Abstract: The invention involves combining a peptide toxin effective against insects, including but not limited to thrips, leaf hoppers, and beetles, with a transport peptide capable of facilitating transfer of the peptide toxin from the gut of an insect to the hemocoel. The combination can be effected by a fusion of genetic material encoding the peptide toxin and the transport peptide, such that expression of the genetic material fusion results in synthesis of a fusion protein combining the functions of both the toxin and the transport protein. Ingestion of the fusion protein by the sucking insect transfers the fusion protein into the insect's gut from which it is transferred into the hemocoel due to the functional activity of the transport peptide where the toxin exerts its toxic effect upon the insect. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is effective in control of such sucking insects as aphids, whiteflies and the like, and other vectors that transmit viruses in a circulative manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a polypeptide of interest by (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent Aspergillus cell, wherein (i) the mutant comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a modification of at least one of the genes responsible for the biosynthesis or secretion of at least one toxin, and (ii) the mutant produces less of the toxin than the parent Aspergillus cell when cultured under the same conditions; and (b) isolating the polypeptide from the culture medium. Also, mutants of Aspergillus cells are provided, as well as methods for obtaining the mutant cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Magainin derivative peptide and method of production thereof. Also provided is a pharmaceutically composition comprising said Magainin derivative peptide and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or pharmaceutically compatible binding agents. The Magainin derivative peptide of the present invention having amino acid sequence of the general formula shown as below: ?????Gly-Ile-Gly-Lys-Phe-Leu-His-Ser-Ala-Lys-Lys- Phe-Gly-Lys-Ala-Phe-Val-Gly-Glu-Ile-X-Asn-Y-Z-OH in which: X is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of Met, Ile and Leu; Y is an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of Ser, Lys, Ile, Arg and Leu; and Z is Arg.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing teicoplanin. The method includes purifying teicoplanin from a culture broth, obtained by culturing microorganisms capable of producing teicoplanin by a porous adsorption resin under selective elution conditions and recovering highly pure teicoplanin using activated carbon and/or ultrafiltration. In this regard, the method can further include ultrafiltration as pre-treatment before the culture broth is adsorbed into the porous adsorption resin so as to increase the purity of teicoplanin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for the manufacture of Cyclosporin A is disclosed. Cyclosporin A is produced by solid state fermentation of Fusarium solani in a bioreactor under optimal fermentation parameters. The product is extracted and further purified by treating with alum and subsequent chromatographic procedures to get pharmaceutical acceptable purity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cyclic peptide antibiotic in which an enzyme-sensitive bond is replaced by an enzyme-resistant bond.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of microbial infection, and in particular meningococcal disease, comprise a commensal Neisseria or an extract of a commensal Neisseria. Further methods and compositions comprise commensal Neisseria which express genes from virulent strains of Neisseria and/or heterologous gene products from non-neisserial sources. Such compositions are used in vaccine preparations for the treatment of microbial infection.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter relates to novel antibacterial compounds that are capable of inhibiting bacterial multiplication and killing living bacteria. The present inventive subject matter further relates to methods for treating Gram positive bacterial infections using the inventive compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling crown gall disease in plants using an effective quantity of ?-proteobacteria that produces trifolitoxin (TFX). The present invention also provides a biocontrol agent for use in the above method, and a plant coated with the biological control agent. The biocontrol agent is characterized as a biologically pure culture of an ?-proteobacteria strain that produces TFX, or an ?-proteobacteria strain genetically engineered to produce TFX. The ?-proteobacteria strain employed may include any one of the many strains of Agrobacterium capable of producing crown galls, including Agrobacterium vitis and, in particular, A. vitis F2/5. The ?-proteobacteria strain employed may be genetically engineered to produce TFX by introducing a genetic construct into the Agrobacterium so as to cause the Agrobacterium to carry and express the tfx operon from Rhizobium.

Abstract: Purified and isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transferrin receptor protein of a strain of Haemophilus or a fragment or an analog of the transferrin receptor protein. The nucleic acid sequence may be used to produce peptides free of contaminants derived from bacteria normally containing the Tbp1 or Tbp2 proteins for purposes of diagnostics and medical treatment. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecule may be used in the diagnosis of infection. Also provided are recombinant Tbp1 or Tbp2 and methods for purification of the same. Live vectors expressing epitopes of transferrin receptor protein for vaccination are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising a bacterial extract containing at least one expression products of the vrg genes of a strain of Bordetella chosen from B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, or B. bronchiseptica. The invention also relates to a method for producing the extract, comprising culturing the bacteria on blood medium to obtain isolated nonhemolytic colonies; inoculating cells of one or more colonies in liquid medium to give a suspension of cells; separating the cells from the liquid medium after culture; suspending the separated cells in a buffer comprising urea for at least an amount of time sufficient to form a bacterial lysate; and separating intact cells and insoluble material from soluble material, wherein the extract comprises the soluble material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-stable and protease-resistant antibacterial activity in excretory-secretory products (ESP) of Trichuris suis. The antibacterial activity is not more than 10,000 MW; is resistant to boiling, trypsin, and pronase E; has a bactericidal mode of action; and is effective against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobactercoli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activity is useful in applications for killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, in particular bacteria.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the enhanced production of bacterial toxins in large-scale cultures. Specifically, methods and compositions for reducing bacterial toxin expression inhibitors are providing including, but not limited to, addition of toxin expression inhibitor binding compounds, culture media having reduced concentrations of toxin inhibitor metabolic precursors and genetically modified toxogenic bacteria lacking enzymes required to metabolize the toxin inhibitor metabolic precursors.

Abstract: A microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus is cultured and thiopeptide compounds QN3323 and thiocillin I/II compounds are collected from the culture medium. The compounds are useful as drugs to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Abstract: Provided is a method of purifying a vancomycin from a fermentation broth of a microorganism containing vancomycin, including passing the fermentation broth of a microorganism containing vancomycin through a strong acid cation exchange resin, a weak base anion exchange resin, alumina and a hydrophobic absorbent resin sequentially.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the enhanced production of bacterial toxins in large-scale cultures. Specifically, methods and compositions for reducing bacterial toxin expression inhibitors are providing including, but not limited to, addition of toxin expression inhibitor binding compounds, culture media having reduced concentrations of toxin inhibitor metabolic precursors and genetically modified toxogenic bacteria lacking enzymes required to metabolize the toxin inhibitor metabolic precursors.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from an excessive mucus secretion includes administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a botulinum toxin type A, B, C, D, E, F and/or G.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula Wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6a, R6b, R6c, R6d, R6e and R7 are defined in the specification. These compounds are useful as antibiotic agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a family of unique antimycotic lipopeptide compounds produced by Pseudomonas viridiflava. The lipopeptides are effective against both human and plant fungal pathogens, and are typically characterized by their ability to inhibit growth of Candida albicans. Representative lipopeptides of the invention have molecular weights of 1137, 1153, 1164 and 1181 daltons.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

Abstract: The invention includes antibiotic pharmaceutical compositions comprising eukaryotic histone H1 protein and methods of using eukaryotic histone H1 protein to kill or to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including, but not limited to, human pathogenic bacteria. The invention further includes a eukaryotic histone H1-containing animal feed and methods of improving growth of an animal by supplying the feed to the animal. The invention still further includes a kit comprising a eukaryotic histone H1-containing antibiotic pharmaceutical composition and an instructional material which describes the use of the composition. In addition, the invention includes a vaccine comprising a eukaryotic histone H1 protein and a method of vaccinating an animal using the vaccine.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

Abstract: The production of a spray-dried bacteriocin lacticin 3147 powder is described. The powder is shown to have effective anti-microbial activity in a range of foodstuffs, namely infant milk formulations, powdered soup, yoghurt and cottage cheese. Increased anti-microbial activity was demonstrated when the lacticin 3147 powder was used in conjunction with increased hydrostatic pressure. The process comprises: inoculating a medium with a lacticin 3147-producing strain of bacteria, fermenting the inoculated medium, adjusting the pH of the fermentation to 6.3-6.7, inactivating the bacterial fermentate and evaporating the fermentate.

Abstract: A compound of the following chemical structure (I) which exhibits antifungal activity and is useful in treating and preventing fungal infectious diseases:

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the conversion of echinocandin class of peptides to their C4-homotyrosine monodeoxy analogues, particularly mulundocandin to deoxymulundocandin, which consists of a single step selective reduction of C4-htyr (homotyrosine) hydroxyl group of echinocandins to their monodeoxy analogues under neutral conditions without prior protection/deprotection of the equally facile C5-Orn (ornithine) hydroxyl group and purification of the monodeoxy compound from the crude reaction mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying a antibiotic from a crude or partially purified solution containing the lantibiotic. In preferred embodiments, the lantibiotic is nisin, although the common structural features of lantibiotics dictate the effectiveness of the disclosed purification methods for other members of the lantibiotic genus. The method includes the step of forming an incubation mixture comprising the solution containing the lantibiotic and a proteolytic enzyme, and incubating the mixture under conditions optimized for selective proteolytic activity.

Abstract: Novel cyclodepsipeptide intermediates have been prepared from the A21978 complex and used to synthesize new lipodepsipeptide antibiotics. The three intermediates can be readily derivatized to give new families of antibiotics that have potent antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: Apoptosis-modifying fusion polypeptides, and the corresponding nucleic acid molecules, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these polypeptides, and the use of these polypeptides to modify apoptosis are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying a lantibiotic from a crude or partially purified solution containing the lantibiotic. In preferred embodiments, the lantibiotic is nisin, although the common structural features of lantibiotics dictate the effectiveness of the disclosed purification methods for other members of the lantibiotic genus. The method includes the step of forming an incubation mixture comprising the solution containing the lantibiotic and a proteolytic enzyme, and incubating the mixture under conditions optimized for selective proteolytic activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that nucleic acid sequences comprising a BtI or BtII promoter, or a combination of a BtI and a BtII promoter, a bacterial STAB-SD sequence, and a sequence encoding proteins of the B. sphaericus (“Bs”) binary toxin and expressed in B. thuringiensis (“Bt”) or Bs cells results in production of Bs binary toxin at least 10 times that of untransformed Bs cells. The invention provides nucleic acid sequences, expression vectors, host cells, and methods of increasing the toxicity of an insecticidal bacterium by transforming the bacterium with a nucleic acid sequence of the invention. Further, the invention relates to the discovery that the Cyt1Aa1 protein of Bt subspecies israelensis (“Bti”) reverses resistance to Bs binary toxin in Bs-resistant mosquitoes. The invention provides Bs cells expressing Bti Cyt1Aa1 protein, and methods of reversing resistance to Bs binary toxin by co-administering the Cyt1Aa1 protein with Bs binary toxin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid and inexpensive method for extractively isolating acidic lipopeptide antibiotics, such as those having a cyclic peptide or cyclic depsipeptide core, in high yield and purity. In particular, there is provided a method of extracting a variety of acidic lipopeptide antibiotics, directly or indirectly, into water immiscible organic solvents by using a divalent cation chelation procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically attenuated superantigen toxin vaccines altered such that superantigen attributes are absent, however the superantigen is effectively recognized and an appropriate immune response is produced. The attenuated superantigen toxins are shown to protect animals against challenge with wild type toxin. Methods of producing and using the altered superantigen toxins are described.

Abstract: A bacteriocin is obtained by culturing cells of a strain of Micrococcus varians which, upon culturing in a culture medium, produces a bacteriocin which has agar well incubation inhibition test activity against at least one of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Listeria, Bacillus, Clostridia and Straphylococcus bacteria. The strain is cultured to obtain cultured cells in a concentration of from 107 to 1011 organisms per ml of the medium, and the culture medium supernatant is separated from the cultured cells to obtain the supernatant which contains the bacteriocin, which is also identified by having an amino acid sequence from SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence differing from SEQ ID NO: 1 by from 1 to 4 amino acids.

Abstract: The invention provides a peptide capable of blocking voltage-gated K+ channels and inhibiting IL-2 production, which is represented by an amino acid sequence of: Ala-Ser-Cys-Arg-Thr-Pro-Lys-Asp-Cys-Ala-Asp-Pro-Cys-Arg-Lys-Glu-Thr-Gly-Cys-Pro-Tyr-Gly-Lys-Cys-Met-Asn-Arg-Lys-Cys-Lys-Cys-Asn-Arg-Cys; in which the C-terminal is amidated and four disulfide bridges are present in the molecule, and their related peptides isolated from the venom gland of a scorpion Heterometrus spinnifer. The peptides provided by the present invention are neuropeptides which can block voltage-gated K+ channels and inhibit IL-2 production at an extremely low concentration and, therefore, are expected to contribute to application of scorpion toxins to medicines and so on.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the enhanced production of bacterial toxins in large-scale cultures. Specifically, methods and compositions for reducing bacterial toxin expression inhibitors are providing including, but not limited to, addition of toxin expression inhibitor binding compounds, culture media having reduced concentrations of toxin inhibitor metabolic precursors and genetically modified toxogenic bacteria lacking enzymes required to metabolize the toxin inhibitor metabolic precursors.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel microorganism Streptomyces megasporus SD5. The present invention also relates to a process for the isolation of said Streptomyces megasporus SD5. The invention also relates to a novel fibrinolytic enzyme actinokinase extracted from said microorganism and to a process for the extraction of said enzyme. In another aspect, the invention also pertains to a method for the treatment of thrombolytic disorders using said enzyme.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

Abstract: Using nucleic acids encoding mutant SEA and SEB exotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus, compositions and methods for use in inducing an immune response which is protective against staphylococcal aureus intoxication in subjects is described.

Abstract: Methods for treating fibromyalgia may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Clostridial toxin to a peripheral location on the body of a patient. This peripheral location is other than the site on the body where the pain emanates.

Abstract: Unique recombinant antigens representing distinct antigenic regions of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genome which can be used as reagents for the detection of antibodies and antigen in body fluids from individuals exposed to HCV. The present invention also provides an assay for detecting the presence of an antibody to an HCV antigen in a sample by contacting the sample with the recombinant antigens. Preferred assay formats include a screening assay, a confirmatory assay, a competition or neutralization assay and an immunodot assay.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antibiotic substance of microbial origin, arbitrarily denominated GE23077 complex and the individual factors which constitute it, a mixture of said factors in any proportion, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and compositions thereof, and their use as an antibacterial agent having a selective inhibitory activity against E. coli RNA polymerase.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of clavulanic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, such as potassium clavulanate, from the aqueous fermentation broth of a clavulanic acid-producing microorganism comprises the microfiltration of the broth without prior treatment.

Abstract: The invention includes antibiotic pharmaceutical compositions comprising eukaryotic histone H1 protein and methods of using eukaryotic histone H1 protein to kill or to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including, but not limited to, human pathogenic bacteria. The invention further includes a eukaryotic histone H1-containing animal feed and methods of improving growth of an animal by supplying the feed to the animal. The invention still further includes a kit comprising a eukaryotic histone H1-containing antibiotic pharmaceutical composition and an instructional material which describes the use of the composition. In addition, the invention includes a vaccine comprising a eukaryotic histone H1 protein and a method of vaccinating an animal using the vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel strain of Microbispora corallina, means for identifying it, methods for culturing it at several different levels, two new antibiotics derived from the cultures and the physico-chemical characteristics of those compounds and their biological activity against a variety of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel strain of Streptomyces sp. having Accession Number PTA 973 and a process for the preparation of an alkaline protease inhibitor employing the said strain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laspartomycin core peptide, a laspartomycin core peptide derivative, a antimicrobial laspartomycin derivative, a method for making laspartomycin core peptides, methods for making laspartomycin core peptide derivatives, methods for making antimicrobial laspartomycin derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions of antimicrobial laspartomycin derivatives, methods of inhibiting microbial growth and methods for treating and/or preventing microbial infections in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gene, termed “S-yneS,” found in Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is essential for survival for a wide range of bacteria. This gene and the S-yneS polypeptide that it encodes, as well as homologs and orthologs thereof (collectively referred to as “yneS” genes and polypeptides) can be used to identify antibacterial agents for treating a broad spectrum of bacterial infections.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.