cell proliferation. In one embodiment, heparinases are administered to degrade heparan sulfate components of the extracellular matrix, thereby allowing the heparin binding growth factors which are stored in the extracellular matrix to migrate to adjacent cells. The mobility of chemoattractant agents, growth factors and cells also can be increased by treating tissues with glycosaminoglycan degrading enzymes, both chondroitinases and heparinases. The enzymatic removal of chondroitin sulfates from cell surfaces effectively increases the availability of growth factor receptors on the cell's surface. Selectively removing heparan sulfate from cell surfaces while leaving the extracellular matrix intact, conversely, inhibits cell proliferation by down regulating the cell's response to growth factors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel microorganisms, novel enzymes obtainable herefrom, and to a method of producing the novel enzymes. More specifically, the invention relates to novel enzymes obtainable from strains of the novel alkalophilic species Bacillus sp. AC13. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for producing the enzymes of the invention, and to the use of the enzymes in detergents or in the paper pulp industry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recombinant thermostable enzyme which has a molecular weight of about 69,000-79,000 daltons and a pI of about 5.4-6.4, and forms non-reducing saccharides having a trehalose structure as an end unit from reducing amylaceous saccharides having a degree of glucose polymerization of at least 3. The enzyme has satisfactorily high thermostability, i.e. it is substantially not inactivated even when incubated in an aqueous solution (pH 7.0) at 85.degree. C. for 60 min, and this facilitates the production of such non-reducing saccharides on an industrial scale and in a satisfactorily-high yield.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel thermostable pullulanases obtainable from Pyrodictium.

Abstract: An enzyme is altered by introducing an additional hydrophobic group to enhance the hydrophobic environment in the enzyme so as to interfere with entrance of a water molecule. In this connection, the site of introduction and kind of hydrophobic group to be introduced are selected on the basis of comprehensive analysis of amino acid sequence, three-dimensional structure, reaction mechanism or the like of the target enzyme. Using this method, an amino acid residue of neopullulanase derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus was replaced by another amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant neuraminidase obtainable by culturing in a suitable culture medium host cells which are transformed with a neuraminidase expression vector or infected with a virus which is transformed with a neuraminidase expression vector, wherein the expression vector comprises at least a part of the coding region of a neuraminidase gene of an influenza virus minus the region which codes for the membrane anchor, or a modified version thereof, preceded in phase by a signal sequence; and isolating the expression product neuraminidase from the culture medium. The invention further relates to a vaccine in which the recombinant neuraminidase is applied, and methods for manufacturing and purifying thereof.

Abstract: Novel .alpha.-amylase enzymes are disclosed in which one or more asparagine residues are substituted with a different amino acid or deleted. The disclosed .alpha.-amylase enzymes show altered or improved low pH starch hydrolysis performance, stability and activity profiles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide (hhp) which identifies and encodes a novel human hyaluronidase (HHP). The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding HHP, and a method for making HHP with the host cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and expression system for enhancing secretion of hyperproduced homologous and heterologous exoproteins in gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus sp. The method and system comprise overproduction of PrsA protein in a gram-positive bacterial host also overproducing at least one exoprotein of interest. Use of the method and system of the invention results in greatly enhanced secretion of the synthesized exoproteins into the growth medium. Once in the growth medium these secreted exoproteins can be recovered and purified in a straightforward manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to heat resistant maltose phosphorylase having an activity of 80% or more of the one untreated after treated in a buffer of pH 6.0, at one temperature of 50 to 60.degree. C. for 15 minutes, a process for preparation thereof, bacteria used for preparation thereof, and processes for preparation of .beta.-glucose-1-phosphoric and trehalose using the enzyme.By carrying out enzymatic reaction at high reaction temperatures using this enzyme, it is possible to prepare .beta.-glucose-1-phosphoric acid or trehalose industrially advantageously, with lowering of contamination with various germs and shortening of reaction time.

Abstract: A collagen containing substrate comprising cattle basal membrane is conditioned by incubating the membranes in a mixture of pepsin, hyaluronidase and acetic acid and separating the collagen from the mixture. The mixture can include pepsin, hyaluronidase and a 0.5 M solution of acetic acid in 1:1:10 proportions. The incubation is conducted for about 10 hours at about 45.degree. C. After incubation, collagen is separated from the mixture by centrifuging at a speed of 5000 to 30000 rpms for about 30 minutes. The collagen is mixed with polymerizable monomer and polymerized to form a gel that can be ground to form an intraocular or contact lens.