Abstract: Methods for the determination of the rate of synthesis of biopolymer synthesis and degradation in cells, tissues, or cell-free systems using monomer which as been labeled with a stable isotope are provided. Further, the present invention provides method for the determination or identification of an unknown biopolymer and for the identification of an unknown cell type, a physiological state of a cell or tissue. Also, the present invention provides a database of descriptors which can be used to define an organism, tissue type, cell type, and the like, and which database can be used in conjunction with other public and private databases to identify or characterize an organism, tissue type, cell type, state of differentiation, or physiologic state of an organism, or tissue or cell sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved chlortetracycline-containing animal feed compositions and processes and apparatuses for their preparation. In certain embodiments, raw fermentation broth comprising chlortetracycline is divided into two portions. The first portion is mixed with a compound that complexes chlortetracycline. The second portion is acidified and the solids are removed. The acidified liquid is treated with a complexing agent to produced a chlortetracycline complex. The first and second portions thus treated are then mixed and the mixture is passed on to a filter press or other means for separation of the solids to produce a wet cake comprising complexed chlortetracycline. In alternative embodiments, the second portion may be acidified and filtered and admixed with the first portion prior to the complexing step. The resulting mixture is passed on to a filter press or other means for separation of the solids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an antibiotic, in particular cefalexin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefaclor, cefradin, cefadroxil, cefotaxim and the like, wherein a beta-lactam core is acylated, the antibiotic is recovered from the reaction mixture, the remaining mother liquor is subjected to a hydrolysis reaction in which the antibiotic present in the mother liquor is decomposed into its initial compounds, in particular the beta-lactam core, and the acylation agent is hydrolized. The beta-lactam core can then be recovered virtually quantitatively or recycled to the acylation reaction. This is because it has been found that the solubility of the beta-lactam core is unexpectedly high at relatively high concentrations of acylation agent and antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biological system for expanding the dethiazolidine ring of penicillins into the dehydrothiazine ring of cephalosporins or cephalosporin precursors. In particular, the invention defines reaction conditions under which expandase enzyme can convert penicillin substrates other than penicillin N into cephalosporins. The invention therefore provides a relatively inexpensive, uncomplicated, and environmentally friendly biological system for cephalosporin production from penicillins, which system can replace the synthetic chemical approaches currently utilized. In particular, the invention provides a system for producing DOAG and/or DAG, which can be enzymatically converted into 7-ADCA and 7-ADAC, which, in turn, can be enzymatically or chemically converted into valuable cephalosporins of commerce.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the biosynthesis of &bgr;-lactam antibiotics. More specifically, the invention relates to processes of producing &bgr;-lactam antibiotics in vivo and in vitro. Also contemplated is a novel enzyme capable of catalyzing certain steps involved in &bgr;-lactam biosynthesis. Further, the invention relates to a DNA construct encoding the novel enzyme, a recombinant vector or transformation vehicle comprising the DNA construct, and finally a cell comprising the DNA construct or recombinant vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the biosynthesis of .beta.-lactam antibiotics. More specifically, the invention relates to processes of producing .beta.-lactam antibiotics in vivo and in vitro. Also contemplated is a novel enzyme capable of catalyzing certain steps involved in .beta.-lactam biosynthesis. Further, the invention relates to a DNA construct encoding the novel enzyme, a recombinant vector or transformation vehicle comprising the DNA construct, and finally a cell comprising the DNA construct or recombinant vector.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the pectate lyase B secretion signal and its use to express operably linked sequences in bacterial hosts.

Abstract: O-acylated cephalosporins are produced by reacting 3-hydroxymethylcephalosporins with an acyl donor containing at least three carbon atoms and an enzyme which is a Rodosporidium toruloides esterase, a wheat germ lipase, an Aspergillus niger lipase, an orange peel acetylesterase or a Bacillus subtilis esterase. A preferred enzyme is the esterase from Rodosporidium toruloides ATCC 10657. The enzyme can be used while in whole cells or in soluble or inmobilized form.

Abstract: Targeted gene insertion methodology can increase the production of an antimicrobial metabolite and comprises the steps of:a) identifying the gene in unaltered chromosomal DNA which encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the rate controlling step in a biosynthetic pathway in the production of increased concentration of a precursor to a core molecule which leads to the antimicrobial metabolite; andb) inserting into unaltered chromasomal DNA a genetic delivery vehicle (such as a vector, phage, or virus) which carries a gene which encodes the enzyme that catalyzes the rate controlling step in the biosynthesis in the production of a core molecule which is a precursor to the antimicrobial metabolite into unaltered chromosomal DNA, said delivery vehicle being compatible with said unaltered chromosomal DNA, the delivery vehicle being generated byinserting at least one exact or modified copy of the gene determining the rate controlling step into the compatible delivery vehicle, andinserting the delivery vehicle containing t

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

Abstract: 7.alpha.-Methoxy-3-p-sulfooxy or p-hydroxycinnamoyloxymethyl cephalosporin derivatives which are useful as antibiotics and as intermediates for the production of other 7.alpha.-methoxycephalosporin derivatives.

Abstract: An improved strain of Acremonium chrysogenum may be produced by submitting parent strains of Acremonium chrysogenum to protoplast fusion and nuclear fusion and selecting said improved strain from the progeny or from a mutant thereof.The improved strains have operational advantages for the production of cephalosporins compared with the parental strains.The invention also relates to a method of producing a cephalosporin by culturing the improved strain of Acremonium chrysogenum.

Abstract: A process for producing an antibiotic Cephamycin C which comprises cultivating a strain of Streptomyces sp. OFR 1022 in a culture medium to accumulate therein Cephamycin C and recovering said Cephamycin C.

Abstract: A novel process for preparing cephamycin C known antibiotic being useful as a medicament and veterinary drug, characterized by cultivating Streptomyces todorominensis sp. nov. in a suitable medium and recovering cephamycin C from the fermentation broth.

Abstract: The 7-methoxy-3-heterocyclic thiomethyl cephalosporin derivative possessing excellent antimicrobial activity represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents ##STR2## group or HOOC-- group, R.sup.2 represents a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group, and M represents a hydrogen atom or a cation residue forming a salt.