Abstract: The present invention is drawn to biological control of plant pathogens (e.g. either preharvest or postharvest diseases) on agricultural commodities (such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, grains, nuts, seeds and silage) by use of at least one microorganism which is an antagonist against plant pathogens.

Abstract: Strains of the yeast Pichia stipitis NPw9 (ATCC PTA-3717) useful for the production of ethanol using oxygen for growth while fermenting normally toxic lignocellulosic prehydrolysates.

Abstract: A gene which contains the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 from nucleotide 671 to nucleotide 6295 or a nucleotide sequence which can be obtained therefrom by substitution, insertion or deletion of up to 30%, preferably up to 10%, particularly preferably up to 20%, especially preferably up to 5%, of the nucleotides, and whose gene product has the enzymatic activity of an adenylate cyclase, and its use.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for the biocontrol of plant diseases by use of a biological coating that confers both a protective and a curative effect for the control of postharvest decay. The coating includes chitosan salts, an antagonistic microorganism, and a cation. A composition of chitosan salts, CaCl2 and yeast is effective. The combined fungicidal activities of the chitosan salts and the antagonistic microorganism make the compositions of the present invention superior to previous coatings. When applied to the surface of a harvested plant commodity, the compositions both prevent and cure postharvest decay.

Abstract: In the present system an adequate expression system for the production and secretion of biologically active human growth hormone (HGH) in its natural form in which a methylotrophic yeast such as Pichia pastoris is used as host organism has been developed. This invention includes a methylotrophic yeast transformed with at least one copy of a functional cDNA sequence encoding HGH, which is functionally associated with a second DNA sequence encoding the S. cerevisae alpha factor pre-pro sequence (including the proteolytic processing site: lys-arg), and in which both DNA sequences are under the regulation of a methylotrophic yeast gene promoter which is inducible with methanol. Methylotrophic yeasts containing in their genome at least one copy of the DNA sequence efficiently produce and secrete mature, correctly processes and biologically active HGH, into the culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the storage of proteins in an aqueous solution. The addition of cysteine delays the temporal decrease in the effective concentration of the protein. The process is suitable for use in the production of heterologous proteins in microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fermentation process to have a high productivity with a novel mutant of Pichia sp., more specifically, for preparing erythritol under optimal fermentation conditions for maximum erythritol production by optimizing the environmental conditions of culture such as pH, temperature and by controlling osmotic pressure. A two-stage fermentation was performed to control osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure was adjusted to a low level during growth phase and to a relatively high level during production phase by adding continuously glucose and NaCl or KCl. Therefore, erythritol production could be increased.

Abstract: Functionally assembled antigen-specific intact recombinant monoclonal antibody produced by transformation of the methylotropic yeast, P. pastoris with mouse/human immunoglobulin genes encoding heavy and light chains. A method for production of the intact monoclonal antibodies, a recombinant yeast expression vector and the antibody-specific MRNA synthesis. A process for a large-scale production of the functionally assembled intact recombinant antibody.

Abstract: A method for producing a protein by culturing a cell capable of expressing the protein and which contains a methylotrophic yeast promoter for an enzyme of the methanol metabolic pathway controlling expression of the protein, in a fermentative batch process comprising a batch phase and a feeding phase, under conditions such that dissolved oxygen is continually present in the culture medium throughout the process, and about 1% to about 100% of the carbon source during the feeding phase is a sugar or sugar polymer, which sugar or sugar polymer is provided in such an amount that the sugar or sugar polymer is continually depleted by the cell and therefore is substantially undetectable in the culture medium; and isolating the protein on completion of the feeding phase.

Abstract: Microbial strains capable of producing enhanced levels of sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, phytosphingosine and/or derivatives thereof are disclosed. Additionally, there are disclosed methods based on mutagenesis, or other selection techniques, whereby such strains can be produced. As a preferred example thereof, mutant strains of Pichia are provided that are capable of producing about 50% or more of such compounds than wild type strains.

Abstract: Enhanced yields of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B-chain are obtained using the Pichia pastoris yeast system. Yields of both wild-type and mutant human proteins are enhanced when the yeast is transformed with a vector containing the yeast mating factor promoter fused to a sequence encoding the mature protein. The secreted wild-type protein is indistinguishable from mature 29-32 kDa protein isolated from human and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. An RKK→EEE mutant exhibited reduced association with the cell surface and accumulated in the culture medium as 29-32 kDa forms. Stable transfection of U87 astrocytoma cells with RKK→EEE mutants of either the A- or B-chain inhibited malignant growth in athymic nude mice. Despite altered receptor binding activities, each mutant retained full mitogenic activity when applied to cultured Swiss 3T3 cells. Circular dichroism spectrophotometric analysis of the RKK→EEE mutant revealed a secondary structure indistinguishable from the wild type.

Abstract: Provided is a novel &bgr;-glucosidase from Orpinomyces sp. PC2, nucleotide sequences encoding the mature protein and the precursor protein, and methods for recombinant production of this &bgr;-glucosidase.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for culturing microorganisms having a methanol metabolic pathway in which an expression unit is introduced that comprises a target gene linked downstream from a promoter that can be induced by methanol; wherein, during the culturing period, and including the period during which methanol is continuously or periodically added, the rate of addition is adjusted to a rate equal to or less than the maximum methanol consumption rate of said microorganisms.