Abstract: This invention relates to enzymatic removal of type A and B antigens from blood group A, B, and AB reactive cells in blood products, and thereby converting these to non-A and non-B reactive cells. The invention further relates to using unique ?-N-acetylgalactosaminidases and ?-galactosidases with superior kinetic properties for removing the immunodominant monosaccharides of the blood group A and B antigens and improved performance in enzymatic conversion of red blood cells. The preferred unique ?-N-acetylgalactosaminidases and ?-galactosidases exhibit the following characteristics: (i) exclusive, preferred or no less than 10% substrate specificity for the type A and B branched polysaccharide structures relative to measurable activity with simple mono- and disaccharide structures and aglycon derivatives hereof; (ii) optimal performance at neutral pH with blood group oligosaccharides and in enzymatic conversion of cells; and (iii) a favorable kinetic constant Km with mono- and oligosaccharide substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted heterocycles, processes for their preparation, and their use in medicaments, especially for the treatment of inflammatory disease, i.e. asthma, or cancer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for identifying and using cis-regulatory and decoy sequences.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated novel Gram-positive non-motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic bacterium designated Streptomyces scopuloiridis, wherein the bacterium produces a bacteriocin that kills or inhibits the growth of Gram-positive or Gram-negative target bacteria. Also provided are novel purified polypeptides, and fragments thereof, and isolated nucleic acids from the bacterium. Further provided are methods of using the bacterium and the purified polypeptides, and fragments thereof, to preserve food and prevent bacterial contamination of food.

Abstract: Fermentation of a nutrient medium with a eubacterium Streptomyces sp. yields a novel antibacterial compound of structural formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel antimicrobial compound of lactoquinomycin that is highly effective against many antibiotic-resistant gram-positive bacteria; namely, methicillin-resistant and vancomycin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecilis and Mycobacteria. The present invention also relates to a fermentation process of culturing a Streptomyces strain to prepare the antimicrobial compound and its use in killing the antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scalable process for producing a concentrate containing a mass of a farnesylated dibenzodiazepinone by fermenting in an aqueous culture medium a strain of a microorganism that is capable of producing the farnesylated dibenzodiazepinone, upon completion of fermentation harvesting the fermentation broth and extracting the fermentation broth to provide an extract, and thereafter treating the extract to form the concentrate. The concentrate so produced may be utilized in downstream processes for producing pharmaceutical compounds. A strain of a Micromonospora species capable of producing a farnesylated dibenzodiazepinone at a high yield rate is provided, together with culture media for culturing microorganisms, and fermentation conditions for production of the farnesylated dibenzodiazepinone of the concentrate.

Abstract: A process for the production of natural ferulic acid, coniferyl alcohol and/or vanillin, includes the bio-conversion of eugenol by a bacteria belonging to the Streptomyces genes including at least one nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:8 or any nucleotide sequence having at least 70%, preferably 80% and very preferably 90%, identity with the sequence SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:8.

Abstract: Fermentation of a nutrient medium with a eubacterium Streptomyces sp. yields a novel antibacterial compound of structural formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of secondary metabolites from microorganisms. In particular, there are provided methods for inducing the rapid production of such compounds from a variety of microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention refers to a microbial strain, which produces anthracycline metabolites at a titre of at least 0.5 g/l fermentation broth.

Abstract: The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells using a feedback-resistant mevalonate kinase polypeptide, such as an archaeal mevalonate kinase polypeptide. The resulting isoprene compositions may have increased yields and/or purity of isoprene.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated nucleotide sequence encoding an enzyme catalyzing biosynthesis of SAM (SAM-s) and its amino acid sequence. Also, the present invention provides a method for mass production of a useful secondary metabolite including antibiotics using the isolated nucleotide sequence and SAM, where SAM acts as a methyl group donor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple bioreactor system comprising a plurality of bioreactors, a source of pressurised fluid, and distribution means for distributing the fluid to the bioreactors, wherein the bioreactor system includes backpressure creating means presented by, before or after each bioreactor and the source of pressurised fluid such that each backpressure creating means provides a resistance to the flow of the pressurised fluid which is greater than the resistance to flow between each backpressure creating means.

Abstract: The present invention provides microorganisms, in which the activity of 4-hydroxybenzoate polyprenyltransferase or 2-octaprenylphenol?2-octaprenyl-6-methoxyphenol flavin reductase is reduced or lost, and which have an ability to produce lactic acid, in particular, microorganisms comprising a chromosomal DNA in which a gene encoding a protein having 4-hydroxybenzoate polyprenyltransferase activity or a protein having 2-octaprenylphenol?2-octaprenyl-6-methoxyphenol flavin reductase activity is partially or completely defective; and a process for producing lactic acid using the microorganisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising variants of alpha-amylase that have alpha-amylase activity and which exhibit altered properties relative to a parent AmyS-like alpha-amylase from which they are derived. The compositions comprise an additional enzyme such as a phytase. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions, and kits related thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides cyclic hexadepsipeptides and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs, and methods for obtaining the compounds, by fermentation, optionally followed by post-biosynthesis chemical modification. The present invention further provides uses of cyclic hexadepsipeptides, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs as pharmaceuticals, in particular to their use as antibacterial, antifungal or antineoplastic agents, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a cyclic hexadepsipeptide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, together with a carrier.

Abstract: A method of vanillin production from ferulic acid with a high concentration by biotransformation using a Streptomyces sp. strain is claimed in this invention. This strain is named as Streptomyces sp. V-1, which has been deposited in China Center for Type Culture Collection on Jul. 12, 2006 with the number of CCTCC M 206065. Using this strain, high concentration of vanillin fermentation broth is obtained from ferulic acid by biotransformation in GY biotransformation medium. With the addition of macroporous adsorbent resin DM11, the concentration of vanillin can be greatly improved. The advantage of this invention is less environmental pollution, high product concentration, less by-product, short processing cycle, low production cost, simple product extraction, clean production process, product environmental friendly, safe and reliable, which solves many difficulties in the vanillin production from botanical raw material extraction or chemical synthesis, and therefore it has good application prospect.

Abstract: A microorganism represented by a strain K04-0144 belonging to Streptomyces sp. having ability to produce K04-0144 substance is cultured in the medium, and the isolated K04-0144A substance, K04-0144B substance and K04-0144C substance therefrom have strong antibacterial activities against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Streptococcus aureus (MRSA), consequently these are useful as the therapeutic agents for infectious disease caused by MRSA as well as infectious diseases caused by multidrug including ?-lactam antibiotics resistant bacteria. Further, similarly, since the novel K04-0144D substance isolated from the cultured liquid has the action for enhancing the effect of ?-lactam antibiotics, which are utilized as the antibacterial agents, in combination with them, it is useful as the therapeutic agent for infectious diseases caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug including ?-lactam antibiotics resistant bacteria.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel bacterial sialic acid transporter that is a member of the family of ABC transporters. The transporter is a useful target for pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel strains of microorganisms with oxygen-regulated metabolism. The microorganisms have higher growth rates and are more efficient than parental strains. The microorganisms may be used to produce a variety of products of interests, such as recombinant proteins, nucleic acids, such as DNA, amino acids, and chemicals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding an aveC gene product, which polynucleotide molecules can be used to alter the ratio or amount of class 2:1 avermectins produced in fermentation cultures of S. avermitilis. The present invention further relates to vectors, host cells, and mutant strains of S. avermitilis in which the aveC gene has been inactivated, or mutated so as to change the ratio or amount of class 2:1 avermectins produced.

Abstract: Fermentation of a nutrient medium with a eubacterium Streptomyces sp. yields a novel antibacterial compound of structure (I).

Abstract: Disclosed are variants of the ?-amylase derived from Bacillus sp. no. 707, compositions comprising said variants, compositions comprising the variants, and methods of using the variants. The methods of use include methods of cleaning surfaces, laundering textiles, desizing, hydrolyzing biofilms off various substrates, and treating starch (e.g., liquefaction and saccharification).

Abstract: Provided is a method for obtaining a macrolide, especially tacrolimus, ascomycin, pimecrolimus, sirolimus, or everolimus, from biomatter.

Abstract: Provided is a method for obtaining a macrolide, especially tacrolimus, from biomatter.

Abstract: Composition containing a conditioned cell culture medium or an extract thereof, said medium being able to be obtained by contact with at least one culture of digestive tract cells and at least one probiotic microorganism. It also relates to the use of conditioned culture medium for improving skin homeostasis, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microorganism having one or more gene disruptions, the one or more gene disruptions occurring in genes encoding an enzyme obligatory coupling 3-hydroxypropionic acid production to growth of the microorganism when the gene disruption reduces an activity of the enzyme, whereby the one or more gene disruptions confers stable growth-coupled production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid onto the non-naturally occurring microorganism.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inoculant in the form of a stable storage paste including a microorganism, a solid carrier, one or more protective substances, and water. The invention further relates to a method for producing of the inoculant using a growth medium including a solid carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides novel biologically pure cultures of microorganisms high in protease activity and capable of decomposing proteins recalcitrant to proteolysis as contained in garbage, waste water, organic waste liquids, industrial wastes and the like, a protease produced by such microorganisms and capable of decomposing proteins recalcitrant to proteolysis, and a method of utilizing the same. The novel culture is of a soil-derived microorganism belonging to Streptomyces sp., or a strain derived therefrom, which produces a protease capable of efficiently decomposing proteins recalcitrant to proteolysis as contained in waste water, organic waste liquids, industrial wastes and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel nucleic acid sequence which hybridizes to SEQ ID NO:6 or fragments thereof under stringent conditions, or fragments thereof. The invention also includes diagnostic assays, expression vectors, control sequences, antisense molecules, ribozymes, and host cells to express the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid sequence. The present invention also includes claims to the polypeptide sequence coded by the nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: Method for production of indolocarbazoles by using rebeccamycin biosynthetic genes. The invention is based on utilization of rebeccamycin biosynthetic genes from Saccharothrix aerocolonigenes for production of indolocarbazoles in related microorganisms (Streptomyces spp.). Method includes the isolation of a DNA fragment from Saccharothrix aerocolonigenes ATCC39243 containing the rebeccamycin biosynthesis gene cluster and the expression of these genes in Streptomyces albus, achieving production of rebeccamycin and derivatives. The invention is suitable for use in the pharmaceutical field.

Abstract: There is described a process for the synthesis of a fluoronucleoside compound, said process comprising mixing a substrate and an enzyme from Streptomyces cattelya as catalyst. The process may be used to produce an 18F labelled fluoronucleoside compound. There is also described an enzyme derived from Streptomyces cattelya which has the capacity to catalyse the synthesis of a fluoronucleoside compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, sequencing, and recombinant expression of genes encoding either a nitrile hydratase (NHase) or amidase (Am) from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D, where the NHase is useful for catalyzing the hydration of nitrites to the corresponding amides, and the amidase is useful for hydrolysis of amides to the corresponding carboxylic acids. Also provided are transformed host cells containing polynucleotides for expressing the nitrile hydratase or amidase enzymes from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding an aveC gene product, which polynucleotide molecules can be used to alter the ratio or amount of class 2:1 avermectins produced in fermentation cultures of S. avermitilis. The present invention further relates to vectors, host cells, and mutant strains of S. avermitilis in which the aveC gene has been inactivated, or mutated so as to change the ratio or amount of class 2:1 avermectins produced.

Abstract: A novel tyrosyl diester antibiotic is obtained from fermentation of a recombinant strain of Streptomyces lividans designated Stretomyces lividans WD 15684 (ATCC-202143). The new antibiotic, designated tyrissamycin, exhibits antibacterial activity, particularly against gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula by means of bioconversion with a microorganism culture of a compound of the formula

Abstract: A compound which has the following formula (1), a process for its production, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound as an active ingredient, a method of treating tumor which comprises administering the compound, use of the compound as a medicine, and a microorganism capable of producing the compound. The compound of the present invention is a novel compound which has antitumor action and is useful as a medicine.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an improved method for the manufacture of Pravastatin sodium salt by fermentation under optimal fermentation parameters using a new strain of Streptomyces flavidovirens.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for the biological production of 1,3-propanediol from a fermentable carbon source in a single microorganism. In one aspect of the present invention, an improved process for the conversion of glucose to 1,3-propanediol is achieved by the use of an E. coli transformed with the Klebsiella pneumoniae dha regulon genes dhaR, orfY, dhaT, orfX, orfW, dhaB1, dhaB2, dhaB3, and orfZ, all these genes arranged in the same genetic organization as found in wild type Klebsiella pneumoniae. In another aspect of the present invention, an improved process for the production of 1,3-propanediol from glucose using a recombinant E. coli containing genes encoding a G3PDH, a G3P phosphatase, a dehydratase, and a dehydratase reactivation factor compared to an identical process using a recombinant E. coli containing genes encoding a G3PDH, a G3P phosphatase, a dehydratase, a dehydratase reactivation factor and a 1,3-propanediol oxidoreductase (dhaT).

Abstract: A novel method of producing PS is described herein. The method first involves producing PLD enzyme through the use of enzyme-producing microorganisms. The PLD enzyme is reacted with a lecithin and source of serine to produce the phosphatidylserine (PS). The method differs from prior methods in several ways. First, it incorporates a novel strain of PLD enzyme-producing organism in a preferred embodiment. It is also the first known PS production method that allows for the reuse of the enzyme and serine components to enhance efficiency and productivity. It further incorporates a novel solvent system, unique stabilization agents for the PLD enzyme, as well as optimized reaction conditions.

Abstract: A polyketide or glycosylated polyketide which has the formula: wherein R* is methyl or ethyl; each of R1-R6 is methyl; X1 is OH or H; and/or X2 is=O, OH or H; X3 is OH or H; X4 is OH or H; a pi bond is present at positions 10-11, 8-9, 4-5 and/or 2-3; and wherein at least one of the following characteristics is present: X1 is H; X2 is OH or H; X3 is H; X4 is H; or a pi bond is present at positions 10-11, 8-9, 4-5 and/or 2-3.

Abstract: Combinatorial libraries of polyketides can be obtained by suitable manipulation of a host modular polyketide synthase gene cluster such as that which encodes the PKS for erythromycin. The combinatorial library is useful as a source of pharmaceutically active compounds. In addition, novel polyketides and antibiotics are prepared using this method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel D-aminoacylase, as well as method for producing a D-amino acid using the same. In order to achieve the above objective, the present inventors have succeeded in purifying heat-stable D-aminoacylase from microorganisms belonging to the genus Streptomyces by combining various purification methods. Furthermore, the present inventors found that the purified heat-stable D-aminoacylase is useful in industrial production of D-amino acids. By utilizing the heat-stable D-aminoacylase, it is possible to readily and efficiently produce the corresponding D-amino acids from N-acetyl-DL-amino acids (for example, N-acetyl-DL-methionine, N-acetyl-DL-valine, N-acetyl-DL-tryptophan, N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine, N-acetyl-DL-alanine, N-acetyl-DL-leucine, and so on).

Abstract: A novel method of producing PS is described herein. The method first involves producing PLD enzyme through the use of enzyme-producing microorganisms. The PLD enzyme is reacted with a lecithin and source of serine to produce the phosphatidylserine (PS). The method differs from prior methods in several ways. First, it incorporates a novel strain of PLD enzyme-producing organism in a preferred embodiment. It is also the first known PS production method that allows for the reuse of the enzyme and serine components to enhance efficiency and productivity. It further incorporates a novel solvent system, unique stabilization agents for the PLD enzyme, as well as optimized reaction conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides an enzymatic unhairing agent for use in an unhairing step in tanning for producing leather comprising an alkaline protease as an active component; a treatment solution comprising a pH-adjusting agent and the enzymatic unhairing agent; a method for enzymatic unhairing treatment in tanning for producing leather comprising contacting the treatment solution with a raw hide or skin; and a leather thus produced. According to the invention, it is attained markedly reduction of the pollution load in the unhairing waste water and leather and recovered hairs both of good quality can be obtained.

Abstract: A novel antibiotic-producing Streptomyces sp. is provided that exhibits antifungal activity only on certain specific plant pathogens. Also provided is a method of treating or protecting plants from fungal infections comprising applying an effective amount of an antibiotic-producing Streptomyces sp. having all the identifying characteristics of NRRL Accession number B-30145. The invention also relates to fungicidal compositions comprising this novel Streptomyces strain and the antibiotics and metabolites produced by this strain either alone, or in combination with other chemical and biological pesticides.

Abstract: Antibiotics RK-1061s having a novel chemical structure and a method of production thereof. They have a structural formula represented by general formula(I) wherein A represents R1 or R1CH(OR2)CH2. R2 represents 3-methylglutaric acid residue and R3 represents a sulfate group or a hydrogen atom. The process comprises culturing a ray fungus belonging to the genus Streptomyces and isolating RK-1061s from the culture. Streptomyces sp. SN-1061Ms (FERM BP-5800) is capable of stably producing RK-1061 at a high productivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant DNA molecule which comprises genes for biosynthesizing acarbose and homologous pseudo-oligosaccharides; to oligonucleotide primers for the PCR amplification of the molecule; to proteins which can be obtained by expressing the genes located on a molecule; to vectors and host cells which comprise the above-mentioned DNA molecule; to proteins which are encoded by the DNA molecule; to proteins which are expressed by means of said vectors in said host cells; to processes for preparing acarbose by introducing the characterized genes into appropriate host organisms and/or eliminating these genes from the host organisms; to processes for completing the gene cluster of genes for biosynthesizing acarbose, to processes for isolating analogous gene clusters in organisms other than Streptomyces glaucescens GLA.

Abstract: A microorganism capable of producing substances K97-0239 comprising K97-0239A represented by the following formula [I]: and K97-0239B represented by the following formula [II]: is cultured in a medium and the substances K97-0239 thus accumulated in the medium are collected from the culture medium. The obtained substances have a low toxicity and specifically inhibit the foaming of macrophages. Owing to these characteristics, they are useful in preventing and treating human arteriosclerosis and diseases caused thereby.