Brevibacterium Or Corynebacterium Patents (Class 435/252.32)
  • Patent number: 8252577
    Abstract: Provided is a microorganism that can display, on the cell surface, any molecules other than a molecule comprising amino acids, more specifically, a microorganism that displays biotin on a cell surface. The microorganism is capable of co-expressing a biotinylating enzyme and an acceptor peptide having a sequence recognized by the biotinylating enzyme, wherein the acceptor peptide is expressed on the cell surface, so that lysine of the acceptor peptide is biotinylated to display biotin on the cell surface. Also provided is a method for displaying an intended molecule, including not only a molecule comprising amino acids but also any molecules, on a cell surface of a microorganism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Bio-Energy Corporation, Kansai Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kondo, Hideki Fukuda, Tsutomu Tanaka, Hideo Noda
  • Publication number: 20120208244
    Abstract: [Problem] Providing a methodology for improving a yield of 2R,4R-Monatin. [Means for solving the Problem] A method for producing 2S,4R-Monatin or a salt thereof, comprising contacting 4R-IHOG with an L-aminotransferase in the presence of an L-amino acid to form the 2S,4R-Monatin; a method for producing 2R,4R-Monatin or a salt thereof, comprising isomerizing the 2S,4R-Monatin to form the 2R,4R-Monatin; and the like. These production methods may further comprise condensing indole-3-pyruvate and pyruvate to form the 4R-IHOG, and oxidizing a tryptophan to form the indole-3-pyruvate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: AJINOMOTO CO., INC.
    Inventors: YASUAKI TAKAKURA, HIROOMI OGINO
  • Publication number: 20120208245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Corynebacterium sp. strain having an activity of NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and an improved productivity of L-lysine, and a method for producing L-lysine using the same. According to the Corynebacterium sp. strain of the present invention and the method for producing L-lysine using the same, L-lysine can be produced in a high yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: CJ CHEILJEDANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: So Yeon Rah, Sang Jo Lim
  • Publication number: 20120202259
    Abstract: This invention relates to the metabolic evolution of a microbial organism previously optimized for producing an organic acid in commercially significant quantities under fermentative conditions using a hexose sugar as sole source of carbon in a minimal mineral medium. As a result of this metabolic evolution, the microbial organism acquires the ability to use pentose sugars derived from cellulosic materials for its growth while retaining the original growth kinetics, the rate of organic acid production and the ability to use hexose sugars as a source of carbon. This invention also discloses the genetic change in the microorganism that confers the ability to use both the hexose and pentose sugars simultaneously in the production of commercially significant quantities of organic acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Myriant Corporation
    Inventors: Tammy Grabar, Wei Gong, R. Rogers Yocum
  • Publication number: 20120190083
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of cysteine or derivates thereof by culturing a microorganism having reduced activity of endogenous phosphoserine phosphatase and the activity of PhnC, PhnD, and PhnE is reduced, and enhanced activity of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and/or phosphoserine aminotransferase. The O-phosphoserine produced by such an organism can then be reacted with a sulfide in the presence of a sulfydrylase or a microorganism expressing a sulfhydrylase to produce cysteine or a derivative thereof. Microorganisms having these reduced and enhanced properties noted above are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CJ CHEILJEDANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Sook CHANG, Jae Hyun JO, Hyun Ae BAE, Byeong Cheol SONG, Sol KIM, Hye Won KIM, Hye Won UM, Sung Hoo JHON, Yong Uk SHIN, Eun Bin YANG, Kyoung Min LEE, Soo An SHIN
  • Publication number: 20120190081
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of cysteine or derivates thereof by culturing a microorganism having reduced activity of endogenous phosphoserine phosphatase. The O-phosphoserine produced by such an organism can then be reacted with a sulfide in the presence of a sulfydrylase or a microorganism expressing a sulfhydrylase to produce cysteine or a derivative thereof. Microorganisms having the properties noted above are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CJ CHEILJEDANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Sook CHANG, Jae Hyun JO, Hyun Ae BAE, Byeong Cheol SONG, Sol KIM, Hye Won KIM
  • Publication number: 20120190082
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of cysteine or derivates thereof by culturing a microorganism having reduced activity of endogenous phosphoserine phosphatase and enhanced activity of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and/or phosphoserine aminotransferase. The O-phosphoserine produced by such an organism can then be reacted with a sulfide in the presence of a sulfydrylase or a microorganism expressing a sulfhydrylase to produce cysteine or a derivative thereof. Microorganisms having the properties noted above are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CJ CHEILJEDANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Sook CHANG, Jae Hyun JO, Hyun Ae BAE, Byeong Cheol SONG, Sol KIM, Hye Won KIM
  • Publication number: 20120190084
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the fermentative preparation of sulphur-containing amino acids chosen from the group of L-methionine, L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-homocysteine and L-homocystine, comprising the steps: a) provision of a microorganism of the family Enterobacteriaceae or of a microorganism of the family Corynebacteriaceae which has an increased thiosulphate sulphurtransferase activity compared with the particular starting strain; b) fermentation of the microorganism from a) in a medium which contains an inorganic source of sulphur chosen from the group of salt of dithiosulphuric acid or a mixture of a salt of dithiosulphuric acid and a salt of sulphuric acid, a fermentation broth being obtained, and c) concentration of the sulphur-containing amino acid in the fermentation broth from b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Schneider, Stella Molck, Brigitte Bathe
  • Publication number: 20120178124
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to obtain highly active P450scc enzyme protein which is an important enzyme protein that catalyzes the first step of the biosynthesis of industrially useful steroid hormone. The present invention provides a sterol side chain cleavage enzyme protein having the following physicochemical properties: (1) action: the enzyme acts on sterol represented by formula (I) as defined in the specification and cleaves the carbon-carbon bond between positions 20 and 22 of a sterol side chain portion by its activity of cleaving the bonds, so as to generate a compound represented by formula (II) as defined in the specification; (2) substrate specificity: when microorganisms that produce the enzyme protein are allowed to react with an aqueous solution containing 100 ?g/ml 4-cholesten-3-one or cholesterol at 28° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamagishi, Takeshi Sakamoto, Makoto Ueda, Masashi Itoh, Yoshikazu Fujii, Hiroki Kabumoto, Akira Arisawa, Tadashi Fujii
  • Patent number: 8216820
    Abstract: A transformant capable of producing isopropanol which is constructed by transferring the following genes (a) to (d) into a coryneform bacterium: (a) an exogenous gene which encodes an enzyme having acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase activity; (b) an exogenous gene which encodes an enzyme having acetoacetyl CoA:acetate CoA-transferase activity; (c) an exogenous gene which encodes an enzyme having acetoacetate decarboxylase activity; and (d) an exogenous gene which encodes an enzyme having isopropanol dehydrogenase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth
    Inventors: Hideaki Yukawa, Masayuki Inui
  • Publication number: 20120171738
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocatalytic method of preparing a mono-acylated polyol catalyzed by triacyl-glycerol lipase mutants, as for example derived from Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB); a biocatalytic method of enantioselectively preparing an asymmetric mono-acylated polyol, catalyzed by the same enzyme mutants; as well as the use of a mutated triacylglycerol lipase in a method of preparing mono-acylated polyols. The invention also provides novel mutants, coding sequences thereof, and recombinant microorganisms carrying said coding sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Bernhard Hauer, Cecilia Kvarnström Branneby, Karl Hult, Anders Mangnusson, Anders Hamberg
  • Publication number: 20120164698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing organic-chemical compounds, characterized in that the following steps are carried out: a) fermentation of a microorganism secreting an L-amino acid, which microorganism contains an overexpressed polynucleotide coding for a polypeptide having polyphosphate-dependent NAD+ kinase activity, in a fermentation medium, to form a fermentation broth, b) accumulation of said compound in said fermentation broth and/or in the cells of said microorganism. The invention relates to a method for preparing organic-chemical compounds by fermentation of a microorganism in which a polypeptide having polyphosphate-dependent NAD+ kinase is overexpressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: EVONIK DEGUSSA GMBH
    Inventors: Volker F. Wendisch, Steffen Lindner, Brigitte Bathe, Wilfried Claes
  • Publication number: 20120156158
    Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Mark Scott Payne, John Edward Gavagan
  • Publication number: 20120156155
    Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Dicosimo, Mark Scott Payne, John Edward Gavagan
  • Publication number: 20120156156
    Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Dicosimo, Mark Scott Payne, John Edward Gavagan
  • Publication number: 20120156159
    Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Mark Scott Payne, John Edward Gavagan
  • Publication number: 20120156157
    Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Mark Scott Payne, John Edward Gavagan
  • Publication number: 20120156735
    Abstract: The present invention is related to recombinant host cells comprising: (i) at least one deletion, mutation, and/or substitution in an endogenous gene encoding a polypeptide that converts pyruvate to acetaldehyde, acetyl-phosphate or acetyl-CoA; and (ii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphoketolase activity. The present invention is also related to recombinant host cells further comprising (iii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphotransacetylase activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dauner, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20120156740
    Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes a microbial organism having a 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol pathway that includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. A method for producing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol includes culturing a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol pathway. The pathway includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Priti PHARKYA, Mark J. Burk
  • Patent number: 8202706
    Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, with the L-aspartic acid at position 5 of the amino acid sequence replaced by another proteinogenic amino acid, and possesses citrate synthase activity. In addition, a vector comprises the polynucleotide and a bacterium comprises the vector. An isolated polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising, from position 1 to 39, the nucleotide sequence corresponding to position 1 to 39 of SEQ ID NO: 11, from position 40 to 105, a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, with each proteinogenic amino acid except L-aspartic acid being present at position 5. A method of producing an L-amino acids is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Brigitte Bathe, Wilfried Claes
  • Publication number: 20120122181
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analyzing agonist-activity to a cytokinin receptor, which comprises (1) bringing an examinee substance into contact with a transformed cell into which DNA coding the cytokinin receptor is introduced and (2) measuring the existence or the quantity of intracellular signal transduction from the cytokinin receptor expressed in the transformed cell, and, a method for analyzing antagonist-activity to a cytokinin receptor, which comprises (1) bringing an examinee substance and a substance having agonist-activity to the cytokinin receptor into contact with a transformed cell into which DNA coding the cytokinin receptor is introduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Tatsuo KAKIMOTO, Masayuki HIGUCHI, Tsutomu INOUE
  • Publication number: 20120122171
    Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial biocatalyst including a microbial organism having a 4-hydroxybutanoic acid (4-HB) biosynthetic pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding 4-hydroxybutanoate dehydrogenase, succinyl-CoA synthetase, CoA-dependent succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, or ?-ketoglutarate decarboxylase, wherein the exogenous nucleic acid is expressed in sufficient amounts to produce monomeric 4-hydroxybutanoic acid (4-HB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GENOMATICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Stephen J. Van Dien, Anthony P. Burgard, Wei Niu
  • Publication number: 20120115203
    Abstract: A highly active L-isoleucine dioxygenase from Bacillus thuringiensis is provided. A method for manufacturing (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine or a salt thereof by reacting L-isoleucine in an aqueous solvent in the presence of L-isoleucine dioxygenase and isolating (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kodera, Sergey Vasilievich Smirnov, Natalia Nikolaevna Samsonova, Veronika Aleksandrovna Kotliarova, Natalia Yurievna Rushkevich, Yury Ivanovich Kozlov, Sakayu Shimizu, Jun Ogawa, Makoto Hibi, Vitaly Grigorievich Paraskevov
  • Publication number: 20120108855
    Abstract: The invention provides isolated or recombinant ethanologenic bacteria that have increased expression of transhydrogenase genes and methods of preparation. The invention also provides methods of producing ethanol using the bacterium and corresponding kits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Lonnie O. Ingram, Elliot N. Miller, Laura R. Jarboe
  • Patent number: 8163532
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms and methods for producing methionine by reactivation of the MetH enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Hartwig Schröder, Corinna Klopprogge, Andrea Herold, Stefan Haefner, R. Rogers Yocum, Thomas A. Patterson, Mark Williams
  • Publication number: 20120094345
    Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having 4-hydroxybutanoic acid (4-HB) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) biosynthetic pathways. The pathways include exogenous nucleic acids encoding a) an ?-ketoglutarate decarboxylase; b) a 4-hydroxybutanoate dehydrogenase; c) a 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA:acetyl-CoA transferase or a butyrate kinase and a phosphotransbutyrylase; d) an aldehyde dehydrogenase, and e) an alcohol dehydrogenase, wherein the exogenous nucleic acids are expressed in sufficient amounts to produce 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO). Also provide is a method for the production of 1,4-BDO. The method includes culturing the non-naturally occurring microbial organism having 4-HB and 1,4-BDO biosynthetic pathways substantially anaerobic conditions for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,4-BDO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Stephen J. Van Dien, Anthony P. Burgard, Wei Niu
  • Patent number: 8158390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing L-valine and to a suitable microorganism. The inventive method is characterized by preferably enhancing the transaminase C activity of a coryneform bacterium, especially Corynebacterium glutamicum. The organisms so modified have a yield in L-valine which is 35.8% higher than that of non-modified organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Marienhagen, Lothar Eggeling, Hermann Sahm
  • Patent number: 8148117
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms and processes for the efficient preparation of L-amino acids such as L-methionine. In particular, the present invention relates to microorganisms and processes in which the formation and/or accumulation of homolanthionine in the methionine pathway is reduced and/or prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Andrea Herold, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schröder, Stefan Haefner, Elmar Heinzle, Christoph Wittmann, Jens Kroemer, Janice G. Pero, R. Rogers Yocum, Thomas A. Patterson, Mark Williams, Theron Herman
  • Publication number: 20120077273
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting proliferation of a modified host cell outside of a designated process condition. Compositions and methods for providing a host cell having reduced viability when exposed to natural conditions external to a controlled environment are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: JOULE UNLIMITED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: George Church, Frank A. Skraly, Brian D. Green, Jacob C. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20120064622
    Abstract: The present disclosure identifies pathways, mechanisms, systems and methods to confer chemoautotrophic production of carbon-based products of interest, such as sugars, alcohols, chemicals, amino acids, polymers, fatty acids and their derivatives, hydrocarbons, isoprenoids, and intermediates thereof, in organisms such that these organisms efficiently convert inorganic carbon to organic carbon-based products of interest using inorganic energy, such as formate, and in particular the use of organisms for the commercial production of various carbon-based products of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: GINKGO BIOWORKS
    Inventors: CURT R. FISCHER, AUSTIN J. CHE, RESHMA P. SHETTY, JASON R. KELLY
  • Publication number: 20120064582
    Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide having a polynucleotide sequence which codes for the alr gene, and a host-vector system having a coryneform host bacterium in which the alr gene is present in attenuated form and a vector which carries at least the alr gene according to SEQ ID No 1, and the use of polynucleotides which comprise the sequences according to the invention as hybridization probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Andreas Tauch, Michael Binder, Walter Pfefferle, Georg Thierbach, Jörn Kalinowski, Alfred Pühler
  • Patent number: 8133714
    Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant coryneform bacterium which secretes an organic chemical compound and in which the sugR gene which codes for a polypeptide having the activity of an SugR regulator has been attenuated. The invention further relates to a processes for using this bacterium for the fermentative preparation of organic chemical compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignees: Evonik Degussa GmbH, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
    Inventors: Brigitte Bathe, Bastian Blombach, Bernhard Eikmanns, Verena Engels, Georg Thierbach, Volker Wendisch
  • Publication number: 20120058530
    Abstract: This invention relates to the biocatalysts for the efficient production of succinic acid and/or other products from renewable biological feedstocks. The biocatalysts have a very high efficiency for the growth-coupled production of succinic acid and/or other products from carbohydrate feed stocks as a result of both genetic manipulations and metabolic evolution. More specifically, certain biocatalysts of the present invention produce succinic acid at high titers and yield in mineral salts media during simple pH-controlled, batch fermentation without the addition of any exogenous genetic material. The genetic manipulations of the present invention are concerned with the energy-conserving strategies coupled with the elimination of alternative routes for NADH oxidation other than the routes for succinic acid production. The biocatalysts contain glucose-repressed gluconeogenic phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (pck) depressed by genetic modifications and a genetically-inactivated phosphotransferase system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC.
    Inventors: Xueli Zhang, Kaemwich Jantama, Jonathan C. Moore, Laura R. Jarboe, Keelnatham T. Shanmugam, Lonnie O'Neal Ingram
  • Publication number: 20120058541
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved systems for the biological production of certain aliphatic alcohol compounds. In particular, the present disclosure provides biological systems that show improved resistance to aliphatic alcohol toxicity; in sonic embodiments, such improved resistance allows for increased levels of aliphatic alcohol production. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides, inter alia, engineered microorganisms that both produce an aliphatic alcohol compound and show resistance to that compound as measured by an ability to grow to predetermined levels in the presence of a given concentration of the compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Keith Alsaker, Daniel Grenfell-Lee, Michael Hudson, Adam Lawrence, Jessica McGrath, David Young
  • Patent number: 8119372
    Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, with the L-aspartic acid at position 5 of the amino acid sequence replaced by another proteinogenic amino acid, and possesses citrate synthase activity. In addition, a vector comprises the polynucleotide and a bacterium comprises the vector. An isolated polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising, from position 1 to 39, the nucleotide sequence corresponding to position 1 to 39 of SEQ ID NO: 11, from position 40 to 105, a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, with each proteinogenic amino acid except L-aspartic acid being present at position 5. A method of producing an L-amino acids is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Brigitte Bathe, Wilfried Claes
  • Publication number: 20120028320
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing adipic acid, comprising converting alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) into alpha-ketoadipic acid (AKA), converting alpha-ketoadipic acid into alpha-ketopimelic acid (AKP), converting alpha-ketopimelic acid into 5-formylpentanoic acid (5-FVA), and converting 5-formylpentanoic acid into adipic acid, wherein at least one of these conversions is carried out using a heterologous biocatalyst.The invention further relates to a heterologous cell, comprising one or more heterologous nucleic acid sequences encoding one or more heterologous enzymes capable of catalysing at least one reaction step in said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.
    Inventors: Petronella Catharina Raemakers-Franken, Martin Schürmann, Axel Christoph Trefzer, Stefaan Marie André De Wildeman
  • Publication number: 20120021458
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Mototaka Suzuki, Masayo Date, Keiichi Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20120015408
    Abstract: The invention provides variants of the Thermoanaerobacter brockii CglT beta-glucosidase that have improve beta-glucosidase activity compared to the wild type enzyme. The invention also provides polynucleotides that encode the variants, as well as methods of producing the variants, enzyme compositions comprising the variants, and methods for using the variants in industrial applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: CODEXIS, INC.
    Inventors: Dipnath Baidyaroy, Louis Clark, Lisa M. Newman, Charlene Ching
  • Publication number: 20120009640
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods useful for producing fatty alcohol compositions from recombinant host cells. The disclosure further provides variant fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the variant FAR enzymes, and vectors and host cells comprising the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: Behnaz Behrouzian, Louis Clark, Yihui Zhu, Michael Clay, Kristian Karlshoej
  • Publication number: 20120003708
    Abstract: Methods of producing C4 dicarboxylic acids are disclosed. Nucleotide sequences encoding pyruvate carboxylase and uses of such nucleotide sequences in the production of C4 dicarboxylic acids are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Beth Fatland-Bloom, John P. Rayapati
  • Publication number: 20120003703
    Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant expression of variant forms of C1 CBH1a and homologs thereof, having improved thermostability, low-pH tolerance, specific activity and other desirable properties. Also provided are methods for producing ethanol and other valuable organic compounds by combining cellobiohydrolase variants with cellulosic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: Vesna Mitchell, Grzegorz Wojciechowski, Oscar Alvizo
  • Publication number: 20110312049
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having an ethylene glycol pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce ethylene glycol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Robin E. Osterhout, Priti Pharkya, Anthony P. Burgard
  • Publication number: 20110312026
    Abstract: The invention relates to processes and means for the biotechnologically fermentative production of riboflavin (hereinafter also referred to as vitamin B2) and means for the implementation of this process, in particular a modified microbial host cell with increased riboflavin yield. The invention thus provides new processes and means for the regulation of the expression of enzyme activities involved in the riboflavin production of the host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Florian Kirchner, Klaus Mauch, Joachim Schmid
  • Publication number: 20110312044
    Abstract: In an alcohol fermentation process, oil derived from biomass is chemically converted into an extractant available for in situ removal of a product alcohol such as butanol from a fermentation broth. The glycerides in the oil can be chemically converted into a reaction product, such as fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty amides, fatty acid methyl esters, fatty acid glycol esters, and hydroxylated triglycerides, and mixtures thereof, which forms a fermentation product extractant having a partition coefficient for a product alcohol greater than a partition coefficient of the oil of the biomass for the product alcohol. Oil derived from a feedstock of an alcohol fermentation process can be chemically converting into the fermentation product extractant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: DOUGLAS ROBERT ANTON, JELENA CIRAKOVIC, BRUCE A. DINER, MICHAEL CHARLES GRADY, FRANCIS J. WOERNER
  • Publication number: 20110312053
    Abstract: Fatty acids derived from biomass at a step in a fermentation process can be added to a fermentation medium comprising a recombinant microorganism that produces a product alcohol. At least one of growth rate and fermentable carbon consumption of the microorganism is greater in the presence of the fatty acids than the growth rate and the fermentable carbon consumption of the microorganism in the absence of the fatty acids. The addition of the fatty acids can increase glucose consumption, and can improve microorganism biomass production (cell growth/density) and growth rate, thereby reducing production time and increasing productivity of the fermentation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: KEITH H. BURLEW, Robert Dicosimo, Michael Charles Grady, Ranjan Patnaik
  • Patent number: 8080395
    Abstract: An isolated mutant of coryneform bacteria comprising a gene encodes a polypeptide having 2-methylcitrate dehydratase activity, where the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence in which one of the proteinogenic amino acids except L-proline is present at position 272 or a corresponding or comparable position. In addition, an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 2-methylcitrate dehydratase enzymic activity, which comprises at position 272 of the amino acid sequence or a corresponding or comparable position a proteinogenic amino acid except L-proline is described. A method for producing a recombinant coryneform bacterium and L-amino acids. A recombinant microorganism, L-Lysine-containing feed additive, and L-Tryptophan-containing feed additive is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Brigitte Bathe, Caroline Kreutzer, Georg Thierbach
  • Publication number: 20110301388
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: GAIL K. DONALDSON, Andrew C. Eliot, Dennis Flint, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Publication number: 20110300597
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Anthony P. Burgard, Jun Sun, Robin E. Osterhout, Priti Pharkya
  • Publication number: 20110300582
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel microorganism which has a malate dehydrogenase activity higher than that of a wild-type. Also, a recombinant vector which has the structure shown in the cleavage map of FIG. 1, a Corynebacteria strain transformed therewith, and a method of producing 5?-xanthosine monophosphate by culturing the transformed strain are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: CJ CHEILJEDANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jinman Cho, Hye Won Kim, Jinman Lee, Ji-Hye Lee, Yoon Seok Oh, Jang Hee Park
  • Patent number: 8071365
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nucleic acid sequences for regulating the transcription and expression of genes, the novel promoters and expression units themselves, methods for altering or causing the transcription rate and/or expression rate of genes, expression cassettes comprising the expression units, genetically modified microorganisms with altered or caused transcription rate and/or expression rate, and methods for preparing biosynthetic products by cultivating the genetically modified microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Burkhard Kroger, Oskar Zelder, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schroder, Stefan Haefner