Abstract: New mutant .beta.-lactam acylases are provided exhibiting altered substrate specificities. These .beta.-lactam acylases are obtained by expression of a gene encoding said .beta.-lactam acylase and having an amino acid sequence which differs at least in one amino acid from the wild-type .beta.-lactam acylase.

Abstract: A high density, enzyme-containing powder detergent composition including a combination of alkaline proteases for improved cleaning characteristics and a combination of different density sodium carbonates for improved dispensing characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the enzymatic synthesis of alpha-sialylated oligosaccharide glycosides. Specifically, in the disclosed methods, sialyltransferase is activated to transfer an analogue of sialic acid, employed as its CMP-nucleotide derivative, to an oligosaccharide glycoside. The analogue of sialic acid and the oligosaccharide employed in this method are selected to be compatible with the sialyltransferase employed.

Abstract: An important intermediate for preparing cephalosporin antibiotics, 7-aminodesacetoxy cephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA), is prepared by a novel bioprocess in which a transformed Penicillium chrysogenum strain is cultured in the presence of an adipate feedstock to produce adipoyl-6-APA (6-amino penicillanic acid); and the in situ expression of an expandase gene, e.g., from Streptomyces clavuligerus, with which the P. chrysogenum has been transformed, converts the adipoly-6-APA by ring expansion to adipoyl-7-ADCA. The final product, 7-ADCA, is then prepared by cleavage of the adipoyl side chain using an adipoyl acylase. The entire synthesis, accordingly, is carried out using bioprocesses, and is efficient and economical.

Abstract: Synthesis of semi-synthetic monobactamic or .beta.-Lactamic antibiotics by using derivatives stabilized by various methods of penicillin G acylase from various microbial sources according to a thermodynamically controlled strategy in monophase water/cosolvent organic apolar systems, wherein the concentration of the cosolvent varies between 30% and 90%, the temperature between -10.degree. C. and 50.degree. C., the pH between 4.5 and 8.5, with concentrations of the antibiotic nucleus between 0.5 an 875 mM and acyl donor between 0.2 mM and 1M, with a relationship antibiotic ring/activated or free acyl donor, using a buffer between 0 and 1M. Application to the pharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: A process for making L-aminoacylase includes a cultivation of microorganism selected from a specy of Alcaligenes, especially the Alcaligenes denitrificans DA 181, and a separation of a produced L-aminoacylase from the bacterial cells for obtaining the L-aminoacylase which may be further purified for the production of L-amino acid. The acylase made by such a process may have an increased stability, beneficial for its commercial and medical values.

Abstract: A peptide amidase isolated from the flavedo of citrus fruits, preferably oranges, which is capable of catalyzing the selective hydrolytic elimination of the free amino group on the C-terminal end of peptide amides but which does not cleave peptide bonds. The enzyme accepts D-amino acid residues in the C-terminal position, although the hydrolysis rate is much slower than with L-amino acid residues. The enzyme is weakly inhibited by serine protease inhibitors; has an optimal pH of 7.5.+-.1.5, an optimum temperature of 30.degree. C. at pH 7.5 and has an isoelectric point of pH 9.5. The peptide amidase is stable at pH 6.0-9.0. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme is 23,000 +/- 3000 daltons. A peptide amidase according to the present invention is particular useful in the production of peptides by continuous enzymatic reaction of N-protected amino acid or peptide alkyl esters with amides of amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of 1-desoxynojirimycin. 1-Desoxynojirimycin can be reacted by alkylation on the nitrogen atom to give various saccharase inhibitors which are used therapeutically in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene encoding penicillin G acylase, the enzyme encoded by said gene and a method for the production of said enzyme by incorporating said gene in a host and bringing the same to expression. The gene is preferably obtained from a strain of the microorganism Alcaligenes faecalis.

Abstract: A process for the one-step conversion of cephalosporin C and derivatives thereof to the corresponding 7-aminocephalosporanic acid and derivatives comprising treating said cephalosporin C and derivatives with a cephalosporin C amidase enzyme of a recited sequence, the DNA encoding said enzyme, and expression thereof in a suitable host, e.g., Bacillus species under the control of a suitable promoter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method of protection of the carboxy group in the chemistry of the compounds of .beta.-lactam type. According to such a method, the carboxy group is protected by being transformed into its corresponding phenyl-acetoxy-methyl ester, which is then removed by an enzymatic route by means of penicillinacylase.In particular, if the .beta.-lactam compound also bears a phenyl-acetamidic substitutent, this latter is simultaneously hydrolysed during the same step of removal of the carboxy function protecting group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasmid suitable for the expression of penicillin G amidase, wherein it carries an incomplete penicillin G amidase gene in which the first 78 bases of the translated region on the 5' end of the complete gene are missing. This incomplete penicillin G amidase gene can also be present incorporated in the form of two separate fragments which commence with bases 79 and 868, respectively, counting from the translated region on the 5' end of the gene and displaying a deletion of the coding bases 705 to 867.The present invention also provides a process for the production of these plasmids and is also concerned with the use thereof for obtaining penicillin G amidase.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the solubility of an enzyme in an aqueous solution comprising providing a water-soluble anionic surfactant to the solution and further providing the solution with a pH above that which result in the formation of an enzyme/surfactant precipitate. The application is further directed to an aqueous solution containing an anionic surfactant and having an enzyme concentration contained therein which is higher than that possible in the absence of the surfactant.

Abstract: Stabilized carrier-bound protein is prepared by reacting a protein in aqueous solution with a mercapto group free, water insoluble carrier which contains binding groups which are reactive with the said protein and reacting the resultant protein-containing mercapto group-free carrier with hydrogen sulfide or with a compound having a molecular weight of less than 5000, and which contains at least two mercapto groups, or at least one mercapto group and at least one hydroxy- group or primary or secondary amino group.