Abstract: An isolated peptide fragment of the VapA protein that binds antibodies specific for Rhodococcus equi and the VapA protein. In a preferred form the peptide contains an amino acid sequence of 5 or more amino acid residues that is identical to or homologous to the amino acid sequence of at least one region of the VapA protein that is responsible for immunological recognition. Methods of diagnosing a vertebrate for the presence of R. equi using the peptide and methods of vaccinating a vertebrate against R. equi using the peptide are also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing a target substance using a coryneform bacterium comprising culturing a coryneform bacterium having an ability to produce the target substance in a medium, resulting in accumulation of the target substance in the medium or cells of the bacterium, and collecting the target substance from the medium or the cells of the bacterium. Also disclosed is a coryneform bacterium which is introduced with a methanol dehydrogenase gene and which has enhanced activities of hexulose phosphate synthase and phosphohexuloisomerase, and to which an ability to utilize methanol is imparted or which has enhanced ability to utilize methanol, and the medium contains methanol as a carbon source.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide sequences from Coryneform bacteria which code for the PtsI protein and a process for the fermentative preparation of amino acids using bacteria in which the ptsI gene is enhanced.

Abstract: L-Arginine is produced by culturing a coryneform bacterium in which an arginine repressor involved in L-arginine biosynthesis is deleted by disrupting a gene coding for the repressor, and which has L-arginine producing ability in a medium to produce and accumulate L-arginine in the medium, and collecting the L-arginine from the medium.

Abstract: A process for the production of an L-amino acid wherein coryneform bacteria (e.g. Coryneform glutamicum) in which expression of the mqo gene coding for malate quinone oxidoreductase is attenuated are fermented to produce a desired amino acid, and the amino acid is concentrated in the medium or cells and isolated. Optionally, further genes in the biosynthetic pathway of the desired amino acid are enhanced, and/or metabolic pathways that reduce formation of the amino acid are suppressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated polynucleotides from Corynebacterium glutamicum which are useful in the regulation of gene expression. In particular, the invention relates to isolated polynucleotides comprising C.glutamicum promoters which may be used to regulate, i.e., either increase or decrease, gene expression. In certain embodiments, isolated promoter sequences of the present invention regulate gene expression through the use of exogenous or endogenous induction. The invention further provides recombinant vectors and recombinant cells comprising isolated polynucleotides of the present invention, preferably in operable association with heterologous genes. Also provided are methods of regulating bacterial gene expression comprising growth of a recombinant cell of the present invention. In particular, the present invention provides methods to regulate genes involved in amino acid production comprising growth of a recombinant cell of the present invention.

Abstract: Alleles of the lysC gene from corynebacteria that code for desensitized aspartokinases, and to processes for the preparation of L-lysine using bacteria containing these alleles.

Abstract: The invention provides novel microorganisms, methods for the production thereof and novel processes for the production of amino acids. Mutagenesis of parental bacterial strains and selection of an improved raffinate-resistant phenotype enables the isolation of strains with enhanced growth properties that produce larger amounts of amino acid. Microorganisms of the invention are produced from amino acid producing parental strains such as Corynebacterium or Brevibacterium, particularly preferred are parental strains that produce L-lysine.

Abstract: Disclosed is DNA encoding diphtheria toxin polypeptides having multiple mutations, which render the polypeptides useful as vaccines.

Abstract: The invention relates to polynucleotides corresponding to the ccpA2 gene and which encode a CcpA2 catabolite control protein, methods of producing L-amino acids, and methods of screening for polynucleotides which encode proteins having CcpA2 catabolite control activity.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide which contains a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group comprising: (a) a polynucleotide which is at least 70% identical to a polynucleotide coding for a polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, (b) a polynucleotide coding for a polypeptide containing an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, (c) a polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of (a) or (b), and (d) a polynucleotide containing at least 15 consecutive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of (a), (b) or (c), and a fermentation process for the preparation of L-amino acids using corynebacteria in which at least the pknB gene is amplified, and to the use, as hybridization probes, of polynucleotides containing the sequences according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polynucleotides containing a polynucleotide sequence which is: a) polynucleotide which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, or b) polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, or c) polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), or d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), and a process for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which at least the ccpA1 gene is present in attenuated form, and the use of the polynucleotide sequences as hybridization probes.

Abstract: The invention relates to L-lysine-producing strains of corynebacteria with enhanced lysE gene (lysine export carrier gene), in which strains additional genes chosen from the group comprising the dapA gene (dihydrodipicolinate synthase gene), the lysC gene (aspartate kinase gene), the dapB gene (dihydrodipicolinate reductase gene) and the pyc gene, but especially the dapA gene and the lysC gene (aspartate kinase gene), are enhanced and, in particular, over-expressed, and to a process for the preparation of L-lysine.

Abstract: A novel CrtZ carotenoid hydroxylase, isolated from Brevundimonas vesicularis DC263, is provided that is useful for the production of hydroxylated carotenoids. Additionally, a previously identified hypothetical protein from Novosphingobium aromaticivorans has found to have carotenoid hydroxylase activity. Both hydroxylase genes exhibit low homology in comparison to other CrtZ hydroxylases previously reported. Expression of the hydroxylases in heterologous host cells enabled production of hydroxylated carotenoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences of coryneform bacteria, coding for proteins involved in the bio-synthesis of L-serine and to methods for the isolation thereof. The invention further relates to an improved method for the production of L-serine. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of L-serine in the food, animal feed and/or pharmaceutical industries or in human medicine.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence chosen from the group consisting of a) polynucleotide which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, b) polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, c) polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), and d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), and a process for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which at least the lysR2 gene is present in attenuated form, and the use of the polynucleotide sequences as hybridization probes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a muscle-specific protein, Ozz, and nucleic acids encoding the protein, that regulates development and function of muscle cells. The invention further relates to muscle-specific regulated expression of the protein, and of heterologous genes under control of the same regulatory sequences. In a specific example, a murine Ozz protein of 285 amino acids is preferentially expressed by a 1.0 kb mRNA in heart and skeletal muscle. This protein shares significant homology with neuralized proteins, and associates with a number of muscle proteins, including ?-catenin.

Abstract: Genes have been isolated from Pectobacterium cypripedii encoding geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthase (CrtE), phytoene synthase (CrtB), phytoene desaturase (Crtl), lycopene cyclase (CrtY), ?-carotene hydroxylase (CrtZ), and zeaxanthin glucosyl transferase (CrtX) activity. The genes and their products are useful for the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate to carotenoids. Vectors containing those DNA segments, host cells containing the vectors and methods for producing those enzymes by recombinant DNA technology in transformed host organisms are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleotide sequences from coryneform bacteria which code for maltate dehydrogenase and a process for the fermentative preparation of amino acids using bacteria in which the mdhA gene is attenuated.

Abstract: Accordingly the present invention provides a process for the preparation an alcoholic extract with Carotenoids, UV absorption, antibacterial and pH indicating properties from a deep-sea bacterium which comprises a method for growing the cells in a medium with salinity ranging from 1.5 to 3% for 3–4 days at 28+/?2° C. and harvesting them to prepare an extract which shows the properties of carotenoids (yellow/orange coloration), UV absorption, antibacterial and pH indicator properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus, which has an activity of hydroxylating a compound represented by the formula (I-a): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or an alkali metal, and R2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or a ring-closed lactone form thereof; a DNA encoding the protein; and a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide having a polynucleotide sequence which codes for the sigC gene from Corynebacterium glutamicum, and a host-vector system having a coryneform host bacterium, such as Corynebacterium glutamicum, and a vector which carries at least the sigC gene according to SEQ ID No 1, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a penicillin binding protein, DNA encoding the protein and methods of producing L-glutamic acid in Corynebacterium glutamicum, which has a reduction of penicillin binding protein activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence chosen from the group consisting of a) polynucleotide which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, b) polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, c) polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), and d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), and a process for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which at least the mikE17 gene is present in attenuated form, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide from Corynebacterium glutamicum having a polynucleotide sequence which encodes the sigma factor M (sigM) gene, and a host-vector system having a coryneform host bacterium in which the sigM gene is present in enhanced form and a vector which carries at least the sigM gene according to SEQ ID No 1, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleotide sequences from coryneform bacteria which code for maltate dehydrogenase and a process for the fermentative preparation of amino acids using bacteria in which the mdhA gene is attenuated.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide containing a polynucleotide sequence selected from the following group: a) a polynucleotide which is at least 70% identical to a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, b) a polynucleotide which encodes a polypeptide which contains an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, c) a polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), and d) a polynucleotide containing at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), a process for the fermentative production of L-amino acids with amplification of the pfkA gene and use as primer or hybridisation probe.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to the over-production of L-isoleucine by nonhuman organisms. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for producing L-isoleucine comprising: (a) growing a transformed nonhuman organism under conditions that provide for synthesis of L-isoleucine, wherein the nonhuman organism comprises one or more copies of a transgene comprising at least one nucleotide sequence encoding catabolic threonine dehydratase; wherein the L-isoleucine is synthesized by the transformed nonhuman organism, the synthesis being greater than that of the corresponding non-transformed nonhuman organism; and (b) recovering the L-isoleucine from the culture medium in which the transformed nonhuman organism was cultured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of microbiology and microbial genetics. More specifically, the invention relates to novel bacterial strains and processes employing these strains for the fermentative production of amino acids such as threonine.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a Corynebacterium glutamicum bacterial strain which new isolated and identified secD and/or secF gene(s) is/are genetically modified in a way that secretion of the bacterial strain is enhanced, the protein- and polynucleotide sequences of these genes, a plasmid containing at least one of these genes and the use of such a bacterial strain for production of a desired substance or in a reporter system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide from Corynebacterium glutamicum having a polynucleotide sequence which codes for the carbon starvation protein A (cstA) gene, and a host-vector system having a coryneform host bacterium in which the cstA gene is present in enhanced form and a vector which carries at least the cstA gene according to SEQ ID NO: 1, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutated pyruvate carboxylase gene from Corynebacterium. The mutant pyruvate carboxylase gene encodes a pyruvate carboxylase enzyme which is resistant to feedback inhibition from aspartic acid. The present invention also relates to a method of replacing the wild-type pyruvate carboxylase gene in Corynebacterium with this feedback-resistant pyruvate carboxylase gene. The present invention further relates to methods of the production of amino acids, preferably lysine, comprising the use of this mutant pyruvate carboxylase enzyme in microorganisms.

Abstract: A method of producing coryneform bacteria having improved amino acid or nucleic acid productivity comprising the steps of introducing a mutation in a promoter sequence of amino acid- or nucleic acid-biosynthesizing genes on a chromosome of a coryneform bacterium to make it close to a consensus sequence, or introducing a change in a promoter sequence of amino acid- or nucleic acid-biosynthesizing genes on a chromosome of a coryneform bacterium by gene recombination to make it close to a consensus sequence, to obtain mutants of the coryneform amino acid- or nucleic acid-producing microorganism, culturing the mutants and selecting a mutant capable of producing the intended amino acid or nucleic acid in a large amount. This method allows the construction of a mutant capable of enriching or controlling the expression of an intended gene without using a plasmid and to promote production of amino acids in a high yield by recombination or mutation.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of a) polynucleotide which is at least 70% identical to a polynucleotide that codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, b) polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide that comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, c) polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), and d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), and processes for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which at least the metH gene is present in enhanced form, and use of the polynucleotide sequences as hybridization probes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a genetically modified coryneform bacterium, the fadD15 gene of which is amplified, and an isolated polynucleotide which codes for acyl-CoA synthase from coryneform bacteria, and also a method for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids with amplification of the fadD15 gene in the bacteria and the use of the polynucleotide as a primer or hybridization probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence chosen from the group consisting of a) polynucleotide which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, b) polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, c) polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), and d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), and a process for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which at least the menE gene is present in attenuated form, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of a) polynucleotide which is at least 70% identical to a polynucleotide that codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID. No. 2, b) polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide that comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, c) polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), and p1 d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), and processes for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which at least the metE gene is present in enhanced form, and the use of the polynucleotide sequences as hybridization probes.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide which contains a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group comprising: (a) a polynucleotide which is at least 70% identical to a polynucleotide coding for a polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, (b) a polynucleotide coding for a polypeptide containing an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, (c) a polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of (a) or (b), and (d) a polynucleotide containing at least 15 consecutive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of (a), (b) or (c), and a fermentation process for the preparation of L-amino acids using corynebacteria in which at least the pknB gene is amplified, and to the use, as hybridization probes, of polynucleotides containing the sequences according to the invention.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence chosen from the group consisting of a) polynucleotide which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, b) polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, c) polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), and d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), and a process for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which at least the rpsL gene is present in enhanced form, as well as the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide having a polynucleotide sequence which codes for the citB gene, and a host-vector system having a coryneform host bacterium in which the citB gene is present in attenuated form and a vector which carries at least the citB gene according to SEQ ID No 1, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: A unique carotenogenic biosynthetic gene cluster has been isolated from Panteoa agglomerans strain DC404, wherein the genetic organization of the cluster is crtE-idi-crtY-crtI-crtB-crtZ. The genes contained within this cluster encode geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthetase (CrtE), isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase (Idi), lycopene cyclase (CrtY), phytoene desaturase (CrtI), phytoene synthase (CrtB), and ?-carotene hydroxylase (CrtZ). The gene cluster, genes and their products are useful for the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate to carotenoids. Vectors containing those DNA segments, host cells containing the vectors and methods for producing those enzymes by recombinant DNA technology in transformed host organisms are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to increase the production of an amino acid from Corynebacterium species by way of the amplification of amino acid biosynthetic pathway genes in a host cell chromosome. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods to increase the production of L-lysine in Corynebacterium glutamicum by way of the amplification of L-lysine biosynthetic pathway genes in a host cell chromosome. The invention also provides novel processes for the production of an amino acid by way of the amplification of amino acid biosynthetic pathway genes in a host cell chromosome and/or by increasing promoter strength. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides processes to increase the production of L-lysine in Corynebacterium glutamicum by way of the amplification of L-lysine biosynthetic pathway genes in a host cell chromosome.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide which contains a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group comprising: (a) a polynucleotide which is at least 70% identical to a polynucleotide coding for a polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, (b) a polynucleotide coding for a polypeptide containing an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, (c) a polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of (a) or (b), and (d) a polynucleotide containing at least 15 consecutive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of (a), (b), or (c), and a fermentation process for the preparation of L-amino acids using corynebacteria in which at least the pknD gene is amplified, and to the use, as hybridization probes, of polynucleotides containing the sequences according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide having a polynucleotide sequence which codes for the gorA gene, and a host-vector system having a coryneform host bacterium in which the gorA gene is present in attenuated form and a vector which carries at least the gorA gene according to SEQ ID No 1, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing the productivity of a microorganism by improving the assimilation of carbon dioxide. Specifically, the invention provides a polypeptide having phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity which does not require acetyl coenzyme A for activation and is desensitized to feedback inhibition by aspartic acid, and to genes coding for this polypeptide. A gene encoding a PEP carboxylase that is not regulated by acetyl-CoA or aspartic acid can improve carbon flow from the three carbon intermediate PEP to the four carbon intermediate OAA, contribute to compounds derived from OAA, and increase amino acid biosynthesis. The invention further provides recombinant DNA molecules containing these genes, bacteria transformed with these genes, and a method of producing amino acids using the transformed bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to polynucleotides corresponding to the oxyR gene from Corynebacterium glutamicum and which encode a OxyR transcriptional regulator, methods of producing L-amino acids, and methods of screening for polynucleotides which encode proteins having OxyR transcriptional regulator activity.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of D-pantothenic acid and/or salts thereof or feedstuffs additives comprising these by fermentation of microorganisms of the Enterobacteriaceae family, in particular those which already produce D-pantothenic acid, in which the nucleotide sequence(s) in the microorganisms which code(s) for the adk gene is/are enhanced, in particular over-expressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to preferably recombinant DNA derived from Corynebacterium and replicable in coryneform microorganisms, which contains at least one nucleotide sequence that codes for the thrE gene, and a process for the production of L-threonine, which is characterised in that the following steps are carried out: a) Fermentation of microorganisms in which at least the thrE gene is amplified (overexpressed), optionally in combination with further genes, b) Enrichment of the L-threonine in the medium or in the cells of the microorganisms, and c) Isolation of the L-threonine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide having the activity of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (hereinafter referred to as GlmU), a DNA coding for the polypeptide, a recombinant DNA containing the DNA, a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA, a method of culturing the transformant for producing the GlmU polypeptide, and a method of culturing the transformant for producing uridine 5?-diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine. According to the present invention, mass-scale production of the GlmU polypeptide derived from microorganisms belonging to the genus Corynebacterium glutamicum has been enabled by genetic recombinant technology. By using the enzyme, uridine 5?-diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing D-pantothenic acid using Coryneform bacteria in which the poxB gene is attenuated.